# Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Mendota Heights (/mɛnˈdoʊtə/ men-DOH-tə) is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. It is a first-ring southern suburb of the Twin Cities. The population was 11,744 at the 2020 census.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 10.12 square miles (26.21 km$^2$), of which 9.15 square miles (23.70 km$^2$) is land and 0.97 square miles (2.51 km$^2$) is water.
Interstate Highway 35E, Interstate Highway 494 and Minnesota Highways 55 and 62 are four of the main routes near the town.

## Demographics
### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,071 people, 4,378 households, and 3,204 families living in the city. The population density was 1,209.9 inhabitants per square mile (467.1/km$^2$). There were 4,620 housing units at an average density of 504.9 per square mile (194.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 93.8% White, 1.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.
There were 4,378 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 47.5 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.9% were from 25 to 44; 36.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 11,434 people, 4,178 households and 3,237 families living in the town. The population density was 1,222.2 inhabitants per square mile (471.9/km$^2$). There were 4,252 housing units at an average density of 454.5 per square mile (175.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the town was 95.66% White, 0.88% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.78% Asian, 0.46% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.78% of the population.
There were 4,178 households, of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.5% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.14.
Age distribution was 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $97,701 and the median income for a family was $103,204. Males had a median income of $61,095 versus $41,208 for females; the per capita income was $49,589. About 1.3% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

## Local government and politics

Mendota Heights was incorporated in 1956. It operates as a Plan A form of government under Minnesota law, with an elected mayor and four-member city council. The mayor's term of office is two years. City councilors are elected to staggered four-year terms.
2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet :
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
| 2020 | 35.6% 3,114 | 62.3% 5,448 | 2.1% 187 |
| 2016 | 36.2% 2,871 | 55.2% 4,382 | 8.6% 680 |
| 2012 | 45.9% 3,718 | 52.6% 4,263 | 1.5% 127 |
| 2008 | 43.2% 3,467 | 55.1% 4,422 | 1.7% 133 |
| 2004 | 47.1% 3,700 | 52.2% 4,105 | 0.7% 52 |
| 2000 | 47.4% 3,462 | 46.9% 3,432 | 5.7% 416 |
| 1996 | 43.5% 2,898 | 48.5% 3,234 | 8.0% 537 |
| 1992 | 37.1% 2,479 | 42.2% 2,821 | 20.7% 1,378 |
| 1988 | 54.7% 2,938 | 45.3% 2,432 | 0.0% 0 |
| 1984 | 58.9% 2,788 | 41.1% 1,946 | 0.0% 0 |
| 1980 | 50.1% 2,219 | 36.7% 1,628 | 13.2% 584 |
| 1976 | 57.7% 2,270 | 39.7% 1,559 | 2.6% 102 |
| 1968 | 50.1% 1,388 | 47.4% 1,313 | 2.5% 68 |
| 1964 | 45.3% 1,076 | 54.5% 1,295 | 0.2% 6 |
| 1960 | 55.1% 1,278 | 44.8% 1,039 | 0.1% 3 |

## Economy

Businesses headquartered in Mendota Heights include:
* Patterson Companies
* Bellarcor, Esslinger & Co.
* Mayflower Distributing, Inc.

## Education

* Mendota Elementary (public, K-4)
* Somerset Elementary (public, K-4)
* Friendly Hills Middle School (public, 5–8)
* Two Rivers High School (public, 9–12)
* Convent of the Visitation (private, boys K-5, girls K–12)
* Saint Thomas Academy (private, boys 6–12)

## Notable people

* Matt Birk, Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens center
* David Hicks, basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Becky Holder, 2008 Summer Olympic Games equestrian
* Bert McKasy, Minnesota state legislator, lawyer, and businessman
* Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins player and 2006 American League MVP
* T. J. Oshie, hockey player, Washington Capitals forward
* Robert and Kathleen Ridder, local philanthropists and businesspeople