Lakeville is a city located along Interstate 35 in Dakota County, Minnesota. It is one of the southernmost suburbs of Minneapolis, and is sometimes referred to as an "outer ring" suburb. Lakeville is one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota. The population was 43,128 at the 2000 census, although the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population to be 51,722 as of 2005. The population is expected to top 100,000 by 2025.
Lakeville has a rapidly growing business community with several new retail centers being opened in recent years. In addition to retail, the city is served by an industrial park known as Airlake which is served by a short line railroad and a regional reliever airport (see below).
The city is served by three different school districts whose boundaries were determined while the community was largely agricultural. Today Independent School District 196 ("Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan") and the Farmington School District #192 service portions of northern and eastern Lakeville. The majority of Lakeville households are served by the Lakeville Area School District #194. The Lakeville School District opened its second large high school in the autumn of 2005.
The City of Lakeville is governed by a five member City Council and Mayor, though a City Manager runs day to day municipal operations. A professional police force and volunteer fire department protect the city's residents. The city operates a large parks department which includes a senior center, an arts and entertainment center, dozens of various neighborhood and community parks, and many miles of multipurpose trails.
Lakeville still has several large farms in operation. Corn, soybeans, and dairy cattle are the leading revenue sources in these agricultural operations.
Aviation
Lakeville is served by the Airlake Airport, which has a single runway with an ILS approach. The airport is managed by the Metropolitan Airports Commission as a reliever facility to draw general aviation traffic. The FAA operates the Minneapolis ARTCC (air route traffic control center) in Farmington, several miles away from the airport. This center provides traffic control services for Minnesota and surrounding states.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 97.2 km² (37.5 mi²). 93.7 km² (36.2 mi²) of it is land and 3.5 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (3.65%) is water.
As its name implies, Lakeville contains several lakes as well as hundreds of smaller ponds and wetlands within its borders. The two largest lakes include Lake Marion and Orchard Lake which are heavily used recreational waters used for fishing, boating, and swimming. Smaller named natural lakes include Kingsley Lake and Lee Lake. Valley Lake is a small man-made lake in the northern part of the city.
A branch of the Vermillion River flows through Lakeville. Its headwaters are just west of the city limits in Credit River Township, and it flows eastward across Dakota County until it empties into the Mississippi River at the Wisconsin border. Much of Lakeville drains into the Vermillion River watershed. North Creek, a major tributary of the Vermillion, begins its flow in northern Lakeville and flows eastward to meet the Vermillion near downtown Farmington just east of Lakeville. The Vermillion River has been designated as a trout stream by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
History
In 1855, J.J. Brackett chose the site for Lakeville.
The lake in Lakeville was originally called Prairie Lake. It was renamed Lake Marion after Colonel Marion Savage in 1910.
The Emil Oberhoffer House is on the National Register of Historic Sites, as Prairie Style architecture.
The Minnesota Historical Society has a collection of photographs of Antlers Park, ca. 1925. They have other old pictures of Lakeville.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 43,128 people, 13,609 households, and 11,526 families residing in the city. The population density was 460.4/km² (1,192.4/mi²). There were 13,799 housing units at an average density of 147.3/km² (381.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.26% White, 1.28% African American, 0.38% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.94% of the population.
There were 13,609 households out of which 56.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.3% were non-families. 10.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the city the population was spread out with 36.1% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 2.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $72,404, and the median income for a family was $76,542. Males had a median income of $51,405 versus $33,071 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,492. About 1.5% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Newspapers
Politics
Lakeville is located in Minnesota's 2nd congressional district, and is home to Congressman John Kline, a veteran. Congressman Kline is a member of Republican Party who scores 2.8% progressive and 100% conservative on a range of issues.
In the state House of Representative, Lakeville is covered for the most part by district 36A, and is represented by Mary Liz Holberg
Local flavor
Notable natives
External links
