Nisswa, Minnesota

Smiley Township was founded in 1900, but local resident Leon Lum convinced residents to rename it Nisswa, from the Ojibwe word "nessawae" (which means "in the middle" or "three"),{{Cite web|url=https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/word-part/nisw-initial|title=The Ojibwe People's Dictionary|website=ojibwe.lib.umn.edu}} when the town was incorporated as a village in 1908.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Nisswa became a municipality on December 4, 1946. Nisswa has become a popular tourist destination due to its shops, resorts, and lakes in close proximity.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} The Paul Bunyan State Trail, a rail trail, runs through Nisswa.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of {{convert|18.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|10.78|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|7.56|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 26, 2020}}{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2012-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}

Surrounded by lakes, Nisswa is part of the Brainerd Lakes Area. Some of these are Nisswa Lake, Roy Lake, Gull Lake, Lake Hubert, Clark Lake, Round Lake, and North Long Lake.{{cite web |title = Nisswa Lake Map |url = https://www.brainerd.com/business-directory/lodging/lake-maps/nisswa-lake/ }}

Minnesota Highway 371 serves as a main route in the city. Others include County Roads 13, 18, 77, and 115.

{{US Census population

|1930= 214

|1940= 400

|1950= 578

|1960= 742

|1970= 1011

|1980= 1407

|1990= 1391

|2000= 1953

|2010= 1971

|2020= 1967

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 14, 2014}}
2013 Estimate{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2014-07-14}}

}}

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-13}} of 2010, there were 1,971 people, 876 households, and 607 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|182.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,474 housing units at an average density of {{convert|136.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 876 households, of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.69.

The median age in the city was 50.6 years. 18.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.2% were from 25 to 44; 34.7% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,953 people, 819 households, and 577 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|179.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,532 housing units at an average density of {{convert|140.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.26% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.41% of the population.

There were 819 households, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,306, and the median income for a family was $54,931. Males had a median income of $37,772 versus $29,412 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,265. About 2.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those 65 or older.

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;Run for the Lakes Marathon

{{anchor|Run for the Lakes Marathon}}The Run for the Lakes Marathon is a 26.2 mile footrace that typically takes place in April. The race weekend also hosts a half marathon, a 10K, and a 5K.{{cite web | title=Run for the Lakes Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K |date=2021 |editor=Terrell Johnson |website=halfmarathons.net |publisher=Half Marathon Guide |location=Atlanta, Georgia |url=https://www.halfmarathons.net/minnesota-run-for-the-lakes-marathon-half-marathon-10k/ |url-status=live |accessdate=27 March 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128150021/https://www.halfmarathons.net/minnesota-run-for-the-lakes-marathon-half-marathon-10k/ |archivedate=28 January 2021 |language=en}}

Almost all of Nisswa's students are educated at Brainerd Public Schools. The rest attend Pequot Lakes Public Schools.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st27_mn/schooldistrict_maps/c27035_crow_wing/DC20SD_C27035.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707125343/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st27_mn/schooldistrict_maps/c27035_crow_wing/DC20SD_C27035.pdf |archive-date=2021-07-07 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Crow Wing County, MN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2021-07-07}} The zoned high school for the Brainerd district is Brainerd High School while Pequot Lakes High School serves the Pequot Lakes district.

• Jennifer Carnahan, politician{{cite news |first=Kim |last=Hyatt |title=Former Minnesota GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan is running for mayor of Nisswa |url=https://www.startribune.com/former-minnesota-gop-chairwoman-jennifer-carnahan-running-for-nisswa-mayor/601115546 |newspaper=Minnesota Star Tribune |date=August 16, 2024 |access-date=August 20, 2024 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816231202/https://www.startribune.com/former-minnesota-gop-chairwoman-jennifer-carnahan-running-for-nisswa-mayor/601115546 |archive-date=August 16, 2024}}
• Adrianne Lenker, musician{{cite news |first=Ksenia |last=Gorinshteyn |title=Adrianne Lenker serenades at sold-out show |url=https://www.mndaily.com/article/2019/02/a-adrianne-lenker-serenades-at-sold-out-show |work=Minnesota Daily |date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902031317/https://www.mndaily.com/article/2019/02/a-adrianne-lenker-serenades-at-sold-out-show |archive-date=2019-09-02}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://cityofnisswa.com/ City of Nisswa, MN – Official Website]
• [http://www.nisswa.com/ Nisswa Chamber of Commerce – Visitor Information site]
• [http://runforthelakes.com/ Run for the Lakes Marathon]

{{Marathons in Minnesota}}

{{Crow Wing County, Minnesota}}

{{Brainerd micropolitan area}}

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Category:Cities in Minnesota

Category:Cities in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Category:Brainerd, Minnesota micropolitan area