Fridley, Minnesota
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Fridley is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 27,449 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated in 1949 as a village and became a city in 1957. It is part of the Twin Cities Metropolitian Area.
Geography
City lakes include East Moore Lake, West Moore Lake, and Locke Lake. Rice Creek flows through the center of the city, Springbrook Creek flows through the northwest section, and the Mississippi River borders Fridley to the west.
It borders the cities Coon Rapids and Blaine to the north; Spring Lake Park to the northeast; Mounds View and New Brighton to the east; Columbia Heights to the southeast; Minneapolis to the southwest; and Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center to the west.
History
The post-European/American settlement history of Fridley begins with the construction of the Red River Ox Cart Trail in 1844, which traveled through Minnesota Territory from St. Paul (present day Minnesota) to Pembina (present day North Dakota), now currently East River Road (also Anoka County Highway 1). The road was used to transport furs to the south and other various supplies to the Red River Valley settlers in the north.In 1847, John Banfill became the first settler in the area, which was known at the time as Manomin. It comprised the modern-day municipalities of Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop, and Spring Lake Park.
The area soon grew quickly in size. In 1851, Banfill plotted the actual town of Manomin. There, a general store and sawmill were built next to the Rice Creek, named after Henry Rice, a settler who just two years earlier had acquired a lot of land in the area. In 1853, the town got its first post office, and a year later, a ferry crossing the Mississippi River was established.
In 1855, Abram Fridley, for whom the city is named, was elected as the first territorial representative for the area.
In 1857, the area separated from Ramsey County; Manomin County was established, and it became the smallest county in the United States, having only 18 sections. However, it was annexed by Anoka County in 1870 and became a township with the same name.
In 1879, the Minnesota State Legislature, of which Abram M. Fridley was still a member, changed the township's name to bear his last name.
In 1949, the village of Fridley was incorporated. The Fridley Free Press was also established.
In 1957, the village became a "home rule charter city".
On May 6, 1965, Fridley was hit by three tornadoes. One out of every four homes was destroyed or damaged. 14 people also died. It was the deadliest storm in Twin Cities history (see Twin Cities Outbreak).
Today
Fridley is home to The World Headquarters of Medtronic Inc., and its major employers include BAE Systems (formerly United Defense); Onan Corporation; Unity Medical Center; Minco Products, Inc; Kurt Manufacturing Company; and Park Construction Company. Magnum Research, the company that produces the Desert Eagle firearm, is also located in Fridley.Also, Fridley is home to Columbia Arena, an ice hockey facility. The motion picture movie Mighty Ducks III filmed most of its scenes there.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,043.1/km² (2,701.3/mi²). There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of 437.2/km² (1,132.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.65% White, 3.42% African American, 0.82% Native American, 2.89% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.There were 11,328 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,372, and the median income for a family was $55,381. Males had a median income of $38,100 versus $29,997 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,022. About 5.3% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.
Highways
- Interstate 694
- MN Highway 47: University Ave NE (45th Ave NE to 85th Ave NE)
- MN Highway 65: Central Ave NE (51st Ave NE to Osborne Rd)
- Anoka Co Highway 1: East River Rd (37th Ave NE to Lafayette Ave)
- Anoka Co Highway 2: Main St (40th Ave NE to 44th Ave NE); 44th Ave NE (Main St to RR Xing); 42nd Ave (RR Xing to East River Rd)
- Anoka Co Highway 6: Mississippi St (East River Rd to Central Ave NE); Central Ave NE (Mississippi St to Rice Creek Rd); Rice Creek Rd (Central Ave NE to Stinson Blvd)
- Anoka Co Highway 8: Osborne Rd (East River Rd to Central Ave NE); Central Ave NE (Osborne Rd to 73rd Ave NE); 73rd Ave NE (Central Ave NE to Stinson Blvd)
- Anoka Co Highway 35: Central Ave NE (MN Highway 65/Medtronic Pkwy to Osborne Rd)
- Anoka Co Highway 102: Main St (44th Ave NE to 57th Ave NE); 57th Ave NE (Main St to MN Highway 47)
- Anoka Co Highway 104: 49th Ave NE (Main St to MN Highway 47)
- Anoka Co Highway 106: Mississippi St (Central Ave NE to Stinson Blvd)
- Anoka Co Highway 108: Osborne Rd (Central Ave NE to Stinson Blvd)
- Anoka Co Highway 132: 85th Ave NE (RR Xing to MN Highway 47)
External links
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