Climate

Alexandria has a dry-winter warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb),^[10] with cold, snowy winters and warm (sometimes hot and humid) summers. The autumn and spring are generally pleasant. Average annual precipitation (both snow and rain) is about 25 inches.

Lakes

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,070 people, 5,298 households, and 2,552 families living in the city. The population density was 693.6 inhabitants per square mile (267.8/km²). There were 5,821 housing units at an average density of 364.7 per square mile (140.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 5,298 households, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.8% were non-families. 41.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,820 people. The census listed 4,047 households and 2,011 families living in the city. The population density was 992.5 inhabitants per square mile (383.2/km²). There were 4,311 housing units at an average density of 485.1 per square mile (187.3/km²). The city's racial makeup was 97.94% White, 0.42% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 4,047 households, of which 23.7% had children under 18 living with them, 36.5% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.3% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% had someone living alone who 65 or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.0% under 18, 15.7% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% over 66. The median age was 37. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household was $26,851, and the median income for a family was $38,245. Males had a median income of $27,871 versus $20,254 for females. The per capita income was $16,085. About 7.8% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.2% of those under 18 and 15.7% of those 65 or older.

Resorts

The city is located along a chain of lakes, which makes it a popular resort destination for water and land activities. There are cabin B&Bs and chain hotels along the lakes. Water sporting activities include motorboats, wake surfing, sailing, paddleboarding. Fishing was also historically popular in the city. There are beaches, like in the Pilgrim Point Park on Lake Ida. Other park areas include Lake Brophy County Park and Kensington Rune Stone Park. ^[15][16]

Events

Local tourism events include:

• Grape Stomp hosted by the Carlos Creek Winery every September
• An Apple Fest in October
• The Douglas County Fair every August
• Big Ole Paddlefest every July, a kayaking race on Lake Miltona
• Art in the Park every July.
• Red Willow Arts Coalition Outdoor hosts concerts every Thursday in summer.^[16]

Attractions

The city has a museum housing the Kensington Runestone. Outside the museum stands Big Ole, a 25-foot-tall statue of a Viking built for the 1965 World's Fair in New York City.^[17] Extensive repairs to Big Ole were completed in 2016.^[18] Legacy of the Lakes Museum, a maritime museum, is located in the city.

Top employers

According to the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission,^[19][20] the area's top employers are:

^[21]

Airport

The Alexandria Municipal Airport, also known as Chandler Field, is a city-owned public-use airport two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of Alexandria's central business district.

Newspaper

Alexandria Echo Press is Alexandria's twice-weekly newspaper, owned by the Forum Communications Company.^[22]

Television

From 1958 until 2012, Alexandria had at least one local television station, either KCCO or KSAX, and both are still satellites of Minneapolis, MN television stations. KCCO had a presence, first as KCMT, in 1958, as an NBC and ABC affiliate. It switched to CBS affiliation in 1982. Five years later, KSAX regained ABC's presence as a semi-satellite of KSTP-TV. In that same year, KCCO was bought out and became a semi-satellite of WCCO-TV. In 1992, KCCO became a CBS O&O when CBS acquired WCCO and its two satellites.

During KCCO and KSAX's time as semi-satellites, they broadcast local news, weather, and sports through ten-minute cut-in segments during their parent station's newscast. In 2002, KCCO removed its local presence and became a full satellite of WCCO. In June 2012, cost-cutting measures at KSAX resulted in the layoff of all but two employees and the ending of local cut-in broadcasts by any Alexandria television station.^[23]

The Alexandria area is also served by Selective TV, Inc., a non-profit, viewer-supported organization which transmits several cable channels free-to-air over standard UHF television frequencies, viewable in any area home without subscription. Selective TV operates under low power television rules of the FCC and as such was not subject to the analog to digital conversion in 2009. Residents still need a converter box to view KCCO and KSAX on the digital band, though KSAX is still rebroadcast via Selective TV.

Broadcast

Radio

Other forms

The city's unofficial mascot "Big Ole" is featured on the cover of the debut album of the National Beekeepers Society.