Becker, Minnesota

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Not to be confused with Becker County, Minnesota.
Becker
City
Location of the city of Becker within Sherburne County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Becker
within Sherburne County, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°23′29″N 93°52′22″W / 45.39139°N 93.87278°W / 45.39139; -93.87278
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountySherburne
Government
 • MayorTracy Bertram
Area
[1]
 • Total12.10 sq mi (31.33 km2)
 • Land11.57 sq mi (29.97 km2)
 • Water0.52 sq mi (1.35 km2)
Elevation
971 ft (296 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total4,538
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
4,954
 • Density428.07/sq mi (165.28/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
55308
Area code(s)763
FIPS code27-04618[4]
GNIS feature ID0639848[5]
Websitewww.ci.becker.mn.us

Becker is a city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States, between the Mississippi and Elk Rivers. The population was 4,538 at the 2010 census.[6]

Becker is located 46 miles northwest of Minneapolis and 19 miles southeast of St. Cloud.

U.S. Highway 10 serves as a main route in Becker.

History[]

Becker was platted in 1867, and named for George Loomis Becker, a state legislator.[7] A post office called Becker has been in operation since 1870.[8]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.1 square miles (23.57 km2); 9.1sq. mi is land and 0.45 square miles (1.17 km2) is water.[9]

Business[]

Xcel Energy operates the Sherburne County Generating Station (Sherco) within the city. This plant is the largest coal-fired power plant in Minnesota. The power plant no longer pays its historical share of property taxes; therefore Becker residents pay property taxes similar to those of nearby communities. This changed in 2003.[10]

Google plans to build a data center in Becker, and the company would become one of Xcel Energy's largest customers.[11]

In late February 2020, firefighters responded to a report of a fire at Northern Metals Recycling in Becker. Northern Metals Recycling moved its operations from Minneapolis to Becker the year before, after being ordered to shut down by the Pollution Control Agency due to high levels of air pollution. The fire was reported to have started under a pile of cars.[12] The fire lasted several days, and caused schools to close in order to conduct air quality testing. More than three dozen fire departments were reported to have been on scene. Eventually, it was decided in tandem with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health that the best course of action would be to let the fire burn out. This decision was also influenced by the fact that water resources were being quickly depleted from Becker and the neighboring vicinity.[13]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1910210—
19202100.0%
19302141.9%
194023911.7%
195026410.5%
19602795.7%
197036530.8%
198060164.7%
199090250.1%
20002,673196.3%
20104,53869.8%
2019 (est.)4,954[3]9.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census[]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 4,538 people, 1,526 households, and 1,164 families residing in the city. The population density was 430.1 inhabitants per square mile (166.1/km2). There were 1,644 housing units at an average density of 155.8 per square mile (60.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,526 households, of which 50.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.7% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.35.

The median age in the city was 30.7 years. 34.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.2% were from 25 to 44; 17% were from 45 to 64; and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 2,673 people, 929 households, and 728 families residing in the city. The population density was 308.6 people per square mile (119.2/km2). There were 967 housing units at an average density of 111.6 per square mile (43.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.34% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 929 households, out of which 49.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.6% were non-families. 15.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.0% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 13.9% from 45 to 64, and 6.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $50,714, and the median income for a family was $51,940. Males had a median income of $37,038 versus $26,622 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,333. About 3.4% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government[]

Becker is located in Minnesota Senate District 15, represented by Andrew Mathews[14] and in Minnesota House of Representatives District 15B, represented by Shane Mekeland.[15] Both are members of the Republican Party of Minnesota. On a federal level, Becker is located in Minnesota's 6th congressional district, represented by Tom Emmer.

Attractions[]

Parks[]

Becker contains nine city parks, including the Becker City Park which sits on over 100 acres.[16] In 2020 a dog park was added onto the City Park.

The other city parks include the Becker Athletic Complex (BAC), the Becker Community Center, Carl E. Johnson park, Kolbinger Park, Pleasant Valley park, River's Edge Park, Snuffy's Landing, and the Tot Lot.[16]

Golf Course[]

Becker is home to Pebble Creek Golf Course, a 27-hole course which is open to the public.

Public Library[]

The Becker Public Library is a branch of Great River Regional Library. The library is located within the community center on County Road 23 (Sherburne Avenue).

Transportation[]

U.S. Highway 10 (co-signed and Minnesota State Highway 25) are the primary highway routes through Becker. U.S. Highway 10 plays a considerable role in the economy of the city, as many of Becker's businesses are located along it.

County Road 23 (Sherburne Avenue) also makes its starting point in Becker.

The proposed extension of the Northstar Commuter Rail to St. Cloud would include a stop in Becker. It is currently served by Northstar Link Commuter Bus between Big Lake and St. Cloud.

Media[]

Becker is home to one newspaper, the Patriot.[17] Previously the Citizen-Tribune, the Patriot is a self-described "full-service medium to avid readers in Central Minnesota."[18] It is also served by the Saint Cloud Times and the Star Tribune.

Education[]

Becker is served by the Independent School District 726. The four schools, listed below, have a total enrollment of 2,697 students. [1]

  • Becker Primary School (K-2)
  • Becker Intermediate School (3-5)
  • Becker Middle School (6-8)
  • Becker High School (9-12)

Sports[]

Football[]

The Becker High School Football program was started by Dwight Lundeen in 1970. Coach Lundeen remains the only head coach in the history of the program. The Becker program won the class AAA championship in 2005 and class AAAA championships in 2014 and 2015. They are now currently in class AAAA and in the Granite Ridge conference. They have 19 conference championships, 14 section championship, 16 state tournament appearances, and have also appeared in seven prep bowls, making Becker Football one of the most successful football programs in Minnesota.

Robotics[]

Becker is home to FRC 4607 Coalition of Independent Students (CIS) which competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition.

References[]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved 23 April 2011.[dead link]
  7. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 514.
  8. ^ "Sherburne County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  10. ^ Post, Tim (2006). "Rule change could mean lower taxes for Minnesota power companies". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2006-06-05.
  11. ^ "Google's $600 million data center project in Becker clears big hurdle". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  12. ^ Adrianna Rodriguez (20 February 2020). "Massive fire at Minnesota recycling plant burns for 2 days. It can last for several more". USAToday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  13. ^ Clairissa Baker (19 February 2020). "Becker metal recycling plant fire 'under control' as local fire fighters help battle blaze". SCTimes.com. SC Times. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  14. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/minnesota-state-senate-district-15
  15. ^ https://vote-usa.org/Elected.aspx?State=MN&Congress=006&StateSenate=015&StateHouse=030&County=141&District=&Place=
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b https://www.beckercommunitycenter.com/vertical/sites/%7B263DFF05-D2B5-4E72-ABEA-9DA480A8307E%7D/uploads/City_Parks_Brochure.PDF
  17. ^ https://patriotnewsmn.com/
  18. ^ http://citizennewspaper.com/news/hear-ye-hear-ye

External links[]

Coordinates: 45°23′36″N 93°52′37″W / 45.39333°N 93.87694°W / 45.39333; -93.87694

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