Alexandria, Minnesota
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexandria is a city in Douglas County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 8,820 at the 2000 census. As of April 2005, Minnesota Demographic Center estimates the population of Alexandria is at least 11,043. It is the county seat of Douglas County6. The city has a museum housing the controversial Kensington Runestone, which is thought by some to indicate that Vikings had visited the area in the 14th century. Alexandria is located near Interstate 94 (twinned with U.S. Highway 52 in this part of the state), along Minnesota State Highway 27 and MN-29. Lake Carlos State Park is ten miles north of Alexandria.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.2 km² (9.4 mi²). 23.0 km² (8.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²) of it (5.02%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 8,820 people, 4,047 households, and 2,011 families residing in the city. The population density was 383.1/km² (992.5/mi²). There were 4,311 housing units at an average density of 187.2/km² (485.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.94% White, 0.42% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 4,047 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 15.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,851, and the median income for a family was $38,245. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,085. About 7.8% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Churches
A number of religious communities are represented in Alexandria.
- Baptist
- Alexandria Baptist Chapel
- Faith Baptist
- First Baptist
- Catholic
- Covenant
- Episcopal
- Emmanuel Episcopal
- Lutheran
- Berea Lutheran
- Bethesda Lutheran
- Calvary Lutheran
- First Lutheran (Norwegian Evangelical)
- Good Shepherd Lutheran
- New Life Christian Center
- Shalom
- St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran
- Zion Lutheran
- Methodist
- Free Methodist Church
- United Methodist
- Non Denominational
- Alexandria Christian Church
- Assembly of God
- Faith Community
- Lake Community Free Church
- Other
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
- House of Prayer Christian Outreach Centre
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Manor Hill's Bible Chapel
- United Pentecostal
- Seven Day Adventist
- New Testament
- Unknown
- Christian Science Society
- First Congregational-United Church of Christ
- Gospel Chapel
- House of Prayer Ministries
[edit] Education
[edit] Elementary schools
All elementary school includes grades kindergarden through sixth grade
- Voyager Elementary School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
- Garflield Elementary School
- Miltona Elementary School
- Carlos Elementary School
[edit] Middle school
[edit] High school
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Airport
Alexandria has a small airport called Chandler Field. It is on the southwest edge of town.
[edit] Highways
Alexandria has two major highways. Highway 29 and Highway 27. Highway 29 connects Alexandria to Glenwood and Parkers Prairie. Highway 27 connects Alexandria to Nelson, Osakis and to western Minnesota
[edit] Interstate
Alexandria is located near I94 which allows access to the Twin Cities and Fargo-Moorhead.
[edit] Public Transit
Rainbow Rider is a public transit system that serves the West Central Minnesota. Douglas, Pope, Stevens, and Traverse counties all have access to the Rainbow Rider
[edit] Media
Alexandria plays host to a party/community event known as Awake The Lakes during Memorial Day weekend. They also have a racetrack, Viking Speedway, featuring 5 different stock car categories that race every Saturday night. Alexandria also hosts the Vikingland Band Festival on the last Sunday in June every year, a parade which many consider to be the state competition for high school marching bands.
At one time, Sinclair Lewis's novel Main Street was banned in Alexandria because of its unflattering portrayal of small-town life.
[edit] Radio
AM Radio Stations
FM Radio Stations
- FM 89.5 - K262AT, "The Refuge" (Contemporary Christian music) Under Construction Permit
- FM 90.9 - K215BL, Minnesota Public Radio (classical)
- FM 91.7 - K219FA, Sonlife Radio (gospel) translator station of WJFM-FM from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- FM 92.3 - KXRA-FM, KX92 (classic rock)
- FM 94.3 - KULO, Cool 94.3 (oldies)
- FM 95.7 - KKOK, Prairies Hit Country (country music)
- FM 97.3 - KRVY, The River 97.3 (adult contemporary)
- FM 99.3 - KXRZ, Z99 (Hot Adult Contemporary)
- FM 100.7 - KIKV, KIK-FM (country music)
- FM 103.9 - KBHL, Praise FM (Christian)
- FM 107.1 - KMGK, Smooth Magic 107 (Smooth Jazz)
[edit] Television
[edit] Newspaper
Alexandria and the surround lakes area is provided with a local newspaper that comes out twice a week on Wednesday and Friday called the Echo Press
