Northome, Minnesota

Economy

Important sources of employment in the area include the Northome School, independent resorts, logging and farming, and several stores in the town, including the Shining Light Cafe. The local newspaper was the Northome Record, produced from 1905 to 2007. Shortly after the Northome Record ceased the Northome Area News was created by a local family.

The nearest stop light is 40 miles away in Bemidji, the regional shopping hub.

Wildlife

The town is on the shores of Bartlett Lake; to the south is Island Lake, popular for fishing and swimming. The lake holds Northern Pike, crappie, perch, and bullhead. Other smaller lakes are in the area as well, together supporting a variety of fish including walleye and northern pike. Unlike most of the rest of the Lower 48 states, timber wolves (the grey wolf) were never eradicated from this area,^[10] and wolves can still be heard at night, though rarely seen. Bald eagles and black bears are commonly sighted. There have also been occasional reports of cougar sightings. This area is in the southern part of the Taiga, or boreal forest, with a mix of quaking aspen (colloquially called popple), balsam fir, northern white cedar and others, including some remaining white pine and Norway pine.

Climate

2010 census

As of the census^[14] of 2010, there were 200 people, 89 households, and 53 families residing in the city. The population density was 132.5 inhabitants per square mile (51.2/km²). There were 104 housing units at an average density of 68.9 per square mile (26.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 1.0% Native American, and 2.0% from two or more races.

There were 89 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.83.

The median age in the city was 49.7 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 23.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 230 people, 87 households, and 46 families residing in the city. The population density was 151.3 inhabitants per square mile (58.4/km²). There were 113 housing units at an average density of 74.4 per square mile (28.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.96% White, 1.74% Native American, and 1.30% from two or more races.

There were 87 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 2.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 32.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 30.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 61.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,417, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,758. About 13.0% of families and 24.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.0% of those under the age of eighteen and 20.8% of those 65 or over.

Television