Вабаша, Миннесота: История и современность города

Wabasha is a city and the county seat of Wabasha County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,559 at the time of the 2020 census.

Wabasha is named after the Mdewakanton Dakota mixed blood (with Anishinaabe) chiefs Wapi sha, or red leaf (wáȟpe šá leaf red), father (1718–1806), son (1768–1855), and grandson (±1816–1876) of the same name. The second, Wabishaw the son, signed the 1830 USA treaty with the "Confederated Tribes of the Sacs and Foxes; the Medawah Kanton, Wahpacoota, Wahpeton and Sissetong Bands or Tribes of Sioux; the Omahas, Ioways, Ottoes and Missourias" in Prairie du Chien. The grandson, Wabasha III (±1816–1876), signed the 1851 and 1858 treaties that ceded the southern half of what is now the state of Minnesota to the United States, beginning the removal of his band to the Minnesota River, then removal from Minnesota to Crow Creek Reservation in Dakota Territory, then to the Santee Reservation in Nebraska, where the last chief Wabasha died.

Wabasha was platted in 1854.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Wabasha has an area of 9.25 square miles (24 km2); 8.19 square miles (21 km2) is land and 1.06 square miles (3 km2) is water. U. S. Highway 61 and Minnesota Highway 60 are two of the main routes in the city. Wisconsin Highways 25 and 35 are nearby. The city of Wabasha is on the Mississippi River at the foot of Lake Pepin.

The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfb"(Warm Summer Continental Climate).

As of the census of 2020, the population was 2,559. The population density was There were 1,344 housing units at an average density of The racial makeup of the city was 93.0% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 4.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 2.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,521 people, 1,144 households, and 654 families living in the city. The population density was There were 1,315 housing units at an average density of The racial makeup of the city was 96.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population. There were 1,144 households, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.8% were non families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.72. The median age in the city was 48.8 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 26.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

As of the census Wabasha is also home to Minnesota's oldest Episcopal church, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, which features a Tiffany stained glass window.

A sign reading "Welcome to Wabasha, Home of Grumpy Old Men" stands at the city limits. This is a tribute to the 1993 film Grumpy Old Men and its 1995 sequel Grumpier Old Men, both of which are set in Wabasha. Though many of the places the films mention (such as the local VFW and Slippery's Tavern) are in Wabasha, the films were shot in other Minnesota communities. The only scene filmed near Wabasha was the "snow angel" scene, filmed in Red Wing.

Wabasha is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Brad Finstad, a Republican. Emily Durand is the current mayor.

Run by Wabasha Kellogg Independent School District #811, Wabasha Kellogg is a K 12 school. Alternatively, St. Felix Catholic School is a private school offering a Pre K 6 curriculum.