ST. CLOUD — Population growth on St. Cloud's western and southern sides has required the city to draw new boundaries for its ward system.
St. Cloud grew by 5% from 2010 to 2020, with much of the growth in Ward 3 and Ward 4. Meanwhile, Ward 1, which includes downtown, the St. Cloud State University campus and some core neighborhoods, saw a decline in residents. But the population difference for the wards was fewer than 1,000 residents, according to Mayor Dave Kleis, so the ward system didn't require an overhaul.
"The redistricting ward map really keeps it pretty intact. It just changes some wards by blocks or streets," Kleis said.
St. Cloud has four wards, each with seven precincts. The city's seven-member council is made up of representatives from each ward, as well as three at-large members. This fall, all four ward seats are up for election.
The city must update its ward map once every decade when states redraw the borders of congressional and legislative districts after the decennial census. Updated maps show changes to the boundaries for House Districts 14A and 14B, which run through the city.
Former boundaries showed much of the northern and eastern part of the city within House District 14B, with parts of the western and southern side in 14A. The new map shows a more north-south divide with parts of the Lake George neighborhood and Southside University neighborhood moving into District 14A.
"The goal is not to separate a precinct into two legislative districts. That's why we wait for the state to draw the lines," Kleis said.
City races are nonpartisan, so Kleis does not anticipate pushback from residents on the proposed map, which the city released Wednesday. Residents can comment on the changes until March 28, when the City Council will vote whether to approve the updated map.
