Ortonville is a city in and the county seat of Big Stone County in the U.S. state of Minnesota at the southern tip of Big Stone Lake, along the South Dakota border. The population was 2,021 at the 2020 census.[3][6] Big Stone Lake State Park is nearby.

Ortonville, Minnesota
Ortonville's historic downtown
Ortonville's historic downtown
Location of Ortonville within Big Stone County, Minnesota
Location of Ortonville
within Big Stone County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°18′06″N 96°26′29″W / 45.30167°N 96.44139°W / 45.30167; -96.44139
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountiesBig Stone
Founded1872
Incorporated1881
Area
 • Total4.90 sq mi (12.68 km2)
 • Land4.19 sq mi (10.86 km2)
 • Water0.70 sq mi (1.82 km2)
Elevation1,056 ft (322 m)
Population
 • Total2,021
 • Estimate 
(2021)[4]
2,011
 • Density481.99/sq mi (186.12/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
56278
Area code320
FIPS code27-48706[5]
GNIS feature ID2396087[2]
Websitemnortonville.com

History

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Ortonville was platted in 1872 by Cornelius Knute Orton, and named for him.[7] Ortonville was incorporated as a city in 1881.[7] The Big Stone County Courthouse was built in 1902.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 3.56 square miles (9.22 km2), of which 3.51 square miles (9.09 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[8]

U.S. Highways 12 and 75 bypass the city and Minnesota State Highway 7 is one of the main routes in the city.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890768
19001,24762.4%
19101,77442.3%
19201,758−0.9%
19302,01714.7%
19402,46922.4%
19502,5774.4%
19602,6743.8%
19702,665−0.3%
19802,550−4.3%
19902,205−13.5%
20002,158−2.1%
20101,916−11.2%
20202,0215.5%
2021 (est.)2,011[4]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
2020 Census[3]
 
Civil War veterans on review in Ortonville 4th of July celebration, 1880s

2010 census

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As of the census of 2010, there were 1,916 people, 884 households, and 509 families living in the city. The population density was 545.9 inhabitants per square mile (210.8/km2). There were 1,090 housing units at an average density of 310.5 per square mile (119.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 884 households, of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.4% were non-families. 38.6% 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 2.07 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 49.8 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 28.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census

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As of the census of 2000, there were 2,158 people, 923 households, and 594 families living in the city. The population density was 635.8 inhabitants per square mile (245.5/km2). There were 1,125 housing units at an average density of 331.4 per square mile (128.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.68% White, 0.42% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 923 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% 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 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 20.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,614, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $30,590 versus $20,179 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,132. About 7.2% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Presidential election results
2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[10] 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[11] 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[12] 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[13] 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[14] 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 60.0% 648 37.4% 404 2.6% 28
2016 60.5% 617 31.9% 325 7.6% 77
2012 52.6% 535 45.9% 467 1.5% 16
2008 50.0% 545 48.0% 523 2.0% 21
2004 54.9% 628 43.3% 495 1.8% 20
2000 50.4% 545 42.9% 464 6.7% 72

Education

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Public schools in independent district 2903 (Ortonville Public School), which covers Ortonville,[16] include Ortonville Secondary School and James Knoll Elementary School. The schools are housed in one building, making the public education in Ortonville K-12. Ortonville's athletic teams are called the Trojans, and the school's colors are orange and black. The district has no private schools.[17]

The Ortonville Public Library is a part of the Pioneerland Library System.[18]

There is no university in Ortonville, but high school students may take college-level courses via the College in the Schools program.

Media

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Newspaper

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The Ortonville Independent is a weekly newspaper published in Ortonville on Tuesdays. As of 2019, it had a circulation of 1,911 and was owned by the Kaercher Group.[19]

AM radio

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AM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner City
1350 AM KDIO Real Country Country Armada Media Ortonville

FM radio

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FM radio stations
Frequency Call sign Name Format Owner Target city/market City of license
101.5 FM KCGN Praise FM Contemporary Christian Christian Heritage Broadcasting Ortonville Ortonville
106.3 FM KPHR Power 106.3 Classic Rock Armada Media Watertown Ortonville

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ortonville, Minnesota
  3. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". United States Census Bureau. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 55.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  11. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  12. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  13. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  14. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  15. ^ "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  16. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Big Stone County, MN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April 10, 2024. - Text list
  17. ^ "Ortonville Public School". www.ortonville.k12.mn.us. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  18. ^ "Ortonville Public Library". www.ortonville.lib.mn.us. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  19. ^ "Ortonville Independent, Minnesota Newspaper Directory" (PDF). Minnesota Newspaper Association. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
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