Morris is a city in Stevens County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 5,286 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat.
Economically, the community is surrounded by some of the richest agricultural lands in the country and agribusiness is a major contributor to the local economy. Headquartered in Morris, Riverview LLP is the largest dairy milking operation in Minnesota and ranked as one of the largest in the United States. Other large economic contributors include manufacturing, education and healthcare industries.
The town is home to the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM), part of the University of Minnesota system. The first buildings on campus were constructed in 1887 for the Morris Industrial School for Indians to prepare them for jobs in the industrializing majority culture. It also taught agricultural topics to prepare students for the range of jobs in this rural area. The school closed in 1909 when the University of Minnesota established the West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA). After the state announced a phase-out plan for its agricultural schools, a grassroots citizens movement convinced the state to create a public college on the Morris campus. In the fall of 1960, the University of Minnesota, Morris opened its doors to students seeking a liberal arts education. Today, the campus has a population of approximately 1,900 and is ranked as a "Top 10 Public Liberal Arts College" by U.S. News and World Report and one of "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes.
Riverview and UMM are two of the community's top employers, but manufacturer Superior Industries is the largest job creator. Headquartered in Morris, the 40-year-old company employs about 800 people at its two manufacturing plants in town. A majority of Superior's workforce is skilled in engineering or fabrication. The company manufactures steel conveyors and storage tanks for industries handling dry bulk, fuels and gases. Inc. magazine ranks Superior Industries as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.
History
Morris was platted in 1869, and named for Charles A. Morris, a railroad official. A post office has been in operation at Morris since 1871. Morris was incorporated as a city in 1902.
The 1975 Morris earthquake occurred on July 9, and was the state's largest 21st-century earthquake, rated at 4.6 Mn. Eighteen years later, on June 4, 1993, another quake slightly shook the community. This one measured 4.1 in magnitude and ranks as the third-largest earthquake in Minnesota of the 1900s.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.02 square miles (13.00Â km2); 4.80 square miles (12.43Â km2) is land and 0.22 square miles (0.57Â km2) is water. Lake Crystal is in the southwestern part of the town; the Pomme de Terre River flows through the town's eastern extremity. U.S. Highway 59 and Minnesota State Highways 9 and 28 are three of the main routes in the town.
Climate
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,286 people, 1,986 households, and 1,021 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,101.3 inhabitants per square mile (425.2/km2). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 458.1 per square mile (176.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.9% White, 1.3% African American, 1.5% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.
There were 1,986 households of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the city was 26.5 years. 17.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 30.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 18.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,068 people, 1,929 households, and 985 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,183.2 people per square mile (457.2/km²). There were 2,067 housing units at an average density of 482.6 per square mile (186.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.63% White, 1.76% African American, 1.22% Native American, 1.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population.
There were 1,929 households out of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.9% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town the population was spread out with 16.7% under the age of 18, 34.2% from 18 to 24, 19.0% from 25 to 44, 13.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,786, and the median income for a family was $46,556. Males had a median income of $34,323 versus $22,338 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,607. About 8.4% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.
University of Minnesota Morris
The University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) is one of five campuses in the University of Minnesota system. UMM has an enrollment of about 1,900 students and 145 teaching faculty. 61 students received the first set of diplomas in 1961. Since then, Morris has conferred more than 10,000 degrees.
West Central Research and Outreach Center
Besides UMM, Morris is also home to the West Central Research and Outreach Center, a division of the greater University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. WCROC's faculty and staff study agronomy, soil science, livestock, horticulture, renewable energy and swine production.
WCROC is home to the University of Minnesota's Horticulture Gardens. During the last decade, the privately funded research gardens have gained increasing popularity as their design has increased in aesthetic appeal. Each summer, the gardens are host to thousands of visitors.
Prairie Pioneer Days
Prairie Pioneer Days is a family festival hosted by the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce every July. It includes many activities around town, including a parade, fireworks, and food and craft vendors.
Area media
Four radio stations cover Morris; KMRS AM 1230, KKOK FM 95.7, and KRVY FM 97.3, all owned by Iowa City Broadcasting Company, Inc., while KUMM FM 89.7 is operated by the University of Minnesota Morris.
The Stevens County Times, a Forum Communications newspaper, publishes on Saturdays.
Notable people
- Dick Grace (1898â€"1965), Hollywood stunt pilot
- Jim Hall, Free software advocate, best known for FreeDOS
- Mike Morley, former professional golfer
- PZ Myers, biologist and blogger
- Trina Radke, Olympic swimmer
- Aaron Schock, former United States Congressman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Illinois (2009â€"2015)
- Royal A. Stone, Minnesota Supreme Court justice
- Brett Winkelman, former basketball player for the North Dakota State Bison
- Children 18:3, Christian punk rock band
- We Found Home, Punk/Emo band
References
External links
- Media related to Morris, Minnesota at Wikimedia Commons
- Morris, Minnesota Police Department