About Us

In the City of Kandiyohi, we are defined less by boundaries on a map than by the sense of shared values our residents hold dear. Small town values, guided growth, preservation of historical, cultural, and natural heritage are just a few of the core principles that makes the City of Kandiyohi a wonderful place to call home.

The City of Kandiyohi is located in central Minnesota, approximately 93 miles west of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area, 60 miles south of St. Cloud, and 6 miles east of Willmar. Situated in Kandiyohi Township, the community is centrally located in Kandiyohi County, which is characterized by rolling, wooded hills and possessing vast water resources.

Prior to its founding, the area of Kandiyohi was inhabited solely by the Dakota Sioux and indigenous peoples of North America. Kandiyohi was derived from a Sioux name meaning "where the buffalo fish come from"

Kandiyohi was laid out in 1869, when the railroad was extended to that point. In 1869 the Minnesota legislature voted Kandiyohi to be the new state capital due to its central location. The bill was vetoed by Governor William Rainey Marshall on the grounds that "the western treeless districts" further out from Kandiyohi would place the capital away from the likely population center.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.34 square miles (0.88 km²), all land. Including five family-friendly parks. U.S. Route 12 serves as a main route in the community.

Demographics

2000 Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 555 people and 147 families living in the city. There were 215 households, out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.
The median age was 28 years. 29.5% of residents were under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% that were 65 years of age or older.

2010 Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 491 people and 130 families living in the city. There were 202 households, of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02.
The median age in the city was 32.6 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 11.4% that were 65 years of age or older.

2020 Census

As of the census of 2020, there were 569 people and 124 families living in the city. There were 208 households, of which 37% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.81.
The median age in the city was 38.5 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.8% that were 65 years of age or older.

City of Kandiyohi