The Lakes, Minnesota


The Lakes is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Murray County, Minnesota, United States located just north of Currie, Minnesota. The population was 667 at the 2010 census. The community is centered about Lake Shetek, the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota. The lake and the community are located in parts of four townships in Murray County, which include Lake Sarah, Shetek, Murray, and Mason Townships.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of, of which of it is land and of it is water.
U.S. Highway 59 and Minnesota State Highway 30 are both in the immediate area.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 619 people, 267 households, and 213 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 17.3 people per square mile. There were 598 housing units at an average density of 16.7/sq mi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.35% White, 0.16% Native American, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.
There were 267 households out of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.8% were married couples living together, 2.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.2% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.59.
In the CDP, the population was spread out with 16.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 42.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,250, and the median income for a family was $50,357. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,980. None of the families and 0.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Politics

The Lakes is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, previously represented by Mankato educator and current Minnesota governor Tim Walz, a Democrat. This district is currently represented by Republican Jim Hagedorn of Blue Earth. At the state level, The Lakes is located in Senate District 22, represented by Republican Doug Magnus, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Joe Schomacker.