Austin is a city located in Mower County, Minnesota. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 23,314. It is the county seat of Mower County. It is located along Interstate 90 in the southeastern part of the state.
The Hormel Foods Corporation is a major employer in Austin. Because of the importance of Hormel to the town's economy, Austin has put up signs calling itself SPAM Town USA, and is home to the SPAM Museum.
In the mid-1980s there was a major strike at Hormel, which resulted in the National Guard being called out. The town still remains divided over the issue of labor unions at the plant.
There have been some very large floods in the city. Some of the most notable occurred in 1978, 2000, and 2004.
Web Sites and Links
• Austin
Information about economic development, education, and quality of life in the area.
• City of AustinOfficial web site of the City of Austin, Minnesota. Information on the mayor's office, city council, parks and recreation, police department, and public library.
• YMCA of AustinChildren's swimming lessons, preschool, teen activities, adult fitness center.
