Madelia ( ) is a city in Watonwan County, Minnesota, United States, along the Watonwan River. The population was 2,396 at the 2020 census.

History

Madelia was founded in 1857, and named for the daughter of a first settler. A post office has been in operation at Madelia since 1860. Madelia was incorporated in 1872.

In 1876, the remaining members of the James-Younger Gang were captured near Madelia after their failed attempt at bank robbery in Northfield, Minnesota. Madelia used to hold an event every September called Younger Brothers Day. The event included several activities including a reenactment of the bank robbery as well as the gunfight and capture of the Younger Brothers.

From 1885-1890 Winfield Scott Hammond served as the Madelia School Superintendent. Hammond later went on to pass the bar exam and serve in Minnesota State Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and eventually ran and was elected as Minnesota's 18th Governor.

Madelia contains two properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the 1872 Flanders' Block and the 1908 West Bridge.

In 2016, a fire greatly damaged downtown, destroying at least eight businesses.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Minnesota State Highways 15 and 60 are two of the main routes in the city.

Government

Madelia is located within Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Republican, Brad Finstad.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Madelia had a population of 2,396. The median age was 37.0 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.8 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 923 households in Madelia, of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.0% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,308 people, 900 households, and 572 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,004 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.0% White, 1.7% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 12.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.8% of the population.

There were 900 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% 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 3.06.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Parochial School

St. Mary's Catholic Church operates a small parochial school. St. Mary's Elementary serves approximately 55 students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. St. Mary's is accredited by the National Catholic Education Association. Principal is Jen Slater.

Recreation

thumb|The Watonwan river flows through Watona park

Madelia offers several different places of recreation. Watona park is the site for many different city and seasonal events. Watona offers a full service campground, several playgrounds and shelters, two baseball fields, one softball field, and the 9 hole Madelia golf course. Near Watona park are several basketball and tennis courts, as well as the outdoor Madelia Swimming Pool.

Watonwan County Historical Society.

The Watonwan County Historical Society was organized in 1935. World War II ended those activities. Twenty-nine interested persons met at the American Legion Post House, Madelia, in 1966 launching the present organization.

Notable people

  • Otto T. Bang (1931–2008), businessman and politician, was born in Madelia.
  • Knut Hamsun, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920, resided in Madelia in 1883–1884. He wrote a story, "Fear", about his experiences there. The eminent Unitarian minister and writer, Kristofer Janson, who preached in the nearby Nora Free Christian Church, met Hamsun in Madelia and offered Hamsun employment as a secretary.
  • Julius E. Haycraft (1871–1951), lawyer, judge, and politician

References

  • City website
  • Madelia schools