Our Communities

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

Pierz

Population

Total Population

1,480

Population
Growth Rate

1.15%

Median Age

42

Diversity Index

9.600

Housing & Income

Households

617

Total Housing Units

674


Owner Occupied

445

Renter Occupied

172

Vacant

57

Median Home Value

$166,860


Average Home Value

$198,150

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.50%

Income Projection

Median Household

$59,923 $68,176


Average Household

$82,510 $93,135


Per Capita

$34,155 $38,634

Workforce

Total Businesses

105

Total Employed

968

Workers 16+

671

2022 HealthCare/Social Assist

cp-industries

Businesses

17

Employed

256

2022 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

5

Employed

227

2022 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

22

Employed

154

2022 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

7

Employed

70

2022 Food & Beverage Stores

N

Businesses

5

Employed

57

2022 Finance/Insurance Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

8

Employed

51

Some
High School

69

Graduated
High School

348

Associates
Degree

146

Bachelor's
Degree

137

Graduate
Degree

41

Average Commute Time

26 min.



Resident Commuters

418

Non-Resident Commuters

253

Drive Alone

523

Carpooled

97

Public

0

Work At Home

16