History

Originally named Red Rock, after a sacred stone supposedly painted by the famous Dakota Chief Little Crow, the town was renamed in 1859 when the state legislature discovered another Red Rock Township in Minnesota. Woodbury was named after Judge Levi Woodbury of New Hampshire, a friend of the first town board chairman.

The first settlers came to Woodbury in 1844. Most of the area’s early settlers migrated from the eastern states and from Germany. Immigrants also came from Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland and Denmark. Over the years the people of Woodbury have contributed in many ways to the rich heritage that the city enjoys today.

Land Development & agriculture

 In 1844 the town was largely covered with timber. Clearing the land for farming required considerable time and labor. Wheat was the principal crop grown, as well as barley, corn, and potatoes; and later soybeans became a crop of major importance. Generally the land was rolling and very fertile, which was particularly conducive to dairy farming.

The 1950s introduced a new phase in agriculture. Farming technology resulted in controlled acreage, more fertilization, improved crop rotation and chemicals for pest control, making agriculture an even greater contributor to the local economy. In 1955 the first housing development, Woodbury Heights, was started. The 1960s brought another outlook for the farmer. Urban development spread out into the community and began to replace the farm land.

Urban development has continued as the metropolitan area looks eastward for living space. The city values its open spaces and natural resources and is taking steps to acquire and conserve several hundred acres in the undeveloped areas.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.99 square miles, of which 16.98 square miles is land and 1.01 square miles is water.

U.S. Highway 61, Minnesota Highway 36, and Interstate Highways 35E, 94, 694, and 494 are six of the main routes in the city.

Demographics

At the 2010 census there were 38,018 people, 14,882 households, and 9,620 families living in the city. The population density was 2,239.0 inhabitants per square mile (864.5/km²). There were 15,561 housing units at an average density of 916.4 per square mile (353.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.5% White, 8.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 10.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2%.

Notable People

Jim O’Brien– (born 1989), professional ice hockey player for the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers

Audra Richards- (born 1994), professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Whitecaps

Allie Thunstrom– (born 1988), professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Whitecaps