Plymouth, Minnesota
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| Plymouth, Minnesota | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Minnesota | ||
| County | Hennepin County | ||
| Founded | 1852 | ||
| Incorporated | 1858 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Kelli Slavik | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 35.3 sq mi (91.5 km²) | ||
| - Land | 32.9 sq mi (85.2 km²) | ||
| - Water | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) | ||
| Elevation | 971 ft (296 m) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - City | 65,894 | ||
| - Density | 2,002.0/sq mi (773.1/km²) | ||
| - Metro | 2,968,805 | ||
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) | ||
| Website: http://www.ci.plymouth.mn.us | |||
Plymouth is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 68,978 at the 2005 census, making it the seventh largest city in the state of Minnesota. Plymouth operates under a council-manager form of government. The council comprises a mayor and six council members.
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[edit] History
Plymouth's history can be traced back to the pre-Colombian period, 1400-1500 AD.[1] The original inhabitants were the Dakota. Their encampment was at the north end of Medicine Lake, whose name is derived from the Native American word "Mdewakan," meaning "Lake of the Spirit." The Dakota named it after a warrior overturned his canoe and his body was never recovered.
Antoine LeCounte, a guide and explorer, was the first settler to this area. He arrived in 1848, but did not settle until 1852. He carried mail from the Red River country to points south, trading goods to Native Americans for horses on the way. LeCounte built the first cabin at what is now East Medicine Lake Blvd. at 29th Ave. N. Plymouth's beginning as a town occurred in 1855 on the northwest shores of what is now known as Parkers Lake. A gristmill and other structures were built in the area. In the spring of 1857, when Parkers Lake flooded, the mill was taken down and moved to Freeport, Minnesota, known today as Wayzata.
As new settlers came to the area, they decided to organize. The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners named the new settlement Plymouth. On April 19, 1858, a group of townspeople met at the home of Francis Day to open elections for town offices. On May 11, 1858, the group voted to change the town's name to Medicine Lake. This was used once at the town meeting, but for reasons, which were not recorded, it was never used again.
During the Dakota War of 1862 between white settlers and the Dakota at Fort Ridgely, near New Ulm, the settlers of Plymouth formed a militia. When the Civil War started, Plymouth paid its volunteers $25 to enlist. At about this time, Plymouth's growth began to take on a new look. Schools and churches were built and a post office was located in Plymouth. By 1863, hotels were being built.
More changes occurred after the Civil War. By 1880, Plymouth boasted a population of 1,074, and reaped $667 in annual taxes. Farming became the trade of most settlers. Roads were built across Plymouth, making access to other towns possible. Medicine Lake had become a major tourist attraction and resorts were built around its shores.
As the character of the community evolved, so did local government. Plymouth incorporated as a village on May 18, 1955. The City adopted the Council-Manager form of government on August 1, 1968. Plymouth became a statutory city on February 7, 1974. It remained a statutory city until voters opted to make it a home rule charter city by adopting a City Charter on November 3, 1992. The City Charter went into effect on January 1, 1993. The Charter continued the Council-Manager form of government, and increased the size of the City Council. Prior to the adoption of the Charter, the City Council was made up of five members elected at-large. The Charter increased the Council to seven members elected from four wards.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.3 square miles (91.5 km²)—32.9 square miles (85.2 km²) of it is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²) of it (6.82%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 65,894 people, 24,820 households, and 17,647 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,002.0 persons per square mile (773.1/km²). There were 25,258 housing units at an average density of 767.4 per square mile (296.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.36% White, 2.71% African American, 0.33% Native American, 3.79% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.64% of the population.
There were 24,820 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.1% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $77,008, and the median income for a family was $90,134. Males had a median income of $59,751 versus $38,111 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,309. About 1.5% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Politics
Plymouth like its neighbor Maple Grove is a republican stronghold, and in 2004 gave $50,960 to George W. Bush (more than any other candidate),and also gave more to the Republican than any other party(http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/minnesota/plymouth). Plymouth is located in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, represented by Jim Ramstad, a moderate Republican, scoring 20% progressive on a range of issues.[2]
[edit] Education
[edit] Public schools
Four school districts serve Plymouth - Wayzata District 284, Robbinsdale District 281, Osseo District 279 and Hopkins District 270. The majority of the city (western and southern areas) is served by Wayzata Schools. Robbinsdale Schools serve the east-central area of Plymouth. The Osseo District includes the northeast area and Hopkins includes the southeast corner of Plymouth.
- Wayzata High School
- Wayzata Central Middle School
- Wayzata East Middle School
- Wayzata West Middle School (Wayzata, MN)
- Birchview Elementary School
- Gleason Lake Elementary School (Plymouth / Wayzata, MN)
- Greenwood Elementary School
- Kimberly Lane Elementary School
- Oakwood Elementary School
- Plymouth Creek Elementary School
- Sunset Hill Elementary School
- Robbinsdale Cooper High School
- Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
- Robbinsdale Plymouth Middle School
- Zachary Lane Elementary School
- Pilgrim Lane Elementary School
[edit] Private schools
- West Lutheran High School [2]
[edit] References
- ^ History of Plymouth, City of Plymouth website
- ^ Grossman, Joshua. ProgressivePunch Leading with the Left. All Issues. ProgressivePunch. Retrieved on November 2, 2006.
