| There are many characteristics about Rochester, | | | | 21,493 families. The population today is recognized |
| MN that make it unique. A number of different | | | | to be well over 100,000 however. The racial |
| factors add to this uniqueness, including the city | | | | makeup of the city includes 88.7% white, 4.3% |
| flag, the number and type of people that make | | | | African American, 6.3% Asian, 3.0% Hispanic, and |
| up the city, and the city's economy. Each piece | | | | 4.4% from a variety of other races. The average |
| adds to the overall whole that is Rochester. | | | | household size in town was 2.43 and the average |
| The city flag for Rochester was designed in 1980. | | | | family was slightly higher at 3.06. The number of |
| A competition was held with nearly 200 entries to | | | | residents in each age category was spread out |
| be judged by the citizen flag selection committee. | | | | among the different groups, with no more than |
| Laurie A. Muir, a student of fine arts at the | | | | 30% in each of the 5 categories. The median age |
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design, submitted | | | | of the population was 34 years of age. Median |
| the winning design. The Rochester City Council | | | | income for a household was $49,090, and |
| selected the design for the official city flag at a | | | | $60,754 for a family. The per capita income for |
| meeting on June 16, 1980. The original Minnesota | | | | the city was $24,811. |
| flag had a blue background, and as a reference to | | | | The economy of Rochester is formed mainly by |
| that, Muir gave Rochester's design a royal blue | | | | the Mayo Clinic. The Clinic employs almost a third |
| background. The main design exists in a white | | | | of the city's population and draws over 2 million |
| circle in the center of the background. The flag | | | | visitors each year. The Clinic's facilities, along with |
| includes a city landscape, representing the main | | | | hotels, restaurants, and stores, make up most of |
| industry of Rochester by showing the main | | | | the downtown area. Other care providers are also |
| building of the Mayo Clinic as well as the Plummer | | | | significant employers of the population. Another |
| Building. The computer-styled font on the flag | | | | major employer is IBM. Rochester is one of IBM's |
| represents another major employer, IBM. A blue | | | | most important manufacturing centers. |
| lake is shown in the foreground to represent | | | | Technology and medicine are not the only |
| Silver Lake, an artificial lake in Rochester used to | | | | influences on the economy. The agriculture nature |
| cool the power plant. Silver Lake does not freeze | | | | of the region also plays a large role, with a |
| during the winter because of the power plant, | | | | Seneca Foods processing plant and multiple dairy |
| which causes numerous Canada geese to stay in | | | | producers being active in the area. |
| Rochester year round. The geese have become | | | | These three characteristics of Rochester are just |
| such a part of the city that they are included on | | | | a small part of what makes the city unique. There |
| the flag as well. Three Canada geese appear flying | | | | are countless other items that one could discuss, |
| over the city in the image. The image from the | | | | but experience is worth much more than words. |
| flag is used in a number of different logos in | | | | The only way to truly get a taste of the |
| various renditions throughout the city. | | | | uniqueness and charm of Rochester, MN is to plan |
| In the 2000 census, the population of Rochester | | | | a visit and experience the city in person. |
| included 85,806 people, 34,116 households, and | | | | |