Pierz

In July 1852, Father Francis Xavier Pierz arrived in Crow Wing, a village at the confluence of the Crow Wing River with the Mississippi. He was a missionary sent to serve the upper Mississippi region. When he came upon an area of fertile land, which he called Rich Prairie, he wrote to Europe encouraging people to emigrate. The result was that the area was settled almost exclusively by German Catholics. In honor of this prominent and faithful priest, the village was named Pierz. Even today, the population of Pierz is primarily of German Catholic descent.

The broad expanses of rich soil were ideal for the farming enterprise that became the foundation of the area's economy. It spawned the growth of an agriculture-based community of implement dealers, feed businesses, blacksmiths, creameries and stores catering to farmers' needs. The growing community also needed lumberyards, crafts people and hardware stores. Merchants of all kinds found customers in this prosperous community. Though other industries have grown in Pierz, it has always been primarily based on agriculture and the richness of the prairie soil. Pierz is famous for being the home of Thielen's Meat Market, a popular stop for weekenders going to their cabins.

When Pierz and two other surrounding communities, Genola and Buckman, needed new sewer and water infrastructure, they combined their resources and formed a sewer and water district to provide services for all three communities.

Pierz Industrial Park

Population

Total Population

1,400

Population
Growth Rate

-0.33%

Median Age

43

Diversity Index

9.400

Housing & Income

Households

585

Total Housing Units

630


Owner Occupied

426

Renter Occupied

159

Vacant

45

Median Home Value

$167,391


Average Home Value

$207,394

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.51%

Income Projection

Median Household

$62,911 $72,803


Average Household

$95,569 $107,713


Per Capita

$40,016 $45,296

Workforce

Total Businesses

99

Total Employed

962

Workers 16+

708

2023 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

5

Employed

237

2023 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

17

Employed

234

2023 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

20

Employed

157

2023 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

6

Employed

71

2023 Food & Beverage Retailers

N

Businesses

6

Employed

68

2023 Finance / Insurance Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

8

Employed

51

Some
High School

33

Graduated
High School

313

Associates
Degree

139

Bachelor's
Degree

132

Graduate
Degree

59

Average Commute Time

25 min.



Resident Commuters

450

Non-Resident Commuters

258

Drive Alone

560

Carpooled

92

Public

1

Work At Home

18