Barnesville, Minnesota

Barnesville, Minnesota
City
Welcome sign, Barnesville, Minnesota
Welcome sign, Barnesville, Minnesota
VFW in Barnesville
VFW in Barnesville
Old City Hall
Old City Hall
Old City Jail
Old City Jail
Patterson-Hernandez House
Patterson-Hernandez House
Interactive map of Barnesville, Minnesota
Barnesville is located in Minnesota
Barnesville
Barnesville
Barnesville is located in the United States
Barnesville
Barnesville
Coordinates: 46°39′03″N 96°24′54″W / 46.6508°N 96.4151°W / 46.6508; -96.4151
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyClay
Founded1874
Incorporated (village)November 4, 1881
Incorporated (city)April 4, 1889
Founded byGeorge S. Barnes
Government
[1]
 • TypeMayor–council
 • MayorJason Rick
 • City managerJeremy Cossette
 • CouncilmembersWard 1: Randy McEvers & Scott Bauer
Ward 2: Don Goedtke & Alyssa Bergman
Ward 3: Brad Field & Tonya Stokka
Area
[2]
 • Total
2.019 sq mi (5.229 km2)
 • Land2.001 sq mi (5.183 km2)
 • Water0.017 sq mi (0.045 km2)  0.89%
Elevation
[5]
1,030 ft (314 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • Total
2,759
 • Estimate 
(2024)[3]
2,765
 • Density1,379/sq mi (532.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Code
56514
Area code218
FIPS code27-03574
GNIS feature ID2394065[5]
HighwaysI-94/US 52, MN 9, MN 34
Websitebarnesvillemn.com

Barnesville is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,759 at the 2020 census,[4] and was estimated at 2,765 in 2024.[3] It is part of the Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area.

History

Barnesville was founded in 1874 by George S. Barnes and named for him.[6] A post office called Barnesville has been in operation since 1877.[7] Barnesville was incorporated as a city in 1889.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.019 square miles (5.23 km2), of which 2.001 square miles (5.18 km2) is land and 0.018 square miles (0.047 km2) (0.89%) is water.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18901,063—
19001,32624.7%
19101,3532.0%
19201,56415.6%
19301,279−18.2%
19401,45013.4%
19501,5939.9%
19601,6322.4%
19701,7829.2%
19802,20723.8%
19902,066−6.4%
20002,1735.2%
20102,56317.9%
20202,7597.6%
2024 (est.)2,765[3]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
2020 Census[4]

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of February 28, 2026, in Barnesville is $298,751.[9]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 1,005 estimated households in Barnesville with an average of 2.70 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $97,917. Approximately 1.8% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Barnesville has an estimated 71.9% employment rate, with 30.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.6% holding a high school diploma.[10] There were 1,082 housing units at an average density of 540.73 per square mile (208.8/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (98.3%), Spanish (1.4%), Indo-European (0.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.3%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the city was 32.7 years.

Barnesville, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic)
Population
1990[11] 		Population
2000[12] 		Population
2010[13] 		Population
2020[14]
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
White alone (NH) 2,055 99.47% 2,149 98.90% 2,512 98.01% 2,584 93.66%
Black or African American alone (NH) 2 0.10% 0 0.00% 4 0.16% 5 0.18%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2 0.10% 5 0.23% 6 0.23% 9 0.33%
Asian alone (NH) 1 0.05% 3 0.14% 5 0.20% 8 0.29%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 0 0.00% 2 0.08% 2 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 1 0.04%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 1 0.05% 16 0.62% 102 3.70%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6 0.29% 15 0.69% 18 0.70% 48 1.74%
Total 2,066 100.00% 2,173 100.00% 2,563 100.00% 2,759 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,759 people, 1,057 households, and 719 families residing in the city.[15] The population density was 1,332.21 inhabitants per square mile (514.4/km2). There were 1,124 housing units at an average density of 542.73 per square mile (209.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.53% White, 0.18% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from some other races and 4.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.74% of the population.[16]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,563 people, 1,013 households, and 696 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.06 inhabitants per square mile (450.2/km2). There were 1,095 housing units at an average density of 498.18 per square mile (192.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.28% White, 0.20% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from some other races and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 1,013 households, of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.3% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 29.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.9% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 2,173 people, 865 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.83 inhabitants per square mile (398.8/km2). There were 923 housing units at an average density of 438.70 per square mile (169.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.40% White, 0.00% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from some other races and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 865 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,814, and the median income for a family was $44,760. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $22,311 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,373. About 3.4% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Barnesville Potato Days is held annually in August and draws approximately 14,000 people each year. The festival includes potato-picking and peeling contests, and food booths serving a variety of potato dishes and preparations.[17]

Barnesville hosts the Clay County Fair in mid-July, featuring animals and produce of the county, as well as rides and displays.[18][19]

Education

The Barnesville Public School District (ISD 146):[20]

  • Atkinson Elementary School (Kindergarten through 6th grades)
  • Barnesville High School (7th through 12th grades)

There are 875 students at the school district in the School Year 2025-'26.

Downtown Barnesville
Downtown Barnesville
Eldridge & Philippi Building
Eldridge & Philippi Building
T. Gunness Building
T. Gunness Building
Assumption Catholic Church
Assumption Catholic Church
City Hall
City Hall
Eagle Cafe
Eagle Cafe
Old Barnesville Creamery Association building
Old Barnesville Creamery Association building

Notable people

  • Alta King (born 1899 in Barnesville), a dancer and Ziegfeld girl
  • David Moe, basketball coach
  • Sara Jane Olson, far-left activist
  • Arlan Stangeland, U.S. representative from Minnesota[21]
  • Neil Wohlwend, Minnesota state legislator, football and basketball coach

References

  1. ^ "City Council". City of Barnesville, Minnesota. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2025 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  5. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Barnesville, Minnesota
  6. ^ a b Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 115.
  7. ^ "Clay County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  8. ^ "Decennial Census of Population and Housing". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "Barnesville, MN Housing Market". Zillow. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Barnesville city, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  11. ^ Minnesota: 1990 (PDF). United States Census Bureau. pp. 50 of 512. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  12. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Barnesville city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  13. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Barnesville city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  14. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Barnesville city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  16. ^ "How many people live in Barnesville city, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  17. ^ "August 22nd, 2026". Barnesville Potato Days. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  18. ^ "Clay County Fair Information". claycountymn.gov. Clay County, Minnesota. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  19. ^ "Clay County Fair July 10-13, 2025". Clay County Fair. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  20. ^ "Barnesville Public Schools". Barnesville Public School District. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  21. ^ "Arlan I. Stangeland". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Office of the House Historian and Office of the Senate Historian. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
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