Finlayson, Minnesota

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 315 people, 134 households, and 78 families living in the city. The population density was 112.9 inhabitants per square mile (43.6/km²). There were 145 housing units at an average density of 52.0 per square mile (20.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 1.0% African American, 0.6% Native American, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 134 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.8% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 45.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 32% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 314 people, 132 households, and 76 families living in the city. The population density was 114.1 people per square mile (44.1/km²). There were 136 housing units at an average density of 49.4 per square mile (19.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.50% White, 0.64% African American, 0.32% Asian, 1.27% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 132 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,250, and the median income for a family was $46,875. Males had a median income of $35,313 versus $31,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,818. About 3.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

Currently there is one education building: Finlayson Elementary School. The School is located right off of Highway 18 and is referred to as "the School Growing in the Pines", given its surrounded by many pine trees. The Elementary School is dedicated to John W. Osborn, a former Superintendent at the school. The school hosts grades K-6 and provides preschool a few days a week. The class sizes are relatively small with all classes under 20 students enrolled making the whole school size around 80 for 7 grades.

Due to budget cuts, the teacher to student ratio is approximately 1/14. In 2006, the classes were combined providing one teacher to teach two grades. First and Second, Third and Fourth, and Fifth and Sixth were placed together in one room to be taught by one teacher.

The former Finlayson High School was torn down in 2004 due to instability. The last class to graduate was the class of 1990. Students who attend high school in Finlayson were moved to Hinckley High School to finish their education. The Finlayson high school's colors were maroon and gold and the mascot was a Falcon. Later, the high school in Hinckley changed its name to Hinckley-Finlayson High School. Hinckley changed its mascot from the Vulcans (Red and Silver), to the Jaguars (Red, Black and Silver) during this switch. To this day, the students of Finlayson make the 30 minute commute to Hinckley for high school. The average class grade is between 50-80 students with around 400 students total. Finlayson students only make up around 18% of the school.

On July 3 and 4, the town of Finlayson is a very lively place. The city's main street is packed with food stands provided by the local churches and community groups. There is live entertainment of music and local performances. On the night of the 4th, people can camp in a large field to watch the county firework show.

St. Urho's Day is the Finnish tradition of celebrating when St. Urho chased the crickets, and other vermin, out of Finland. Finlayson embraces its Finnish background by celebrating St. Urho's feast day on March 27. The city's fire department, elementary school and community center is open to the public for a day of basketball, volleyball, fried bread and good friends. The community center is the host of a free pancake breakfast while the fire department hosts the delicious fried bread.

Finlayson survives as a getaway place for vacationers. During deer season, Finlayson is packed with the colors of blaze orange and camouflage. The city's land consists of many fields and swamp where the deer are common. The Municipal hosts a gun raffle and a meat raffle during these weeks that attract outsiders to join in with the festivities.