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Waconia Minnesota Community Guide


Location:
Waconia Minnesota population Location of Waconia Minnesota
Waconia is a growing community of 10,000 people located just 30 minutes west of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in an area popular with visitors for the many lakes, parks and enjoyable destinations within easy reach.  The City is nestled next to scenic Lake Waconia and offers residents a healthy environment as well as growing economic development, strong schools and excellent health care facilities.

Population: 
Waconia (city)  1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2000-2010 Change
Actual Percent
Population 2,445 2,638 3,498 6,814 10,697 +3,883 +56.99
Land Area (sq. mile) 0.70 1.24 1.79 2.80 4.34 +1.54 +55.00
Density (persons per sq. mile) 3,492.9 2,127.4 1,954.2 2,432.0 2,464.7 +32.7 +1.34
Housing Units 824 1,024 1,475 2,646 4,112 +1,466 +55.40
Households -- 988 1,401 2,568 3,909 +1,341 +52.22
Persons Per Household -- 2.60 2.40 2.62 2.70 +0.08 +3.05

Geography:

Waconia is a city in Carver County, Minnesota, located about 25 miles west of Minneapolis. Minnesota State Highways 5 and 284 are two of the main routes in the community. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.39 square miles (11.37 km2), of which, 4.34 square miles (11.24 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water. The elevation is unknown.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Demographics:

As of the census of 2010, there were 10,697 people, 3,909 households, and 2,748 families living in the city. The population density was 2,464.7 inhabitants per square mile (951.6/km2). There were 4,112 housing units at an average density of 947.5 per square mile (365.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,909 households of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.7% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.31.

The median age in the city was 34.9 years. 32.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.7% were from 25 to 44; 20.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.


Visit The Minnesota History Shop!
Visit The Minnesota History Shop!

History:  

The city of Waconia, in Carver County, Minnesota, has a long and rich history. Located just thirty miles southwest of the Twin Cities on the south shore of Lake Waconia, it has long been a tourist destination.

Dakota groups lived in the area near the lake for a long time. They called the lake Meday Wa Ko Ni Ya. This meant “lake of the fountain” or “lake of the spring”. Contemporary Dakota translate it as “out of the water comes life”. Early white settlers adopted this name for the lake and the town. Over time, it evolved into “Waconia”.

Euro-American settlers moved into the Waconia area starting in the early 1850s, after the Treaty of Mendota required the Dakota to move westward. A Minneapolis surveyor officially surveyed and platted the town site in March 1857. Ludwig Sudheimer and Michael Scheidnagel were the first to build homes in this new town. Later that year, large groups of German immigrants began settling the area. Later immigrants also included Bohemians, Swedes, and the Swiss. By 1858, most of the land along the lake’s edge had residents.

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church was the first church built in Waconia. The congregation started in 1857 under Reverend Father Bruno Riss. First meeting in private homes, a frame structure was built for church services for $600.00 in 1858. It was replaced by a Chaska Brick structure in 1900.

Early businesses established in the 1860s to the 1940s included the Waconia Sorghum Mill, Waconia Steam Saw and Flowering Mill (one of many saw and gristmills), and the Waconia Brewery. The town also had a busy ice harvesting industry. Ice harvesting lasted until the late 1930s, when refrigeration replaced the need for ice. Ice was harvested by cutting blocks of ice out of the lake when it froze over, and packing them in sawdust to keep them from melting as quickly. It was then stored in local ice-houses or shipped to cities.

Although Waconia’s growth was negatively affected by the grasshopper plagues of 1873-77, by 1880, Waconia was large enough to be incorporated as a village. With better railroad access, the town became a popular summer destination in 1884, with the development of the large island in the center of the lake into Coney Island of the West. Town residents had long used the island, once called Paradise Island, for summer recreation. New owners turned it into a resort. The island housed a hotel and dozens of public or privately owned cabins, as well as the many hotels in the town limits. Tourists spent days, weeks, or the whole summer in Waconia. The town and island resort became the “Paradise of the Northwest” with visitors from around the country. On December 31, 1886, the new Hutchinson Branch of the Great Northern Railroad opened. It ran just north of Lake Waconia. This branch was the longest stretch of completely straight rail track in the world. It brought even more tourists and residents to the lake.

Waconia continued to grow and expand into the twentieth century. The 1904 Waconia Cyclone damaged the town, but residents rebuilt. By 1921, the town had grown enough to be incorporated as a city. The first sanitary sewer system was installed in 1924.

Minnesota’s Attorney General Benson filed one of the first environmental lawsuits in Minnesota and America in 1932. The suit accused Waconia Creamery of polluting the lake. The suit ended with both the Creamery and City promising better sewage treatment. A 1986 survey of Lake Waconia showed pollution levels lower than in the early 1900s.

In the early twenty-first century, Waconia continues to grow. A population boom from 6,814 in 2003 to 10,697 in 2012 made Waconia one of the three largest cities in Carver County. Waconia maintains many businesses and tourist attractions. Among them are the Carver County Historical Society, Ridgeview Hospital, Independent School District #110, Safari Island Community Center, an industrial park, Island View Golf Club, three wineries, and the Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead.

Courtesy Carver County Historical Society

The city of Waconia was incorporated on November 2, 1881, and reincorporated on July 1, 1910, at which time it separated from the township. Its post office began in 1860. The city developed around the gristmills and sawmills of the area and the station of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad, adding grain elevators, flour and sorghum mills, creameries, and hotels.

Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Main Street, Waconia Minnesota, 1909
Main Street, Waconia Minnesota, 1909
LakesnWoods.com Postcard and Postcard Image Collection - click to enlarge

Visit The Waconia Photo Gallery for more recent and historic area photos


Government:
Waconia City Hall
201 South Vine Street
Waconia MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2184
Fax: (952) 442-2135

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

City Council Meetings:
1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 pm


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City of Waconia Minnesota 
Title Term Ends Name and Address   Phone
Mayor 12/31/2022 Kent Bloudek
1305 Brenda Road
Waconia MN 55387
Email
Email
(612) 202-4566
City Administrator appointed Jackie Schulze
201 South Vine Street
Waconia MN 55387
Email (952) 442-3103
Council Member - Ward 1 12/31/2022 Nicole Waldron
1562 Woodlawn Circle
Waconia MN 55387
Email (612) 503-9591
(952) 442-2707
Council Member - Ward 1 12/31/2024 Randall Sorensen
321 Main Street W
Waconia MN 55387
Email (612) 432-3076
Council Member - Ward 2 12/31/2022 Peter Leo
address not available
Waconia MN 55387
Email (651) 815-2835
Council Member - Ward 2 12/31/2024 Carl Pierson
1333 Interlaken Parkway
Waconia MN 55387
Email
Email
(651) 815-2835
(952) 442-4462

Post Office:
US Post Office
208 S Elm Street
Waconia, MN
55387-1405
Phone:
(952) 442-2928
Toll Free:
(800) ASK-USPS
Fax: (952) 442-4113

Regular Business Hours:
Week Days       8:30 am - 4:45 pm
Saturday           8:30 am - 10:30 am

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US Post Office


Utilities:
Utility Type Utility Name Utility Phone
Electricity Xcel Energy   (800) 895-4999
Natural Gas Centerpoint Energy (612) 372-4727
Wastewater Waconia Municipal (952) 442-2184
Water Waconia Municipal (952) 442-2184
Telephone CenturyLink Communications (800) 603-6000
Cable TV Mediacom (800) 332-0245

Major Employers:
Employer Products/Services Employees
Ridgeview Medical Center General Medical & Surgical Hospitals 1,600
Waconia Public Schools Elementary & Secondary Schools 450
Medallion Cabinetry House. & Inst. Furniture & Kitchen Cabinet Mfg. 440
Good Samaritan Center Nursing Care Facilities 250
Milltronics CNC Machines Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing 200


News:
feedwidget @ Surfing Waves

Weather:
WACONIA WEATHER

Map:


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Minnesota State Highway Map of the Waconia Minnesota area
Minnesota State Highway Map of the Waconia Minnesota area


Events:
Lake Waconia Triathlon

Last Sunday in June

This grueling race consists of a half mile swim, 20 mile bike ride, and 4 mile run. It attracts hundreds of top athletes and fans!

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Lake Waconia Triathlon
Carver County Fair
501 West 3rd Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2333

Second week in August

Waconia hosts one of Minnesota’s top county fairs. Along with the carnival rides and entertainment, there are truck and tractor pulls on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in the grand stand. Also, a wide selection of food from local businesses and from around the county. Animals fill the sheds and Carver County businesses set up booths to promote their services to the community. Fun for all ages!

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Carver County Fair, Waconia Minnesota
Nickle Dickle Day

Second Saturday after Labor Day

This great American town festival includes an arts and craft show, classic car show, live entertainment, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, 10K and 5K runs and children’s fun run.

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Nickle Dickle Day, Waconia Minnesota

Check Out The Minnesota History Shop! Good Goods and Great Gifts!
Minnesota History Shop

Attractions:
City Square Park


City Square Park is located near downtown Waconia on Main Street between Pine and Spruce Streets. This park provides play equipment, a picnic shelter, walking paths and a gazebo that may be reserved through the parks & recreation department for special events. Restroom facilities are open during the summer months. City Square Park is the site for the city's "Music in the Park" summer concerts and Chamber of Commerce events, including Nickle Dickle Day activities in September and Holiday in the Park during the Christmas season.

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City Square Park, Waconia Minnesota
Safari Island Community Center
1600 Community Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0695

Discover the wonders of Safari Island-a lush excursion into fitness and fun! Heart-pounding excitement and thrill-packed adventures are yours to explore. Build endurance for survival in life's jungle or flee the ravages of civilization ... do it all when you escape to Safari Island!

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Safari Island Community Center, Waconia Minnesota
Sovereign Estate Wine
9950 North Shore Road
Waconia MN 55387
Phone: (952) 446-9957

Beautiful family estate with vineyard views over Lake Waconia. Award winning European style wine. Tasting Room and Gift Shop open for retail wine and gift sales on weekends. Bistro and Bar menu served on patio and in Willow Room . Fine Dining Supper Club on Friday evenings. Estate is available for private rental and receptions/corporate events.

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Sovereign Estate Wine, Waconia Minnesota

Recreation:
Baylor Regional Park
11360 Highway 212
Cologne, MN 55322
Phone: (952) 466-5250

Baylor Regional Park is a 201 acre park situated in western Carver County on Eagle Lake. The park offers 50 camping sites. Thirty-five sites have water and electrical hookups and 15 sites are primitive. Other facilities include: group camping area, picnic areas, showers, swimming beach, beach house, reservable picnic shelters, ball field, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and an 18 hole disc golf course.

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Baylor Regional Park, Cologne Minnesota
Cedar Point Park
Cedar Street at Lake Waconia
Waconia, MN 55387

Cedar Point Park, located on Cedar Street at Lake Waconia, has two tennis courts, a basketball court, play equipment, picnic tables, and a fishing pier & NEW in 2015 Paddleboard Storage Racks! The walking path along the shore of Lake Waconia continues west along Waconia Parkway as part of the city trail system.

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Cedar Point Park, Waconia Minnesota
Island View Golf
7795 Laketown Parkway
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-6116

Island View Golf Club is a great place to golf, and the perfect setting for your wedding, corporate event, or for group events of any size. The clubhouse offers a pro-shop that is fully stocked with the latest equipment and apparel, men’s and women’s locker facilities, and casual dining. Island View Golf Club also offers a full length driving range, as well as chipping and putting practice areas. The club and restaurant are open to the public.

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Island View Golf, Waconia Minnesota
Lake Waconia Regional Park
8170 Paradise Lane
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 466-5250

Lake Waconia Regional Park is a 100 acre park situated on the southern shore of Lake Waconia. This shoreline park offers views to the lake and Coney Island. The park is in its early development for the future 164-acre park including Coney Island of the West. Existing facilities include a reservable group picnic shelter, play equipment, restrooms, small swimming beach, picnic tables, volleyball court and grills.  

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Lake Waconia Regional Park, Waconia Minnesota
Waconia Ice Arena
1250 Oak Avenue
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-RINK

The Waconia Ice Arena is owned by the City of Waconia and operated by Rink Management Services Corporation. As the home ice for the Waconia Hockey Association and the Waconia Wildcats Boys and Girls hockey teams, competition from surrounding high schools and youth hockey associations travel to showcase their talent versus our hometown teams. 

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Waconia Ice Arena , Waconia Minnesota

Lakes:
Lake Name Size
(acres)
Lake info Lake Map Rec Map Topo Map
Goose 302  
Waconia 3,080  

Health Care:
Lakeview Clinic
424 State Highway 5 West
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4461

Located in Waconia on Minnesota Highway #5 and Cherry Street. The clinic houses six specialties, nine subspecialties, complete x-ray facilities, digital mammography, and a complete clinical laboratory.

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Lakeview Clinic, Waconia Minnesota
Ridgeview Medical Center
500 S Maple Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2191

Ridgeview is an independent, nonprofit, regional health care system serving the southwest metro region of the Twin Cities. Its network includes three hospitals—located in Waconia, Arlington, and Le Sueur—a multitude of primary and specialty care clinics, emergency services and specialty programs, a nursing home, independent living apartments and Two Twelve Medical Center in Chaska—a free-standing 24/7 emergency and urgent care facility with multispecialty clinics and services.

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Ridgeview Medical Center, Waconia Minnesota

Schools:
Waconia Public Schools
Independent School District #110

512 Industrial Boulevard
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0600

Grades:   PK-12
Students:  3,300

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Waconia Public Schools
Waconia High School
1650 Community Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0670


Grades:  9-12
Students:  1,300

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Waconia High School, Waconia Minnesota
Waconia Middle School
1400 Community Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0650


Grades:  6-8
Students:   950

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Waconia Middle School, Waconia Minnesota
Bayview Elementary School
24 S Walnut Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0630


Grades:  PK-5
Students:  615

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Bayview Elementary School, Waconia Minnesota
Laketown Elementary School
960 Airport Road
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0690


Grades:  K-5
Students:  550

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Laketown Elementary School, Waconia Minnesota
Southview Elementary School
225 West 4th Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-0620


Grades:  K-5
Students:  625

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Southview Elementary School, Waconia Minnesota
St. Joseph Catholic School
41 East 1st Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4500


Grades:  PK-8
Students:  260

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St. Joseph Catholic School, Waconia Minnesota
Trinity Lutheran School
601 East 2nd Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4165


Grades:  PK-8
Students:   425

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Trinity Lutheran School, Waconia Minnesota

Churches:
Church of Latter Day Saints
1350 Peitz Avenue
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 820-8078

Pastor:  not available
Sunday Service:  not available


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Faith Lutheran Church - ELCA
800 Waconia Parkway North
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2101

Pastor:   Dale R Peterson
Sunday Service:  8:30 am, 10:00 am


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Faith Lutheran Church, Waconia Minnesota
Freshwater Community Church
138 West 1st Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2268

Pastor:  John Braland
Sunday Service:  9:30 am, 11:00 am


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Oakwood Community Church
8805 Klein Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4323

Pastor:  Jon Tolly
Sunday Service:  9:00 am, 10:30 am


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Oakwood Community Church, Waconia Minnesota
Parkside Church
9560 Paradise Lane
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2113

Pastor:  Randy Burg
Sunday Service:  10:00 am


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Parkside Church, Waconia Minnesota
Promise Community Church
141 Depot Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 201-3632

Pastor:  Mark Sullivan
Sunday Service:  10:30 am


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Promise Community Church, Waconia Minnesota
St. Joseph Catholic Church
41 East First Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2384

Pastor:  Father Stan Mader
Sunday Service:  8:30 am


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St. Joseph Catholic Church, Waconia Minnesota
Trinity Lutheran Church - LCMS
601 East 2nd Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4165

Pastor:  Phil Wagner
Sunday Service:  8:15 am, 10:00 am


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Trinity Lutheran Church, Waconia Minnesota
Waconia Moravian Church
209 East 2nd Street
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-2920

Pastor:  Dr. Amy Gohdes-Luhman
Sunday Service:  10:00 am


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Waconia Moravian Church, Waconia Minnesota

Media:
Sun Patriot Newspapers
8 South Elm Street
PO Box 5
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-4414
Fax: (952) 442-1272

Serving Waconia, Watertown, Mayer, Norwood Young America, and Cologne

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Sun Patriot Newspapers, Waconia Minnesota

Motels:
AmericInn by Wyndham Waconia
550 Cherry Drive
Waconia, MN 55387
Phone: (952) 442-
8787

Relax in this lakeside Minnesota town and enjoy the genuine hospitality of our AmericInn Lodge & Suites Waconia hotel. Conveniently located off Highway 5, our non-smoking property offers amenities like free WiFi and breakfast, plus an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, you’ll enjoy our proximity to Lake Waconia fishing and towns like Chanhassen, Victoria, and Chaska.

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AmericInn by Wyndham Waconia Minnesota
Waconia Inn & Suites
301 Frontage Road East
Waconia, Minnesota 55387
Phone: (952) 442-5147

We look forward to having you at our property to enjoy your stay. Guests can choose from rooms that feature one King bed or two Queen Beds, large work desk, TV, phone, and refrigerator. In addition, you will also have access to free WIFI internet that is included with your room stay.

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Waconia Inn & Suites, Waconia Minnesota

Resorts:
none

Campgrounds:
none

Businesses:

 
The Waconia Business Directory is Coming Soon!
 
 


Aerial Photo:    


View Larger Map


Topographic Map:   [click map to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]
Topographic map of the Waconia Minnesota area
Topographic map is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR - click map to zoom or enlarge

 


 
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