Monticello, Minnesota
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Monticello is a city located in Wright County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,868. Monticello is located on the Mississippi River at the northern edge of Wright County. The community is home to Nuclear Management Company's Monticello Nuclear Generation Plant. During winter, hundreds of trumpeter swans nest near Mississippi Drive Park in Monticello as the Mississippi River is heated from warm water discharged by the Monticello Nuclear Generation Plant. Rapid population growth has led to numerous retail outlets constructed or being planned during 2004-2005, which includes Wal-Mart Supercenter, Target, Muller Family Movie Theatre, Home Depot, Applebee's, Wendy's, and Arby's. Monticello's local newspaper is the Monticello Times, which can be accessed at [www.monticellotimes.com]. Monticello has one of the most impressive community centers in the outstate area. Visitors from surrounding communities use the facility, however controversy surrounds this building as the building was authorized by a 3 to 2 vote of the Monticello City Council in 1998, versus being authorized by a city-wide referendum. This action was assumed to be arrogant by those against the community center being built as it was passed without referendum. The facility is widely used by local residents, but has cost Monticello taxpayers approximately $1 million per year out of a $7 million city budget.
Geography
Image:MNMap-doton-Monticello.png According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.1 km² (6.2 mi²). 16.1 km² (6.2 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water. Lake Maria State Park is nearby.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 7,868 people, 2,944 households, and 2,066 families residing in the city. The population density was 488.4/km² (1,264.6/mi²). There were 3,030 housing units at an average density of 188.1/km² (487.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.96% White, 0.33% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,944 households out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.4% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 15.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,384, and the median income for a family was $53,566. Males had a median income of $41,057 versus $25,854 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,229. 4.6% of the population and 4.2% of families were below the poverty line. 4.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Athletics
Monticello High School is most famous for it's notoriously bad football program and is at the end of many jokes among rival schools. Chants such as "0 and 9" are often heard from the opposing crowds at various other sporting events, poking fun at the Magic's winless seasons.
The hockey team has endured a similar fate, once being featured on national news in 2004 for losing to Moorehead 27-0 in a section tournament game. There is hope for the future though, for the team recently received a brand new ice rink, and has been improving each year.
The most notable program in MHS athletics is the basketball program. The team made several trips to the state tournament in the 90's and have earned trips the past three years ('04, '05, '06). Despite their frequent visits to the big dance, the team has never finished higher than 4th place, igniting humorous theories of a possible "4th place curse". Two Minnesota high-school basketball Players of the Year have come out of Monticello: Nate Holmstadt and Joel Pryzbilla. The 7-foot Pryzbilla went on to play for the University of Minnesota and is now a starting center in the NBA for the Portland Trailblazersio:Monticello, Minnesota