Editing Walker, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Walker
|settlement_type          = City
|nickname                 = "The Big Place"
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images --------------->
|image_skyline            = Cass county MN 200 Walker IMG 1319.JPG
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Photo: Erlend Bjørtvedt
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps ----------------->
|image_map                = Cass_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Walker_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Walker<br />within [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass County]] and state of [[Minnesota]]
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location ------------->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Minnesota]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Minnesota|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass]]
<!-- 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           = 7.28
|area_land_km2            = 7.28
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.81
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.81
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population ----------->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 987
|pop_est_as_of            = 2022
|pop_est_footnotes        = <ref name="USCensusEst2022"/>
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
|population_total         = 966
|population_density_km2   = 132.76
|population_density_sq_mi = 343.89
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m              = 412
|elevation_ft             = 1352
|coordinates              = {{coord|47|05|59|N|94|35|52|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 56484
|area_code                = [[Area code 218|218]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 27-67792
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2397174<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2397174}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.walkermn.com/|walkermn.com}}
|footnotes                = 
}}

'''Walker''' is a city in [[Cass County, Minnesota|Cass County]], [[Minnesota]], United States. The population was 966 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Walker_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2767792 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 15, 2023}}</ref> It is the [[county seat]] of Cass County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

Walker is part of the [[Brainerd, Minnesota|Brainerd]] [[Brainerd micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

Minnesota State Highways [[Minnesota State Highway 34|34]], [[Minnesota State Highway 200|200]], and [[Minnesota State Highway 371|371]] are three of the main routes in the city.

==History==
[[File:Walker, Minnesota 1901.jpg|thumb|left|Walker, 1901]]
The area was inhabited for thousands of years by succeeding cultures of [[indigenous peoples]]. Before European settlement, the [[Ojibwe]] moved into the area from the Great Lakes, pushing out the historic [[Sioux#Eastern Dakota|Dakota]] peoples, such as the [[Assiniboine people|Assiniboine]] and [[Hidatsa]]. European American settlers followed the early fur traders and trappers, and encroached on Native American territories.

Following the construction of the railroad to the area, Patrick McGarry founded Walker in 1896. He named the settlement after the logging giant [[T. B. Walker|Thomas B. Walker]], in hopes of luring construction of a sawmill. Walker instead chose to found and set up operations in nearby [[Akeley, Minnesota|Akeley]], because of his wife's moral objection to the bars and brothels in Walker, a rough frontier town. Walker developed with business, jobs and other services generated by four other logging companies.

Tourism later grew as a service industry. In the 20th century, people from urban areas came to more rural areas for recreation associated with lakes, fishing, hunting and water sports. The city reached its peak of population in 1950.

In 1907, Walker became the home of the [[Minnesota State Sanatorium for Consumptives|Ah-Gwah-Ching Center]], first constructed as a residential facility for [[tuberculosis]] (TB) patients, who at the time could be treated only with good nutrition and rest.<ref name="Straumanis">[http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/26_straumanisa_agcsidebar Andris Straumanis, "Ah-Gwa-Ching"], Minnesota Public Radio, July 26, 2004. Retrieved March 8, 2012</ref> By 1927, it had 300 patients. The facility had its own farm and dairy herd, the patients and staff put on skits and produced a newspaper, and it had its own railroad depot at one time. During the [[Great Depression in the United States|Great Depression]], it was a site for display of art produced by artists paid by the [[Works Progress Administration|WPA]], and it had the state's largest WPA art collection. In 1962, the facility was adapted as a state nursing home for psychiatric patients. The complex is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="Straumanis"/> The building was closed in 2008.

==Geography==
Walker is on the southwest corner of [[Leech Lake]], Minnesota's third-largest lake. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|2.47|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=November 13, 2012|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|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Nearby cities and towns include [[Hackensack, Minnesota|Hackensack]], [[Akeley, Minnesota|Akeley]], [[Whipholt, Minnesota|Whipholt]], [[Laporte, Minnesota|Laporte]], [[Bemidji, Minnesota|Bemidji]], and Onigum. Onigum is one of 11 communities that make up the [[Leech Lake Indian Reservation]].

===Climate===
Walker has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.

{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Walker, Minnesota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1908&ndash;present

|Jan record high F = 52
|Feb record high F = 59
|Mar record high F = 83
|Apr record high F = 94
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 72
|Dec record high F = 60

|Jan avg record high F = 41.2
|Feb avg record high F = 45.0
|Mar avg record high F = 56.8
|Apr avg record high F = 72.9
|May avg record high F = 83.4
|Jun avg record high F = 88.2
|Jul avg record high F = 89.3
|Aug avg record high F = 88.0
|Sep avg record high F = 82.0
|Oct avg record high F = 75.1
|Nov avg record high F = 56.0
|Dec avg record high F = 42.8
|year avg record high F = 91.5

<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =19.3
| Feb high F  =25.4
| Mar high F  =37.8
| Apr high F  =52.0
| May high F  =66.0
| Jun high F  =74.6
| Jul high F  =79.0
| Aug high F  =76.7
| Sep high F  =68.0
| Oct high F  =53.3
| Nov high F  =37.2
| Dec high F  =24.8
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =10.0
| Feb mean F  =14.8
| Mar mean F  =27.7
| Apr mean F  =41.4
| May mean F  =55.2
| Jun mean F  =64.6
| Jul mean F  =69.0
| Aug mean F  =67.0
| Sep mean F  =58.4
| Oct mean F  =44.8
| Nov mean F  =29.5
| Dec mean F  =16.5
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =0.7
| Feb low F  =4.2
| Mar low F  =17.6
| Apr low F  =30.9
| May low F  =44.4
| Jun low F  =54.6
| Jul low F  =59.1
| Aug low F  =57.3
| Sep low F  =48.8
| Oct low F  =36.3
| Nov low F  =21.8
| Dec low F  =8.2

|Jan avg record low F = -24.0
|Feb avg record low F = -21.0
|Mar avg record low F = -8.3
|Apr avg record low F = 13.7
|May avg record low F = 31.7
|Jun avg record low F = 42.3
|Jul avg record low F = 47.7
|Aug avg record low F = 46.5
|Sep avg record low F = 34.3
|Oct avg record low F = 21.6
|Nov avg record low F = 3.2
|Dec avg record low F = -17.4
|year avg record low F = -28.4

|Jan record low F = -41
|Feb record low F = -44
|Mar record low F = -33
|Apr record low F = -6
|May record low F = 18
|Jun record low F = 30
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 32
|Sep record low F = 22
|Oct record low F = 4
|Nov record low F = -22
|Dec record low F = -40

<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =0.75
| Feb precipitation inch  =0.74
| Mar precipitation inch  =1.18
| Apr precipitation inch  =2.18
| May precipitation inch  =3.32
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.29
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.11
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.21
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.37
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.75
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.26
| Dec precipitation inch  =0.82

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.1
|Feb precipitation days = 6.1
|Mar precipitation days = 5.8
|Apr precipitation days = 7.1
|May precipitation days = 10.9
|Jun precipitation days = 11.2
|Jul precipitation days = 10.2
|Aug precipitation days = 8.7
|Sep precipitation days = 10.6
|Oct precipitation days = 9.3
|Nov precipitation days = 7.1
|Dec precipitation days = 6.7

|Jan snow inch = 10.5
|Feb snow inch = 6.6
|Mar snow inch = 8.1
|Apr snow inch = 1.1
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 7.9
|Dec snow inch = 7.6
|year snow inch = 42.0

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 5.4
|Feb snow days = 4.2
|Mar snow days = 2.9
|Apr snow days = 0.8
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 4.0
|Dec snow days = 5.4

|source 1 = NOAA (snow/snow days 1981–2010)<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00218618&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Walker, MN (1991&ndash;2020)
|access-date = May 10, 2023
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00218618&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Walker, MN (1981&ndash;2010)
|access-date = May 10, 2023
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=dlh
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Duluth
|access-date = May 10, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 500
|1910= 917
|1920= 785
|1930= 618
|1940= 939
|1950= 1192
|1960= 1180
|1970= 1073
|1980= 970
|1990= 950
|2000= 1069
|2010= 941
|2020= 966
|estyear=2022
|estimate=987
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=November 15, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=November 15, 2023}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=July 14, 2014}}</ref><br />2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2010, there were 941 people, 452 households, and 205 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|381.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 605 housing units at an average density of {{convert|244.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 452 households, of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 54.6% were non-families. 48.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 49 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 30.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.5% male and 55.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 1,069 people, 449 households, and 258 families living in the city.  The population density was {{convert|734.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 517 housing units at an average density of {{convert|355.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 88.59% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.09% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 8.98% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.28% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.28% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.78% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 449 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,125, and the median income for a family was $44,063. Males had a median income of $31,324 versus $25,435 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,079.  About 8.0% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 14.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Walker Public Schools are part of the [[Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District]]. Schools in the district include Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Elementary School and [[Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School]] (WHA). Kevin Wellen is the Superintendent of Schools.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.wha.k12.mn.us/subsite/dist/page/district-79|title= Walker Hackensack Akeley Schools|publisher= Walker Hackensack Akeley Schools |access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref> The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley district was formed by the 1990 consolidation of the Walker and Akeley districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/schdistcon.aspx?src=34|title=School District Consolidations|publisher=[[Minnesota House of Representatives]]|accessdate=August 11, 2021}}</ref>

Walker is home to [[Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School]] and Immanuel Lutheran School.

==Transportation==
Walker is served by the city-owned public-use Walker Airport {{airport codes|||Y49}}, located four miles north-west of the city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AirNav: Y49 - Walker Municipal Airport |url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/Y49 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.airnav.com}}</ref> Walker Airport contains one [[runway]] one designated 15/33 with a 3,220 x 75 ft (981 x 23 m) [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] surface.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Y49/Walker Municipal General Airport Information |url=https://acukwik.com/Airport-Info/Y49 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=acukwik.com}}</ref>

For the 12-month period ending July 31, 2017, the airport had 9,200 aircraft operations, an average of 25.2 per day: 48.9% [[general aviation]] and 51.1% transient general aviation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Walker Municipal Airport - Y49 - Airport Guide |url=https://airportguide.com/airport/info/Y49 |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=AirportGuide |language=en}}</ref> The airport housed 16 single-[[Aircraft engine|engine]] airplanes, 2 multi-engine airplanes, and 1 helicopter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Y49 - Walker Municipal Airport {{!}} SkyVector |url=https://skyvector.com/airport/Y49/Walker-Municipal-Airport |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=skyvector.com}}</ref>
==Media==

===TV stations===
Walker is part of the [[Minneapolis]] / [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]] television market.

{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
!style="background:#ccccff;" |Channel
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Callsign
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Affiliation
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Branding
!style="background:#ccccff;" colspan="2" |Subchannels
!style="background:#ccccff;" rowspan="2" |Owner
|-
!style="background:#ffcccc;" | (Virtual)
!style="background:#ffcccc;" | Channel
!style="background:#ffcccc" | Programming
|-
| 12.1
| [[WCCO-TV|KCCW]] <br /><small>([[WCCO-TV|WCCO]] Satellite)</small>
| [[CBS]]
| ''WCCO 4''
| 12.2
| style="text-align:left" | [[Start TV]]
| style="text-align:left" | [[CBS Corporation]]
|-
| 21.1
| K21HX-D
| [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]
| ''Fox 9''
| 21.2<br />21.3<br />21.4
| style="text-align:left" | FOX 9+<br />[[Movies!]]<br />Local
| style="text-align:left" | Leech Lake Television Corporation
|-
| 24.1
| K21HX-D
| [[NBC]]
| ''KARE 11''
| 24.2<br />24.3<br />24.4
| style="text-align:left" | [[PBS]] ([[Lakeland Public Television|KAWE]])<br />Weather<br />[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[KSTP-TV|KSAX]])
| style="text-align:left" | Leech Lake Television Corporation
|-
| 35.1
| K35KH-D
| [[The CW|CW]]
| ''CW 23''
| 35.2<br />35.3<br />35.4
| style="text-align:left" | [[Court TV]]<br />[[MeTV]]<br />45TV
| style="text-align:left" | Leech Lake Television Corporation
|-
|}

==Newspaper==
The Pilot Independent / Co-Pilot Shopper

===Radio stations===
:'''FM radio'''
*88.5 [[Minnesota Public Radio]] (MPR)
*90.1 [[KOJB]] The Eagle, Native American
*92.5 [[KXKK]]
*94.5 [[KDLB]]
*97.5  [[KDKK]]
*99.1  [[KLLZ-FM]] Z99 Classic Rock
*101.9 [[KQKK]]
*102.5 [[KKWB-FM]]
*104.3 [[KLKS (FM)|KLKS]]

:'''AM radio'''
*820  [[WBKK-AM]]
*870  [[KPRM]]
*1070 [[KSKK]]
*1570 [[KAKK]]

==Notable people==
* [[Jimmy Darts]], social media personality<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Warfield|first=Baihly|date=July 8, 2020|title=Northland man takes a swing at extreme mini golf competition|url=https://www.wdio.com/news/holey-moley-mini-golf/5786786/|access-date=September 19, 2021|website=WDIO|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Mary Welsh Hemingway]], journalist, wife of [[Ernest Hemingway]]
* [[Donald D. Lundrigan]], Minnesota state representative and lawyer
* [[Noah W. Sawyer]], Minnesota state representative
* [[Ber (musician)|Ber]], Indie pop musician

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Walker, Minnesota}}
{{Wikivoyage|Walker (Minnesota)}}
*{{Official website |https://www.walkermn.com/}}
*[http://www.leech-lake.com/ Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070217060249/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070215-stone-tools.html Ancient Stone Tools Found; May Be Among Americas' Oldest]. Stefan Lovgren for [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] News. February 15, 2007
*[http://www.leech-lake.com/LeechLakeHistory.php/ History of Walker and Leech Lake]
*[http://www.llojibwe.com/ Leech Lake Ojibwe]

{{Cass County, Minnesota}}
{{Brainerd micropolitan area}}
{{Minnesota county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Cass County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Cities in Minnesota]]
[[Category:County seats in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Brainerd, Minnesota micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Leech Lake]]
[[Category:1896 establishments in Minnesota]]