Staples, Minnesota

{{Short description|City in Minnesota, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = City of Staples | settlement_type = City | nickname = | motto = | native_name =  | image_skyline = Staples City Hall.jpg | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = Combined city hall and public library | image_flag =  | image_map = Todd_County_Minnesota_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Staples_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 250px | map_caption = Location of Staples, Minnesota | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Minnesota | subdivision_type2 = Counties | subdivision_name2 = Todd, Wadena | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = | leader_title1 = City Administrator | leader_name1 =  | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 12.34 | area_land_km2 = 12.33 | area_water_km2 = 0.01 | area_total_sq_mi = 4.77 | area_land_sq_mi = 4.76 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.01 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_est = 3075 | pop_est_as_of = 2024 | pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/> | population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> | population_total = 2989 | population_density_sq_mi = 627.81 | population_density_km2 = 242.39 | timezone = CST | utc_offset = -6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = -5 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 1273 | coordinates = {{coord|46|22|09|N|94|48|07|W|region:US-MN|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type = ZIP code | postal_code = 56479 | area_code = 218 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 27-62446<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 2395955<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395955}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://staples.govoffice.com/}} | footnotes = }}

'''Staples''' is a city in Todd and Wadena counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 2,989 at the 2020 census.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explorer Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2762446 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

==History== Staples developed around a sawmill.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Winser|first1=Henry Jacob|last2=Riley|first2=William C.|title=The Official Northern Pacific Railway Guide: For the Use of Tourists and Travelers Over the Lines of the Northern Pacific Railway and Its Branches|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JA5FAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA53|year=1897|publisher=Northern Pacific Railway|page=53}}</ref> The settlement was originally called Staples Mill, and under the latter name was platted in 1889, and named for Samuel and Isaac Staples, businessmen in the lumber industry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|year=1920|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n563 546]}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.68|sqmi|sqkm|2}}; {{convert|4.67|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

U.S. Route 10 and Minnesota State Highway 210 are two of the main routes in the city. The Empire Builder, an Amtrak route connecting Chicago with Seattle and Portland, Oregon, stops at the train station in Staples. thumb|Interior of Staples Amtrak train depot.

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1890 = 585 | 1900 = 1504 | 1910 = 2558 | 1920 = 2570 | 1930 = 2667 | 1940 = 2952 | 1950 = 2782 | 1960 = 2706 | 1970 = 2755 | 1980 = 2887 | 1990 = 2754 | 2000 = 3104 | 2010 = 2981 | 2020 = 2989 | estyear = 2024 | estimate = 3075 | estref =<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=January 12, 2026|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=January 12, 2026}}</ref> | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref><br />2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/> | align = right }}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, Staples had a population of 2,989. The median age was 39.5 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.9 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A62446&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A62446&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A62446&in=state%3A27|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 29, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 1,310 households in Staples, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.2% were married-couple households, 21.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 1,502 housing units, of which 12.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.3%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 2,768 || 92.6% |- | Black or African American || 20 || 0.7% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 28 || 0.9% |- | Asian || 11 || 0.4% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.0% |- | Some other race || 36 || 1.2% |- | Two or more races || 125 || 4.2% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 80 || 2.7% |}

===2010 census=== thumb|left|Downtown Staples As of the census of 2010, there were 2,981 people, 1,222 households, and 696 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|638.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,469 housing units at an average density of {{convert|314.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 1,222 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.0% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

===2000 census=== As of the census of 2000, there were 3,104 people, 1,278 households, and 732 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|684.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,436 housing units at an average density of {{convert|316.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.49% White, 0.26% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.23% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.48% of the population. 33.5% were of German, 12.5% Norwegian, 6.4% American, 6.0% Irish and 5.9% Swedish ancestry.

There were 1,278 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,208, and the median income for a family was $33,472. Males had a median income of $26,481 versus $18,407 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,244. About 15.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over. ==Notable people== * Norbert P. Arnold, Minnesota State Senator<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arnold, Norbert P. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=10022|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}</ref> * Loren Bain, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball<ref>{{Cite web|title=Loren Bain Stats|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bainlo01.shtml|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en}}</ref> * Dick Bremer, TV broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins<ref name="Princeton">{{cite news |first=Luther |last=Dorr |title=TIMEOUT: Twins heat up Hot Stove League |url=http://www.unioneagle.com/2004/january/22timeout.html |work=Princeton Union-Eagle |access-date=March 22, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928194712/http://www.unioneagle.com/2004/january/22timeout.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}</ref> * Kathryn Edin, William Church Osborn Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs, at Princeton University<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sociology.princeton.edu/people/kathryn-edin | title=Kathryn Edin }}</ref> * Richard Nelson Gardner (1881–1953), Minnesota state senator and lawyer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=12956|title=Gardner, Richard Nelson "Dick" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present|website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}</ref> * Jon Hassler (1933 – 2008),<ref name=USATobit>{{cite news |title= 'Staggerford' author Jon Hassler dies at 74 (obituary)|author= Baenen, Jeff (AP)|newspaper= USA Today|date= March 21, 2008|url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-03-20-jon-hassler_N.htm|accessdate= June 15, 2010}}</ref> American writer known for his novels about small-town life in Minnesota<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://home.comcast.net/~ktebo/biography.htm |title=Biography |access-date=2013-07-11 |archive-date=2012-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015120525/http://home.comcast.net/~ktebo/biography.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Dave Joerger, professional basketball coach with the Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-hire-david-joerger-head-coach-130627|title=NBA.COM|website=NBA.com|accessdate=July 10, 2013}}</ref> * Bruce G. Nelsen, Minnesota legislator<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=10450|title=Nelsen, Bruce G. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present|website=www.lrl.mn.gov}}</ref> * Alfred E. Perlman, President of the New York Central Railroad and Western Pacific Railroad * Dallas Sams, Minnesota legislator * Gil Skeate, fullback for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gil Skeate Stats, News and Video - FB|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/gil-skeate/|access-date=October 15, 2021|website=NFL.com|language=en-US}}</ref> * LaVyrle Spencer, best-selling author of romance novels, attended high school in Staples<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818012/ |title= LaVyrle Spencer |publisher= IMDb |accessdate= October 4, 2012}}</ref> * Frankie Thorn, actress

==Transportation== The Amtrak station sees more than 5,000 riders a year get on or off the daily ''Empire Builder'' service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fact sheet: Amtrak in Alabama |url=https://www.narprail.org/site/assets/files/1038/states_2015.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416114225/https://www.narprail.org/site/assets/files/1038/states_2015.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-16 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=narprail.org}}</ref> The west bound train from Chicago and St Paul arrives an hour or two after midnight, heading toward Fargo and Seattle/Portland. East bound ''Empire Builders'' from Fargo arrive about 4 a.m. heading toward a daylight arrival in St Paul and an afternoon arrival in Chicago.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

The city of Staples has the junction of the BNSF Railway between their Staples Subdivision and the Brainerd Subdivision. <ref>{{Cite web |title=BNSF Subdivision Map |url=https://www.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/pdf/subdivisions-map.pdf |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Minnesota DOT |title=Central Minnesota Freight Plan |url=https://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/freightplan/central/PDF/Rail.pdf |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref>

==Media== The official weekly newspaper of Staples is the Staples World, with a circulation of 2,400.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

==Education== The Staples-Motley High School is located in the city.

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Cities in Minnesota Category:Cities in Todd County, Minnesota Category:Cities in Wadena County, Minnesota