Luverne, Minnesota


Luverne is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States, along the Rock River. The population was 4,745 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat. It is one of four towns profiled in the 2007 Ken Burns documentary The War. It is the main setting for the second season of the TV show Fargo.

History

A post office called Luverne has been in operation since 1868. Luverne was platted in 1870, and named for Luverne Hawes, the daughter of a settler.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ; is land and is water.
Rock County holds the distinction of being one of four counties in the state of Minnesota without a natural lake.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,745 people, 2,048 households, and 1,257 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 2,237 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.
There were 2,048 households of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.6% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.89.
The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,617 people, 1,968 households, and 1,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.1 people per square mile. There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 634.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% White, 0.67% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.58% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.
There were 1,968 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city, the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males
The median income for a household in the city was $36,271, and the median income for a family was $46,745. Males had a median income of $30,549 versus $22,660 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,692. About 5.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

opened its doors in July, 2005, near the equally new regional Veterans Home in north Luverne. The 25-bed hospital is supported by 200 employees and nine family physicians as part of the regional Sanford Health System based in nearby Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Speciality physicians provide outreach clinics on a regular basis.
Sanford Luverne patients, including those from surrounding counties, are also afforded state-of-the-art medical care at the regional medical center of Sioux Falls. The Sioux Falls hospitals include those of the Sanford Health campus established by a 2007 $400 million original gift. Patient records are now computerized and accessible across the entire Sanford Health System as well as in each patient room.
In 2010 Sanford Luverne installed digital mammography equipment and upgraded its CT scan and ultrasound equipment.

Government

Luverne is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Jim Hagedorn from Blue Earth, a Republican. At the state level, Luverne is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Bill Weber, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.

Education

The Luverne Public Schools system provides education for grades kindergarten-12. A new elementary school addition opened on 1 December 1998. Luverne Senior High School is the system's high school.
Luverne has an active chapter of Dollars for Scholars. According to its website, Luverne Dollars for Scholars has an endowment of approximately $2.9 million.

Parks and recreation

The Blue Mound Biking and Hiking Trail is a six-mile path that stretches from Main Street in downtown Luverne to the lower lake parking lot at Blue Mounds State Park. Along the path visitors can see open scenery and agricultural fields, tree-lined shade, and a beautiful view of the Blue Mound cliff line. A portion of the trail branches off and goes to the top of the cliff line for a panoramic view of the community.
In addition to the large City Park beside the Rock River, Luverne maintains 10 neighborhood parks.
Touch the Sky Prairie, located northwest of Luverne, is a Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. The Brandenburg Prairie Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have jointly acquired over of native prairie. A 15-year management plan in progress seeks to restore hundreds of native species. Touch the Sky Prairie was included in the BBC television documentary, Life—a sequel to the award-winning Planet Earth series.

Entertainment

Roads

and U.S. Route 75 are two of the main routes in the city. Iowa borders to the south and South Dakota to the west. The regional center of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a 30-minute drive on Interstate 90.

Air

Luverne is served by Quentin Aanenson Field. A lengthened runway and expanded facilities went into service in 2009. The airport is named after World War II flying ace Quentin C. Aanenson.

Notable people