Canby is a city in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2020 census.

History

John Swenson, who secured a homestead on section 4 of Norman Township where now stands the City of Canby, was one of the early European settlers in the area. After erecting a claim shanty, for the convenience of his neighbors, he opened a little store in his cabin. In November 1874, he secured the establishment of a post office in that store. At Swenson's suggestion, the post office was named Canby, in honor of Civil War and career officer General Edward Canby of the United States Army. (General Canby had been assassinated the prior year during peace negotiations with the Modoc Tribe of Northern California.)

However, in 1876 the surrounding country was receiving new settlers and the railway company deemed it time to begin the operation of train service over the western part of the line. Canby Station was established and on August 24, 1876, and the city platted by the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company soon after the railroad was extended to that point.

Geography

Canby is located mainly in Sections 3 & 4 of Norman Township (T114N R45W). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ; is land and is water.

Canby Creek, a tributary of the Lac qui Parle River, flows through the city.

U.S. Highway 75 and Minnesota State Highway 68 are two of the main routes in the city. Minnesota State Highway 67 is in close proximity to the city.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Canby had a population of 1,695. The median age was 41.8 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.5 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 766 households in Canby, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.7% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 1,795 people, 792 households, and 441 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 892 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 792 households, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.3% were non-families. 39.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.81.

The median age in the city was 46.1 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 28.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Notable people

  • Burnett Bergeson, Minnesota state representative and farmer
  • Jerome Clark, folk songwriter and ufologist
  • Randy P. Kamrath, Minnesota state representative and farmer
  • Layton Kor, pioneer of rock climbing
  • Connie Ruth, Minnesota state representative
  • Lee Savold, heavyweight boxing contender

References

  • City Website
  • Canby Schools website