Owatonna is a city located in Steele County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 22,434. It is the county seat of Steele County6. Rice Lake State Park is nearby.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.8 km2 (12.7 mi2). 32.6 km2 (12.6 mi2) of it is land and 0.2 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.55% water.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 22,434 people, 8,704 households, and 5,936 families residing in the city. The population density is 687.4/km2 (1,779.9/mi2). There are 8,940 housing units at an average density of 273.9/km2 (709.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 94.09% White, 1.56% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 4.31% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,704 households out of which 35.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% are married couples living together, 8.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.52 and the average family size is 3.08.
In the city the population is spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $45,660, and the median income for a family is $54,883. Males have a median income of $37,691 versus $25,511 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,513. 6.6% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Owatonna has established itself as an economic stronghold in Southern Minnesota with many diverse industries. Federated Insurance has their headquarters in Owatonna, and SPX Corporation and Cabela's both have a large presence in the community.
Owatonna was first settled in 1853 around the ironically named Straight River, which is anything but straight, soon after Minnesota entered the union. Local legend suggest that the name "Owatonna" is also an ironic name for the river, but the term "Ouitunya" (or straight) refers to the "morally strong traders" and not the rather whimsical and winding river.
In 1883, Owatonna was the site of the State Fair and soon the county established its own fair in Owatonna, the Steele County Free Fair or SCFF, the largest free fair in Minnesota.
The State School for Dependant and Neglected Children was built in 1886. The school took in orphans from around the state and taught them "the value of drill, discipline and labor". The children who died in the institution and were interred in the graveyard behind the school. In 1945, the orphanage was shut down and the facility began to serve handicapped children. In 1974, the City purchased the compound for its office space. Renamed 'West Hills', it continues to serve as the city's administration complex and home to many civic non-profit organizations including a Senior acitivity center, the Owatonna Arts Center, two non-profit day-care centers, a chemical dependency half-way house and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, among others. The State School Museum is also located at West Hills.
Source:
OwatonnaMinnesota.com
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