City in Minnesota, United States
City in Minnesota, United States
St. James
or
Saint James
[2]
is a city in and the
county seat
of
Watonwan County
,
Minnesota
, United States.
[4]
The population was 4,793 at the
2020 census
.
[5]
Minnesota State Highways
4
,
30
, and
60
are three of the main routes in the city.
History
[
edit
]
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,
[6]
the new city was incorporated in 1871.
[7]
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.
[8]
Geography
[
edit
]
According to the
United States Census Bureau
, the city has an area of 2.43 square miles (6.29 km
2
); 2.40 square miles (6.22 km
2
) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km
2
) is water.
[9]
Climate
[
edit
]
Climate data for St. James, Minnesota, 1991?2020 normals, extremes 1958–present
|
Month
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
Year
|
Record high °F (°C)
|
64
(18)
|
67
(19)
|
84
(29)
|
93
(34)
|
102
(39)
|
104
(40)
|
105
(41)
|
101
(38)
|
98
(37)
|
92
(33)
|
82
(28)
|
68
(20)
|
105
(41)
|
Mean maximum °F (°C)
|
42.8
(6.0)
|
47.9
(8.8)
|
65.4
(18.6)
|
80.3
(26.8)
|
89.4
(31.9)
|
93.5
(34.2)
|
93.3
(34.1)
|
91.5
(33.1)
|
89.2
(31.8)
|
81.7
(27.6)
|
65.5
(18.6)
|
47.6
(8.7)
|
96.3
(35.7)
|
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)
|
23.5
(?4.7)
|
28.2
(?2.1)
|
40.4
(4.7)
|
56.2
(13.4)
|
69.3
(20.7)
|
79.5
(26.4)
|
82.8
(28.2)
|
80.4
(26.9)
|
74.2
(23.4)
|
60.0
(15.6)
|
43.1
(6.2)
|
29.0
(?1.7)
|
55.6
(13.1)
|
Daily mean °F (°C)
|
14.3
(?9.8)
|
19.1
(?7.2)
|
31.3
(?0.4)
|
45.4
(7.4)
|
58.4
(14.7)
|
68.9
(20.5)
|
72.4
(22.4)
|
69.7
(20.9)
|
62.4
(16.9)
|
48.6
(9.2)
|
33.9
(1.1)
|
20.5
(?6.4)
|
45.4
(7.4)
|
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)
|
5.2
(?14.9)
|
9.9
(?12.3)
|
22.2
(?5.4)
|
34.6
(1.4)
|
47.6
(8.7)
|
58.3
(14.6)
|
61.9
(16.6)
|
59.1
(15.1)
|
50.6
(10.3)
|
37.1
(2.8)
|
24.6
(?4.1)
|
12.0
(?11.1)
|
35.3
(1.8)
|
Mean minimum °F (°C)
|
?15.2
(?26.2)
|
?9.9
(?23.3)
|
?0.7
(?18.2)
|
19.1
(?7.2)
|
33.5
(0.8)
|
46.4
(8.0)
|
51.1
(10.6)
|
48.2
(9.0)
|
35.2
(1.8)
|
21.6
(?5.8)
|
6.2
(?14.3)
|
?8.7
(?22.6)
|
?18.1
(?27.8)
|
Record low °F (°C)
|
?30
(?34)
|
?30
(?34)
|
?26
(?32)
|
6
(?14)
|
19
(?7)
|
36
(2)
|
40
(4)
|
36
(2)
|
25
(?4)
|
10
(?12)
|
?13
(?25)
|
?27
(?33)
|
?30
(?34)
|
Average
precipitation
inches (mm)
|
1.09
(28)
|
0.80
(20)
|
1.82
(46)
|
3.14
(80)
|
4.65
(118)
|
4.89
(124)
|
4.12
(105)
|
3.95
(100)
|
3.43
(87)
|
2.52
(64)
|
1.58
(40)
|
1.13
(29)
|
33.12
(841)
|
Average snowfall inches (cm)
|
10.8
(27)
|
11.0
(28)
|
8.2
(21)
|
3.5
(8.9)
|
0.1
(0.25)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.0
(0.0)
|
0.6
(1.5)
|
4.9
(12)
|
11.2
(28)
|
50.3
(126.65)
|
Average precipitation days
(≥ 0.01 in)
|
5.8
|
3.9
|
5.7
|
10.3
|
13.1
|
12.1
|
9.6
|
9.5
|
8.0
|
8.4
|
5.1
|
7.2
|
98.7
|
Average snowy days
(≥ 0.1 in)
|
5.4
|
4.6
|
3.1
|
1.1
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.3
|
2.7
|
5.6
|
22.9
|
Source 1: NOAA
[10]
|
Source 2: National Weather Service
[11]
|
Demographics
[
edit
]
Historical population
Census
| Pop.
| Note
| %±
|
1880
| 444
| | ?
|
---|
1890
| 939
| | 111.5%
|
---|
1900
| 2,607
| | 177.6%
|
---|
1910
| 2,102
| | ?19.4%
|
---|
1920
| 2,673
| | 27.2%
|
---|
1930
| 2,808
| | 5.1%
|
---|
1940
| 3,400
| | 21.1%
|
---|
1950
| 3,861
| | 13.6%
|
---|
1960
| 4,174
| | 8.1%
|
---|
1970
| 4,027
| | ?3.5%
|
---|
1980
| 4,346
| | 7.9%
|
---|
1990
| 4,364
| | 0.4%
|
---|
2000
| 4,695
| | 7.6%
|
---|
2010
| 4,605
| | ?1.9%
|
---|
2020
| 4,793
| | 4.1%
|
---|
2010 census
[
edit
]
As of the
census
[13]
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/km
2
). There were 2,039 housing units at an average density of 849.6 units per square mile (328.0 units/km
2
). 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
[
edit
]
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/km
2
). There were 2,006 housing units at an average density of 876.0 units per square mile (338.2 units/km
2
). 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
[
edit
]
Presidential election results
Precinct General Election Results
[14]
Year
|
Republican
|
Democratic
|
Third parties
|
2020
|
50.7%
924
|
47.6%
867
|
1.7%
32
|
2016
|
48.8%
880
|
44.3%
799
|
6.9%
125
|
2012
|
42.1%
756
|
55.5%
997
|
2.4%
44
|
2008
|
42.3%
801
|
54.8%
1,039
|
2.9%
56
|
2004
|
49.1%
982
|
48.9%
977
|
2.0%
41
|
2000
|
44.5%
795
|
48.8%
872
|
6.7%
120
|
1996
|
32.3%
617
|
54.3%
1,038
|
13.4%
255
|
1992
|
31.6%
635
|
41.4%
831
|
27.0%
541
|
1988
|
51.2%
980
|
48.8%
933
|
0.0%
0
|
1984
|
56.5%
1,158
|
43.5%
893
|
0.0%
0
|
1980
|
49.7%
1,139
|
42.8%
981
|
7.5%
171
|
1976
|
49.7%
1,105
|
49.3%
1,097
|
1.0%
23
|
1968
|
51.4%
1,062
|
45.0%
928
|
3.6%
75
|
1964
|
43.1%
877
|
56.8%
1,154
|
0.1%
1
|
1960
|
65.1%
1,341
|
34.6%
713
|
0.3%
5
|
Transport
[
edit
]
The city owns and operates the
St. James Municipal Airport
.
[15]
Notable people
[
edit
]
- Moses K. Armstrong
, businessman and legislator
- Becky Buller
,
bluegrass
musician
- Peter Eckerstrom
,
Arizona Court of Appeals
judge
- 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
[
edit
]
Television
[
edit
]
Channel
|
Callsign
|
Affiliation
|
Branding
|
Subchannels
|
Owner
|
(Virtual)
|
Channel
|
Programming
|
2.1
|
K26CS-D
(
KTCA
Translator)
|
PBS
|
TPT 2
|
2.2
2.4
|
Minnesota Channel
PBS Kids
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
2.3
|
K29IE-D
(
KTCI
Translator)
|
PBS
|
TPT Life
|
2.5
|
TPT Now
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
4.2
|
K35KI-D
|
Start TV
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
5.1
|
K30FN-D
(
KSTP
Translator)
|
ABC
|
5 Eyewitness News
|
5.7
|
Heroes & Icons
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
5.2
|
K14KE-D
(
KSTC
Translator)
|
Ind.
|
45 TV
|
5.3
5.4
5.6
|
Me-TV
Antenna TV
This TV
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
7.1
|
KMNF-LD
|
NBC
|
KEYC
|
7.2
|
The CW+
|
Gray Television
|
9.2
|
K23MF-D
(
WFTC
Translator)
|
Ind.
|
FOX 9 Plus
|
9.3
9.1
|
Movies!
FOX
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
9.9
|
K35KI-D
(
KMSP
Translator)
|
FOX
|
FOX 9
|
9.4
9.5
|
Buzzr
Light TV
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
11.4
|
K32GX-D
(
KARE
Translator)
|
NBC
|
KARE 11
|
11.5
11.6
11.7
|
Court TV
True Crime Network
Quest
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
12.1
|
KEYC-TV
|
CBS
|
KEYC
|
12.2
|
Fox
|
Gray Television
|
16.1
|
K31KV-D
|
CTV
|
|
16.2
16.3
16.4
16.5
23.5
|
Action
Heartland
AMG
Biz
Grit
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
17.1
|
K17MW-D
|
Youtoo America
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
18.1
|
K18NE-D
|
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
19.1
|
K19LI-D
|
Laff
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
23.1
|
K34JX-D
(
WUCW
Translator)
|
CW
|
CW 23
|
23.2
23.3
23.4
|
Comet
Charge!
TBD
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
23.6
|
K21DG-D
|
CTV 2
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
24.1
|
K24JV-D
|
Retro TV
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
28.1
|
K28OH-D
|
|
|
|
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
41.1
|
K20LP-D
(
KPXM
Translator)
|
ION
|
ION
|
41.2
41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6
|
Qubo
Ion Plus
ION Shop
QVC
HSN
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
45.1
|
K22MQ-D
|
TBN
|
|
45.2
45.3
45.4
45.5
|
Hillsong Channel
JUCE TV
Smile
Enlace
|
Cooperative Television Association of Southern Minnesota
|
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files"
. United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
July 24,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
c
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: St. James, Minnesota
- ^
"U.S. Census website"
.
United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
January 31,
2008
.
- ^
"Find a County"
. National Association of Counties
. Retrieved
June 7,
2011
.
- ^
a
b
"Explore Census Data"
.
United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
June 24,
2022
.
- ^
Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908).
A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways
. p. 165.
- ^
Upham, Warren (1920).
Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance
. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 576.
- ^
"Minnesota National Register Properties Database"
. Minnesota Historical Society. 2009
. Retrieved
December 29,
2017
.
- ^
"US Gazetteer files 2010"
.
United States Census Bureau
. Archived from
the original
on January 25, 2012
. Retrieved
November 13,
2012
.
- ^
"U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access ? Station: ST James WWTP, MN"
. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
. Retrieved
May 11,
2023
.
- ^
"NOAA Online Weather Data ? NWS Minneapolis"
. National Weather Service
. Retrieved
May 11,
2023
.
- ^
"Census of Population and Housing"
. Census.gov
. Retrieved
June 4,
2015
.
- ^
"U.S. Census website"
.
United States Census Bureau
. Retrieved
November 13,
2012
.
- ^
"Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Election Results"
.
- ^
"St. James Municipal Airport"
. Retrieved
March 12,
2019
.
External links
[
edit
]