Minot ) is a city located in north central North Dakota, USA. With 36,567 people, Minot is the fourth largest city in the state. The city is the county seat of Ward County and the trading centre of a large portion of northern North Dakota, southwestern Manitoba, and southeastern Saskatchewan. Minot is also known as the Magic City.
As of the census of 2000, there are 36,567 people, 15,520 households, and 9,265 families residing in the city. The population density is 970.4/km2 (2,513.1/mi2). There are 16,475 housing units at an average density of 437.2/km2 (1,132.3/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 93.18% White, 1.34% African American, 2.76% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 1.47% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The top 6 ancestry groups in the city are German (40.8%), Norwegian (32.3%), Irish (8.7%), English (5.4%), Swedish (4.2%), French (3.2%).
There are 15,520 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% are married couples living together, 10.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% are non-families. 32.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.27 and the average family size is 2.90.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $32,218, and the median income for a family is $42,804. Males have a median income of $30,283 versus $20,023 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,011. 12.8% of the population and 8.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The city's economy is more robust than other cities of its size due to its large service area; however, it is beset by significant problems with enterprise capital and wage standards. About 30% of Minot residents work two or more jobs, and two-thirds of households earn less than the national median household income.
A Coldwell Banker Home Price Comparison Index listed Minot as the most affordable area of 348 markets in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico for homebuyers.
Minot came into existence in 1886, when Jim Hill's Great Northern Railroad ended its push through the state for the winter, after having trouble constructing a trestle across Gassman Coulee. A tent town sprung up over night, as if by magic, thus the city came to be known as the Magic City.
The townsite was chosen by the railroad to be placed on the land of then-homesteader Erik Ramstad. Mr. Ramstad was convinced to relinquish his claim, and became one of the city leaders.
The town was named after Henry Davis Minot, a railroad investor and friend of Jim Hill. The city was incorporated on 28 June 1887.
Later, the Soo Line was building a line from Valley City up to Canada. While initially their plan was to cross the Souris River some distance from Minot, local interests convinced them otherwise; landholders along the new route gladly donated the right-of-way. They reached Minot in 1893.
Minot was a typical western boom town in its early years, with its share of vice and lawlessness. During Prohibition the city became known as "Little Chicago", as it was a central hub of Al Capone's liquor smuggling operations. Smugglers used a network of underground tunnels (some of which were previously built for heating or deliveries) to transport and conceal the illicit cargo. Some of the tunnels can still be accessed.
The 1950s saw the construction of the Minot Air Force Base, an Air Defense Command Base that later became a Strategic Air Command bomber & Minuteman missile base. Not far away, Garrison Dam was built on the Missouri River.
In 1969, a severe flood on the Souris River devastated the city. Afterward, the Army Corps of Engineers straightened the path of the river through the city and built several flood control structures.
Source:
MinotNorthDakota.com
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