Jordan, Minnesota

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Jordan, Minnesota
Old City Hall
Old City Hall
Location of Jordan, Minnesota
Location of Jordan, Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°40′6″N 93°37′57″W / 44.66833, -93.6325
Country United States
State Minnesota
County Scott
Area
 - Total 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
 - Land 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation 771 ft (235 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 3,833
 - Density 1,466.5/sq mi (566.2/km²)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 55352
Area code(s) 952
FIPS code 27-32174[1]
GNIS feature ID 0645735[2]
Website: www.jordan.govoffice.com

Jordan is a city in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,833 at the 2000 census.

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²), of which, 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.76%) is water. U.S. Highway 169; and State Highways 21 and 282 are three of the main routes in the community.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,833 people, 1,349 households, and 980 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,466.5 people per square mile (567.0/km²). There were 1,423 housing units at an average density of 544.4/sq mi (210.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.08% White, 0.50% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 3.10% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.60% of the population.

There were 1,349 households out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.31.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,468, and the median income for a family was $53,363. Males had a median income of $36,206 versus $26,806 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,217. About 1.9% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Local culture

Heimatfest, a German heritage festival, is held every September. Festivities include a 5K run, a parade, car shows, and fireworks at Lagoon Park. Home of the Robert Patterson Post #3 Jordan Legion Baseball Team. Post #3 won league, district, state and regional tournaments in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Local celebrities include playmates Nicole, Erica and Jaclyn Dahm, one of whom married the son of Doctor Phil

[edit] Sex abuse scandal

Beginning in 1983, Jordan was swept up in an instance of what has been called satanic ritual abuse. Twenty-four adults were arrested and charged with acts of sexual abuse, child pornography and other crimes.[3]

According to Jordan native Tom Dubbe, the scandal began with the arrest of 26-year-old James Rud on sex abuse charges. Rud undoubtedly had a history of child molestation, but "once Rud was arrested he was given a difficult choice by Minnesota's first woman county attorney, Kathleen Morris. Morris suggested: Name names and we'll go easier on you."[4] Before long, many people were implicated in the scandal, and the case earned national press coverage.

Ultimately, the accused were exonerated of any wrongdoing, because the county attorney was afraid the children would collapse under cross examination.[5]

The incident is mentioned by Justice Antonin Scalia in his dissenting opinion in the case of Maryland v. Craig. He argues that the right to confront one's accusers is essential to protecting innocent defendants against "a child's distorted or coerced recollections" in the face of "misguided investigative techniques."[6]

The song Jordan, Minnesota by the band Big Black was written about the incident.

[edit] References

[edit] External links