Sunfish Lake is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 521 at the 2010 census. First incorporated as a village in 1958, the city's goal has been to maintain a rural atmosphere, with large lot size and as little disturbance of the natural environment as possible.
Geography and native vegetation
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The city is bordered by Highways 62 to the north, 3 to the east, 60th Street West/Peiper Road to the south and Delaware Avenue to the west. I-494 runs through the city with an exit at 3. Native vegetation based on NRCS soils information shows approximately two thirds forest soils, less than 10% savanna soils and about 20% prairie and wet prairie. Most of the city is heavily wooded, on moraine topography with many slopes and wetlands and three small private lakes – Hornbeam Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and the eponymous Sunfish Lake, which was formerly known as Lake Thereau by the early French settlers of the area. For new construction, the minimum lot size is of buildable land to keep with the city's goal of maintaining a rural atmosphere.
Demographics
Sunfish Lake is one of the wealthiest towns in America.
As of the census of 2010, there were 521 people, 183 households, and 158 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 194 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 1.2% African American, 2.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population. There were 183 households of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.1% were married couplesliving together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 13.7% were non-families. 12.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age in the city was 48 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 12.5% were from 25 to 44; 38.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 504 people, 173 households, and 147 families living in the city. The population density was 319.0 people per square mile. There were 178 housing units at an average density of 112.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.83% White, 2.58% Asian, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.78% of the population. There were 173 households out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.0% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.91 and the average family size was 3.20. In the city, the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 19.2% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $148,410, and the median income for a family was $161,491. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $55,714 for females. The per capita income for the city was $82,347. About 0.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
City government is simple: there are no city employees and no direct city services. Consultants provides the necessary professional services. Contractual arrangements with neighboring cities cover police and fire protection. Roads are maintained by independent contractors. All but a few properties have water wells and individual septic systems.
Deer problem
Sunfish Lake is said to have over 50 deer contained within its area. Deer are known to be a nuisance especially in causing traffic problems, but can also cause damage to private property by consuming natural and planted vegetation around homes. Bucks also use small trees and saplings to rub their antlers on in order to remove a velvet like material that covers them. This damages the bark and can eventually completely kill the tree. The City Council enacted a deer culling program in 2009 in an attempt to decrease the population. The hunting was limited to Musser Park but produced only 10 total deer kills. In 2010, the City Council expanded the range of the hunting to willing private owners' land. A team of bowhunters was invited to participate in the deer eradication. This is an opportunity to help the city and also train themselves as bowhunters.
