Jordan, Minnesota
Jordan is a city in Scott County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,833 at the 2000 census.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²). 6.8 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.76%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,833 people, 1,349 households, and 980 families residing in the city. The population density was 567.0/km² (1,466.5/mi²). There were 1,423 housing units at an average density of 210.5/km² (544.4/mi²). 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.
Local culture
Heimatfest, a German heritage festival, is held every September. Festivities include a 3K run, a parade, car shows, and fireworks at Lagoon Park.
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..[1]
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."[2] Before long, many people were implicated in the scandal, and the case earned national press coverage.
Ultimately, the accused were exonerated of any wrongdoing after it was proved that many of the confessions were coerced. Nonetheless, many people in Jordan were profoundly affected, financially and emotionally, by the scandal.[3]
