Editing Avon, Minnesota

{{short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Avon
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "Lakes, Loons, Living"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cityofavonmn.com/|title= City of Avon Minnesota|publisher= City of Avon Minnesota|access-date= October 16, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Avon Avenue North.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Businesses on Avon's main street, Avon Avenue.
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Stearns_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Avon_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Avon<br />within Stearns County, Minnesota
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Mayor-council]]
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Jeff Manthe <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofavonmn.com/index.asp?SEC=6412DCD5-6814-43C4-91E3-F9BB66BE3D9E&Type=B_DIR |title=Mayor and Council - City of Avon, Minnesota |access-date=2023-07-26 }}</ref>
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 4.41
|area_land_km2            = 4.41
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.70
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.70
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1618
|population_density_km2   = 367.08
|population_density_sq_mi = 950.65

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1132
|coordinates              = {{coord|45|36|31|N|94|27|02|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56310
|area_code                = [[Area code 320|320]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-03070<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2394043<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394043}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.cityofavonmn.com/ www.cityofavonmn.com]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}
'''Avon''' is a city in [[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 1,396 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="2010 Census">{{cite web|title=2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST13&prodType=table |work=American FactFinder |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census |access-date=23 April 2011 }}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It is part of the [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud]] [[St. Cloud metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Avon was laid out in 1873 and founded after the foundation of [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St.Cloud]] .<ref name="Upham 523">{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog | title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance | publisher=Minnesota Historical Society | last=Upham | first=Warren | year=1920 | page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n540 523]}}</ref> The community is named after the [[River Avon, Warwickshire|River Avon]], in England.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=20825 |title=Profile for Avon, Minnesota, MN |publisher= ePodunk|access-date= October 16, 2012}}</ref> A post office has been in operation at Avon since 1873.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=MN&county=Stearns | title=Stearns County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=8 August 2015}}</ref> Avon was incorporated in 1900.<ref name="Upham 523" /> After the foundation of [[Avon Minnesota]] the town expanded past the spunk lakes in [[1992]]

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.48|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all  land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

[[Interstate 94 in Minnesota|Interstate 94]]/[[U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 52]] and Stearns County Road 9 are two of the main routes in the city.  Other routes include County Road 54.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 162
|1910= 277
|1920= 709
|1930= 362
|1940= 403
|1950= 386
|1960= 443
|1970= 725
|1980= 804
|1990= 970
|2000= 1242
|2010= 1396
|2020= 1618
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-13}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,396 people, 557 households, and 393 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|943.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 592 housing units at an average density of {{convert|400.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 557 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.4% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.

The median age in the city was 34.2 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,242 people, 470 households, and 355 families living in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,201.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 492 housing units at an average density of {{convert|476.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 99.36% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.08% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.32% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 470 households, out of which 41.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 20.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 90% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.5 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,721, and the median income for a family was $53,214. Males had a median income of $37,386 versus $25,238 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,980.  About 1.3% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 0.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

[[File:Avon Minnesota Beach.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A lake beach surrounded by trees, with people playing in the water in the distance.|Public beach on Middle Spunk Lake.]]

===Annual cultural events===
Within Avon's city boundaries are three lakes which are named Upper Spunk, Middle Spunk, and Lower Spunk Lake. In honor of these lakes, Avon hosts an annual celebration called "''Spunktacular Days''", "''Spunk Days''" for short. The word "spunk"<ref name="definespunk">[http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=spunk Definition of "spunk"]</ref> means material to start a fire, or torchwood, which settlers used to gather in the area. In total there are eight lakes within the city of Avon.

Each May since 2008, the [[Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon]] runs through Avon, and relies on many volunteers to staff cheering areas and water stations.

Though small, Avon has seen significant political growth since 2020. In the Avon Estates area, a group called "Revitalize Avon" has emerged, with plans to elect members to the town council and mayoral positions in the coming years. Their mission is to preserve and enhance the town's infrastructure in response to public needs.

===Sports teams===
Avon is home to the Avon Lakers, whom are part of the Amateur Baseball Victory League.  The club was established in July 1979 by the Avon Lions Club when official construction of its baseball park began. The Avon Lions Club purchased land directly south of the old park which at that time consisted of a pasture and a small pond.

The Avon Lakers and the City of Avon sponsor the Region 8C Baseball Tournament.  
[http://www.avonlakers.com/lakers/about.asp]

Founded in Avon, the Albany Minnesota Soccer Club officially became a team in the summer of 2024. In their debut season, they achieved a strong 6-3-3 record, with plans to launch a varsity program in the near future.

==References in popular culture==
In the 35th anniversary broadcast of the radio variety show,<ref name="PHC">[http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/features/anniversary/35th/ A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor | American Public Media, 35th anniversary show announcement]</ref> ''[[A Prairie Home Companion]]'', which was performed live in Avon on July 4, 2009, radio personality [[Garrison Keillor]] referred to Avon as being "about as close to [[Lake Wobegon]] as you can get."

==Notable person==
* [[Alphonsus Augustus Sowada]] (1933–2014), [[Roman Catholic]] Bishop; born in Avon.<ref>'Bishop Alphose Sowada, an Avon native, dead at 84,' ''Saint Cloud Times (SCTimes.com),'' Retrieved January 11, 2014</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.cityofavonmn.com/ City Website]

{{Stearns County, Minnesota}}
{{St. Cloud metropolitan area}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Stearns County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:St. Cloud, Minnesota metropolitan area]]