Nowthen is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,536 at the 2020 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Nowthen is located in the northwestern section of Anoka County.

Minnesota State Highway 47 and County Road 22 are two of the main routes in the community.

Nearby places include St. Francis, Oak Grove, Andover, Ramsey, and Elk River. Nowthen is located 12 miles north-northwest of the city of Anoka.

History

In 1869, Burns Township broke off from St. Francis Township.

The city was formerly known as Burns Township until June 30, 2008, when it was incorporated as the city of Nowthen. The drive toward incorporation started at the township's annual meeting in March 2007, when residents decided to incorporate in order to prevent annexation by other nearby cities. The name originated from an unincorporated community named Nowthen near the intersection of County Roads 5 and 22 within the former township. "Nowthen" was coined by the town's first postmaster, James Hare, who had the habit of saying "Now, then" in conversation.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Nowthen had a population of 4,536. The median age was 42.2 years. 24.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 13.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 107.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.8 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,510 households in Nowthen, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 72.3% were married-couple households, 11.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 10.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 11.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 4,443 people, 1,450 households, and 1,227 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,494 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.9% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,450 households, of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.6% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.4% were non-families. 11.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.04 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 28.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 33% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.1% male and 47.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census The department's request would have meant a 27% increase in property taxes.

First responders

Nowthen built their first fire department in 2021. Ramsey wanted to charge Nowthen about $160,000 in administrative costs, the mayor thought that was too high. Nowthen will take a fire engine, tanker, rescue rig, hoses and other equipment from Ramsey and they also gain a fire station that they can now use. They will pay the city of St. Francis about $75,000 a year for the next three years to have the assistance chief, Dave Schmidt, oversee the startup and head the department.

They currently have 12 members working for the Fire Department, and are expecting eight more to join.

Culture

Parks

The city of Nowthen has two parks, Nowthen Memorial Park and Twin Lakes City Park.

Nowthen Memorial Park includes baseball, softball and soccer fields, as well as a volleyball and a basketball court. Horse shoes, a playground, picnic area, and a walking path are also at the park.

Twin Lakes City Park includes a beach, a fishing pier, a boat dock and a sand volleyball court. The park also has a playground, many walking paths and picnic shelters which all contain at least one grill. A new disc golf course is also available.

Churches

Nowthen Alliance Church is the largest church within Nowthen and is a part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. It is located at the intersection of Nowthen Boulevard and Viking Boulevard.

Nowthen Threshing Show

The Nowthen Threshing Show has been an annual event for over 50 years. It is a three-day event that takes place during the third full weekend in August. There are many attractions including tractor pulls, music, sawmill and shingle making demonstrations, threshing grain, household crafts, and more. Guests can see blacksmithing, corn chopping and walking through old restored buildings including a town church, general store, train depot, log cabin and log barn, and an old one-room school house. There are many antique machines and tractors guests can walk around and look at including large steam traction engines. The theme of the Nowthen Threshing Show is “Bringing the Past to the Present.”

References

  • Nowthen City Website