# Lester Prairie, Minnesota

Lester Prairie is a city in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States, along the South Fork of the Crow River. The population was 1,894 at the 2020 census.

## History

Lester Prairie was platted in 1886 and named for John N. Lester, an original owner of the town site. A post office has been in operation at Lester Prairie since 1888. Lester Prairie was incorporated in 1888.

## Geography

The city is in eastern McLeod County. Minnesota State Highway 7 passes 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the city, leading west 16 miles (26 km) to Hutchinson and east 42 miles (68 km) to Minneapolis. Glencoe, the McLeod county seat, is 13 miles (21 km) to the southwest. McLeod County Roads 1, 9, and 23 are the main local routes in the community. A bike trail running east–west through the middle of town, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, connects Lester Prairie to the Twin Cities.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lester Prairie has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km$^2$), of which 0.001 square miles (0.003 km$^2$), or 0.1%, are water. The South Fork of the Crow River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, flows past the southeast corner of the city.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,730 people, 654 households, and 463 families living in the city. The population density was 2,011.6 inhabitants per square mile (776.7/km$^2$). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 818.6 per square mile (316.1/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 3.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.3% of the population.
There were 654 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.0% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.11.
The median age in the city was 33.8 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 516 households, and 379 families living in the city. The population density was 1,910.4 inhabitants per square mile (737.6/km$^2$). There were 531 housing units at an average density of 736.7 per square mile (284.4/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 97.68% White, 0.07% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 1.89% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population.
There were 516 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,271, and the median income for a family was $52,417. Males had a median income of $35,463 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,223. About 2.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet :
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
| 2020 | 72.7% 719 | 26.1% 258 | 1.2% 12 |
| 2016 | 69.8% 615 | 22.6% 199 | 7.6% 67 |
| 2012 | 63.0% 539 | 34.5% 295 | 2.5% 22 |
| 2008 | 59.8% 515 | 36.9% 318 | 3.3% 28 |
| 2004 | 68.8% 529 | 29.8% 229 | 1.4% 11 |
| 2000 | 58.6% 360 | 31.3% 192 | 10.1% 62 |
| 1996 | 38.4% 222 | 43.4% 251 | 18.2% 105 |
| 1992 | 39.1% 245 | 30.4% 190 | 30.5% 191 |
| 1988 | 61.4% 344 | 38.6% 216 | 0.0% 0 |
| 1984 | 70.5% 404 | 29.5% 169 | 0.0% 0 |
| 1980 | 61.8% 375 | 30.0% 176 | 9.2% 56 |
| 1976 | 53.2% 268 | 44.2% 223 | 2.6% 13 |
| 1968 | 68.3% 319 | 29.1% 136 | 2.6% 12 |
| 1964 | 62.6% 278 | 37.4% 166 | 0.0% 0 |
| 1960 | 82.8% 362 | 16.9% 74 | 0.3% 1 |

## Lester Prairie Schools

Lester Prairie is home to ISD #424 Lester Prairie Schools. The school is a K-12 school with both elementary and high school located in one building. There are approximately 400 students enrolled. Dr. Melissa Radeke is the district's superintendent. Mike Lee is the K-12 principal.

## Notable people

* Rene Clausen, noted composer and conductor of The Concordia Choir; raised in Lester Prairie