Andover, Minnesota

Andover is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 32,601 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 34.83 sqmi, of which 33.88 sqmi is land and 0.95 sqmi is water. County Roads 9, 18, 78, and 116 are the main routes in the community. U.S. Highway 10 is nearby.

Crooked Lake is the only fully recreational lake in Andover. It is on the southern border of the city with the majority of the lake in neighboring Coon Rapids.

History
Andover first organized in 1857 as Round Lake Township.

In 1860 after an Anoka, Minnesota speech by U.S. Representative Galusha Aaron Grow from Pennsylvania who was an abolitionist and a major figure in the Homestead Act, the town name was changed to Grow Township.

Ham Lake Township split from Andover, known as Grow Township at the time, in 1871.

Once a stop on the Great Northern Railway, Andover was established as a city in 1976.

A popular myth surrounding the origins of the name "Andover" describe a train tipping off the railroad tracks, and an eyewitness describing that the train "went over and over", however this proves to be false because an Anoka County Union Newspaper article first mentions the name in an articled dated March 14, 1899, before any railroad tracks went through the city. The article described the Great Northern Railway announcing the names of new stations being located throughout the area, including a station named "Andover Station". The origin of the name for the station is unknown.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,598 people, 9,811 households, and 8,357 families living in the city. The population density was 903.1 PD/sqmi. There were 10,091 housing units at an average density of 297.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 1.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0%.

Of the 9,811 households 47.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.2% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 14.8% were non-families. 10.6% of households were one person and 3.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.11 and the average family size was 3.35.

The median age was 37.3 years. 30.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 6.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,588 people, 8,107 households, and 7,150 families living in the city. The population density was 779.6 PD/sqmi. There were 8,205 housing units at an average density of 240.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 0.54% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.05% of the population.

Of the 8,107 households 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 11.8% were non-families. 8.4% of households were one person and 2.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.28 and the average family size was 3.48.

The age distribution was 35.5% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 2.9% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males.

The median household income was $76,241 and the median family income was $78,785. Males had a median income of $50,248 versus $33,814 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,317. About 1.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The Andover City Council consists of four at-large council members, each elected to four-year terms, while the mayor is elected to two-year terms. At each citywide election, two council members and the mayor are up for election, with council member elections staggered so that only two members are elected at a time. Elections are held every even year concurrently with state and federal general elections.

As of the 2022 election, Andover is represented in the State House by districts 31A (Harry Niska, Republican), 31B (Peggy Scott, Republican), and 35B (Jerry Newton, Democrat); and in the State Senate by districts 31 (Calvin Bahr, Republican), and 35 (Jim Abeler, Republican).

Andover is located in Minnesota's 6th congressional district, represented by Republican Tom Emmer.

Mayor & Current Local Government
As of the 2022 election, the current members of the Andover City Council are:
 * Mayor: Sheri Bukkila (Term expires January 2025)
 * Council member: Jamie Barthel (Term expires January 2027)
 * Council member: Ted Butler (Term expires January 2025)
 * Council member: Randy Nelson (Term expires January 2025)
 * Council member: Rick Engelhardt (Term expires January 2027)

City Celebration
The annual city celebration is the Andover Family Fun Fest, held near the beginning of July on and around the grounds of City Hall, Andover Elementary School, and Sunshine Park. Events include a 5K fun run, a street dance, a parade, and a fireworks show. The 25th Annual Andover Family Fun Fest was held on July 9 and 10, 2021.

Education
Andover is part of Minnesota's Anoka-Hennepin School District 11. District 11 schools within Andover's boundaries include Andover Elementary School, Crooked Lake Elementary School, Rum River Elementary School, Oak View Middle School, and Andover High School. In addition, a small strip of the northern part of the city is part of St. Francis Area Schools (Independent School District 15). Legacy Christian Academy is a K-12 college preparatory school.

Notable people

 * Claire Butorac (born 1999), Professional ice hockey player for PWHL Minnesota
 * Mike Morin (born 1991), Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Maddie Rooney (born 1997), Olympic ice hockey goaltender and player for PWHL Minnesota