St. James, Minnesota

St. James or Saint James is a city in and the county seat of Watonwan County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,793 at the 2020 census. Minnesota State Highways 4, 30, and 60 are three of the main routes in the city. History In 1870, the directors of the St. Paul and Sioux City railroads chose the future townsite of St. James as the midpoint for a new railroad linking the two cities. Named for James Purington, an early settler, the city was incorporated in 1871. It was the hometown of Minnesota Governor Winfield Scott Hammond, a Democrat who served in 1915. In the 1940s, Theodore S. Mondale, the father of future Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale, was the pastor at First Methodist Church of St. James. Tony Downs Foods Co. has been a major employer since 1947, processing poultry and frozen meals. St. James has two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Grand Opera House, completed in 1892, and the Watonwan County Courthouse, completed in 1896. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 2.43 square miles (6.29 km2); 2.40 square miles (6.22 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water. Climate Demographics 2020 census As of the 2020 census, St. James had a population of 4,793. The median age was 37.0 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.2 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 1,883 households in St. James, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.3% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 1,996 housing units, of which 5.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.5%. 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 4,605 people, 1,839 households, and 1,145 families living in the city. The population density was 1,918.8 inhabitants per square mile (740.9/km2). There were 2,039 housing units at an average density of 849.6 units per square mile (328.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 81.8% White, 0.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 14.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.0% of the population. There were 1,839 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 27.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female. 2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 4,695 people, 1,845 households, and 1,186 families living in the city. The population density was 2,050.3 inhabitants per square mile (791.6/km2). There were 2,006 housing units at an average density of 876.0 units per square mile (338.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.24% White, 0.40% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 14.27% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.77% of the population. There were 1,845 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $33,196, and the median income for a family was $40,993. Males had a median income of $30,036 versus $19,391 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,336. About 9.0% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over. Politics Transport The city owns and operates the St. James Municipal Airport. Notable people Moses K. Armstrong, businessman and legislator Becky Buller, bluegrass musician Peter Eckerstrom, Arizona Court of Appeals judge Brad Finstad, U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district Henry Norman Graven, United States District Court judge, born in St. James Winfield Scott Hammond, 18th Minnesota governor, established his home and his law practice in St. James Mac Hegstrom, businessman and politician, born in St. James Carl L. Johnson, businessman and legislator Mike Kingery, professional baseball player, born in St. James Gary Mielke, professional baseball player, born in St. James Carl G. Olson, farmer and politician, born in St. James Media Television References External links Media related to St. James, Minnesota at Wikimedia Commons City Website St. James Public Schools St. James Chamber of Commerce St. James Plaindealer newspaper site