Rochester, Minnesota

City in Minnesota, United States

Rochester

City

Rochester Skyline and Zumbro River

Downtown Rochester

Dr. William J. Mayo House

Mayo Clinic: Mayo, Gonda, and Plummer Buildings

Rochester Public Library

Rochester Technology Campus

Flag

Seal

Nickname(s):

Med City, Roch

Motto(s):

America's City of Care and Innovation[1]

Location within Olmsted County, Minnesota

Rochester

Location in Minnesota

Show map of Minnesota

Rochester

Location in the United States

Show map of the United States

Coordinates: 44°01′24″N 92°27′41″W﻿ / ﻿44.02333°N 92.46139°W﻿ / 44.02333; -92.46139
Country| United States
State| Minnesota
County| Olmsted
Founded| July 12, 1854
Incorporated| August 5, 1858
Government

• Mayor| Kim Norton (DFL)[a]
Area

[2]

• City

| 55.87 sq mi (144.71 km2)
• Land| 55.58 sq mi (143.96 km2)
• Water| 0.29 sq mi (0.75 km2)
Elevation

[3]

| 1,129 ft (344 m)
Population

(2020)[4]

• City

| 121,395

• Estimate

(2023)[5]

| 122,413
• Rank| 234th in the United States
3rd in Minnesota
• Density| 2,184.07/sq mi (843.27/km2)
• Urban

| 121,587 (273rd)
• Metro

| 228,073 (207th)
Time zone| UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes|

55901–55906

Area codes| 507, 924
FIPS code| 27-54880
GNIS feature ID| 2396395[3]
Website| rochestermn.gov

Rochester is a city in Olmsted County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. It is located along rolling bluffs on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota.[6] It is the third-most populous city in Minnesota with a population of 121,395 at the 2020 census,[4] while the Rochester metropolitan area has an estimated 230,000 residents.[7] The city is the home and birthplace of Mayo Clinic.

Rochester first developed as a stagecoach stop between Dubuque, Iowa, and Saint Paul, Minnesota. With the creation of the Mayo Clinic in 1864, Rochester became a national center for healthcare, as well as a hub for regional agriculture.[8] For higher education needs the University of Minnesota Rochester, Rochester Community and Technical College, and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine are located in the city.

## History

[edit]

St. Marys Hospital (1910)

Several indigenous peoples such as Dakota, Ojibway, and Ho-Chunk inhabited the Rochester area.[9] The community was founded by George Head and his wife Henrietta, who built a log cabin named Head's Tavern in 1854. It was named for Head's hometown of Rochester, New York.[10] The city developed as a stagecoach stop along the Zumbro River on a route between Dubuque, Iowa, and Saint Paul, Minnesota. When the Winona and St. Peter Railroad initiated service in October 1864, it brought new residents and business opportunities and spurred growth.

In 1863, William W. Mayo arrived as the examining surgeon for Union draftees in the Civil War. The 1883 Rochester Tornado demolished much of Rochester, leaving 37 dead and approximately 200 injured. As there was no medical facility in the immediate area at the time, Mayo and his two sons worked together to care for the wounded. Donations of US$60,000 (US$1,932,562 in 2022) were collected and the Sisters of St. Francis, assisted by Mayo, opened a new facility named St. Marys Hospital in 1889.[11]

## Geography

[edit]

Zumbro River in downtown Rochester

Rochester lies alongside the South Fork of the Zumbro River which is 57.6 miles (92.7 km) long[12] and is ringed by gentle hills and largely surrounded by farmland within a deciduous forest biome. The Zumbro Watershed flows through 1,422 square miles (3,680 km2)[13] of agricultural and urban lands. Located in southeast Minnesota, the City of Rochester lies at the western edge of the Driftless Area, a region that was never glaciated and contains deeply-carved river valleys. The rugged terrain is due both to the lack of glacial deposits, or drift, and to the incision of the upper Mississippi River and its tributaries into bedrock. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 54.75 square miles (141.80 km2), of which 54.59 square miles (141.39 km2) of it is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) is water.[14] The city is located 85 miles (137 km) southeast of Minneapolis–Saint Paul.[15]

Rochester is in Olmsted County, one of only four counties in Minnesota without a natural lake. Artificial lakes exist in the area, including Silver Lake, a dammed portion of the South Fork Zumbro River just below the convergence with Silver Creek near the city center. Silver Lake was once used as a cooling pond when the coal-burning power plant was operated by Rochester Public Utilities at the lake. When operational, the RPU coal plant's heated water output prevented the lake from generally freezing over during the winter months, attracting large numbers of migrating giant Canada geese. Large murders of crows are known to flock to Rochester during winter, including the Rochester cemetery downtown.[16]

Rochester has an extensive parks system, the largest of which are Silver Lake and Soldiers Field in the central part of the city. A major flood in 1978 led the city to embark on an expensive and successful flood-control project that involved altering many nearby rivers and streams. The Zumbro River flowing through the center of the city is presently being readdressed for increased development and use as part of city planning in conjunction with funding from the Destination Medical Center project.

### Climate

[edit]

With a slightly higher altitude and without the same Urban heat island effect as the Twin Cities, the climate is warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb), which is cooler than the Twin Cities, despite being further south, with warm summers and cold winters.[17] The city features four distinct seasons. Rochester sees on average 33.02 inches (839 mm) of rainfall and 51.9 inches (132 cm) of snowfall per year. Significant snow accumulation is common during the winter months. Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with a general warming trend during the spring and a general cooling trend during the fall. However, it is not uncommon to see some snowfall during the early month of spring and the later month of fall.[18] Rochester is the second windiest city in the United States, with wind speeds averaging 12.6 mph (20.3 km/h).[19] January to April are the windiest months on average, according to The Weather Channel. Rochester has been hit by two F4 tornadoes since 1950 (the first on May 10, 1953, and the other on September 16, 1962).[20] The city has also been hit by two tornadoes in the past decade. On June 17, 2010, a tornado hit the city's northwest side, damaging or destroying several homes and businesses around the Lincolnshire neighborhood.[21] Another tornado struck the city on June 4, 2019, causing damage to parts of Southwest Rochester.[22]

Climate data for Rochester International Airport, Minnesota (1991–2020 normals,[b] extremes 1886–present)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 58
(14)  | 63
(17)  | 82
(28)  | 92
(33)  | 106
(41)  | 105
(41)  | 108
(42)  | 100
(38)  | 100
(38)  | 93
(34)  | 77
(25)  | 64
(18)  | 108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 40.9
(4.9)  | 44.1
(6.7)  | 62.3
(16.8)  | 79.0
(26.1)  | 87.3
(30.7)  | 90.7
(32.6)  | 89.7
(32.1)  | 87.5
(30.8)  | 86.1
(30.1)  | 79.9
(26.6)  | 62.8
(17.1)  | 45.3
(7.4)  | 93.0
(33.9)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 22.5
(−5.3)  | 26.7
(−2.9)  | 39.9
(4.4)  | 55.3
(12.9)  | 68.0
(20.0)  | 77.6
(25.3)  | 80.3
(26.8)  | 78.0
(25.6)  | 71.8
(22.1)  | 57.9
(14.4)  | 41.7
(5.4)  | 28.0
(−2.2)  | 54.0
(12.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 14.7
(−9.6)  | 18.7
(−7.4)  | 31.7
(−0.2)  | 45.2
(7.3)  | 57.6
(14.2)  | 67.5
(19.7)  | 70.5
(21.4)  | 68.2
(20.1)  | 61.1
(16.2)  | 47.9
(8.8)  | 33.6
(0.9)  | 20.8
(−6.2)  | 44.8
(7.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 7.0
(−13.9)  | 10.7
(−11.8)  | 23.4
(−4.8)  | 35.1
(1.7)  | 47.1
(8.4)  | 57.5
(14.2)  | 60.8
(16.0)  | 58.3
(14.6)  | 50.4
(10.2)  | 38.0
(3.3)  | 25.6
(−3.6)  | 13.6
(−10.2)  | 35.6
(2.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | −16.6
(−27.0)  | −11.1
(−23.9)  | −0.7
(−18.2)  | 20.0
(−6.7)  | 33.3
(0.7)  | 45.2
(7.3)  | 50.5
(10.3)  | 48.4
(9.1)  | 35.4
(1.9)  | 22.0
(−5.6)  | 7.0
(−13.9)  | −9.8
(−23.2)  | −19.6
(−28.7)
Record low °F (°C)  | −42
(−41)  | −35
(−37)  | −31
(−35)  | 5
(−15)  | 21
(−6)  | 31
(−1)  | 40
(4)  | 32
(0)  | 22
(−6)  | −6
(−21)  | −24
(−31)  | −33
(−36)  | −42
(−41)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 0.99
(25)  | 1.02
(26)  | 2.02
(51)  | 3.52
(89)  | 4.35
(110)  | 5.35
(136)  | 4.19
(106)  | 4.12
(105)  | 3.60
(91)  | 2.43
(62)  | 1.80
(46)  | 1.28
(33)  | 34.67
(881)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 12.2
(31)  | 10.7
(27)  | 8.6
(22)  | 3.3
(8.4)  | 0.5
(1.3)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.9
(2.3)  | 4.5
(11)  | 12.4
(31)  | 53.1
(135)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.4  | 8.0  | 10.2  | 12.2  | 13.3  | 12.5  | 10.5  | 10.0  | 9.3  | 9.5  | 9.2  | 9.6  | 123.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 8.8  | 7.3  | 5.6  | 2.6  | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.8  | 4.5  | 8.7  | 38.4
Average relative humidity (%)  | 76.6  | 76.1  | 74.8  | 68.3  | 66.8  | 68.9  | 72.2  | 74.6  | 75.2  | 71.5  | 77.4  | 80.0  | 73.5
Average dew point °F (°C)  | 5.9
(−14.5)  | 10.9
(−11.7)  | 22.5
(−5.3)  | 33.4
(0.8)  | 44.6
(7.0)  | 54.9
(12.7)  | 60.4
(15.8)  | 58.5
(14.7)  | 50.2
(10.1)  | 37.9
(3.3)  | 25.9
(−3.4)  | 12.6
(−10.8)  | 34.8
(1.6)
Source: NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990)[18][23][24]

Notes

1. ^ Mayors’s office is officially nonpartisan
2. ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 1,424| | —
1870| 3,953| | 177.6%
1880| 5,103| | 29.1%
1890| 5,321| | 4.3%
1900| 6,843| | 28.6%
1910| 7,844| | 14.6%
1920| 13,722| | 74.9%
1930| 20,621| | 50.3%
1940| 28,312| | 37.3%
1950| 29,885| | 5.6%
1960| 40,663| | 36.1%
1970| 53,766| | 32.2%
1980| 57,890| | 7.7%
1990| 70,745| | 22.2%
2000| 85,806| | 21.3%
2010| 106,769| | 24.4%
2020| 121,395| | 13.7%
2023 (est.)| 122,413| [5]| 0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]
2020 Census[4]
Map of racial distribution in Rochester, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Multiracial ⬤ Native American/Other

### 2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[26] the population was 121,395. The population density was 2,187.5 inhabitants per square mile (844.6/km2). There were 53,210 housing units at an average density of 958.8 per square mile (370.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.2% White, 8.9% Black or African American, 7.9% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% from other races, and 6.6% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 6.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In terms of ancestry, the 2005–2007 American Community Survey found German Americans to be the largest single ethnic group in Rochester, making up 35.5% of the city's population. Norwegian Americans made up 15.9%, while Irish Americans contributed to 11.6% of the city's populace. English Americans made up 8.2% of the population and Swedish Americans were 5.0% of the city's population. In the mid-1980s Rochester had fewer than 40 Hmong persons.[15] The 1990 United States census counted 200 Hmong persons in Rochester. This increased to 300 by 1998. Cathleen Jo Faruque, author of "Migration of Hmong to Rochester, Minnesota: Life in the Midwest," wrote in 2003 that there was "every indication that this trend will continue".[27]

There were[when?] 43,025 households, of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% 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 3.04.

The median age in the city was 35 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

As of the 2011–2015 American Community Survey, the median household income was $68,023.[28]

Rochester, 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) | Pop 2000[29] | Pop 2010[30] | Pop 2020[31] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White alone (NH)  | 73,656  | 84,608  | 87,180  | 85.84%  | 79.24%  | 71.82%
Black or African American alone (NH)  | 3,034  | 6,586  | 10,661  | 3.54%  | 6.17%  | 8.78%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)  | 232  | 251  | 323  | 0.27%  | 0.24%  | 0.27%
Asian alone (NH)  | 4,796  | 7,212  | 9,469  | 5.59%  | 6.76%  | 7.80%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 32  | 38  | 56  | 0.04%  | 0.04%  | 0.05%
Some Other Race alone (NH)  | 103  | 212  | 429  | 0.12%  | 0.20%  | 0.35%
Mixed Race or Multi-Racial (NH)  | 1,388  | 2,354  | 5,293  | 1.62%  | 2.21%  | 4.36%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)  | 2,565  | 5,508  | 7,984  | 2.99%  | 5.16%  | 6.58%
Total | 85,806 | 106,769 | 121,395 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00%

## Economy

[edit]

Mayo Clinic forms the core of Rochester's economy. As of 2016, it employs 51,000[32] people and draws more than 2 million visitors annually.[33] The clinic's many facilities, along with hotels, restaurants and retail stores, comprise nearly all of the city's downtown. Excluding the state government, Mayo Clinic is the largest employer in Minnesota.[34] Other care providers, including the Rochester Federal Medical Center, are significant employers.

IBM Rochester campus

The Rochester Technology Campus is a sprawling 2.56 million sq. ft. leasable facility with uses ranging from office space, manufacturing, warehousing, data centers, and laboratories. It has been home to several technology companies. This is where IBM designed and produced its midrange computer series.[35] It was also the home of the first Blue Gene prototype and contributed the servers for Roadrunner.[36]

The economy of Rochester is also influenced by the agricultural nature of the region. There are multiple dairy producers that are active in the area. In addition, Kerry Flavours and Ingredients, a subsidiary of the global Irish company called Kerry Group, maintains a production plant in Rochester that specializes in fermented ingredients, found in breads, meats and other processed foods.

No.  | Employer  | No. of Employees

|
|

1  | Mayo Clinic | 51,000[32]
2  | Rochester Public Schools  | 2,872
3  | IBM | 2,791[37]
4  | Olmsted County | 1,371
5  | Olmsted Medical Center  | 1,321
6  | City of Rochester  | 1,166
7  | McNeilus Truck & Manuf.  | 791
8  | Benchmark Electronics | 625
9  | Spectrum  | 577
10  | Rochester Community and Technical College | 492
11  | McNeilus Steel, Inc.  | 490
12  | Federal Medical Center, Rochester | 452
13  | Crenlo  | 450
14  | Cardinal of Minnesota  | 425
15  | Reichel Foods  | 423
16  | Geotek  | 417
17  | Halcon  | 400

### Destination Medical Center

[edit]

Downtown Hilton, completed in 2019, is one of the first major DMC projects.

In 2013, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill known as Destination Medical Center (DMC). It intends to increase Minnesota's tax base, and promote business and economic growth throughout the state.[38] Because of this legislation, The Mayo Clinic will invest in $3.5 billion to upgrade patient rooms, add additional workspace, and build research and administrative buildings.[39]

The main developments of this plan will be in the DMC sub-districts. The Downtown Waterfront district will cover The Government Center, The Civic Center, and most areas near the Zumbro River. The Central Station district includes Central Park and most of Civic Center Drive, aimed to become a transportation hub of the city. St. Marys Place will cover St. Marys hospital and St. Marys Park, as well as most of 2nd Street. The Heart of the City will feature the Mayo Clinic campus and major residential, commercial, and retail companies. The Discovery Square area will include scientific and technology research facilities. Lastly, The UMR and Recreation district will feature Soldiers Field and the University of Minnesota Rochester campus.[40]

## Arts and culture

[edit]

A number of Rochester buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the historic Chateau Theatre, which the city purchased in 2015 for preservation, and Avalon Music, formerly a hotel important in the local civil rights movement.[41] In 2019, after renovations and a public RFP, the Chateau Theatre has re-opened as an exhibition venue.[42]

Founded in 1946, the Rochester Art Center is located downtown, just south of the Mayo Civic Center. In 2017, the Rochester Art Center's financial troubles[43] brought a renewed focus on the need for both formal and informal arts spaces in the city.[44]

In the summer from June to the end of August, every Thursday the city puts on Thursdays Downtown [45] where local restaurants and artists can set up booths all along First Avenue downtown Rochester. There are two stages where bands perform and provide entertainment. There are also a number of street musicians sitting on walls or standing on the sidewalks.

The oldest cultural arts institution in the community, Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale was founded in 1919 as a professional performing arts organization called the Rochester Orchestra. Its earliest ensemble, the Lawler-Dodge Orchestra, was founded in 1912 as a volunteer orchestra, driven by Daisy Plummer, wife of Mayo Clinic physician, Dr. Henry Plummer, and directed by Harold Cooke. In the early years, the Orchestra appeared in the former Chateau Theatre where they performed background music for silent movies.

The Gray Duck Theater, an independent movie theater, opened in 2019.[46]

Rochester also houses the Rochester Public Library near the Civic Center. It is one of the largest libraries in the area and has been awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2018.

## Sports

[edit]

Main article: Sports in Minnesota

Team  | League  | Venue

|
|

Rochester Honkers | Northwoods League, Baseball  | Mayo Field
Rochester Grizzlies | NA3HL, Ice Hockey  | Rochester Recreation Center
Med City Freeze  | Southern Plains Football League, Semi-Pro Football[47] | Rochester Regional Stadium
Rochester Med City FC[48] | National Premier Soccer League, Soccer[49] | Rochester Regional Stadium at Rochester Community and Technical College

## Parks and recreation

[edit]

Rochester has an extensive network of bike and pedestrian paths.

Rochester's city park system has more than 100 sites covering 5 square miles (13 km2), including parks located along Bear Creek and South Fork Zumbro rivers. The city also maintains 85 miles (137 km) of paved trails.[50]

The city also maintains four public golf courses: Northern Hills, Eastwood Golf Club, Hadley Creek, and Soldiers Field Golf Course located downtown.[51] In addition, a number of private courses are located in the Rochester area, including Willow Creek Golf Club, Oak Summit Golf Club, and the Rochester Golf and Country Club along with a number of courses in smaller surrounding communities. The city of Rochester has also started the bike share program for its community members where the registered members and visitors can rent a bike for free through one of its bike share locations at Rochester Public Library, Peace Plaza or Rochester City Hall.[52]

### Quarry Hill

[edit]

The foundation of Rochester State Hospital began in 1875 as the Minnesota Inebriate Asylum funded by a tax on liquor dealers. Land was purchased in 1876 and construction began in 1877, including the building of a hospital and the park nearby which was used by the patients and their families. In 1965, the park was transferred from the hospital to the state for the use of general public and since then there have been various developments in the park including the laying of paved trails. The 329-acre (133 ha) park contains over 8 mi (13 km) of paved and hiking trails, a pond, and a historical sandstone cave carved in 1882. This soft St. Peter sand stone cave was dug in the late 1800's to store food for the patients of the state hospital. The cave was later abandoned with the invention of modern refrigerators, and is now a historic site.

Quarry Hill Nature Center is the center stone of the Quarry Hill Park in Rochester. The Nature Center opened in 1973, and was expanded in 1990. In 2017, the facility added additional nordic skiing. These facilities include modern educational facilities, and a 19th-century prairie style home where skis and snow shoes could be rented.[53]

Quarry Hill Oak Savana

## Government and politics

[edit]

See also: List of mayors of Rochester, Minnesota

Government Center Building Old City Hall

Rochester is governed by a mayor-council government with a seven-member city council.[54] The current mayor is Kim Norton.[55] As of July 2025, the city council comprises: Randy Schubring, City Council President; Patrick Keane, 1st Ward; Nick Miller, 2nd Ward; Norman Wahl, 3rd Ward; Andy Friederichs, 4th Ward; Shaun Palmer, 5th Ward; and Dan Doering, 6th Ward.[56]

All municipal elected offices in Rochester are non-partisan, as stated in the city's charter.[57]

2020 Presidential Election by Precinct
Biden: 40–50% 50–60%
60–70% 70–80%
Trump: 40–50% 50–60%

Rochester is the seat of Olmsted County, run by a seven-member elected county board, each representing district residents.[58] The County Board of Commissioners oversee county operations and address citizen concerns. When a commissioner is elected, they are elected to serve a 4-year term. When that term ends, the commissioner can run for re-election if they so desire. The County Attorney and the County Sheriff are also elected to 4-year terms and can run for re-election when the term expires if they choose. Each of these elected officials acts as the director for his/her office, and are accountable to the residents of Olmsted County.[59]

Rochester falls under the Olmsted County District Court within the Third Judicial District of the State of Minnesota.[60]

The city includes parts of Minnesota state legislative districts 25 and 26.[61] In the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 25A is represented by Duane Quam (R), District 25B is represented by Andy Smith (DFL), District 26A is represented by Tina Liebling (DFL), and District 26B is represented by Nels Pierson (R). In the Minnesota Senate, Rochester is represented by Liz Boldon (DFL) and Carla Nelson, (R). Rochester is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Brad Finstad, a member of the Republican Party.[62]

Rochester continues to trend Democratic in local and federal elections which has resulted in Olmsted County also seeing a shifting electorate.[63] In the 2020 presidential election President Joe Biden obtained nearly 60% of the vote in the city, the highest vote total for a Democratic candidate in history.

Presidential election results 1960–2024

Precinct General Election Results[64] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third parties

|
|
|

2024 | 37.8% 24,524 | 59.5% 38,588 | 2.7% 1,732
2020 | 38.2% 25,210 | 59.4% 39,202 | 2.4% 1,621
2016 | 39.8% 22,944 | 49.7% 28,611 | 10.5% 6,044
2012 | 44.1% 24,973 | 53.1% 30,093 | 2.8% 1,583
2008 | 44.4% 24,102 | 53.6% 29,038 | 2.0% 1,078
2004 | 50.0% 24,711 | 48.7% 24,041 | 1.3% 644
2000 | 49.9% 19,954 | 45.3% 18,123 | 4.8% 1,942
1996 | 44.2% 15,055 | 46.2% 15,716 | 9.6% 3,286
1992 | 41.8% 15,734 | 35.5% 13,348 | 22.7% 8,548
1988 | 57.9% 17,997 | 42.1% 13,064 | 0.0% 0
1984 | 62.1% 18,168 | 37.9% 11,066 | 0.0% 0
1980 | 54.0% 14,155 | 35.2% 9,210 | 10.8% 2,840
1976 | 62.5% 16,064 | 35.8% 9,196 | 1.7% 445
1972 | 69.7% 15,882 | 28.2% 6,419 | 2.1% 496
1968 | 55.3% 11,294 | 42.0% 8,571 | 2.7% 559
1964 | 45.4% 8,297 | 54.4% 9,945 | 0.2% 46
1960 | 60.9% 10,224 | 38.8% 6,521 | 0.3% 56

### US House of Representatives

[edit]

Name  | Congressional District  | Assumed office  | Party

|
|
|

Brad Finstad | 1st District | 2022  | Republican

### Minnesota Senate

[edit]

Name  | District  | Assumed office  | Party

|
|
|

Carla Nelson | District 24  | 2011  | Republican
Liz Boldon | District 25  | 2023  | DFL

### Minnesota House of Representatives

[edit]

Name  | District  | Assumed office  | Party

|
|
|

Duane Quam | District 24A  | 2011  | Republican
Tina Liebling | District 24B  | 2005  | DFL
Kim Hicks | District 25A  | 2023  | DFL
Andy Smith | District 25B  | 2023  | DFL

## Education

[edit]

Courtyard and greenhouse of John Marshall Senior High School Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Rochester Public Schools enroll 16,300 students in 23 public primary and secondary schools.[65] The city is divided into three public high school attendance zones: John Marshall, Mayo and Century. Private schools in the city include Lourdes, Schaeffer Academy, and Rochester Central Lutheran School amongst various smaller private religious schools. Studio Academy, a fine arts-focused charter school operated for 10 years in Rochester and closed its doors in 2011 upon losing its charter.[66][67] The Rochester STEM Academy opened in 2011, occupying the former Studio Academy building.

Higher education in Rochester had been concentrated around the former University Center Rochester in the city's southeast outskirts, where Rochester Community and Technical College shares a campus with a branch of Winona State University.[68] The University of Minnesota offered degrees through UCR until 2007, when the University of Minnesota Rochester was established downtown.[69] Branches of Augsburg University and College of St. Scholastica are also in Rochester, as are branches of Winona State University and St. Mary's University. The Mayo Clinic offers graduate medical education and research programs through the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.

According to the United States Census Bureau 2011–2015, the number of high school graduates or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+ was 94.1%. The number of bachelor's degree or higher percent of persons age 25+ was 41.3%.[28]

## Media

[edit]

See also: Media in Rochester, Minnesota

The city newspaper is the Post-Bulletin, an afternoon paper which publishes Monday through Saturday. The Post-Bulletin company also publishes Rochester Magazine, a monthly features periodical.[70][71]

There are four television stations based in Rochester: KTTC channel 10.1 (NBC), KTTC-(CW) channel 10.2, and KXLT-TV channel 47 (Fox) are a virtual duopoly. The stations share studios as part of a special agreement between Gray Television and SagamoreHill Broadcasting. ABC affiliate KAAL (channel 6) and CBS affiliate KIMT (channel 3) are also based in Rochester. Channel 15 KSMQ (PBS) in Austin and channel 24 KYIN (PBS) in Mason City are among the stations that serve the market. KAAL is licensed to Austin and KIMT is licensed to Mason City, but have a studios in Rochester. KIMT opened a studio in Rochester in late 2017, which now serves as the main setting for their newscasts.

The Rochester area is provided cable service by Charter Communications, which holds a monopoly in the area. Indiana-based Metronet is currently in the process of developing the fiber-optic network to provide cable service to Rochester.[72]

## Transportation

[edit]

Bike on Rochester city bus

Rochester is served by three U.S. highways (U.S. 14, U.S. 52, and U.S. 63), and the southern edge of Rochester is skirted by Interstate 90 and State Highway 30. Olmsted County Highway 22 is also a main highway in the city. A combination of skyways and subterranean walkways link most downtown buildings, which residents often use to avoid harsh winter weather conditions. Public bus transit is run by Rochester Public Transit. Its operations are carried out by First Transit. The City of Rochester encourages biking through its numerous trails and to facilitate the biking program all the city buses have bike carriers for easy transportation of bikes.

Rochester International Airport is located seven miles (11 km) south of downtown. The airport is the second busiest commercial airport in Minnesota.[73] It has direct flights to Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Minneapolis, with occasional charter flights servicing Riverside Resort in Laughlin, Nevada.[74] Nonstop flights to Phoenix and Fort Myers were scheduled to begin in early 2022.[75]

Rochester has a shuttle service connecting to the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport by Rochester Shuttle Service and Groome Transportation (formerly Go Rochester Direct).

Rochester's last passenger rail service, to Chicago to the southeast and Rapid City, South Dakota to the west, ended when the Chicago and North Western Railway's Rochester 400 streamliner ended service in 1963. The closest Amtrak station is at Winona, Minnesota, 45 miles (72 km) to the east. Travelers are able to purchase tickets from Amtrak for a shuttle bus that connects with the daily Empire Builder at La Crosse, Wisconsin.[76]

Rochester is planning a 2.6 mi (4.2 km) bus rapid transit line known as Link. The route will have seven stations along 2nd Street SW and is expected to open in 2025. It will be the first bus rapid transit line in Minnesota outside the Twin Cities.[77]

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 14 – U.S. Route 14
* US 52 – U.S. Route 52
* US 63 – U.S. Route 63
* I-90 – Interstate 90
* MN 30 – Minnesota State Highway 30

## See also

[edit]

* Minnesota portal

* List of people from Rochester, Minnesota
* List of tallest buildings in Rochester, Minnesota

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Our Identity".
2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rochester, Minnesota
4. ^ a b c "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
5. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Rochester city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
6. ^ "Rochester". Visit The USA. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
7. ^ "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau, Population Division. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
8. ^ "History of Rochester | Rochester, MN". www.rochestermn.gov. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
9. ^ "History of Rochester | Rochester, MN". Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
10. ^ "History of Rochester". City of Rochester Minnesota. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
11. ^ "Tornado Strikes Rochester". Mayo Foundation for Medical and Educational Research.
12. ^ "Zumbro River State Water Trail". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
13. ^ "Watershed Resources". Zumbro Watershed Partnership. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
14. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
15. ^ a b Faruque, p. 1.
16. ^ Richert, Catharine (December 5, 2019). "This Minnesota City Has A Bird Poop Problem, But The Crow Patrol Is On It". Morning Edition. NPR. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
17. ^ "Rochester, Minnesota Köppen Climate Classification". Weatherbase. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
18. ^ a b "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
19. ^ Erdman, Jon (November 17, 2014). "America's Windiest Cities". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on December 6, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
20. ^ "Tornado History Project: Maps and Statistics". www.tornadohistoryproject.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
21. ^ "Severe Thunderstorms of June 17, 2010". NOAA.
22. ^ "Tornado touched down in Rochester, damage survey confirms". Bring Me the News. June 7, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
23. ^ "Station: Rochester INTL AP, MN". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
24. ^ "Rochester/Municipal, MN Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (FTP). Retrieved September 4, 2020.[dead ftp link] (To view documents see Help:FTP)
25. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Rochester city, Minnesota". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
27. ^ Faruque, p. 2.
28. ^ a b "Population estimates, July 1, 2015, (V2015)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
29. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 –Rochester city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
30. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Rochester city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
31. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Rochester city, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
32. ^ a b "Minnesota Top Companies and Employers / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development". Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
33. ^ Mayo Clinic Facts. Archived June 23, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved June 28, 2017.
34. ^ "Minnesota's Largest Employers" (PDF). University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
35. ^ "IBM Archives: Rochester profile". IBM. January 23, 2003. Archived from the original on March 18, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
36. ^ Roadrunner Archived July 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Top500 Supercomputing Sites.
37. ^ "Largest Employers in the Rochester Area". Rochester Area Economic Development Inc.
38. ^ "Destination Medical Center (DMC)". Mayo Clinic.
39. ^ Baier, Elizabeth (May 23, 2013). "Mayo Clinic celebrates state funding approval, but questions remain on expansion details". Minnesota Public Radio News.
40. ^ "DMC Sub-District Map". Destination Medical Center.
41. ^ Baier, Elizabeth (March 16, 2015). "Rochester to buy, preserve historic Chateau Theatre". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
42. ^ "5 things to know about the city's agreement with the new Chateau operator". Med City Beat. August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
43. ^ Richert, Catharine (March 28, 2017). "Audit: Rochester Art Center in deep financial trouble". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
44. ^ Stolle, Matthew (May 17, 2017). "What's wrong with Rochester's art scene?". Post-Bulletin. Rochester. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
45. ^ "Thursdays on First & 3rd". www.downtownrochestermn.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
46. ^ McKinney, Matt (May 24, 2019). "Minnesota couple raise the curtain on 66-seat microtheater in Rochester". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
47. ^ "Med City Freeze". Retrieved October 11, 2021.
48. ^ "Med City FC". www.medcityfc.com.
49. ^ "The NPSL". National Premier Soccer League.
50. ^ "Recreational trails". City of Rochester, Minnesota. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved January 14, 2010.
51. ^ "Parks and Recreation". City of Rochester.
52. ^ "Rochester Bike Share Program". City of Rocheste. Archived from the original on October 3, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
53. ^ "History". Quarry Hill Nature Center. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
54. ^ "Rochester City Council". City of Rochester, Minnesota.
55. ^ "Office of the Mayor". City of Rochester, Minnesota.
56. ^ "Councilmembers". City of Rochester. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
57. ^ "Rochester Code of Ordinances - CHAPTER III. - ELECTIONS; ELECTED OFFICIALS; OFFICERS - SECTION 3.01. - (Elections; general provisions; ballots)". Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
58. ^ "List of Olmsted County Commissioners". Olmsted County. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
59. ^ "Elected Officials". Olmsted County. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
60. ^ "Minnesota District Courts". State of Minnesota.
61. ^ "Your Elected Officials". Rochester City Clerk. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
62. ^ "Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term". August 12, 2022.
63. ^ "As Olmsted County shifts left, political observers see battle brewing over control of a complicated electorate". MPR News. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
64. ^ "Election Results". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
65. ^ "District 535 at a Glance". Rochester Public Schools. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
66. ^ "Homepage". Schaeffer Academy.
67. ^ "Homepage". Studio Academy Charter High School.
68. ^ "Homepage". Rochester Community and Technical College. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
69. ^ "Growth of UMR". University of Minnesota Rochester. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
70. ^ "Rochester Magazine". Post-Bulletin Company.
71. ^ "Austin P-B". Post-Bulletin Company. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
72. ^ "MetroNet to challenge Charter in Rochester". MedCity Beat. February 4, 2019.
73. ^ (RST) Rochester International Airport. Flightstats.com. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
74. ^ "Destinations". Rochester International Airport Routes. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
75. ^ "Sun Country adding direct flights from RST to Fort Myers and Phoenix". KAAL News. April 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
76. ^ "Getting to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota". Mayo Clinic.
77. ^ Peterson, Randy (September 13, 2021). "Rochester launches brand for rapid transit project with model of proposed station". Post Bulletin. Rochester. Retrieved September 14, 2021.

## General and cited sources

[edit]

* Faruque, Cathleen Jo. "Migration of Hmong to Rochester, Minnesota: Life in the Midwest[usurped]" (Archive[usurped]). In: Hmong Studies Journal; 2003. 50 pages.

## External links

[edit]

Rochester, Minnesota at Wikipedia's sister projects

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City of Rochester

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Municipalities and communities of Olmsted County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Rochester

Cities|

* Byron
* Chatfield‡
* Dover
* Eyota
* Oronoco
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* Rochester
* Stewartville

Map of Minnesota highlighting Olmsted County

Townships|

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‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Minnesota portal
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Rochester, Minnesota Metropolitan Area

Core city|

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Incorporated
Places|

| (over 5,000)|

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* Kasson
* Lake City‡
* Stewartville

|

(under 5,000)|

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* Mazeppa
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* Oronoco
* Ostrander
* Peterson
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* Preston†
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* Racine
* Rushford Village
* Rushford
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* Wabasha†
* Whalan
* West Concord
* Wykoff
* Zumbro Falls

Counties|

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* Fillmore
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‡ indicates that it is partially in the metropolitan area. † indicates a county seat.

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