| Official Name: | Alexandria, Minnesota |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Nicknames: | Alex, Alec |
| Motto: | "The Runestone City"[1] |
| Image Blank Emblem: | Alexandria-MN-logo.png |
| Blank Emblem Type: | Logo |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Minnesota |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Douglas |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Bobbie Osterberg |
| Established Title: | Colonized |
| Established Date: | 1858 |
| Established Title1: | Founded |
| Established Date1: | 1859 |
| Established Title2: | Incorporated |
| Established Date2: | February 20, 1877 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [2] |
| Area Total Km2: | 46.371 |
| Area Land Km2: | 44.520 |
| Area Water Km2: | 1.852 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 17.904 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 17.189 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.715 |
| Area Water Percent: | 4.43 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Est: | 14943 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Total: | 14335 |
| Population Urban: | 18957 |
| Population Metro: | 39953 (US: 317th) |
| Population Density Km2: | 335.6 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 869.0 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | –6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | –5 |
| Elevation M: | 431 |
| Elevation Ft: | 1414 |
| Coordinates: | 45.8775°N -95.3767°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP Code |
| Postal Code: | 56308 |
| Area Code: | 320 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 27-00928 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2393918 |
| Blank2 Name: | Sales tax |
| Blank2 Info: | 7.375%[3] |
Alexandria is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Minnesota, United States.[4] The population was 14,335 as of the 2020 census.[5] Alexandria is near I-94, along Minnesota State Highways 27 and 29. It is ten miles (16 km) south of Lake Carlos State Park.
First settled in 1858, it was named after brothers Alexander and William Kinkead from Maryland. The form of the name alludes to Alexandria, Egypt, a center of learning and civilization.[6]
The village of Alexandria was incorporated February 20, 1877. Its city charter was adopted in 1908, and it was incorporated as a city in 1909. W. E. Hicks was pivotal to the town's early development. He purchased the townsite in 1868 and established a mill, hotel, newspaper, and store. He donated property for a courthouse, jail, and two churches: Methodist and Congregational.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 17.904sqmi, of which 17.189sqmi is land and 0.715sqmi is water.[2] Many of the people who live in Alexandria are not calculated into the population because they are spread out of the city and live on and around the many lakes.
Alexandria has a dry-winter warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb),[7] with cold, snowy winters and warm (sometimes hot and humid) summers. The autumn and spring are generally pleasant. Average annual precipitation (both snow and rain) is about 25 inches.
| White (NH) | 13,018 | 90.8% | |
| Black or African American (NH) | 168 | 1.2% | |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 47 | 0.3% | |
| Asian (NH) | 146 | 1.0% | |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 7 | 0.0% | |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 19 | 0.1% | |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 438 | 3.1% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 492 | 3.4% | |
| Total | 14,335 | 100.0% |
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,070 people, 5,298 households, and 2,552 families living in the city. The population density was 693.6PD/sqmi. There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 364.7/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
There were 5,298 households, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.8% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.74.
The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
As of the 2000 census, there were 8,820 people. The census listed 4,047 households and 2,011 families living in the city. The population density was 992.5PD/sqmi. There were 4,311 housing units at an average density of 485.1/sqmi. The city's racial makeup was 97.94% White, 0.42% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 4,047 households, of which 23.7% had children under 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under 18, 15.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% over 66. The median age was 37. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.
The median income for a household was $26,851, and the median income for a family was $38,245. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income was $16,085. About 7.8% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under 18 and 15.7% of those 65 or older.
The city is located along a chain of lakes, which makes it a popular resort destination for water and land activities. There are cabin B&Bs and chain hotels along the lakes. Water sporting activities include motorboats, wake surfing, sailing, paddleboarding. Fishing was also historically popular in the city. There are beaches, like in the Pilgrim Point Park on Lake Ida. Other park areas include Lake Brophy County Park and Kensington Rune Stone Park. [12] [13]
Local tourism events include:
The city has a museum housing the Kensington Runestone. Outside the museum stands Big Ole, a 25-foot-tall statue of a Viking built for the 1965 World's Fair in New York City.[14] Extensive repairs to Big Ole were completed in 2016.[15] Legacy of the Lakes Museum, a maritime museum, is located in the city.
According to the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission,[16] [17] the area's top employers are:
| Employer |
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alomere Health | 868 | |
| 2 | Douglas Machine, Inc. | 737 | |
| 3 | Alexandria Public Schools | 609 | |
| 4 | Knute Nelson | 482 | |
| 5 | Alexandria Industries | 437 | |
| 6 | 400 | ||
| 7 | Central Specialties | 325 | |
| 8 | Douglas County | 308 | |
| 9 | Brenton Engineering | 265 | |
| 10 | Aagard | 264 |
Most children in Alexandria attend school at Alexandria Public Schools, which consists of six kindergarten–5th grade elementary schools (Lincoln, Voyager, Woodland, Carlos, Miltona, Garfield), one 6th–8th grade junior high school (Discovery Middle School), and one new 9th–12th grade senior high school (Alexandria Area High School), which replaced Jefferson High School, which was built in the late 1950s. There are also several independent K–8 Christian schools in the area. Alexandria Technical & Community College offers post-secondary education, including certificate programs, 2-year associate degrees and transferable credits towards 4-year degrees.
County Road 82 SE connects Alexandria to Nelson, Osakis and western Minnesota. Minnesota State Highway 29 connects Alexandria to Glenwood and Parkers Prairie. Interstate 94/U.S. Highway 52 passes through the south end of Alexandria, which allows access to Minneapolis-St. Paul and Fargo-Moorhead.
Public transportation in town (and within the surrounding area) is provided by Rainbow Rider.
The Alexandria Municipal Airport, also known as Chandler Field, is a city-owned public-use airport two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of Alexandria's central business district.
See main article: Media in Alexandria, Minnesota.
Alexandria Echo Press is Alexandria's twice-weekly newspaper, owned by the Forum Communications Company.[19]
From 1958 until 2012, Alexandria had at least one local television station, either KCCO or KSAX, and both are still satellites of Minneapolis, MN television stations. KCCO had a presence, first as KCMT, in 1958, as an NBC and ABC affiliate. It switched to CBS affiliation in 1982. Five years later, KSAX regained ABC's presence as a semi-satellite of KSTP-TV. In that same year, KCCO was bought out and became a semi-satellite of WCCO-TV. In 1992, KCCO became a CBS O&O when CBS acquired WCCO and its two satellites.
During KCCO and KSAX's time as semi-satellites, they broadcast local news, weather, and sports through ten-minute cut-in segments during their parent station's newscast. In 2002, KCCO removed its local presence and became a full satellite of WCCO. In June 2012, cost-cutting measures at KSAX resulted in the layoff of all but two employees and the ending of local cut-in broadcasts by any Alexandria television station.[20]
The Alexandria area is also served by Selective TV, Inc., a non-profit, viewer-supported organization which transmits several cable channels free-to-air over standard UHF television frequencies, viewable in any area home without subscription. Selective TV operates under low power television rules of the FCC and as such was not subject to the analog to digital conversion in 2009. Residents still need a converter box to view KCCO and KSAX on the digital band, though KSAX is still rebroadcast via Selective TV.
| Channel | Callsign | Affiliation | Branding | Subchannels | Owner | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Virtual) | Channel | Programming | |||||
| 4.1 | K33DB-D (WCCO Translator) | CBS | WCCO 4 | 4.2 4.3 | Start TV Dabl | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 5.2 | K16CO-D (KSTC Translator) | Ind. | 45 TV | 5.3 5.4 5.6 | Me-TV Antenna TV This TV | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 9.2 | K30AF-D (WFTC Translator) | Ind. | FOX 9 Plus | 9.3 9.1 | Movies! FOX | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 9.9 | K32EB-D (KMSP Translator) | FOX | FOX 9 | 9.4 9.5 9.6 | Buzzr Light TV Decades | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 10.1 | K27KN-D (KWCM Translator) | PBS | Pioneer Public TV | 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 | Create Minnesota Channel World PBS Kids | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 11.1 | K26CL-D (KARE Translator) | NBC | KARE 11 | 11.2 11.3 11.4 | Court TV True Crime Network Quest | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 17.1 | K17NW-D | NASA TV | Selective TV, Inc. | ||||
| 18.1 | K18DG-D (KSAX Translator) | ABC | 5 Eyewitness News | Selective TV, Inc. | |||
| 20.1 | K20AC-D | Escape (TV network) | Escape | 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 | Selective TV, Inc. | ||
| 21.1 | K21GN-D | KOOL-TV | 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 | Selective TV, Inc. | |||
| 22.1 | K36KH-D (KAWB Translator) | PBS | Lakeland PBS | 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 | First Nations Experience PBS Kids Create PBS Encore Minnesota Channel | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 23.1 | K14LZ-D (WUCW Translator) | CW | CW 23 | 23.2 23.3 23.4 | Comet Charge! TBD | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 41.1 | K34AF-D (KPXM Translator) | ION | ION | 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 | Bounce TV Grit Court TV Mystery QVC HSN | Selective TV, Inc. | |
| 42.1 | KSAX (KSTP/KSTC Satellite) | ABC | 5 Eyewitness News | 42.2 42.3 | 45TV MeTV | Hubbard Broadcasting | |
| 44.1 | K44GH-D | 3ABN | 44.2 44.4 44.5 44.6 44.7 | 3ABN Proclaim 3ABN Spanish 3ABN Radio 3ABN Radio Spanish Radio 74 | Edge Spectrum, Inc. | ||
| FM radio stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Call sign | Name | Format | Owner |
| 90.9 | K215BL (KSJR Translator) | Classical MPR | Classical | Minnesota Public Radio |
| 91.7 | K219FA (WJFM Translator) | SonLife Radio | Christian | Jimmy Swaggart Ministries |
| 92.3 | KXRA | KX92 | Classic rock | Paradis Broadcasting Inc. |
| 94.3 | KULO | Cool 94.3 | Oldies | Hubbard Broadcasting |
| 97.3 | KRVY | 97.3 The River | Adult Contemporary | Iowa City Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| 98.5 | KLKX | K-Lakes 98.5 | Adult Standards | Alexandria Community Radio Educational Organization, Inc. |
| 99.3 | KXRZ | Z-99 | Hot AC | Paradis Broadcasting Inc. |
| 100.3 | K262AT (KXRA-AM Translator) | News/Talk | Paradis Broadcasting Inc. | |
| 100.7 | KIKV | KIK FM 100.7 | Country | Hubbard Broadcasting |
The city's unofficial mascot "Big Ole" is featured on the cover of the debut album of the National Beekeepers Society.
The city hosts the annual Vikingland Band Festival parade marching championship.
In the 2000s, Justine Harman, an employee of Glamour and the host of the Broken Harts podcast said, "It was a bit more progressive than rural South Dakota, but it wasn't exactly the most tolerant of places, either" in regard to LGBT people.[21]
A 2018 article in The Oregonian described Alexandria as "conservative-leaning".[22]
The Alexandria Blizzard is a Tier III junior ice hockey team in the North American 3 Hockey League and play out of the Runestone Community Center. From 2006 to 2012, the organization had a Tier II team in the North American Hockey League. The NAHL franchise relocated to Brookings, South Dakota and the current NA3HL franchise took its place.
Viking Speedway hosts weekly Saturday night dirt track racing from April–September and also periodic special, weekend events throughout the year. Five WISSOTA classes run there: Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stocks, Modifieds, and Late Models. Viking Speedway was awarded WISSOTA's "2005 Track of the Year".
One night per summer, a Northwoods League baseball game is held at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. The Willmar Stingers become the Alexandria Beetles to pay homage to the time when Alexandria had its own team. The Beetles were in operation from 2001 to 2012 and were renamed the Alexandria Blue Anchors in 2013. The team folded after the 2015 season.