Comfrey, Minnesota

Comfrey, Minnesota
City
Motto: "Remembering Yesterday, Appreciating Today, Working for Tomorrow"[1]

Location of Comfrey, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°6′34″N 94°54′15″W / 44.10944°N 94.90417°W / 44.10944; -94.90417
Country United States
State Minnesota
Counties Brown, Cottonwood
platted 1902[2]
Government
 • Type Mayor - Council
 • Mayor Gary Richter
Area[3]
 • Total 0.47 sq mi (1.22 km2)
 • Land 0.47 sq mi (1.22 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 1,122 ft (342 m)
Population (2010)[4]
 • Total 382
 • Estimate (2015) 372[5]
 • Density 812.8/sq mi (313.8/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 56019
Area code(s) 507
FIPS code 27-12772[6]
GNIS feature ID 0641419[7]
Website http://www.comfrey.govoffice.com/

Comfrey is a city in Brown and Cottonwood counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 382 at the 2010 census.[8] The majority of the people live in Brown County.

History

Comfrey was platted in 1902.[2] It was named after the plant called comfrey (Symphytini Officinalis), by the first postmaster, A. W. Pederson.[2][9]

On March 29, 1998, Comfrey was hit by a strong F4 tornado which damaged or destroyed most of the town.[10] While no one was killed, a dozen people were injured.[11]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), all land.[3]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1910238—
1920533123.9%
19305350.4%
19405553.7%
195064215.7%
1960616−4.0%
1970525−14.8%
19805484.4%
1990433−21.0%
2000367−15.2%
20103824.1%
Est. 2015372[5]−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

2010 census

As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 382 people, 169 households, and 110 families residing in the city. The population density was 812.8 inhabitants per square mile (313.8/km2). There were 180 housing units at an average density of 383.0 per square mile (147.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.3% African American, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 169 households of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 44.4 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 24.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 367 people, 160 households, and 99 families residing in the city. The population density was 871.9 people per square mile (337.4/km²). There were 171 housing units at an average density of 406.2 per square mile (157.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.46% White, 0.27% Native American, and 0.27% from two or more races.

There were 160 households out of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 2.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 28.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,938, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $32,045 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,878. About 3.8% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Museums and other points of interest

The Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site is located near Comfrey. Discovered in the 1870s, the rock carvings have been visited by scientists and archeologists. In 1966, the Minnesota Historical Society bought the property from W.H. Jeffers to preserve the petroglyphs for future generations.[1][13]

Parks and recreation

Mound Creek park is located a few miles outside Comfrey. The park has 316 acres, and was dedicated in 1993.[1][14]

Government

Comfrey is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Comfrey is located in Senate districts 21 and 22, represented by Republicans Gary Dahms and Doug Magnus, and in House districts 21B and 22B, represented by Republicans Paul Torkelson and Rod Hamilton.

Education

Comfrey Public School educates approximately 170 students in grades K-12.[15] The school building was rebuilt in 1999 after being heavily damaged by the tornado.[16]

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Comfrey Minnesota Website". Comfrey Minnesota Website. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 58.
  3. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-14. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  5. 1 2 "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. ↑ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  9. ↑ "Profile for Comfrey, Minnesota, MN". ePodunk. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Living Through the Tornado in Comfrey", Minnesota Public Radio, March 30, 1998
  11. ↑ "Tornadoes cut destructive path in southern Minnesota", Gettysburg Times, March 30, 1998
  12. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site". Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Mound Creek Park". Mound Creek Park. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
  15. ↑ City of Comfrey: Comfrey school district #81
  16. ↑ Meryhew, Richard (October 3, 1999). "New school brings fresh start". Star Tribune. Avista Capital Partners.
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Coordinates: 44°06′37″N 94°54′17″W / 44.11028°N 94.90472°W / 44.11028; -94.90472

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