Guide to Andover Minnesota

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.0 square miles (90.6 km²), of which, 34.1 square miles (88.3 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (2.49%) is water. County Roads 9, 18, 78, and 116 are the main routes in the community. U.S. Route 10 is in close proximity to the city.

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,588 people, 8,107 households, and 7,150 families residing in the city. The population density was 779.6 people per square mile (301.0/km²). There were 8,205 housing units at an average density of 240.6/sq mi (92.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 0.54% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

There were 8,107 households out of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.8% were non-families. 8.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 3.48.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.5% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 2.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $76,241, and the median income for a family was $78,785. Males had a median income of $50,248 versus $33,814 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,317. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The city we know today as Andover was first organized in 1857 under the name “Round Lake Township.” However, in 1860 the name was changed to “Grow Township” in honor of Senator Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania. Senator Grow spoke at a political campaign in Anoka that year, and the town name was changed to honor Senator Grow because of his strong advocacy of the Union cause. At that time, the population was 330 and included the geographical area we know today as Ham Lake. In fact, the area of Ham Lake was considered a part of Grow Township until 1871.

In 1972, the Grow Township Board of Supervisors recognized that the town was growing at a very rapid rate. They felt a village form of government would provide better services to the community. Board supervisors then voted in favor of proceeding with the incorporation process. The board voted to submit a new name for the village. “Andover Village” was chosen because the name Andover had historical interest. The historical interest, we believe, came from the Andover train station.

You may have heard the popular “train myth” about how Andover received its name. The myth states that a train tipped over in a swamp, and an eyewitness, relaying the incident, said it “went over and over,” thereby naming the city “Andover.” However, research reveals that the name Andover first appeared in an article dated March 14, 1899 in the Anoka County Union Newspaper - before train tracks were ever built in the city.

The article stated that the Eastern Minnesota line of the Great Northern Railway was in the process of constructing railroad tracks from the Coon Creek Cut-off to the North. The railway announced that new railroad stations with mathematical precision were to be located five miles apart from each other. The new stations (from Coon Creek to the North, along the new railroad line) were to be named Andover, Cedar, Bethel, Isanti, Cambridge, Stanchfield, Braham, Grasston, Cornell, and Brook Park. On July 4, 1899, the first train passed through the Andover Station. Where the railway came up with the name Andover still remains unknown.

Andover Village was established in 1972 and then became the City of Andover, a city of the fourth class, in 1974. Today the City of Andover’s population exceeds 30,000, classifying it as a second class city.

ANDOVER, a city located in Grow Township, section 26; incorporated November 12, 1974; had a station of the Great Northern Railway.

Andover Minnesota Community Guide