text:
Dakota County, Minnesota

Dakota County is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota, located in the east central portion of the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 439,882. The population of Dakota County was estimated to be 447,440 in 2023. The county seat is Hastings. Dakota County is named for the Dakota Sioux tribal bands who inhabited the area.

The name is recorded as "Dahkotah" in the United States Census records until 1851. Dakota County is included in the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States with about 3.71 million residents. The largest city in Dakota County is the city of Lakeville, the ninth-largest city in Minnesota and fifth-largest Twin Cities suburb. The county is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east.

History
The county was the site of historical events at Mendota that defined the state's future, including providing materials for the construction of Fort Snelling across the river and the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux which ceded land from the native Dakota nation for the Minnesota Territory. The county's history was initially tied to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, both strategically important for United States expansion and as the convergence of the Dakota and Ojibwe nations who regarded the site as sacred. Influence shifted westward during the post-World War II settlement boom when Interstate 35 connected the western half of the county to Minneapolis and Saint Paul and bedroom communities grew. Most work outside the county but like many metro counties, Dakota continues to absorb industry and jobs from the core cities.

In the 1600s, Mdewakanton Dakota fled their ancestral home of Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota in response to westward expansion of the Ojibwe nation. According to Dakota tradition, their ancestors pushed out the Iowa who were found settled at the mouth of the Minnesota River. In 1680, the Mdewakanton Dakota were contacted by French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut, and the Mendota (mdo-TE) band of the Mdewakanton south of the Minnesota River were contacted by Joseph Nicollet in the 18th century. While Taoyateduta (a.k.a. Little Crow) led the Mendota in northern Dakota County, upstream to the southwest, Chief Black Dog established his village of 600 people around 1750 at the isthmus between Black Dog Lake (which is named after him) and the Minnesota River, near the present site of the Black Dog Power Plant.

Following the published expeditions of explorers, in 1805, Zebulon Pike negotiated for military territory with the Mendota band which included land in Dakota County at the Mississippi River confluences with the Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers. In 1819, on what is now Picnic Island on the south bank of the Minnesota River, Colonel Henry Leavenworth built a stockade fort called "St. Peter's Cantonment" or "New Hope," where materials were assembled for the construction of Fort Snelling to be built on the bluff on the north bank. Permanent settlement on the island was impossible due to annual flooding. Alexis Bailey built some log buildings nearby to trade in furs in 1826. Henry Hastings Sibley later built the first stone house in Minnesota in 1836, overlooking Fort Snelling. Sibley was a partner in the American Fur Company, and considerable fur trade occurred at Mendota due to the accessibility of the confluence.

Ongoing United States expansion into the then "Northwest Territory" led to government purchase of land from the Dakota people (the Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton, and Sisseton bands) via the Treaty of St. Peters, the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, and the Treaty of Mendota in 1851. After the Minnesota Territory was established in 1849, Dakotah County (later Dakota County) spanned from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River. By the time Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, power and influence had shifted from Mendota, across the rivers to Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Hastings and South St. Paul
By 1900, the hub of activity in the county was in Hastings, the county seat, and a focal point of transportation, communication, and commerce. St. Peter's, now Mendota, had lost out to Fort Snelling. Hastings is located on the Mississippi River at the confluence of the St. Croix River and on the Vermillion River, which provided ample water power. Lumber, milling, and railroads provided good incomes. During this time, the stockyards and meat-packing plants in South St. Paul, Minnesota became the world's largest stockyards. Ranchers in the west shipped their livestock to St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. These plants were worked by immigrants from Romania, Serbia, and other Eastern European countries. The rest of the county remained agricultural during the boom of milling activity north of the Minnesota River due to lack of bridge connections. Rail access came in 1866 via the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad which shipped grain to millers. The Minneapolis St. Paul Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company line in 1905 (now the Dan Patch Corridor), was primary for passengers going to resorts in Burnsville and Lakeville.

Suburban growth
By the 1950s, population growth shifted to western Dakota county, which had been predominantly Irish and Scottish extending southward toward the Scandinavians of Southern Minnesota. As population pressures expanded south from Minneapolis and Bloomington, the completion of Interstate 35W and 35E brought about major construction in the post-World War II period, turning villages into cities within 20 years. Burnsville, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville brought over 200,000 people into the county by the end of the century. The Western and Northern Service Centers were constructed in the early 1990s each with an additional courthouse location. License centers were subsequently set up in Burnsville and Lakeville. Though pressure remained since the postwar boom to move the county seat to a larger community, the Dakota County Board maintained the seat in Hastings, while providing government services across the county.

Historic sites
The Registered Historic Places in the county include the settlement at Mendota, the homes of well-heeled residents of Hastings, the ethnic gathering places in South Saint Paul, and other sites related to life on the prairie.

Local government
Dakota County is governed by the Board of Commissioners. The members of the Board as of May 7, 2023, are:

 * Mike Slavik, District 1
 * Joe Atkins, District 2
 * Laurie Halverson, District 3
 * William Droste, District 4
 * Liz Workman, District 5
 * Mary Liz Holberg, District 6
 * Mary Hamann-Roland, District 7

Dakota County has an elected Sheriff (Joe Leko) and an elected County Attorney (Kathryn M. Keena). There are appointed boards for the library system, community development agency, and several advisory boards. Dakota County is served by an elected board of the Soil and Water Conservation District.

Politics
Dakota County voters tend to vote Democratic. Since 1960, the county has selected the Democratic Party candidate in 71% of national elections (as of 2020).

Geography
The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the river valleys. Its highest point is at Buck Hill in Burnsville, at 1,168 feet. ASL. The county has a total area of 587 sqmi, of which 562 sqmi is land and 25 sqmi (4.2%) is water.

Rivers
The northern and eastern boundaries of Dakota County are marked by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Management and jurisdiction of the rivers falls into multiple local, State and Federal agencies. Most of the Minnesota River bank is under the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with fish, wildlife, and parkland managed collectively by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District assists the county's six watershed management organizations (WMO) which include the Black Dog WMO, Gun Club Lake WMO, Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, Lower Mississippi WMO, North Cannon River WMO, and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization.
 * Mississippi River: Adjacent to Mendota Heights, Lilydale, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, and Hastings.
 * Minnesota River: Adjacent to Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, and Mendota.
 * Vermillion River: From Farmington through Empire to Hastings.
 * Cannon River: Adjacent to Randolph and through Randolph Township.

Lakes
• Burnsville

• Alimagnet Lake

• Crystal Lake

• Earley Lake

• Eagan

• Blackhawk Lake

• Fish Lake

• Holland Lake

• Jensen Lake

• Thomas Lake

• Eureka Township

• Chub Lake

• Hastings

• Lake Rebecca

• Lake Isabelle

• Spring Lake

• Bullfrog Pond

• Lakeville

• Lake Marion

• Orchard Lake

• Kingsley Lake

• Valley Lake

• Lee Lake

• Lilydale

• Pickerel Lake

• Randolph Township

• Lake Byllesby

• Ravenna Township

• Mud Hen Lakes

• Rosemount

• Keegan Lake

• West Saint Paul

• Thompson Lake

• South St. Paul

• Siedls Lake

• Apple valley

• Long Lake

• Farquar Lake

• Crystal Lake

• Keller Lake

• Alimagenet Lake

• Cobblestone Lake

Major highways

 * I-35.svg Interstate 35
 * I-35E.svg Interstate 35E
 * I-35W.svg Interstate 35W
 * I-494.svg Interstate 494
 * US 52.svg US Highway 52
 * US 61.svg US Highway 61
 * MN-3.svg Minnesota State Highway 3
 * MN-13.svg Minnesota State Highway 13
 * MN-19.svg Minnesota State Highway 19
 * MN-20.svg Minnesota State Highway 20
 * MN-50.svg Minnesota State Highway 50
 * MN-55.svg Minnesota State Highway 55
 * MN-56.svg Minnesota State Highway 56
 * MN-62.svg Minnesota State Highway 62
 * MN-77.svg Minnesota State Highway 77
 * MN-149.svg Minnesota State Highway 149
 * MN-156.svg Minnesota State Highway 156
 * MN-316.svg Minnesota State Highway 316
 * County 42 (MN).svg County Road 42
 * County 23 (MN).svg County Road 23
 * Other County Roads

Adjacent counties

 * Ramsey County - north
 * Washington County - northeast
 * Pierce County, Wisconsin - east
 * Goodhue County - southeast
 * Rice County - southwest
 * Scott County - west
 * Hennepin County - northwest

Protected areas
The following protected areas are within or partially within Dakota County:

 * Chub Lake Wildlife Management Area
 * Fort Snelling State Park (part)
 * Hastings Sand Coulee Scientific and Natural Area
 * Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (part)
 * Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part)
 * Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (part)
 * Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve (part)
 * National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington (part)
 * Spring Lake Regional Park & Park Reserve
 * Vermillion Highlands
 * Whitetail Woods Regional Park

Parks
The following parks are located within Dakota County:

 * Big Rivers Regional Trail
 * Dakota County Bikeway System
 * Dakota Woods Dog Park
 * Lake Byllesby Regional Park
 * Lebanon Hills Regional Park
 * Thompson County Park

Economy
Since the county grew as a bedroom community of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, over half of the residents (54%) work outside the county.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, Dakota County had a population of 398,552, of which 195,661 (49.1%) were male and 202,891 (50.9%) were female. In terms of age, 76.7% of the population were 16 years and over, 73.6% were 18 years and over, 70.5% were 21 years and over, 12.8% were 62 years and over, and 10.0% were 65 years and over. The median age was 36.8 years. The median age for males was 35.7; the median age for females was 37.9.

In terms of race and ethnicity, the county was 85.2% White (82.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2.4% from some other race, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 6.0% of the population.

In terms of households, 69.5% were family households and 30.5% were non-family households. Approximately 55.2% were husband-wife family households; 26% had children under 18 years of age. Approximately 36.6% of households had children under 18 years of age living in them; 18.6% had people over the age of 65 living in them. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.12. In terms of housing occupancy, 95.3% of households were occupied and 4.7% were vacant. Of the vacant housing units, 2.0% were for rent, 0.1% were rented but not occupied, 1.2% were for sale only, 0.2% were sold but not occupied, 0.5% were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, and 0.8% were all other vacants. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%. Of all occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The population in owner-occupied units was 314,833; the average household size was 2.71. The population in renter-occupied units was 80,866; the average household size was 2.26.

Education
Dakota County is home to the state's largest school districts and some of the highest paid Superintendents. Nationally recognized Independent School District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) houses 28,000 and is the fourth largest school district in the state. Other districts include Independent School District 191 (Burnsville–Eagan–Savage School District), Independent School District 194 (Lakeville–Elko–New Market), Independent School District 197 (West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan) and Independent School District 200 (Hastings).

High school

 * Apple Valley High School (ISD 196)
 * Burnsville Senior High School (ISD 191)
 * Burnsville Alternative High School (ISD 191)
 * Eagan High School (ISD 196)
 * Eastview High School (ISD 196)
 * Farmington Senior High School (ISD 192)
 * Hastings Area Alternative School & Learning Center (ISD 200)
 * Hastings High School (ISD 200)
 * Two Rivers High School (ISD 197)
 * Lakeville North High School (ISD 194)
 * Lakeville South High School (ISD 194)
 * Rosemount High School (ISD 196)
 * School of Environmental Studies (ISD 196)
 * Simley High School (ISD 199)
 * South Saint Paul High School (SSD 6)

Junior high school

 * Black Hawk Middle School (ISD 196)
 * Boeckman Middle School (ISD 192)
 * Century Middle School (ISD 194)
 * Dakota Hills Middle (ISD 196)
 * Dodge Middle School (ISD 192)
 * Friendly Hills Middle School (ISD 197)
 * Gateway Academy (ISD 192)
 * Hastings Middle School (ISD 200)
 * Heritage E-STEM Magnet School (ISD 197)
 * John Metcalf Junior High School (ISD 191)
 * Joseph Nicollet Junior High School (ISD 191)
 * Kenwood Trail Middle School (ISD 194)
 * Levi P. Dodge Middle School (ISD 192)
 * McGuire Middle School (ISD 194)
 * Robert Boeckman Middle School (ISD 192)
 * Rosemount Middle School (ISD 196)
 * Scott Highlands Middle School (ISD 196)
 * South Saint Paul Secondary (SSD 6)
 * Valley Middle School (ISD 196)

Elementary school

 * Akin Road Elementary (ISD 192)
 * Cedar Park Elementary School (ISD 196)
 * Cherry View Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Christa McAuliffe Elementary (ISD 200)
 * Christina Huddleston Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Cooper Elementary (ISD 200)
 * Deerwood Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Diamond Path Elementary (ISD 196)
 * East Lake Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Eastview Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Echo Park Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Edward D. Neill Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Farmington Elementary (ISD 192)
 * Garlough Environmental Magnet School (ISD 197)
 * Gideon Pond Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Glacier Hills Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Greenleaf Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Highland Elementary (ISD 196)
 * John F. Kennedy Elementary (ISD 194)
 * Kaposia Education Center (SSD 6)
 * Lake Marion Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Lakeview Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Lincoln Center Elementary (SSD 6)
 * Meadowview Elementary (ISD 192)
 * Mendota Elementary School (ISD 197)
 * Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School (ISD 197)
 * North Trail Elementary (ISD 192)
 * Northview Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Oak Hills Elementary School (ISD 194)
 * Oak Ridge Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Orchard Lake Elementary (ISD 194)
 * Parkview Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Pilot Knob STEM Magnet School (ISD 197)
 * Pinecrest Elementary (ISD 200)
 * Pinewood Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Rahn Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Red Pine Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Riverview Elementary (ISD 192)
 * Rosemount Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Shannon Park (ISD 196)
 * Sioux Trail Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Sky Oaks Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Somerset Elementary School (ISD 197)
 * Southview Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Thomas Lake Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Tilden Elementary (ISD 200)
 * Vista View Elementary (ISD 191)
 * William Byrne Elementary (ISD 191)
 * Westview Elementary (ISD 196)
 * Woodland Elementary (ISD 196)

Other schools

 * Saint Joseph Catholic School (pre-kindergarten–8th grade)
 * St. Croix Lutheran High School and Middle School
 * Holy Trinity Catholic School (pre-kindergarten–8th grade)
 * Faithful Shepherd Catholic School (pre-kindergarten-8th grade)

Colleges and universities

 * Dakota County Technical College
 * Inver Hills Community College

Libraries

 * Burnhaven Library in Burnsville
 * Farmington Library in Farmington
 * Galaxie Library in Apple Valley
 * Heritage Library in Lakeville
 * Inver Glen Library in Inver Grove Heights
 * Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings
 * Robert Trail Library in Rosemount
 * Kaposia Library in South St. Paul
 * Wentworth Library in West St. Paul
 * Wescott Library in Eagan

Communities
Dakota County is home to sites significant in the state's early history. At Mendota, the Treaty of Mendota was signed, opening Southern Minnesota to settlement, and prominent Saint Paul businessmen built their mansions there. Though linked with the state's capital for much of history via rail, Dakota County owes much of its current growth to the expansion of Minneapolis' population which accelerated during the post-World War II boom era of the 1960s. This demand for housing along with two major interstate highways linking Minneapolis (I-35W) and St. Paul (I-35E) to the county, concentrated major growth and demand along the northern end. Today, the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul are synonymous with the Twin Cities, as being part of "the Cities." Both Burnsville and Eagan are nearly developed and have become more like independent cities attracting major development than mere residential bedroom suburbs.

In contrast, the southern part of Dakota County reflects the rural past with small towns such as Farmington, Coates, Vermillion, Hampton, Randolph, and Miesville where street grids and housing dating from the early 20th century can be found. Much of the county is self-contained except for two examples. The City of Hastings, the county seat, lies on both banks of the Mississippi River and was linked historically and physically by rail to the growing influence of the state's capital, Saint Paul. On the south border, the City of Northfield, technically in Rice County, has expanded north into Dakota however the city itself is allowed into the municipal sewer boundary.

Though all of Dakota County is considered part of the metropolitan area and open to major development, the county government has steadily preserved farmland and continues to acquire new permanent natural lands in the southern townships. This has further defined the boundaries between urbanized and rural which is starkly visible in the outskirts of the developed cities. While the center of population still lies north with more cosmopolitan residents, culturally Dakota County is a rural community and the Dakota County Fair is still a largely agricultural event, held annually in Farmington.

Most of northern Dakota County is referred to as "South of the River" for its location being south of the Minnesota River.

Cities (2021 population estimate)

 * Apple Valley 55,638
 * Burnsville 63,943
 * Coates 142
 * Eagan 68,642
 * Empire 2,444
 * Farmington 23,534
 * Hampton 736
 * Hastings (partly in Washington County) 21,925
 * Inver Grove Heights 35,541
 * Lakeville 72,812
 * Lilydale 800
 * Mendota 183
 * Mendota Heights 11,665
 * Miesville 134
 * New Trier 83
 * Northfield (mostly in Rice County) 20,709
 * Randolph 464
 * Rosemount 26,642
 * South St. Paul 20,536
 * Sunfish Lake 523
 * Vermillion 439
 * West St. Paul 20,822

Unincorporated communities

 * Castle Rock
 * Etter
 * Eureka Center
 * Waterford

Ghost towns

 * Lewiston
 * Nininger

Townships

 * Castle Rock Township
 * Douglas Township
 * Eureka Township
 * Greenvale Township
 * Hampton Township
 * Marshan Township
 * Nininger Township
 * Randolph Township
 * Ravenna Township
 * Sciota Township
 * Vermillion Township
 * Waterford Township

Notable people

 * Pierce Butler, United States Supreme Court justice
 * Ignatius Donnelly, politician
 * Steven Engler, politician
 * David Knutson, Minnesota State Senator of District 37, 2003-2004
 * William Gates LeDuc, pioneer, politician, brevet brigadier general
 * Henry Hastings Sibley, first Governor of Minnesota
 * Harold Stassen (R), Former Governor of Minnesota, Aide to Adm. Bull Halsey, Aide to President Dwight Eisenhower, Participant/Drafter of the United Nations Charter

title: Dakota County, Minnesota


text:
Crow Wing County, Minnesota

Crow Wing County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 66,123. Its county seat is Brainerd. The county was formed in 1857, and was organized in 1870.

Crow Wing County is included in the Brainerd, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
This area was long occupied by the Ojibwe people, also known as Chippewa. In addition, numerous Dakota people lived in central and southern Minnesota before European settlement. European Americans established a trading post by 1837 in this area, on the east side of the Mississippi River opposite the mouth of the Crow Wing River. The post (named Crow Wing) soon became a center of trading with the region's Native Americans, with a general-supply store that served the area. By 1866, the village contained about 600 whites and Chippewa; it was a major population center. The territorial government enacted the county's creation on May 23, 1857, and named Crow Wing the county seat. The governmental structure of the county was not effected until March 3, 1870. The county was named for the river, which is named for an island in the river that resembles a crow's wing.

Brainerd township was founded in 1870 when the Northern Pacific Railroad selected the site for a crossing of the Mississippi River. It attracted development and population, soon surpassing Crow Wing. It was also designated as the new county seat, drawing off more residents and businesses from what became known as a ghost town, Old Crow Wing. Crow Wing State Park encompasses much of the former village site along the river.

Brainerd City was incorporated on November 19, 1881, named for Lawrence Brainerd, the father-in-law of J. Gregory Smith, the first president of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Smith served as governor of Vermont from 1863 to 1865 before moving west. He is called the father and founder of Brainerd. Lawrence Brainerd was the first president of the Vermont Central Railroad. The Northern Pacific Railroad ran a special train as its first service to Brainerd on March 11, 1871. Its regular passenger service began the next September. The first passenger train from the Twin Cities, by way of Sauk Rapids, arrived on November 1, 1877.

On February 18, 1887, the Minnesota legislature annexed part of Cass County (west of the Mississippi) to Crow Wing County, which doubled the former area of Crow Wing County.

Geography
Crow Wing County has an area of 1157 sqmi, of which 999 sqmi is land and 157 sqmi (14%) is water.

Topography and vegetation
Crow Wing County has two state forests, the Crow Wing State Forest and the Emily State Forest. The Cuyuna Lakes State Trail lies in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The topography is gently rolling to flat, mostly wooded and heavily dotted with waters and wetlands. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, coyote, mink, muskrat, squirrels, beaver, occasional American black bear, Bald eagle, osprey and many other waterfowl.

Lakes and rivers
The main river is the Mississippi River, and there are several smaller streams. It has about 417 recognized lakes. The top ten by size are:
 * 1) Gull Lake – 9419 acre
 * 2) Pelican Lake – 8254 acre
 * 3) Upper and Lower White Fish Lake – 7372 acre
 * 4) North Long Lake – 5997 acre
 * 5) Lake Edward – 2576 acre
 * 6) Bay Lake – 2393 acre
 * 7) Cross Lake – 1752 acre
 * 8) Round Lake – 1645 acre
 * 9) Big Trout Lake – 1343 acre
 * 10) Lower South Long Lake – 1312 acre

Major highways

 * [[Image:US_169_(MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Route 169
 * [[Image:MN-6.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 6
 * [[Image:MN-18.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 18
 * [[Image:MN-25.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 25
 * [[Image:MN-210.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 210
 * [[Image:MN-371.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 371

Adjacent counties

 * Aitkin County – northeast
 * Mille Lacs County – southeast
 * Morrison County – southwest
 * Cass County – northwest, north

Protected areas

 * Crow Wing State Forest
 * Crow Wing State Park (part)
 * Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
 * Cuyuna Lakes State Trail (within Cuyuna Country SRA)
 * Duck Lakes State Wildlife Management Area
 * Emily State Forest
 * Loerch State Wildlife Management Area
 * Mille Lacs Moraine Scientific and Natural Area
 * Safari North Wildlife Park
 * Upper Dean State Wildlife Management Area

Superfund site and environmental damage
The presence of railroads increased development in the county, but also brought environmental problems. The Burlington Northern (Brainerd/Baxter) EPA Superfund site is between Brainerd and Baxter. Burlington Northern Railroad had a treatment plant in Crow Wing County for railroad ties, to protect the wood from weather and insects. Wastewater generated from the wood-treating process was sent to two shallow, unlined ponds. This created sludge that contaminated both the underlying soils and the groundwater with creosote and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 55,099 people, 22,250 households, and 15,174 families in the county. The population density was 55.2 /mi2. There were 33,483 housing units at an average density of 33.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.64% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.5% were of German, 16.4% Norwegian, 9.4% Swedish, 6.2% Irish and 5.2% American ancestry.

There were 22,250 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.93.

The county population contained 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,589, and the median income for a family was $44,847. Males had a median income of $33,838 versus $22,896 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,174. About 6.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Baxter
 * Brainerd (county seat)
 * Breezy Point
 * Crosby
 * Crosslake
 * Cuyuna
 * Deerwood
 * Emily
 * Fifty Lakes
 * Fort Ripley
 * Garrison
 * Ironton
 * Jenkins
 * Manhattan Beach
 * Nisswa
 * Pequot Lakes
 * Riverton
 * Trommald

Census-designated place

 * Merrifield

Unincorporated communities

 * Barrows
 * Bay Lake
 * Crosby Beach
 * Crow Wing
 * Ideal Corners
 * Iron Hub
 * Klondyke
 * Lake Hubert
 * Legionville
 * Little Pine
 * Loerch
 * Mission
 * Old Crow Wing (ghost town)
 * Pine Center
 * Saint Mathias
 * Shephard
 * Swanburg
 * Wolford
 * Woodrow

Townships

 * Bay Lake Township
 * Center Township
 * Crow Wing Township
 * Daggett Brook Township
 * Deerwood Township
 * Fairfield Township
 * Fort Ripley Township
 * Gail Lake Township
 * Garrison Township
 * Ideal Township
 * Irondale Township
 * Jenkins Township
 * Lake Edwards Township
 * Little Pine Township
 * Long Lake Township
 * Maple Grove Township
 * Mission Township
 * Nokay Lake Township
 * Oak Lawn Township
 * Pelican Township
 * Perry Lake Township
 * Platte Lake Township
 * Rabbit Lake Township
 * Roosevelt Township
 * Ross Lake Township
 * Saint Mathias Township
 * Sibley Township (former)
 * Timothy Township
 * Wolford Township

Unorganized territories

 * Dean Lake
 * West Crow Wing

Government and politics
Crow Wing County has voted Republican for several decades. In only one presidential election since 1976 has the county selected the Democratic candidate.

Education
School districts include:
 * Aitkin Public School District
 * Brainerd Public School District
 * Crosby-Ironton Public School District
 * Little Falls Public School District
 * Onamia Public School District
 * Pequot Lakes Public Schools
 * Pierz Public School District
 * Pine River-Backus Public School District

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Crow Wing County, Minnesota


text:
Cottonwood County, Minnesota

Cottonwood County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,517. Its county seat is Windom.

History
The county was created on May 23, 1857, named for the river in Germantown Township ("cottonwood" is the English meaning of the Dakota Sioux word "Waraju"). Minnesota Governor Horace Austin appointed three county commissioners when the county was established. They met at a home about six miles northwest of Windom on the Des Moines River at Big Bend. During this meeting, they designated the commissioners' districts and changed various county officers. The county organization was completed on July 29, 1870. The first general election was held in the county that November. The first deed of record was filed on January 10, 1870. The first land assessments were made in 1871, and the first taxes were paid in 1872.

County NRHP listings

 * The Cottonwood County Courthouse (1904), an example of Neoclassical architecture, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
 * Mountain Park, southeast of Mountain Lake, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. A 1976 archeological dig unearthed evidence of a Fox Indian habitation there circa 500 B.C., the oldest human habitation to be discovered in Minnesota.
 * The Jeffers Petroglyphs, near Jeffers, contain pre-European Native American rock carvings. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
The Heron Lake Outflow flows east through the lower part of Cottonwood County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture. The terrain generally slopes to the east, with the northern portion also sloping north and the lower portion sloping south. The highest point is on the midpoint of the west border, at 1,535 ft ASL. The county has an area of 649 sqmi, of which 639 sqmi is land and 10 sqmi (1.5%) is water.

Watersheds
The northeastern part of the county drains north to the Minnesota River through numerous small creeks, the Cottonwood River and Watonwan River. The southwestern part drains south through the Des Moines River. These two watersheds come together at the Mississippi River near Keokuk, Iowa. Most wetlands in the county have been drained for agricultural use.

Lakes
Source:

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 71.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 71
 * [[Image:MN-30.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 30
 * [[Image:MN-60.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 60
 * [[Image:MN-62.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 62

Adjacent counties

 * Redwood County - north
 * Brown County - northeast
 * Watonwan County - east
 * Jackson County - south
 * Nobles County - southwest
 * Murray County -west

Protected areas
Source:

 * Arnolds Lake WMA
 * Banks WMA
 * Bennett WMA
 * Blixseth WPA
 * Budolfson WMA
 * Carpenter WMA
 * Clear Lake WPA
 * Cottonwood Lake WPA
 * Delft State Wildlife Management Area
 * Des Moines River WPA
 * Dynamite Park
 * Expandere WMA
 * Farhagen WMA
 * Harder Lake WPA
 * Hurricane Lake WMA
 * Lady Bird County Park
 * Lake Augusta WPA
 * Little Swan Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Long Lake WPA
 * Mound Creek County Park
 * Mountain County Park
 * Mountain Lake WMA
 * Mountain Lake WPA
 * Pats Grove County Park
 * Pats Pasture WMA
 * Pennington Prairie SNA
 * Regehr State Wildlife Management Area
 * Red Rock Falls County Park
 * Rock Ridge Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
 * Rock Ridge WMA
 * South Dutch Charlie County Park
 * String Lakes WMA
 * Storden WPA
 * Talcot County Park
 * Talcot Lake WMA
 * Typhoon WMA
 * Voit WMA
 * Watonwan WPA
 * Wolf Lake WPA

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,167 people, 4,917 households, and 3,338 families in the county. The population density was 19.0 /mi2. There were 5,376 housing units at an average density of 8.41 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.23% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 2.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 50.2% were of German and 18.6% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 4,917 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.94.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 22.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,943, and the median income for a family was $40,237. Males had a median income of $28,993 versus $19,934 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,647. About 7.40% of families and 11.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Cottonwood County reliably votes Republican. In only one presidential election since 1964 has it selected the Democratic candidate.

Cities

 * Bingham Lake
 * Comfrey (partial)
 * Jeffers
 * Mountain Lake
 * Storden
 * Westbrook
 * Windom (county seat)

Unincorporated community

 * Delft

Townships

 * Amboy Township
 * Amo Township
 * Ann Township
 * Carson Township
 * Dale Township
 * Delton Township
 * Germantown Township
 * Great Bend Township
 * Highwater Township
 * Lakeside Township
 * Midway Township
 * Mountain Lake Township
 * Rose Hill Township
 * Selma Township
 * Southbrook Township
 * Springfield Township
 * Storden Township
 * Westbrook Township

title: Cottonwood County, Minnesota


text:
Cook County, Minnesota

Cook County is the easternmost county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,600, making it Minnesota's seventh-least populous county. Its county seat is Grand Marais. The Grand Portage Indian Reservation is in the county.

History
Ojibwe people were early inhabitants of this area. The first non-indigenous people to explore the area were French fur traders, a few of whom settled in the area. By the 1830s, the French population was a few dozen. In the 1830s, settlers began arriving from New England and from upstate New York. The completion of the Erie Canal (1825) and the settling of the Black Hawk War (1831) made migration easier.

Most of Cook County's 1830s settlers came from Orange County, Vermont and Down East Maine (modern day Washington County and Hancock County). Most were fishermen and farmers. By 1845 the future Cook County contained 350 people of European descent; by 1874 there were about 2,000. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church, Methodist, and Baptist churches. By 1900 there were about 3,000 people in Cook County.

The first decade of the 20th century saw a large influx of Europeans from Germany, Scandinavia, and Ireland. These waves introduced Lutheranism and Catholicism to Cook County.

The county was created on March 9, 1874. It was named for Territorial and State Senator Michael Cook.

Geography
Cook County is a rugged, heavily wooded triangle of land on Minnesota's northeastern tip. It abuts Canada's southern border and is largely surrounded by the northern end of the Great Lakes. It is heavily dotted with lakes, ponds and streams. The state's highest point is in the county, at 2,301 ft ASL. The county has an area of 3340 sqmi, of which 1452 sqmi is land and 1887 sqmi (57%) is water. It is Minnesota's second-largest county by area. Minnesota's highest natural point, Eagle Mountain at 2301 ft, and the highest lake, Lake Abita at 2048 ft, are in Cook County. Lake Superior is at the county's southern border.

Major highways

 * [[Image:MN-61.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 61
 * [[Image:Cook County 12 MN.svg|20px]] Cook County Road 12 – Gunflint Trail

Adjacent counties
Cook County is in the extreme northeast of the state at the tip of the Arrowhead region; it is adjacent to only one other county by land. Its geographic neighbors are:
 * Rainy River District, Ontario Canada - northwest
 * Thunder Bay District, Ontario Canada - northeast (EST Border east of the 90th meridian west)
 * Lake County - west
 * Ashland County, Wisconsin - south
 * Keweenaw County, Michigan - east/EST Border
 * Ontonagon County, Michigan - southeast/EST Border

Protected areas

 * Cascade River State Park
 * Grand Portage National Monument
 * Judge C. R. Magney State Park
 * Kodunce River State Wayside Area
 * North Shore State Trail (part)
 * Pat Bayle State Forest
 * Superior National Forest (part)
 * Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (part)
 * Temperance River State Park

Climate
Northern Minnesota offers extreme winter weather. While the averages are low, the extremes provide more details. A third of the year is below freezing (31.9%, 116 days, or 4 months). Of those days, 21 are below zero degrees Fahrenheit (−17.8 °C).

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,168 people, 2,350 households, and 1,438 families in the county. The population density was 3.56 /mi2. There were 4,708 housing units at an average density of 3.24 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.45% White, 7.59% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.6% were of German, 17.7% Norwegian, 11.5% Swedish, 7.2% Irish and 5.4% English ancestry.

There were 2,350 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.73.

The county population contained 20.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.5 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,640, and the median income for a family was $47,132. Males had a median income of $31,211 versus $23,650 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,775. About 8.1% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

City

 * Grand Marais (county seat)

Census-designated place

 * Lutsen

Unincorporated communities

 * Croftville
 * Grand Portage
 * Hovland
 * Maple Hill
 * Martin Landing
 * Mineral Center
 * Pigeon River
 * Schroeder
 * Taconite Harbor
 * Tofte

Townships

 * Lutsen Township
 * Schroeder Township
 * Tofte Township

Unorganized territories

 * East Cook
 * Grand Portage
 * West Cook

Ghost towns

 * Chippewa City
 * Colvill

Government and politics
Cook County was a Republican-leaning bellwether in all but four elections from 1900 to 2000, with the exceptions being 1912, 1960, 1976 (by only 16 votes), and 1988 (by only 2 votes). The county was one of the rare white-majority rural counties to have its margin increase for Joe Biden in 2020 relative to Barack Obama's 2012 margin, with 65 percent of voters choosing the Democratic nominee. In both 2016 and 2020, it was the largest county by area in the contiguous states where Trump lost every precinct, although several counties in Hawaii and county equivalents in western Alaska and the northern Panhandle beat it in both elections.

title: Cook County, Minnesota


text:
Clearwater County, Minnesota

Clearwater County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,524. Its county seat is Bagley.

Clearwater County is home to Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River. Parts of the Red Lake and White Earth Indian reservations extend into the county.

Geography
The Red Lake River flows west out of Red Lake across the top of Clearwater County on its way to discharge into the Red River at Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Clearwater River flows west-southwest across the central part of the county on its way to discharge into the Red Lake River. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds. The terrain slopes to the north, with the highest point on the lower west boundary, at 1,781 ft ASL. The county has an area of 1030 sqmi, of which 999 sqmi is land and 31 sqmi (3.0%) is water. The county's high point, just south of Scoop Lake, is one of a few places to exceed 2000 feet in Minnesota, rising to 2005 feet at 47.2318°N, -95.5034°W.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 2
 * [[Image:MN-1.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 1
 * [[Image:MN-92.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 92
 * [[Image:MN-113.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 113
 * [[Image:MN-200.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 200
 * [[Image:MN-223.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 223

Adjacent counties

 * Beltrami County - northeast
 * Hubbard County - southeast
 * Becker County - south
 * Mahnomen County - southwest
 * Polk County - west
 * Pennington County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Bagley Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Clearwater State Wildlife Management Area
 * Iron Springs Bog SNA
 * Itasca State Park (part)
 * Jackson Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Little Pine State Wildlife Management Area
 * Lower Rice Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Old Red Lake Trail State Wildlife Management Area
 * Upper Rice Lake State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years average temperatures in Bagley have ranged from a low of -15 °F in January to a high of 85 °F in July, with a record low of -53 °F recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 103 °F recorded in August 1976. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.64 in in December to 4.62 in in June.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,423 people, 3,330 households, and 2,287 families in the county. The population density was 8.43 /mi2. There were 4,114 housing units at an average density of 4.12 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.26% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 8.58% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.6% were of Norwegian, 15.6% German, 6.5% Swedish, and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 3,330 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,517, and the median income for a family was $39,698. Males had a median income of $29,338 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,694. About 11.00% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Bagley (county seat)
 * Clearbrook
 * Gonvick
 * Leonard
 * Shevlin

Census-designated places

 * Ebro
 * Elbow Lake
 * Rice Lake
 * Roy Lake
 * South End

Unincorporated communities

 * Alida
 * Big Bear Landing
 * Bonga Landing
 * Bush Landing
 * Lake Itasca
 * Mallard
 * Ponsford Landing
 * Vern
 * Weme
 * Zerkel

Townships

 * Bear Creek Township
 * Clover Township
 * Copley Township
 * Dudley Township
 * Eddy Township
 * Falk Township
 * Greenwood Township
 * Hangaard Township
 * Holst Township
 * Itasca Township
 * La Prairie Township
 * Leon Township
 * Long Lost Lake Township
 * Minerva Township
 * Moose Creek Township
 * Nora Township
 * Pine Lake Township
 * Popple Township
 * Rice Township
 * Shevlin Township
 * Sinclair Township
 * Winsor Township

Unorganized territories

 * North Clearwater
 * South Clearwater

Government and politics
From 1932 to 1996, Clearwater County voted for the Democratic nominee all but twice, both during nationwide Republican landslides, Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. Though the county went Democrat in the subsequent three elections, Reagan's victory foreshadowed the changing political landscape of the county, as the margins for Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton were much reduced compared to the prior decades, as Dukakis won the county by only 6 votes in 1988 and Clinton won by less than 7.5% in both of his successful runs for the presidency. Beginning in 2000, Clearwater County has voted Republican in each election, and the only time the margin got under 10% was in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to win over 60% of the county's vote since 1928, defeating Hillary Clinton by an astounding 43%. In 2020, Trump increased his vote share again, defeating Joe Biden in the county by 45%. It was the best Republican performance in the county's history outside of its inaugural election in 1904 for Theodore Roosevelt.

title: Clearwater County, Minnesota


text:
Chisago County, Minnesota

Chisago County is a county in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county covers an area of 442 mi2 and, as of the 2020 Census, had a population of 56,621 people. It is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The county's largest city is North Branch. Within Chisago County is the Chisago Lakes area, which includes the combined areas of Shafer, Chisago City, Lindström, and Center City. Center City is the county seat.

The county has a diverse economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.

Early history
Before the arrival of European settlers, the area that is now Chisago County was home to the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The Dakota lived in the southern part of the county and the Ojibwe in the northern part.

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, French fur traders who traveled south from Lake Superior established trading posts along the river, extending as far south as Taylors Falls.

European Settlement
The first European settlers arrived in the Chisago County area in the early 1800s. Most of them were of Swedish descent, and they came in search of land and new opportunities. They established small farms and communities throughout the county. Many Swedes emigrated seeking religious freedom from the oppressive Lutheran Church of Sweden. However, the majority left for reasons other than religious repression and still identified as Lutherans. The early Swedish churches in Minnesota, like the Chisago Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Center City, were initially lay-led due to the absence of ordained clergy.

In the mid-1800s, the area that is now Chisago County was part of the Minnesota Territory, and it was not officially established as a county until 1851. It took its name from the Chisago Lake. In its aboriginal form it was "Ki-chi-saga", from two Ojibwe words: "kichi" (large) and "saga" (fair or lovely).

The county seat was originally in Taylors Falls, but was relocated to Chisago City in 1865. It took three more years before the legislature approved this relocation and voters approved it in a referendum. The move was later challenged in the courts on allegations of election fraud, resulting in a two-year delay before the state Supreme Court validated the results.

Progressive Era
During the Progressive Era, widespread reform movements resonated throughout Minnesota, significantly impacting regions such as Chisago County. This county's distinct approach to education can be primarily attributed to its homogeneous population and the unique structure of local governance. This uniformity allowed the school boards in Chisago County to effectively control external influences through their selection of teachers.

Nearly 70% of Chisago County voters supported Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.

Economic growth
Chisago County's early economy was based on farming, logging, and mining. The county was rich in natural resources, and its forests and mines attracted many settlers to the area. As the county grew, it became a hub of commerce and trade, with many businesses and industries establishing themselves in the area. Records of early businesses in Chisago County are recorded in Lindströmsjö.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the county's economy shifted toward manufacturing and industry. The county was home to many factories and mills, including sawmills, flour mills, and paper mills. These industries helped fuel the county's growth and prosperity, and they remain an important part of the county's economy.

Modern era
Today, Chisago County has a diverse economy. It is home to several manufacturing companies, including the Anderson Corporation, a major producer of windows and doors. Agriculture is also an essential part of the local economy, with crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat grown in the county. Tourism is also a significant industry in the county, with visitors drawn to the Chisago Lakes area's recreational opportunities.

The county has retained and continues to celebrate much of its Swedish heritage.

Geography
Chisago County lies on Minnesota's eastern border, abutting the western border of Wisconsin (across the Saint Croix River). The Saint Croix flows south-southeast along the county's eastern border. The Sunrise River flows north through the county's central part, collecting the waters of the North Branch Sunrise River and Hay Creek before discharging into the St. Croix at the county's eastern boundary. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point near the northwest corner, at 1,017 ft ASL. The county has an area of 442 sqmi, of which 415 sqmi is land and 28 sqmi (6.2%) is water.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-35.svg|20px]] Interstate 35
 * [[Image:US 8.svg|20px]] US Highway 8
 * [[Image:US 61.svg|20px]] US Highway 61
 * [[Image:MN-95.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 95
 * [[Image:MN-243.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 243
 * List of county roads

Adjacent counties

 * Pine County - north
 * Burnett County, Wisconsin - northeast
 * Polk County, Wisconsin - east
 * Washington County - south
 * Anoka County - southwest
 * Isanti County - west
 * Kanabec County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Fish Lake County Park
 * Franconia Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area
 * Interstate State Park
 * Lawrence Creek Scientific and Natural Area
 * Ojiketa Regional Park
 * Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)
 * Wild River State Park

Climate and weather
Chisago County has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with long, cold winters and warm summers. The average high temperature in the summer is around 80 °F, while the average low temperature in the winter is around 5 °F.

A record low of -38 °F was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F was recorded in July 1988.

The county's location in the Upper Midwest region of the United States exposes it to a wide range of weather patterns, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and blizzards. The county experiences moderate precipitation throughout the year, with an average annual rainfall of 30 in and an average annual snowfall of 47 in. Spring is the most active season for severe weather, with thunderstorms and tornadoes common. Winter storms are common during the winter, with heavy snowfall and blizzards.

Chisago County has many lakes and wetlands, which significantly affect its weather and climate. It has over 100 lakes, the largest being North and South Center Lakes, Green Lake, and Chisago Lake. The lakes and wetlands moderate temperatures by absorbing heat during the summer and releasing it during the winter.

Demographics
According to the most recent census data, Chisago County's population is 56,621, making it Minnesota's 18th-most populous county. 52.1% of residents are male and 47.9% are female. The average family size in Chisago County was 3.05 persons, and 62.2% of households were married-couple families.

95.4% of residents have at least a high school education, and 22.2% have attained a bachelor's degree or higher. 4.9% are veterans.

Race and ethnicity
Historically, Chisago County has been overwhelmingly populated by non-Hispanic Whites. Since 2000, it has been home to a small but growing Black, Asian, and Hispanic population.

Ancestry
The most common ancestries in Chisago County are German, English, Swedish, Irish and Norwegian.

Nativity
In 2021, 97.9% of residents were born in the United States, and 78.5% had been born in Minnesota. Among the foreign-born population, 56.5% were naturalized U.S. citizens. 97.1% of residents spoke only English at home.

From the late 19th to mid-20th century, a majority of the foreign-born population was born in Sweden. As of 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 1,174 people were foreign born, or 2.06% of the total population. Of these, about 40% were born in Asia, 30% in Latin America, 15% in Canada, 10% in Europe, and 5% in Africa.

Religion

The 2020 U.S. Religion Census conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies found that 7,549 Chisago County residents were affiliated with the Catholic Church, 6,098 with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and 2,975 with the Assemblies of God.

A notable religious building in Chisago County is the Chisago Lake Lutheran Church. The church was founded in 1890 and has been in Center City since 1906. It is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Another prominent religious building in the county is the First United Methodist Church of Lindström. The church has served the community for over 130 years.

The Church of St. Joseph in Taylors Falls is a Catholic church that was founded in 1854. The current building was constructed in 1896.

Transportation
Among workers 16 years and older, 80.3% commuted to work by car, 9.0% carpooled, 1.6% used public transit, and 2.2% walked, biked, or used some other method. 7.0% worked from home. The median household income was $86,900, slightly above the state average. 6.4% of residents lived below the poverty line, and 2.5% were unemployed. 86.4% of housing in the county was owner-occupied.

Education

 * Chisago Lakes High School
 * North Branch Area High School
 * Rush City High School

Cities

 * Center City (county seat)
 * Chisago City
 * Harris
 * Lindström
 * North Branch
 * Rush City
 * Shafer
 * Stacy
 * Taylors Falls
 * Wyoming

Unincorporated communities

 * Almelund
 * Franconia
 * Palmdale
 * Rush Point
 * Stark
 * Sunrise

Townships

 * Amador Township
 * Chisago Lake Township
 * Fish Lake Township
 * Franconia Township
 * Lent Township
 * Nessel Township
 * Rushseba Township
 * Shafer Township
 * Sunrise Township
 * Wyoming Township (former, now defunct)

Culture

Chisago County is strongly influenced by the German, Swedish and Norwegian immigrants who settled there in the mid-19th century. It provided the setting for much of Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg's suite of novels The Emigrants in the 1950s, and Moberg engaged in both archival and oral history research for his books to recreate the area's early Swedish immigration. Sculptor Ian Dudley's bronze statue of Moberg stands in Chisago City's park. Moberg's fictional characters Karl-Oskar and Kristina Nilsson from Ljuder parish in Småland settled around Lake Ki-Chi-Saga (from the Ojibwe Ki-chi-saga-igun, or Gichi-zaaga'igan in contemporary spelling), meaning "big lake with an outlet", which was later shortened to Lake Chisago. The annual Karl Oskar Days in Lindström honor the early settlers' heritage.

Government
The County Board, comprising five members, is responsible for setting policies and making laws in the county. Its members are elected from specific regions and serve four-year terms in a rotating manner.

The County Board sets the county tax rate, adopts the budget, appoints boards and commissions, approves grants and personnel actions, and oversees the administration of county government.

The Chisago County Court Administrator's Office is responsible for maintaining records, managing case flow, overseeing jury management, and collecting fines for all District Court cases in the county. These cases encompass various types, such as juvenile, civil, family, probate, criminal, and conciliation court cases. Chisago County accommodates three chambered judges in a full-time capacity, and is part of the 10th Judicial District, which comprises eight counties and 45 judges. Any judge in this district may preside over cases in Chisago County.

Politics
Chisago County has trended conservative in recent state and federal elections, backing every Republican nominee for president since 2000.

title: Chisago County, Minnesota


text:
Chippewa County, Minnesota

Chippewa County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,598. Its county seat is Montevideo. The county was formed in 1862, and was organized in 1868.

History
Chippewa County was organized on March 5, 1868, after having been part of Renville County. The northern boundary change separating it from Swift County led to reorganization on February 18, 1870. The first three county commissioners, appointed by the governor, were Daniel S. Wilkins, Ole Thorson and M. Davidson. The county commissioners first met at Wilkins's cabin on January 9, 1869. Wilkins was appointed chairman of the board. The first officers appointed were J.D. Baker as auditor; J.C. Eldred as register of deeds; Samuel J. Sargant as treasurer; George W. Daniels as judge of probate; Edward Alcorn as sheriff; J.D. Baker as superintendent of schools; Horace W. Griggs as coroner; George W. Frink as justice of the peace; and F.W. Palmer and M. Morris as constables.

County seat
Chippewa City was the first village to be laid out in Chippewa County. It was on the west side of the Chippewa River, just north of the confluence with the Minnesota River. Daniel S. Wilkins was the first settler to arrive in 1865, and he laid out Chippewa City in autumn 1868. Wilkins's cabin there was the location of the first county commissioners' meeting.

George W. Frink arrived in Chippewa County in 1867 and made claim to land on the east side of the Chippewa River, where he built a log house in Montevideo. With towns on both sides of the river, there was debate over which should be the county seat. L. R. Moyer reported that some men from Montevideo went to Chippewa City and took the county records, "lock, stock and barrel". They also stole the post office, and G. W. Fink was named postmaster. The state of Minnesota legalized the move and Montevideo remains the county seat.

Geography
The upper part of the county's western boundary is formed by the outline of Lac qui Parle reservoir, which was formed when the Minnesota River was dammed in 1939. The Minnesota River flows southeast from the lake, along the county's southwestern border, while the Chippewa River flows south through the western part of the county to discharge into the Minnesota at the county's southern border. The Dry Weather Creek drains the west-central part of the county into the Chippewa, while the Palmer Creek drains the lower central part of the county into the Minnesota near the county's southernmost point. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture. The terrain generally slopes to the south, and locally to the river valleys. The county's highest point is near its southeastern corner, section 23 of Rheiderland Township, at 1,142 ft The county has a total area of 588 sqmi, of which 581 sqmi is land and 6.7 sqmi (1.1%) is water.

Lakes

 * Carlton Lake
 * Long Lake
 * Norboro Lake
 * Round Lake
 * Shakopee Lake
 * Watson Sag

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 59.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 59
 * [[Image:US 212 (MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 212
 * [[Image:MN-7.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 7
 * [[Image:MN-23.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 23
 * [[Image:MN-29.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 29
 * [[Image:MN-40.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 40

Adjacent counties

 * Swift County - north
 * Kandiyohi County - northeast
 * Renville County - southeast
 * Yellow Medicine County - southwest
 * Lac qui Parle County - west

Protected areas

 * Boike State Wildlife Management Area
 * Franko State Wildlife Management Area
 * Gneiss Outcrops Scientific and Natural Area
 * Minnesota River Valley Overlook
 * Spartan State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Montevideo have ranged from a low of 2 °F in January to a high of 83 °F in July, although a record low of -37 °F was recorded in January 1970 and a record high of 110 °F was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.86 in in December to 4.24 in in June.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,088 people, 5,361 households, and 3,597 families in the county. The population density was 22.5 /mi2. There were 5,855 housing units at an average density of 10.1 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.8% were of Norwegian and 36.8% German ancestry.

There were 5,361 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

The county population contained 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,582, and the median income for a family was $45,160. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,384 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,039. About 4.80% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.80% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Clara City
 * Granite Falls (partial)
 * Maynard
 * Milan
 * Montevideo (county seat)
 * Watson

Unincorporated communities

 * Asbury
 * Big Bend City
 * Bunde
 * Churchill
 * Gracelock
 * Gluek
 * Hagan
 * Louriston
 * Wegdahl

Townships

 * Big Bend Township
 * Crate Township
 * Grace Township
 * Granite Falls Township
 * Havelock Township
 * Kragero Township
 * Leenthrop Township
 * Lone Tree Township
 * Louriston Township
 * Mandt Township
 * Rheiderland Township
 * Rosewood Township
 * Sparta Township
 * Stoneham Township
 * Tunsberg Township
 * Woods Township

Government and politics
Chippewa County voters have tended to vote Democratic in recent decades. As of 2020 the county has selected the Democratic nominee in 67% of presidential elections since 1980. Donald Trump was the first Republican nominee to win the county since George W. Bush in 2000, receiving 60.5% of the vote.

title: Chippewa County, Minnesota


text:
Talk:Alaska

Interactive map doesn't show Aleutian Islands past the 180th meridian
I think this is because polygons that span the 180th meridian have some undefined behavior with geospatial libraries. GeoJSON in particular is a bit iffy about this, not sure if that is used here.

Wcedmisten (talk) 22:09, 25 May 2023 (UTC)

 * Still not corrected. It's a mistake to call the article A class in light of this glitch. Martindo (talk) 11:46, 1 September 2023 (UTC)

COVID section
The section I removed in March in Special:Diff/1143124233 appears to have been re-added to the article by an IP editor. But I see no reason why we need such a section; and with that context an edit summary saying Added very new information seems to be trolling. Walt Yoder (talk) 22:52, 2 August 2023 (UTC)
 * I only edited the page to provide attribution, since I found it via CopyPatrol and the section appeared to have been copied from COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska. I don't have a very strong opinion either way and I'm not going to get into a long-winded dispute over it. I think it's reasonable to include some information about the pandemic, although a few sentences or a short paragraph with a hatnote directing the reader to COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska would probably be sufficient. The COVID-19 pandemic was a major historical event with broad implications and I don't see why it shouldn't be mentioned in the article. I really don't think re-adding the passage was a trolling attempt—sure, it's possible, but absent clear evidence to the contrary we should assume that the IP added the passage in a good-faith effort to improve the article. — SamX [talk · contribs] 03:22, 3 August 2023 (UTC)
 * The word-for-word copy of material I removed in March was not "very new information". The IP could not have thought it was. Walt Yoder (talk) 04:26, 3 August 2023 (UTC)
 * They could've easily copied it from COVID-19 pandemic in Alaska or noticed that the section had been removed and re-added it without checking the history, and "very new" could just mean "very new relative to the other events described in the article". I really think you're reading into this too much, but I'm not going to engage further. — SamX [talk · contribs] 05:07, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

Exclave?
this article says Alaska is an exclave (correct) "slightly comparable to the country of Iran", or words to that effect.

No references or explanation are given.

I struggle to understand this. How is Iran an exclave and/or how is it similar to Alaska?

Okay, so reading down I see it is stated that *if* Alaska were a country, it'd be a similar size to Iran. Regardless of whether or not Alaska is a country (it's not), it's still a comparable size to Iran. But this is neither helpful nor encyclopaedic. If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

I imagine few people have a clear idea of the size of Iran,except insofar as it's huge. It's really a nonsensical comparison. And saying that Alaska is slightly comparable to Iran, without specifying one is talking about area, is ridiculous.

2A00:23EE:1C28:3BCE:59C8:D012:E395:8CF1 (talk) 00:05, 26 August 2023 (UTC)
 * I've clarified the sentence in the lead section. I don't see the harm in including that comparison in the article, but I won't object if you remove it. — SamX [talk · contribs] 00:19, 26 August 2023 (UTC)
 * thank you Sam. I shan't remove anything, I know better than to edit a WP article. Personally I think the size could be better conveyed with reference to another US state, eg "Alaska is the largest US state, approximately 2.5 times the area of Texas (which is second largest)"
 * As I mentioned before, I don't reckon most folk have any sense of the size of Iran. And there's the issue of comparing a State to a country.
 * This kind of comparison is usually done using something relatable, as opposed to something of nearly the same measure (but not as relatable) . For example, "the adult Blue Whale is roughly the length of two double decker buses" instead of "the blue whale is as long as a Predator drone is wide". 2A00:23EE:1C28:3BCE:59C8:D012:E395:8CF1 (talk) 19:49, 26 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Cut accomplished. The comparison is quite clear in the first sentence of second paragraph of lede. Martindo (talk) 00:29, 28 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Good edit. I was also struck by the oddness of comparing it to Iran, and was considering make a similar edit to remove it. (I would like to know how many bananas can fit in Alaska though, I bet it's a lot.) Beeblebrox (talk) 17:05, 28 August 2023 (UTC)
 * For the benefit of Iranian readers it would be more pertinent to consider how many figs could fit into Alaska :) Glad to see this tided up, thank you @Martindo 2A00:23EE:1C28:3BCE:81D0:3A56:D9F4:AD76 (talk) 21:26, 28 August 2023 (UTC)
 * Technically Greenland is an exclave of Denmark, separated by international waters over 500 km, so wouldn't greenland be the largest exclave in the world? 2A00:23C7:9588:B301:6190:59FF:3CDC:F139 (talk) 06:45, 1 October 2023 (UTC)
 * Yes.. but its autonomous .. and not recognised as equal to its mainland.
 * Eg it left the EU but denmark didnt.
 * Compare alaska,a fully normal and equal state of the USA.
 * Not sure what that really matters.
 * Eg Its not a dodgy microstate like Vatican city, which is indistinguishable from an autonomous ( or special rules ) area of Italy. 2407:E400:8047:8000:4877:6696:407:DF33 (talk) 11:17, 10 January 2024 (UTC)
 * its not like Greenland could be said to be part of Canada... Its certainly external territory.
 * But oh, all islands are naturally exclaves of any other mainland ..
 * Is Okinawa an exclave because its not a main island of japan, by what definition of main island or main land do we work ? Is sumatra an exclave of Indonesia, is tasmania an exclave of Australia ?
 * So making greenland a continent not an island would make it an exclave of greenland ? 2407:E400:8047:8000:4877:6696:407:DF33 (talk) 11:24, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:Alaska


text:
Cass County, Minnesota

Cass County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,066. Its county seat is Walker. The county was formed in 1851, and was organized in 1897.

Cass County is included in the Brainerd, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

A substantial part of the Leech Lake Indian Reservation is in the county.

History
Cass County was created on September 1, 1851, by the Minnesota Territory legislature, although its government was not organized until 1897. The county was formed of areas partitioned from Dakota, Mahkatah, Pembina and Wahnata Counties. It was named for Lewis Cass, a Michigan political figure of the 19th century. Before it was organized several parcels of county land were partitioned off to augment or form adjacent counties.

Geography
The Crow Wing River flows east-southeast along Cass County's southern border, and the Gull River flows southwest through the lower part, to discharge into the Crow Wing on the southern border. The terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, heavily dotted with lakes and ponds, and slopes to the south and east; its highest point is on the upper western border, at 1,614 ft ASL. The county has an area of 2414 sqmi, of which 2022 sqmi is land and 393 sqmi (16%) is water.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] US Highway 2
 * [[Image:MN-6.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 6
 * [[Image:MN-34.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 34
 * [[Image:MN-64.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 64
 * [[Image:MN-84.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 84
 * [[Image:MN-87.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 87
 * [[Image:MN-200.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 200
 * [[Image:MN-210.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 210
 * [[Image:MN-371.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 371
 * List of county roads

Adjacent counties

 * Itasca County - northeast
 * Aitkin County - east
 * Crow Wing County - southeast
 * Morrison County - south
 * Todd County - southwest
 * Wadena County - west
 * Hubbard County - northwest
 * Beltrami County - north

Protected areas

 * Buena Vista State Forest (part)
 * Chippewa National Forest (part)
 * Crow Wing State Park (part)
 * Foot Hills State Forest (part)

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Walker have ranged from a low of 0 °F in January to a high of 79 °F in July, although a record low of -44 °F was recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 103 °F was recorded in August 1976. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.62 in in February to 4.11 in in July.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,150 people, 10,893 households, and 7,734 families in the county. The population density was 13.4 /mi2. There were 21,286 housing units at an average density of 10.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 86.52% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 11.45% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.2% were of German, 15.0% Norwegian, 7.3% Swedish, 6.1% Irish and 6.1% American ancestry.

There were 10,893 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.00% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,332, and the median income for a family was $40,156. Males had a median income of $30,097 versus $21,232 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,189. About 9.50% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Backus
 * Bena
 * Boy River
 * Cass Lake
 * Chickamaw Beach
 * East Gull Lake
 * Federal Dam
 * Hackensack
 * Lake Shore
 * Longville
 * Motley (partial)
 * Pillager
 * Pine River
 * Remer
 * Walker (county seat)

Census-designated place

 * Whipholt

Unincorporated communities

 * Ah-gwah-ching
 * Brevik
 * Bridgeman
 * Casino
 * Ellis
 * Esterdy
 * Graff
 * Inguadona
 * Leader
 * Leech Lake
 * Mae
 * Mildred
 * Onigum
 * Oshawa
 * Outing
 * Pontoria
 * Raboin
 * Ryan Village
 * Schley
 * Sylvan
 * Tobique
 * Wabedo
 * Wilkinson

Townships

 * Ansel Township
 * Barclay Township
 * Becker Township
 * Beulah Township
 * Birch Lake Township
 * Blind Lake Township
 * Boy Lake Township
 * Boy River Township
 * Bull Moose Township
 * Bungo Township
 * Byron Township
 * Crooked Lake Township
 * Deerfield Township
 * Fairview Township
 * Gould Township
 * Hiram Township
 * Home Brook Township
 * Inguadona Township
 * Kego Township
 * Leech Lake Township
 * Lima Township
 * Loon Lake Township
 * Maple Township
 * May Township
 * McKinley Township
 * Meadow Brook Township
 * Moose Lake Township
 * Otter Tail Peninsula Township
 * Pike Bay Township
 * Pine Lake Township
 * Pine River Township
 * Ponto Lake Township
 * Poplar Township
 * Powers Township
 * Remer Township
 * Rogers Township
 * Salem Township
 * Shingobee Township
 * Slater Township
 * Smoky Hollow Township
 * Sylvan Township
 * Thunder Lake Township
 * Torrey Township
 * Trelipe Township
 * Turtle Lake Township
 * Wabedo Township
 * Walden Township
 * Wilkinson Township
 * Wilson Township
 * Woodrow Township

Unorganized territories

 * Wahnena
 * North Cass
 * North Central Cass
 * East Cass

Government and politics
Cass County tends to vote Republican. As of 2020 the county has selected the Republican nominee in 78% of presidential elections since 1980.

title: Cass County, Minnesota


text:
Carver County, Minnesota

Carver County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county is mostly farmland and wilderness with many unincorporated townships. As of the 2020 census, the population was 106,922. Its county seat is Chaska. Carver County is named for explorer Jonathan Carver, who in 1766–67, traveled from Boston to the Minnesota River and wintered among the Sioux near the site of New Ulm. Carver County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Statistics
In 2017, Carver County was ranked by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as the healthiest county in the State of Minnesota for the fifth year in a row. The foundation explained health outcomes represent “how healthy counties are within the state,” whereas health factors represent “an estimate of the future health of counties as compared with other counties within a state,” based on health behaviors, clinical care, and other environmental factors. Carver County continued to rank as the number one healthiest county throughout the state for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

In 2018, Carver County was ranked as the #1 "Happiest Place in America" according to a study conducted by the data firm Smart Asset. Carver County was one of three United States counties to receive a top 5 ranking for the third straight year. The other two counties were Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia. The study compared counties across the country using the following eight factors: unemployment rate, poverty rate, affordability ratio, marriage rate, divorce rate, bankruptcy rate, life expectancy, and physical activity rate. In particular, Carver County scored well thanks to strong economic conditions with an unemployment rate of only 3.1% and a poverty rate of only 4.1%. Additionally, according to the data, 62% of residents were married and only 8% divorced. In each of those metrics, Carver ranked in the top 40 in the country.

Geography
The Minnesota River flows east-northeasterly along the county's southern border. The South Fork of the Crow River flows northeasterly through the upper western and central portions of the county. Carver Creek flows southeasterly from the county's central area, discharging into the Minnesota at the county's southern border. The terrain consists of low rolling hills, dotted with lakes in the eastern portion. The area is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the east and south, with its northwest corner at 1,024 ft ASL. A small hill 1.6 mi northeast of Miller Lake rises to 1,080 ft ASL, for the county's highest point.

The county has a total area of 376 sqmi, of which 354 sqmi is land and 22 sqmi (5.8%) is water. It is Minnesota's second-smallest county by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Carver is one of seven southern Minnesota counties with no forest soils; only prairie ecosystems of savannas and prairies can be found in Carver County. It is also one of 17 Minnesota counties where savanna soils dominate.

Lakes
Carver County is home to seven lakes of 235 acres or larger. The largest is Lake Waconia, Minnesota's 73rd largest lake and the Twin Cities' second largest lake, with an area of 2,996 acres.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 212 (MN).svg|23px]] U.S. Highway 212
 * [[Image:MN-5.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 5
 * [[Image:MN-7.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 7
 * [[Image:MN-25.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 25
 * [[Image:MN-41.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 41
 * [[Image:MN-284.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 284
 * Carver County Road 10
 * Carver County Road 11
 * Carver County Road 33
 * Other county roads

Adjacent counties

 * Wright County – north
 * Hennepin County – northeast
 * Scott County – southeast
 * Sibley County – southwest
 * McLeod County – west

Protected areas

 * Assumption State Wildlife Management Area
 * Carver Park Preserve
 * Gravel Pit State Wildlife Management Area
 * Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
 * Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
 * Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (part)
 * Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area (part)
 * Waconia State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Chaska have ranged from a low of 4 °F in January to a high of 81 °F in July, although a record low of -41 °F was recorded in January 1970 and a record high of 105 °F was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.66 in in February to 5.05 in in August.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2010
The ethnic makeup of the county, according to the 2010 census, was the following:
 * 93.7% White
 * 1.5% Black
 * 0.3% American Indian
 * 2.9% Asian
 * 0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
 * 1.6% Two or more races
 * 0.3% Other races
 * 4.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

There were 33,486 households, out of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 21.0% 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 2.74 and the average family size was 3.22.

The median income for a household in the county was $83,773, and the median income for a family was $96,913. Males had a median income of $66,150 versus $46,696 for females. The per capita income for the county was $37,457. About 3.3% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 70,205 people, 24,356 households, and 18,778 families in the county. The population density was 198 /mi2. There were 24,883 housing units at an average density of 70.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.95% White, 0.59% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 2.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.3% were of German, 12.1% Norwegian, 7.1% Irish and 6.2% Swedish ancestry.

There were 24,356 households, out of which 45.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.40% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% were non-families. 18.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.26.

The county population contained 31.50% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 34.70% from 25 to 44, 19.50% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $65,540, and the median income for a family was $73,577 (these figures had risen to $78,035 and $89,100 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $47,271 versus $32,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,486. About 2.30% of families and 3.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.60% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
According to the county's comprehensive annual financial reports, the top employers by number of employees in the county are the following. ("NR" indicates the employer was not ranked among the top ten employers that year.)

Government
Like all counties in Minnesota, Carver is governed by an elected and nonpartisan board of commissioners. Each commissioner represents a district of approximately equal population.

County commissioners
The county commission elects a chair, who presides at meetings. Commissioners as of January 2020:

Politics
As Carver County becomes more suburban and less rural in character, with 90% of its residents now living in its cities, it is becoming more of a battleground territory, especially in the eastern half of the county and in its two largest cities, Chaska and Chanhassen. Traditionally, the county has tended to vote for Republicans. Since World War II, the county has never voted for a Democratic candidate for president. The last time Carver County voted for a Democrat was in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt's landslide win against incumbent Herbert Hoover, and the only other occurrence since 1896 was Woodrow Wilson in 1912, when the Republicans were bitterly divided. Since 1992, only Bill Clinton and Joe Biden came reasonably close to carrying this county.

Carver's Republican bent is not limited to presidential elections. The county regularly rejects Democrats in gubernatorial races as well. Since 1944, the only time Carver County voted for a non-Republican candidate in a gubernatorial race was in 1998, Jesse Ventura’s third-party upset.

Carver County is split between two congressional districts. The eastern area, adjacent to Hennepin County and Scott County and including Chaska and Chanhassen, is in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district (CPVI D+6); the remainder of the county is in Minnesota's 6th congressional district (CPVI R+12).

Cities

 * Carver
 * Chanhassen (Partly in Hennepin County)
 * Chaska (county seat)
 * Cologne
 * Hamburg
 * Mayer
 * New Germany
 * Norwood Young America
 * Victoria
 * Waconia
 * Watertown

Unincorporated communities

 * Assumption
 * Augusta
 * Bongards
 * Coney Island
 * Crown College
 * Dahlgren
 * East Union
 * Gotha
 * Hazelton
 * Hollywood
 * Maple
 * Oster
 * San Francisco (ghost town)

Townships

 * Benton Township
 * Camden Township
 * Dahlgren Township
 * Hancock Township
 * Hollywood Township
 * Laketown Township
 * San Francisco Township
 * Waconia Township
 * Watertown Township
 * Young America Township

Notable residents

 * Abigail and Brittany Hensel
 * Prince (musician)
 * Wendelin Grimm
 * Steve Strachan (sheriff)

 * Arc Carnes (artist) -

title: Carver County, Minnesota


text:
Carlton County, Minnesota

Carlton County is a county in the State of Minnesota, formed in 1857. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,207. Its county seat is Carlton. Part of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation lies in northeastern Carlton County.

Carlton County is part of the Duluth, MN–WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Carlton County lies on Minnesota's eastern edge. Its eastern boundary abuts Wisconsin. The Saint Louis River flows east-southeast through the county, discharging into Lake Superior. The Moose Horn River flows southwest through the county, discharging into the Kettle River. The Nemadji River and the South Fork Nemadji River flow east through the county, meeting a few miles east of its eastern boundary before reaching Lake Superior. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, heavily wooded, and slopes to the several river valleys. The county's northwest corner lies at 1,329 ft ASL, and a small hill 0.2 mi west of Rogers Lake rises to 1,450 ft ASL.

The county has an area of 875 sqmi, of which 861 sqmi is land and 14 sqmi (1.6%) is water.

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-35.svg|20px]] Interstate 35
 * [[Image:MN-23.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 23
 * [[Image:MN-27.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 27
 * [[Image:MN-33.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 33
 * [[Image:MN-45.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 45
 * [[Image:MN-73.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 73
 * [[Image:MN-210.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 210
 * [[Image:MN-289.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 289

Adjacent counties

 * Saint Louis County – north
 * Douglas County, Wisconsin – east
 * Pine County – south
 * Aitkin County – west

Protected areas

 * Black Hoof Wildlife Management Area
 * Dye State Wildlife Management Area
 * Fond du Lac State Forest (part)
 * Jay Cooke State Park
 * Kettle Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Nemadji State Forest (part)
 * Sawyer State Wildlife Management Area

History
Under a 1854 Treaty of La Pointe the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation and other reservations were established in exchange for all the Lake Superior Ojibwe land in the Arrowhead Region. Carlton County was formed and organized in 1870. It was named for Reuben B. Carlton, a member of the Minnesota Senate (1857–58).

In October 1918, an immense forest fire occurred, known as the Cloquet fire. The Carlton County Historical Society hosts a permanent exhibit about the fire of 1918, along with ones about the Ojibwe of Carlton County and the Logging Era.

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Carlton have ranged from a low of 1 °F in January to a high of 80 °F in July, although a record low of -45 °F was recorded in January 1912 and a record high of 105 °F was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.87 in in February to 4.34 in in September.

2020 census
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,386 people living in the county. 89.7% were White, 5.9% Native American, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 2.4% of two or more races. 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 16.4% were of German, 13.5% Finnish, 8.9% Norwegian, 8.6% Swedish and 5.6% American ancestry.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,671 people, 12,064 households, and 8,408 families in the county. The population density was 36.8 /mi2. There were 13,721 housing units at an average density of 15.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 91.75% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 5.19% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.5% were of German, 16.9% Finnish, 12.5% Norwegian, 11.8% Swedish and 5.8% Polish ancestry. 95.5% spoke English, 1.8% Finnish and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 12,064 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,021, and the median income for a family was $48,406. Males had a median income of $38,788 versus $25,555 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,073. About 5.40% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.20% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Barnum
 * Carlton (county seat)
 * Cloquet
 * Cromwell
 * Kettle River
 * Moose Lake
 * Scanlon
 * Wrenshall
 * Wright

Census-designated places

 * Big Lake
 * Esko
 * Mahtowa

Unincorporated communities

 * Atkinson
 * Automba
 * Duesler
 * Harney
 * Holyoke
 * Iverson
 * Nemadji
 * Otter Creek
 * Pleasant Valley
 * Sawyer
 * Scotts Corner

Townships

 * Atkinson Township
 * Automba Township
 * Barnum Township
 * Beseman Township
 * Blackhoof Township
 * Eagle Township
 * Holyoke Township
 * Kalevala Township
 * Lakeview Township
 * Mahtowa Township
 * Moose Lake Township
 * Perch Lake Township
 * Silver Township
 * Silver Brook Township
 * Skelton Township
 * Split Rock Township
 * Thomson Township
 * Twin Lakes Township
 * Wrenshall Township

Unorganized territories

 * Clear Creek
 * North Carlton

Local government
As of 2019, the Carlton County Sheriff is Kelly Lake. The Carlton County Board of Commissioners has five members, each representing one district. In April 2019 Lake and the Fond du Lac Police Department collaborated on sex trafficking training on behalf of other sheriff agencies that would be affected by the upcoming Enbridge Line 3. In 2017, Carlton County published a detailed Jail & Criminal Justice System Planning Study. As of 2019, Carlton County Public Health employs 36 county staff and 6 contract staff. It has been operating since 1920.

National
Carlton County voters lean Democratic. The Democratic Party has carried the county in every presidential election since 1932, though Donald Trump lost by only 300 votes in 2016 and 307 votes in 2020, obtaining the top two shares of the electorate for a Republican in that span as well. The only other Republican to hit at least 40% since 1932 was Richard Nixon during his 49-state landslide in 1972.

title: Carlton County, Minnesota


text:
Talk:Arizona

Pronunciation Guide
I'm looking at the guide for this and I have never met an American who pronounces it as "ARR" as opposed to "AIR." I think this might be the British pronunciation? could we include both pronunciations in the guide? it just seems so strange.... 2600:8802:1718:5700:3C6D:308F:F7CC:1C1F (talk) 05:27, 27 July 2022 (UTC)

 * https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Contributions/2600:8802:1718:5700:3C6D:308F:F7CC:1C1F 2806:2F0:1100:20A5:80E1:E7F8:1AF4:CEA5 (talk) 05:13, 7 September 2023 (UTC)

Adding a State Planet
Hi everyone, recently Governor Hobbs signed into law HB2477 making Pluto the official state planet. Is there a way we can add this to state symbols infobox? Verysad1012 (talk) 23:35, 30 March 2024 (UTC)

Circle K is not HQ’d in AZ
CK was purchased by Canadian firm Alimentation Couche-Tard at least 15 years ago, HQ is in Canada now. 75.167.204.115 (talk) 13:23, 4 May 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:Arizona