Slayton, Minnesota

Slayton is a city in and the county seat of Murray County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,072 at the 2000 census.

History
The city was named for Charles Slayton, its founder.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.6 km²), all of it land.

U.S. Route 59 and Minnesota State Highway 30 are two of the main routes in the city.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,072 people, 914 households, and 556 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,163.3 people per square mile (449.4/km²). There were 1,022 housing units at an average density of 573.8/sq mi (221.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.03% White, 0.14% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.39% Asian, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population. There were 914 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 29.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,500, and the median income for a family was $43,935. Males had a median income of $30,444 versus $19,830 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,395. About 4.5% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Slayton is the home of Murray County Central School district. It is one of only two school districts left in the county (the other is Fulda Schools). The school has an average of 60 students a grade, below average even for the area. Chandler-Lake Wilson High school closed (because of a devastating F5 tornado that struck the area) before the turn of the century and joined with Slayton. Other towns in the area that have students attending MCC (although not all are located within the school district) are: Currie, Chandler, Iona, Lake Wilson, Avoca, and more. Summer Pankonen is the superintendent and principal of the high school. Sally Berg is the principal of the elementary school.

Politics
Slayton is located in Minnesota's 1st congressional district, represented by Mankato educator Tim Walz, a Democrat. At the state level, Slayton is located in Senate District 22, represented by Democrat Jim Vickerman, and in House District 22A, represented by Republican Doug Magnus.