Springfield, Minnesota

History

Springfield was originally called Burns, and under the latter name was platted in 1877 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was renamed in 1881 after either Springfield, Massachusetts. or a nearby spring.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.85 square miles (4.79 km²), all of it land. The Cottonwood River flows through the city.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,152 people, 913 households, and 558 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,163.2 inhabitants per square mile (449.1/km²). There were 1,015 housing units at an average density of 548.6 per square mile (211.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.6% of the population.

There were 913 households of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 46.8 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 26.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,215 people, 897 households, and 562 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,223.9 people per square mile (472.5/km²). There were 968 housing units at an average density of 534.9 per square mile (206.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.33% White, 0.32% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.63% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.99% of the population.

There were 897 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 86.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,643, and the median income for a family was $41,071. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,779 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,977. About 2.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

The town was often mentioned on Little House on the Prairie as the town to which Charles Ingalls would frequently go for his "business travels". Bernie Bierman, one of the most successful coaches in Minnesota Golden Gophers football history, was born in Springfield. Former Minority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives and two time gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert was born in Springfield. Emily Vogel, born and raised in Springfield, earned the designation United States Figure Skating Gold Medalist in 2016.

Education