Our Community
Proctor, with a population of just under 3, 000 residents, is a busy small town bisected by State Highway 2. At one time, the railroad was the dominant employer, transporting and sorting iron ore from the mines to the ships for transport to steel mills in the east. Railroad history and pride still infuses much that is Proctor.
Our People
Proctor’s largest demographic group is adults 20-54, representing nearly half of the population. Youth and children represent approximately 25% of the city’s residents, while older adults, 55 and up make up the remaining 25%. Most residents are of German, Scandinavian ancestry. The median household income in our community is just over $38,000 and is 10-25% lower than surrounding townships. Countywide, the poverty rate is just above the national average, and35% of our school children qualify for Free and Reduced Lunches.
Proctor’s largest demographic group is adults 20-54, representing nearly half of the population. Youth and children represent approximately 25% of the city’s residents, while older adults, 55 and up make up the remaining 25%. Most residents are of German, Scandinavian ancestry. The median household income in our community is just over $38,000 and is 10-25% lower than surrounding townships. Countywide, the poverty rate is just above the national average, and35% of our school children qualify for Free and Reduced Lunches.
Our Strengths
Community spirit is strong in Proctor and leads the list of our strengths. Citizens are willing to pitch in to work on projects that make our town a great place to live and raise families. We have a lovely community center that is the hub of activity for residents from youth to elders. Many say that the community center has brought our community together.
Community spirit is strong in Proctor and leads the list of our strengths. Citizens are willing to pitch in to work on projects that make our town a great place to live and raise families. We have a lovely community center that is the hub of activity for residents from youth to elders. Many say that the community center has brought our community together.
Our Challenges
While we have many strengths, we have challenges too. Current economy and lifestyles make it difficult to find living wage jobs in our town and residents often commute to work in Duluth or beyond. Many families hold more than one job to make ends meet. This creates homes where children are left to themselves for significant parts of the day, especially during the summer. Our elders, too feel the isolation of families who have moved away for employment. Young parents with small children often do not have the support of family members who live close by. These factors contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and choices.
While we have many strengths, we have challenges too. Current economy and lifestyles make it difficult to find living wage jobs in our town and residents often commute to work in Duluth or beyond. Many families hold more than one job to make ends meet. This creates homes where children are left to themselves for significant parts of the day, especially during the summer. Our elders, too feel the isolation of families who have moved away for employment. Young parents with small children often do not have the support of family members who live close by. These factors contribute to unhealthy lifestyles and choices.
Our Communities for All Ages
Proctor's team is made up of about 25 members. Our eldest elder is 80 years young and our youngest is 15 years old. Many of our youth have just completed their senior year in high school. Along with our elders and youth, the team includes several middle agers who consider themselves youngsters too.
Proctor's team is made up of about 25 members. Our eldest elder is 80 years young and our youngest is 15 years old. Many of our youth have just completed their senior year in high school. Along with our elders and youth, the team includes several middle agers who consider themselves youngsters too.
A key aspect of the Proctor’s Community for All Ages efforts are providing opportunities that bring all the generations together to build relationships and have fun. The team is also exploring the idea of creating an outdoor community gathering space that will connect the city to the local trail system for healthy walking/biking pathways, the community veggie garden; shady, summertime benches and picnic area as well as enhancing the city’s outdoor skating rink for winter fun.
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