Cokato, Minnesota

Cokato (/koʊˈkeɪtoʊ/ koh-KAY-toh)[8] is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,799 at the 2020 census.[4]

Cokato
City
Downtown Cokato
Downtown Cokato
Motto: 
"In the midst of opportunity"[1]
Location of the city of Cokatowithin Wright County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Cokato
within Wright County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°4′32″N 94°11′21″W
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyWright
Founded1869
Incorporated1878
Government
 • MayorGordon Erickson [2]
Area
[3]
 • Total1.56 sq mi (4.03 km2)
 • Land1.55 sq mi (4.03 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
1,056 ft (322 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total2,799
 • Estimate 
(2021)[5]
2,775
 • Density1,800.00/sq mi (695.06/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55321
Area code320
FIPS code27-12430[6]
GNIS feature ID0641381[7]
Websitecokato.mn.us

History

Cokato was founded in 1869 when the First Division of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad was extended to that point.[9][10] The city was named after a Siouan word meaning 'amid'.[11] Cokato was incorporated as a village in 1878.[12]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 1.56 square miles (4.04 km2), all land.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880274—
189036332.5%
190068488.4%
19107185.0%
19201,01441.2%
19301,12510.9%
19401,1754.4%
19501,40319.4%
19601,356−3.3%
19701,73527.9%
19802,05618.5%
19902,1806.0%
20002,72725.1%
20102,694−1.2%
20202,7993.9%
2021 (est.)2,775[5]−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,694 people in 1,000 households, including 652 families, in the city. The population density was 1,726.9 inhabitants per square mile (666.8/km2). There were 1,103 housing units at an average density of 707.1 per square mile (273.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 2.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.3%.

Of the 1,000 households 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.1% of households were one person and 15.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age was 32.5 years. 31.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 20.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,727 people in 990 households, including 663 families, in the city. The population density was 2,125.8 inhabitants per square mile (820.8/km2). There were 1,035 housing units at an average density of 806.8 per square mile (311.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.81% White, 0.15% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.68%.[6] 29.5% were of German, 24.2% Finnish, 15.3% Swedish and 9.8% Norwegian ancestry.

Of the 990 households 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 29.7% of households were one person and 17.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.33.

The age distribution was 31.8% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median household income was $39,613 and the median family income was $51,645. Males had a median income of $35,362 versus $21,484 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,149. About 7.1% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Cokato is home to the Cokato Museum & Gust Akerlund Studio. The museum is a local history museum chronicling the story of the people of Cokato and the surrounding townships in southwest Wright County. The Akerlund Studio is a restored photography studio, and home of Gust Akerlund, who operated it during the early 20th century.[15]

Since 1950, Cokato has hosted the Cokato Corn Carnival annually during the second week of August in Peterson Park, near Cokato Elementary School. The festival's highlight is the serving of free corn-on-the-cob, along with a parade, midway and carnival rides, musical entertainment, the Miss Cokato coronation, and other events.[16]

The Aho family of Cokato was featured by journalist Steve Hartman on CBS News Sunday Morning on December 9, 2012, for having 12 sons who all played football at the local high school over more than two decades.

Government
Presidential election results
2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[17] 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[18] 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[19] 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[20] 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[21] 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet[22] 1996 Precinct Results[23] 1992 Precinct Results[24] 1988 Precinct Results[25] 1984 Precinct Results[26] 1980 Precinct Results[27] 1976 Precinct Results[28] 1968 Precinct Results[29] 1964 Precinct Results[30] 1960 Precinct Results[31]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 68.7% 1,002 28.9% 421 2.4% 36
2016 63.4% 857 26.2% 354 10.4% 140
2012 58.2% 784 38.3% 516 3.5% 48
2008 60.1% 827 36.4% 501 3.5% 49
2004 62.2% 863 35.1% 487 2.7% 37
2000 58.6% 776 35.3% 467 6.1% 81
1996 44.2% 527 43.5% 518 12.3% 146
1992 39.2% 479 35.9% 438 24.9% 304
1988 55.1% 593 44.9% 484 0.0% 0
1984 58.4% 635 41.6% 452 0.0% 0
1980 51.4% 563 41.6% 455' 7.0% 77
1976 54.5% 568 43.1% 449 2.4% 25
1968 54.5% 472 43.8% 379 1.7% 15
1964 52.2% 405 47.8% 371 0.0% 0
1960 73.2% 569 26.5% 206 0.3% 2

Education

Cokato is part of the Dassel-Cokato School District, ISD #466.[32]

Infrastructure

U.S. Highway 12 serves as a main route in the city. The BNSF Railway serves the community as a part of the Wayzata Subdivision.

Notable people
The historic studio of noted Cokato photographer Gust Akerlund

References
  1. "City of Cokato Minnesota". City of Cokato Minnesota. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  2. "City of Cokato, Minnesota".
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  4. "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  5. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". United States Census Bureau. August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  9. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 587.
  10. Museum, Cokato (November 3, 2022). "Railroad History". Railroad History. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. Lee, Carlton (1978). Cokato's First Century, 1978-1978 (1st ed.). Cokato, Minnesota: Cokato Historical Society.
  12. City of Cokato. "History". Retrieved November 2, 2010
  13. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. City of Cokato. "Cokato Museum & Akerlund Studio". Retrieved 2010-11-02.
  16. "Cokato Corn Carnival". Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  17. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2020 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  18. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2016 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  19. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2012 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  20. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  21. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2004 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  22. "Minnesota Secretary of State - 2000 Precinct Results Spreadsheet".
  23. "1996 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  24. "1992 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  25. "1988 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  26. "1984 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  27. "1980 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  28. "1976 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  29. "1968 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  30. "1964 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  31. "1960 Election results" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 10, 2021.
  32. "Dassel-Cokato Public Schools". Dassel-Cokato Schools: Home of the Chargers. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  33. "Sydney Ahlstrom". New York Times. July 4, 1984. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  34. "David Bromstad". IMDb. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  35. Minnesota Legislators: Past & Present-George August Borg
  36. "Steve Knapp". Driver Database. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  37. "USF2000". Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  38. "Steve Knapp". Elite Engines. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
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