text:
Brown County, Minnesota

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,912. Its county seat is New Ulm. The county was formed in 1855 and organized in 1856.

Brown County comprises the New Ulm, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Mankato-New Ulm-North Mankato, MN Combined Statistical Area.

History
Brown County was founded in 1855 in the southwest corner of what was Minnesota Territory. It was named for Joseph Renshaw Brown, a member of the Governor's Council of the Territory in 1855. In 1857, Brown County was divided, creating Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murry, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties. Watonwan was broken off in 1860. Redwood was created from a large portion of Brown County in 1862. Redwood was further divided into Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon and Yellow Medicine Counties in the 1870s.

In 1862, the county's 150-mile northern border was the boundary line of the Upper and Lower Sioux reservations when the 1862 Dakota War broke out. New Ulm, the county seat, came under heavy attack twice by a superior Mdewakanton Dacotah force that was repulsed. Most of the town was torched and most of the population fled to St. Peter and Mankato. The town took many casualties, with the dead buried in the streets. In 1863, when the treaties with the eastern Dacotah were annulled and the two reservations were dissolved, the county border was moved north 10 miles to the Minnesota River.

Geography
The Minnesota River flows east-southeast along the county's northern border. The Cottonwood River flows east-northeast through the county's central and upper area, discharging into the Minnesota at the northern border. The Little Cottonwood River flows east through the lower portion of the county, on its way to discharge into the Minnesota in neighboring Blue Earth County. The terrain consists of rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture, and generally slopes to the east, tending to drop into the river valleys. Its highest point is at its southwestern corner, at 1,263 ft ASL.

The county has an area of 618 sqmi, of which 611 sqmi is land and 7.4 sqmi (1.2%) is water.

Transit

 * Hermann Express

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 14.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 14
 * [[Image:MN-4.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 4
 * [[Image:MN-15.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 15
 * [[Image:MN-68.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 68
 * [[Image:MN-257.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 257

Adjacent counties

 * Nicollet County - northeast
 * Blue Earth County - southeast
 * Watonwan County - south
 * Cottonwood County - southwest
 * Redwood County - west
 * Renville County - northwest

Lakes
Most of the county is an area of rich farm land; most of its wetlands were drained for use in agriculture, leaving a number of lakes. The county has at least 32 lakes, some of which are deemed to be "protected waters" of the State of Minnesota; these are designated with "(p)" below.

The lakes occupy "hollows in the driftsheet"; many have neither an inflow nor an outflow.

Lakes in the county include:
 * Altermatt Lake (p)
 * Bachelor Lake (p), in Stark township
 * Boise Lake (p)
 * Clear Lake (p)
 * Gilman Lake (p)
 * Horseshoe Lake
 * Juni Lake (p), named for Benedict Juni, a Swiss settler.
 * Lake Cottonwood (p)
 * Lake Hanska (p)
 * Linden Lake (p)
 * Lone Tree Lake (p)
 * Omsrud Lake (p)
 * School Lake (p), named for its location in school section 16.
 * Sleepy Eye Lake (p)
 * Zanders Lake (p)

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of New Ulm have ranged from a low of 6 °F in January to a high of 83 °F in July, although a record low of -37 °F was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 105 °F was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.64 in in January to 4.82 in in June.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 26,911 people, 10,598 households, and 7,164 families in the county. The population density was 44.0 /mi2. There were 11,163 housing units at an average density of 18.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.82% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 67.1% were of German and 9.6% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 10,598 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% 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 3.00.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,800, and the median income for a family was $49,811. Males had a median income of $32,347 versus $23,918 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,535. About 4.40% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Cobden
 * Comfrey (partial)
 * Evan
 * Hanska
 * New Ulm (county seat)
 * Sleepy Eye
 * Springfield

Census-designated place

 * Searles

Unincorporated communities

 * Essig
 * Godahl (partial)
 * Leavenworth

Townships

 * Albin Township
 * Bashaw Township
 * Burnstown Township
 * Cottonwood Township
 * Eden Township
 * Home Township
 * Lake Hanska Township
 * Leavenworth Township
 * Linden Township
 * Milford Township
 * Mulligan Township
 * North Star Township
 * Prairieville Township
 * Sigel Township
 * Stark Township
 * Stately Township

Government and politics
Brown County has traditionally voted Republican. As of 2020, the only time the county has supported the Democratic nominee for president since 1936 was in the 1964 landslide win for Lyndon B. Johnson, and even then, Johnson only won the county by 218 votes and less than a 2% margin of victory.

title: Brown County, Minnesota


text:
Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Blue Earth County is a county in the State of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 69,112. Its county seat is Mankato. The county is named for the Blue Earth River and for the deposits of blue-green clay once evident along the banks of the Blue Earth River. Blue Earth County is part of the Mankato-North Mankato metropolitan area.

History
Dakota people lived and hunted in the area of Blue Earth County, particularly the Sisseton. French explorer Pierre-Charles Le Sueur was an early European explorer in this area, arriving where the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers meet. He made an unsuccessful attempt to mine copper from the blue-green clay the Dakota used as paint. The area remained under French control until 1803 when it passed to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.

When Minnesota became a territory in 1849, the territorial government became interested in settling the river valley. In 1850 the first steamboat trip, starting in St. Paul, traveled on the Minnesota River and came to the Blue Earth River. The first Euro-American settlers, P. K. Johnson and Henry Jackson, debarked and settled in present-day Mankato. The ratification of the Mendota and Traverse des Sioux treaties in 1851 effectively forced the eastern Dakota to move to nearby reservations.

The county of Blue Earth was created after a division of the Minnesota Territory on March 5, 1853, from portions of Dakota County and free territory. It was named for the Blue Earth River. The first government officials were appointed by Alexander Ramsey, the territorial governor. That October the first election was held, with 22 ballots being taken.

On February 27, 1855, the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) ceded 897,900 acres of their reservation near Long Prairie in exchange for 200,000 acres on the Blue Earth River. On May 24, 1855, they relocated and became so successful at farming that neighboring American settlers coveted their land.

Blue Earth County is near the Lower Sioux reservation, which was created in 1858. Starvation on the reservation and the lack of timely arrival of government annuities led to the Dakota War of 1862, followed by removal of all Native Americans from the county. In 1868 the railroad's arrival promoted the county's growth and development by bringing immigrants and goods to the area.

Geography
The Minnesota River flows southeasterly along the western part of the county's northern boundary line. It is joined by the Blue Earth River, which flows northerly through the western central part of the county. The Watonwan River flows northwesterly through the northeastern part of the county, discharging into the Blue Earth. The Little Cobb River flows northwesterly through the southeastern part of the county, meeting with the Cobb River which flows northerly through the lower part of the county into the Blue Earth River. The Le Sueur River also flows west-northwesterly through the SE part of the county, discharging into the Blue Earth River.

The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, with the area (except around built-up zones, and in areas carved by runoff) devoted to agriculture. It slopes generally to the north. Its southwest corner is 1,086 ft above sea level.

The county has an area of 766 sqmi, of which 748 sqmi is land and 18 sqmi (2.3%) is water. The Blue Earth River and Le Sueur River flow through a part of the county. The land surface is relatively flat with over 30 lakes in the county. There are many "closed forest savannas" that some call the big woods in the county's northeast. The rivers that flow out of the northeast are surrounded by these big woods. Most of the county is grassland prairie but scattered parts are wet prairie. Some spots that surround the rivers are oak openings and barren brushland.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 14.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 14
 * [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 169
 * [[Image:MN-22.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 22
 * [[Image:MN-30.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 30
 * [[Image:MN-60.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 60
 * [[Image:MN-68.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 68
 * [[Image:MN-83.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 83

Lakes

 * Crystal Lake
 * Albert Lake
 * Alice Lake
 * Armstrong Lake
 * Ballantyne Lake
 * Born Lake
 * Cottonwood Lake
 * Duck Lake
 * Eagle Lake
 * George Lake
 * Gilfillin Lake
 * Ida Lake
 * Indian Lake
 * Knights Lake
 * Lake Crystal
 * Lieberg Lake
 * Lily Lake
 * Long Lake
 * Loon Lake
 * Lura Lake (part)
 * Madison Lake
 * Mennenga Lake
 * Mills Lake
 * Minnesota Lake (part)
 * Mud Lake
 * Perch Lake
 * Porter Lake
 * Rice Lake
 * Severson Lake
 * Strom Lake
 * Wita Lake

Adjacent counties

 * Nicollet County - north
 * Le Sueur County - northeast
 * Waseca County - east
 * Faribault County - south
 * Martin County - southwest
 * Watonwan County - west
 * Brown County - northwest

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Mankato have ranged from a low of 5 °F in January to a high of 83 °F in July, although a record low of -35 °F was recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 107 °F was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.78 in in February to 5.09 in in June.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, the county had 55,941 people, 21,062 households, and 12,616 families. The population density was 74.8 /mi2. There were 21,971 housing units at an average density of 29.4 /mi2. The county's racial makeup was 94.96% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.79% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.6% were of German, 13.6% Norwegian and 6.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 21,062 households, of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.60% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.10% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.

21.40% of the county's population was under the age of 18, 22.10% were from age 18 to 24, 25.60% were from age 25 to 44, 18.80% were from age 45 to 64, and 12.10% were age 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

The county's median household income was $38,940, and the median family income was $50,257. Males had a median income of $32,087 versus $22,527 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,712. About 6.10% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Amboy
 * Eagle Lake
 * Good Thunder
 * Lake Crystal
 * Madison Lake
 * Mankato
 * Mapleton
 * Minnesota Lake (partial)
 * North Mankato (partial)
 * Pemberton
 * Saint Clair
 * Skyline
 * Vernon Center

Census-designated place

 * Garden City

Unincorporated communities

 * Cambria
 * Marysburg
 * Perth
 * Smiths Mill

Townships

 * Beauford Township
 * Butternut Valley Township
 * Cambria Township
 * Ceresco Township
 * Danville Township
 * Decoria Township
 * Garden City Township
 * Jamestown Township
 * Judson Township
 * Le Ray Township
 * Lime Township
 * Lincoln Township
 * Lyra Township
 * Mankato Township
 * Mapleton Township
 * McPherson Township
 * Medo Township
 * Pleasant Mound Township
 * Rapidan Township
 * Shelby Township
 * South Bend Township
 * Sterling Township
 * Vernon Center Township

Government and politics
As of 2020, Blue Earth County has voted for the winning presidential candidate in 13 of the last 15 elections, the exceptions being 1988 and 2004. Since 1988 it has tilted toward the Democratic Party, but in 2000 and 2016 it voted for the Republican candidates. Despite voting for Trump in 2016, the county voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Blue Earth County is considered a college town due to the presence of Minnesota State University in Mankato.

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

title: Blue Earth County, Minnesota


text:
Talk:Arkansas

Semi-protected edit request on 8 May 2023
Add “Northwest Arkansas” to “Major Metro and Urban Areas.” Justification: NW Arkansas has a population over half a million and is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country. 2600:8804:8C4E:B400:4C5B:FE52:C918:8FD (talk) 01:05, 8 May 2023 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Lightoil (talk) 02:27, 8 May 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 11 August 2023
In 2015, The top countries of origin for Arkansas’ immigrants were Mexico, El Salvador, India, Vietnam, and Guatemala. Add this information to the demographics section.

https://www.immigrationresearch.org/system/files/immigrants_in_arkansas.pdf 2600:6C50:7EF0:4A70:4598:5B87:F2FB:F342 (talk) 23:08, 11 August 2023 (UTC)

 * Done! DrJuiceBoy (talk) 19:40, 12 August 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 30 August 2023
ARKANSASARKANSASARKANSAS

}} 73.231.62.112 (talk) 01:12, 30 August 2023 (UTC)

Levon Helm
How about listing Levon Helm as a former resident! 2601:194:4100:7240:650D:C6CC:635E:3F91 (talk) 18:43, 22 November 2023 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 29 June 2024
Add the pronunciation "/ɑːrˈkæn.zən/" beside Demonnym "Arkansan" for clarification. MayYear (talk) 19:18, 29 June 2024 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: I'm not sure this is needed – per MOS:IPA, Normally, pronunciation is given only for the subject of the article in its lead section. Unless you can prove that it's necessary due to relevance (including evidence of common mispronunciation), as well as reliable sources to support the pronunciation, this addition isn't needed. Irltoad (talk) 19:41, 29 June 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:Arkansas


text:
Big Stone County, Minnesota

Big Stone County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,166. Its county seat is Ortonville.

History
The county was formed in 1862, and was organized in 1874. It is named for Big Stone Lake.

Geography
Big Stone County lies on the western side of Minnesota. Its southwest boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of South Dakota. The Little Minnesota River flows along the county's southwestern boundary. Since 1937, a dam (Big Stone Lake Dam) has impounded the river's waters, creating Big Stone Lake. Water flowing out from this lake flows along the south boundary line of the county, and is known as the Minnesota River from that point. Fish Creek flows southwesterly through the northwestern part of the county, discharging into Big Stone Lake at the county's southwestern boundary.

The terrain of Big Stone County is low rolling hills, wooded or devoted to agriculture. The terrain generally slopes to the south and east, although its southwestern portion slopes to the river valley. Its highest point is on its north line near the northwestern corner, 2.9 mi east of Lagoona Beach, at 1,201 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 528 sqmi, of which 499 sqmi is land and 29 sqmi (5.5%) is water.

Lakes

 * Artichoke Lake - south edge in Akron Township, vast majority in Artichoke Township
 * Barry Lake - Toqua Township
 * Bentsen Lake - east half in Otrey Township, west half in Big Stone Township
 * Big Stone Lake - Ortonville Township, Browns Valley Township, Foster Township, Prior Township, Big Stone Township
 * Clear Lake - Toqua Township
 * Cup Lake - Almond Township
 * Deep Lake - Big Stone Township
 * East Toqua Lake - Graceville Township
 * Eli Lake - south three-quarters in Almond Township, west quarter in Clinton
 * Fogarty Lake - Toqua Township
 * Horseshoe Lake - Odessa Township
 * Lannon Lake - Graceville Township
 * Lindgren Lake - Ortonville Township
 * Lake Leo - Graceville Township
 * Lone Tree Lake - east three-quarters in Malta Township, west quarter in Almond Township
 * Long Lake - Artichoke Township
 * Long Tom Lake - northeast edge in Otrey Township, vast majority in Odessa Township
 * Lysing Lake - vast majority in Almond Township, south edge in Big Stone Township
 * Marsh Lake - Akron Township
 * Moonshine Lake - Moonshine Township
 * Moulton Lake - Big Stone Township
 * Mundweiler Lake - Big Stone Township
 * Munnwyler Lake - Ortonville Township
 * Olson Lake - Big Stone Township
 * Olson Lake - Otrey Township
 * Otrey Lake - Otrey Township
 * Peterson Lake - Odessa Township
 * South Rothwell Lake - north edge in Graceville Township, vast majority in Almond Township
 * Smithwicks Lake - Graceville Township
 * Swenson Lake - Big Stone Township
 * Twin Lakes - Big Stone Township
 * West Toqua Lake - Graceville Township
 * Walter Lake - Ortonville Township

Source: United States Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 12.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 12
 * [[Image:US 75.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 75
 * [[Image:MN-7.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 7
 * [[Image:MN-28.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 28

Adjacent counties

 * Traverse County - north
 * Stevens County - northeast
 * Swift County - southeast
 * Lac qui Parle County - south
 * Grant County, South Dakota - southwest
 * Roberts County, South Dakota - northwest

Protected areas

 * Big Stone Lake State Park
 * Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (part)
 * Big Stone Wildlife Management Preserve (part)
 * Bonanza Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
 * Clinton Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
 * Dismal Swamp State Wildlife Management Area
 * Freed State Wildlife Management Area
 * Lac qui Parle State Wildlife Management Area
 * Otrey State Wildlife Management Area
 * Reisdorph State Wildlife Management Area
 * Victor State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Ortonville have ranged from a low of 1 °F in January to a high of 84 °F in July, although a record low of -44 °F was recorded in February 1994 and a record high of 108 °F was recorded in July 1966. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.43 in in December to 3.85 in in July.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,820 people, 2,377 households, and 1,611 families in the county. The population density was 11.7 /mi2. There were 3,171 housing units at an average density of 6.35 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.7% were of German, 21.0% Norwegian, 8.0% Swedish and 6.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 2,377 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 24.80% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,721, and the median income for a family was $37,354. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $20,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,708. About 7.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Barry
 * Beardsley
 * Clinton
 * Correll
 * Graceville
 * Johnson
 * Odessa
 * Ortonville

Unincorporated communities

 * Artichoke
 * Big Stone Colony
 * Bonanza Grove
 * Foster
 * Lagoona Beach
 * Yankeetown

Townships

 * Akron Township
 * Almond Township
 * Artichoke Township
 * Big Stone Township
 * Browns Valley Township
 * Foster Township
 * Graceville Township
 * Malta Township
 * Moonshine Township
 * Odessa Township
 * Ortonville Township
 * Otrey Township
 * Prior Township
 * Toqua Township

Government and politics
Between 1928 and 2008, Big Stone County voted Democrat in every election except for two nationwide Republican landslides in 1952 and 1980. The only other time between 1928 and 2000 that the Republican candidate lost by less than 10% was Ronald Reagan during his 1984 landslide reelection. Beginning in 2000, the Democrat margins began to shrink, with George W. Bush losing by about 2% in both 2000 and 2004, and by a margin of no more than 60 votes. Despite favoring Barack Obama by over 6% in 2008, this would prove to be the most recent time Big Stone County would vote Democrat. Mitt Romney narrowly carried the county by 40 votes and less than 1.5% in 2012. But in 2016, Donald Trump greatly expanded the thin margin Romney won the county by as Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton lost by nearly 25%, the first time a Republican won by more than 5% in the county since 1924. Trump further increased his margin of victory in 2020 to over 27%.

Education
School districts include:
 * Chokio-Alberta Public School District
 * Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley School District
 * Lac Qui Parle Valley School District
 * Ortonville Public Schools

title: Big Stone County, Minnesota


text:
Benton County, Minnesota

Benton County is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 41,379. Its county seat is Foley.

Benton County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.

History
Established in 1849 and organized in 1850, the county is one of the oldest in Minnesota. It was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator from Missouri. Its county seat for many years was Sauk Rapids, at the confluence of the Sauk and Mississippi Rivers. The county seat moved to Watab in 1856 and returned to Sauk Rapids in 1859. Sauk Rapids became the terminus of a railroad line in 1874, but was destroyed by a tornado in 1886. In 1897 the county seat moved to Foley, where it remains. As St. Cloud expanded into a metropolitan area, the northern part of Benton County became a suburb.

Geography
The Mississippi River flows southeast along Benton County's western border, and the Platte River flows south through the county's northwest corner, discharging into the Mississippi at the county's western border. The terrain consists of low rolling hills, wooded or devoted to agriculture. It generally slopes to the south and east, although its western portion slopes into the river valleys. The county's highest point is a small hill near the midpoint of the northern border, 1 mi north of Brennyville, at 1,311 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 413 sqmi, of which 408 sqmi is land and 4.8 sqmi (1.2%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 10
 * [[Image:MN-15.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 15
 * [[Image:MN-23.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 23
 * [[Image:MN-25.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 25
 * [[Image:MN-95.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 95

Adjacent counties

 * Mille Lacs - east
 * Sherburne - south
 * Stearns - west
 * Morrison - north

Lakes

 * Donovan Lake (part)
 * Graham Lake
 * Little Rock Lake
 * Mayhew Lake

Protected areas

 * Benlacs State Wildlife Management Area (part)
 * Bibles State Wildlife Management Area
 * Englund Ecotone Scientific and Natural Area
 * Sartell State Wildlife Management Area
 * Wisneski State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Foley have ranged from a low of 2 °F in January to a high of 82 °F in July, although a record low of -43 °F was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 107 °F was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.62 in in February to 4.17 in in June.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,226 people, 13,065 households, and 8,518 families in the county. The population density was 83.9 /mi2. There were 13,460 housing units at an average density of 33 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 96.22% White, 0.78% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.15% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.8% were of German, 12.1% Polish and 8.8% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 13,065 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.14.

The county population contained 27.10% under the age of 18, 12.20% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 18.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,968, and the median income for a family was $51,277. Males had a median income of $33,214 versus $22,737 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,008. About 4.50% of families and 7.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.30% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Foley (county seat)
 * Gilman
 * Rice
 * Royalton (partial)
 * St. Cloud (partial)
 * Sartell (partial)
 * Sauk Rapids

Townships

 * Alberta
 * Gilmanton
 * Glendorado
 * Graham
 * Granite Ledge
 * Langola
 * Mayhew Lake
 * Maywood
 * Minden
 * Saint George
 * Sauk Rapids
 * Watab

Census-designated place

 * Ronneby

Unincorporated communities

 * Brennyville
 * Duelm
 * Fruitville
 * Glendorado
 * Granite Ledge
 * Jakeville
 * Mayhew
 * North Benton
 * Oak Park
 * Parent
 * Popple Creek
 * Rum River
 * Silver Corners
 * Watab

Ghost towns

 * Estes Brook
 * Minden

Government and politics
Benton County voters have tended to vote Republican for the past few decades. In 2016 Donald Trump won the county with 64.2%, the highest share of the vote for any presidential candidate since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932.

title: Benton County, Minnesota


text:
Beltrami County, Minnesota

Beltrami County is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,228. Its county seat is Bemidji. The county's name comes from Italian adventurer Giacomo Beltrami from Bergamo, who explored the area in 1825. The county was created in 1866 and organized in 1896.

Beltrami County comprises the Bemidji, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Portions of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations are in the county. The northernmost portion of the Mississippi River flows through the southern part of the county, through Bemidji. Beltrami, Renville, and Stearns are Minnesota's only counties that abut nine other counties.

Geography
Beltrami County's southwest corner is considered part of the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which flows easterly and northeasterly from Lake Itasca through the southern part of the county. Much of the middle and upper county is taken up with the two sections of Red Lake. The county terrain consists of rolling low tree-covered hills, dotted with lakes and ponds. The terrain slopes to the east and north. Its highest point is a small hill 1.3 mi northwest of Wolf Lake, at 1,511 ft ASL; otherwise the terrain high point is near its southwest corner, at 1,457 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 3056 sqmi, of which 2505 sqmi is land and 551 sqmi (18%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in Minnesota by area.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 2
 * [[Image:US 71.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 71
 * [[Image:MN-1.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 1
 * [[Image:MN-72.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 72
 * [[Image:MN-89.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 89
 * [[Image:MN-197.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 197

Adjacent counties

 * Lake of the Woods County - north
 * Koochiching County - northeast
 * Itasca County - east
 * Cass County - southeast
 * Hubbard County - south
 * Clearwater County - southwest
 * Pennington County - west
 * Marshall County - west
 * Roseau County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Bagley Lake State Wildlife Management Area (part)
 * Buena Vista State Forest
 * Chippewa National Forest (part)
 * Lake Bemidji State Park
 * Long Lake State Wildlife Management Area
 * Mississippi Headwaters State Forest (part)
 * Pine Island State Forest (part)
 * Red Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area (part)
 * Three Island Lake County Park

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Bemidji have ranged from a low of -4 °F in January to a high of 79 °F in July, although a record low of -50 °F was recorded in January 1950 and a record high of 101 °F was recorded in July 1975. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.59 in in February to 4.33 in in July.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,650 people, 14,337 households, and 9,749 families in the county. The population density was 15.8 /mi2. There were 16,989 housing units at an average density of 6.78 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 76.66% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 20.36% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.6% were of German, 19.7% Norwegian and 5.6% Swedish ancestry. 95.1% spoke English and 2.4% Ojibwa as their first language.

There were 14,337 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 28.70% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,392, and the median income for a family was $40,345. Males had a median income of $30,434 versus $22,045 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,497. About 12.90% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Over half the children in the county are born out of wedlock. About a third are born to teenaged mothers. The county has about twice the state average in terms of high school dropouts.

Crime
Between 1990 and 2005, the county had a suicide rate four times higher than the state. The county exceeds the state and national rates in both violent and property crimes.

Cities

 * Bemidji (county seat)
 * Blackduck
 * Funkley
 * Kelliher
 * Solway
 * Tenstrike
 * Turtle River
 * Wilton

Townships

 * Alaska Township
 * Battle Township
 * Bemidji Township
 * Benville Township
 * Birch Township
 * Buzzle Township
 * Cormant Township
 * Durand Township
 * Eckles Township
 * Frohn Township
 * Grant Valley Township
 * Hagali Township
 * Hamre Township
 * Hines Township
 * Hornet Township
 * Jones Township
 * Kelliher Township
 * Lammers Township
 * Langor Township
 * Lee Township
 * Liberty Township
 * Maple Ridge Township
 * Minnie Township
 * Moose Lake Township
 * Nebish Township
 * Northern Township
 * O'Brien Township
 * Port Hope Township
 * Quiring Township
 * Roosevelt Township
 * Shooks Township
 * Shotley Township
 * Spruce Grove Township
 * Steenerson Township
 * Sugar Bush Township
 * Summit Township
 * Taylor Township
 * Ten Lake Township
 * Turtle Lake Township
 * Turtle River Township
 * Waskish Township
 * Woodrow Township

Unorganized territories

 * Brook Lake
 * Lower Red Lake
 * North Beltrami
 * Shotley Brook
 * Upper Red Lake

Census-designated places

 * Little Rock
 * Ponemah
 * Red Lake
 * Redby

Unincorporated communities

 * Andrusia
 * Aure
 * Carmel
 * Debs
 * Four Town
 * Hines
 * Jelle
 * Pennington
 * Pinewood
 * Puposky
 * Quiring
 * Saum
 * Secluded Acres
 * Shooks
 * Waskish
 * Werner

Government and politics
From the New Deal realignment in 1932 through 1996, Beltrami County leaned Democratic, selecting the Democratic nominee in every presidential election save Eisenhower's landslides in 1952 and 1956 and Nixon's in 1972. In 2000, George W. Bush became the first Republican to carry the county since 1972. Bush fell short of a majority, with third parties (particularly Green nominee Ralph Nader) doing well statewide, but his 48.5% vote share was higher than any Republican's from 1964 to 1996 save Nixon in 1972 and Reagan in 1984. Beltrami returned to the Democratic column in the next three elections, but in 2016, Donald Trump became the second Republican since 1972 to carry the county, winning a bare majority; in 2020, he won it again, but the margin of victory shrank.

On January 7, 2020, in response to Trump's executive order, the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners voted to prohibit refugees from resettling in the area.

Education
School districts include:
 * Bemidji Public School District
 * Blackduck Public School District
 * Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools
 * Kelliher Public School District
 * Red Lake Public School District
 * Grygla Public School District

title: Beltrami County, Minnesota


text:
Eingana

Eingana is a creator goddess in Australian Aboriginal mythology (specifically: Jawoyn). Otherwise known as the "Dreamtime Snake", she is the mother of all water animals and humans. She is a snake goddess of death who lives in the Dreamtime. She has no vagina; she simply grew in size and, unable to give birth to the life inside her, had the god Barraiya open a hole with a spear near her anus so that labour could commence. Eingana holds a sinew that is attached to every living thing; if she lets go of one, the attached creature dies.

Extract
Eingana made everything, Eingana had everything inside herself that first time, Eingana is a snake. She swallowed all the blackfellows. She took them inside herself, down under the water. Eingana came out. She was big with everything inside her. She came out of a big waterhole near Bamboo Creek. Eingana was rolling about, every way on the ground. She was groaning and calling out. She was making a big noise with all the blackfellows, everything inside her belly. No one can see Eingana. In the rain time, when the flood water comes, Eingana stands up out of the middle of the flood water. She looks out at the country, she lets go all the birds, snakes, animals, children belonging to us.

title: Eingana


text:
Becker County, Minnesota

Becker County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,183. Its county seat is Detroit Lakes. Part of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1871.

History
Becker County became a county on March 18, 1858. It was named for George Loomis Becker, one of three men elected to Congress when Minnesota became a state. Since Minnesota could only send two, Becker elected to stay behind, and he was promised to have a county named after him.

Colonel George Johnston founded the city of Detroit Lakes in 1871. It grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Johnston led settlers from New England to settle in this region. An 1877 election decided that Detroit Lakes, then known as Detroit, would become the county seat. Detroit won the election by a 90% majority. Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also in the running.

In 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including two hotels, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first courthouse was built that year. In 1885, the first county fire department was constructed. In 1903, the Soo Line Railroad built a line through the county.

Detroit Lakes hosts a park dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic. The city rededicated the park on April 15, 2015, marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the death of President Lincoln. Colonel Tom Mortenson and his wife, Pam, sponsored the rededication, representing the Women's Relief Corps, which spearheaded community support for the effort that included new signage for the park and a time capsule to be opened on the 200th anniversary.

Geography
The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, tree-covered and dotted with lakes and ponds. The terrain slopes to the west and north. Its highest point is a hill 2.1 mi northeast of Wolf Lake, the site of the USFS Wolf Lake lookout tower, at 1,861 ft ASL. The next highest point is near its northwest corner, at 1,631 ft ASL. The county has an area of 1445 sqmi, of which 1315 sqmi is land and 130 sqmi (9.0%) is water.

Becker County has diverse topography. It is home to several hundred lakes, many acres of fertile farm land, and forested areas. Much of the land consists of hills and deciduous trees.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 10
 * [[Image:US 59.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 59
 * [[Image:MN-34.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 34
 * [[Image:MN-87.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 87
 * [[Image:MN-113.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 113

Adjacent counties

 * Mahnomen County - north
 * Clearwater County - northeast
 * Hubbard County - northeast
 * Wadena County - southeast
 * Otter Tail County - south
 * Clay County - west
 * Norman County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Atlanta State Wildlife Management Area
 * Becker State Wildlife Management Area
 * Callaway State Wildlife Management Area
 * Frank State Wildlife Management Area
 * Greenwater Lake Scientific and Natural Area
 * Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge
 * Hasca State Park (part)
 * Lunde State Wildlife Management Area
 * Melbye State Wildlife Management Area
 * Ogema Springs State Wildlife Management Area
 * Pednor State Wildlife Management Area
 * Riparia State Wildlife Management Area
 * Smoky Hills State Forest
 * Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge
 * Tamarac Wilderness
 * Teiken-Dalve State Wildlife Management Area
 * Two Inlets State Forest
 * White Earth State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Detroit Lakes have ranged from a low of -2 °F in January to a high of 82 °F in July; a record low of -46 °F was recorded in February 1936 and a record high of 107 °F was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.53 in in February to 4.44 in in June.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,000 people, 11,844 households, and 8,184 families in the county. The population density was 22.8 /mi2. There were 16,612 housing units at an average density of 13 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 89.35% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 7.52% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of German, 26.0% Norwegian and 5.2% Swedish ancestry.

There were 11,844 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 26.6% under age 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% 65 or older. The median age was 39. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,797, and the median income for a family was $41,807. Males had a median income of $29,641 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,085. About 8.5% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under 18 and 11.8% of those 65 and over.

Cities

 * Audubon
 * Callaway
 * Detroit Lakes
 * Frazee
 * Lake Park
 * Ogema
 * Wolf Lake

Townships

 * Atlanta Township
 * Audubon Township
 * Burlington Township
 * Callaway Township
 * Carsonville Township
 * Cormorant Township
 * Cuba Township
 * Detroit Township
 * Eagle View Township
 * Erie Township
 * Evergreen Township
 * Forest Township
 * Green Valley Township
 * Hamden Township
 * Height of Land Township
 * Holmesville Township
 * Lake Eunice Township
 * Lake Park Township
 * Lake View Township
 * Maple Grove Township
 * Osage Township
 * Pine Point Township
 * Riceville Township
 * Richwood Township
 * Round Lake Township
 * Runeberg Township
 * Savannah Township
 * Shell Lake Township
 * Silver Leaf Township
 * Spring Creek Township
 * Spruce Grove Township
 * Sugar Bush Township
 * Toad Lake Township
 * Two Inlets Township
 * Walworth Township
 * White Earth Township
 * Wolf Lake Township

Census-designated places

 * Elbow Lake
 * Osage
 * Pine Point
 * White Earth

Unincorporated communities

 * Bucks Mill
 * Cormorant
 * Goldenrod
 * Midway
 * Oak Lake
 * Pine Point
 * Ponsford
 * Richwood
 * Rochert
 * Shoreham
 * Snellman
 * Two Inlets

Lakes

 * Big Cormorant Lake (Minnesota)
 * Middle Cormorant Lake
 * Upper Cormorant Lake
 * Little Cormorant lake
 * Nelson lake
 * Erickson Lake
 * Lake Melissa
 * Detroit Lake
 * Lake Sallie
 * Lake Maud

Government and politics
From its inaugural election in 1872 to 1928, Becker County voted Republican all but twice and never voted Democrat; the only two occasions it backed a non-Republican in that span were in 1912 when former Republican president turned Progressive candidate Theodore Roosevelt carried the county and in 1924 when Progressive Robert M. La Follette narrowly carried the county, edging out incumbent Republican president Calvin Coolidge by just 151 votes in the county. Following Black Tuesday and the onset of the Great Depression, Becker County proceeded to voted Democrat in nearly every election for the next half-century, only backing the Republican nominee in nationwide Republican landslides in 1952 and 1972 by Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon respectively in the elections from 1932 to 1976, though the Democrat margin of victories were typically modest outside of their nationwide landslides. Beginning in 1980, Becker County has backed the Republican nominee in every presidential election except for the reelection of Bill Clinton in 1996, and never by huge margins up to and including 2012. However, in 2016, Donald Trump attained the highest percentage of the vote and margin of victory for either party in the county since 1936 and the highest for a Republican since 1920.

In popular culture
Becker County is the setting of the 2006 independent film Sweet Land, though it was filmed in Chippewa County.

A popular YouTube channel, CBOYSTV films, is headquartered in Becker County. CBoysTV is an American comedy and motorsports channel run by five men. The channel has amassed over a million subscribers.

title: Becker County, Minnesota


text:
Anoka County, Minnesota

Anoka County is the fourth-most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, its population was 363,887. The county seat and namesake of the county is the city of Anoka, which is derived from the Dakota word anoka meaning "on (or from) both sides", referring to its location on both banks of the Rum River. The largest city in the county is Blaine, the tenth-largest city in Minnesota and the sixth-largest Twin Cities suburb.

Anoka County comprises the north portion of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul statistical area, the largest metropolitan area in the state and the 16th-largest in the United States with about 3.64 million residents.

The county is bordered by the counties of Isanti on the north, Chisago and Washington on the east, Hennepin and Ramsey on the south, Sherburne on the west, and the Mississippi River on the southwest. The Rum River cuts through the county and was the site of many early European settlements. It was a common route to the Mille Lacs Lake, the spiritual homeland of the Ojibwe people. Father Louis Hennepin traveled the river in his first exploration of the region. The area became a center of fur trade and logging as French and French Canadian communities grew in the cities of Anoka and Centerville. Organized in 1857, the county's southern border eventually met Minneapolis and has become a predominantly suburban area following the construction of Interstate 35W. The county is home to local Twin Cities destinations such as the Heights Theater in Columbia Heights and Northtown Mall and the National Sports Center in Blaine.

History
Anoka County was organized by an act of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature on May 23, 1857, the year prior to Minnesota's admission to the Union. It was formed from parts of Ramsey County and Benton County; the Rum River previously formed the line between the two counties. The boundaries were mainly the same as they are now, except for a small part of the southeastern tip along the Mississippi River and at the south, formerly known as Manomin County. It was a small portion that connected to Ramsey and occupied one-third of the congressional township. It was then attached to Anoka County by constitutional amendment November 2, 1869. It became known as Fridley in 1879.

The first European descendants to explore what is now Anoka County were Franciscan friar Louis Hennepin and his party. Fur traders soon began to settle in the area that is now Ramsey County. They settled on the Rum River and more people were attracted to the area now called Anoka.

Geography
The Mississippi River flows southeasterly along the county's southwestern boundary. The Rum River flows southerly through the western part of the county, discharging into the Mississippi at the county's southwestern boundary. The terrain consists of low, rolling, wooded hills. The terrain slopes to the south and east; its highest point is a small hillock 1.2 mi east of the county's northwest corner, at 1,100 ft ASL. Otherwise the terrain's highest point is along the western part of the north boundary line, at 1,083 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 446 sqmi, of which 23 sqmi (5.2%) are covered by water.

Lakes

 * Baldwin Lake
 * Bunker Lake
 * Cedar Lake
 * Centerville Lake
 * Coon Lake
 * Crooked Lake
 * George Watch Lake
 * Golden Lake
 * Ham Lake
 * Laddie Lake
 * Lake George
 * Marshan Lake
 * McKay Lake
 * Moore Lake
 * Peltier Lake
 * Reshanau Lake
 * Rice Lake
 * Round Lake
 * Sherman Lake
 * Spring Lake
 * Smith Lake
 * Wards Lake

Waterways

 * Cedar Creek
 * Coon Creek
 * Crooked Brook
 * Ford Brook
 * Hardwood Creek
 * Mahoney Brook
 * Mississippi River
 * Rice Creek
 * Rum River
 * Sand Creek
 * Seelye Brook
 * Trott Brook
 * Pheasant creek

Major highways

 * [[Image:I-35.svg|20px]] Interstate 35
 * [[Image:I-35E.svg|25px]] Interstate 35E
 * [[Image:I-35W.svg|25px]] Interstate 35W
 * [[Image:I-694.svg|25px]] Interstate 694
 * [[Image:US 10.svg|20px]] US Highway 10
 * [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] US Highway 169
 * [[Image:MN-47.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 47
 * [[Image:MN-65.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 65
 * [[Image:MN-97.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 97
 * [[Image:MN-610.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 610
 * List of county roads

Adjacent counties

 * Isanti County - north
 * Chisago County - northeast
 * Washington County - east
 * Ramsey County - southeast
 * Hennepin County - southwest
 * Sherburne County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Bethel Wildlife Management Area
 * Boot Lake Scientific and Natural Area
 * Bunker Hills Regional Park
 * Carl E Bonnell Wildlife Management Area
 * Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area
 * Cedar Creek Conservation Area
 * Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
 * East Bethel Booster Park
 * Gordie Mikkelson Wildlife Management Area
 * Helen Allison Savanna Scientific and Natural Area
 * Lake George Regional Park
 * Martin Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park
 * Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (part)
 * Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Preserve
 * Robert and Marilyn Burman Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
Anoka County has a hot-summer humid continental climate zone (Dfa in the Köppen climate classification), typical of southern parts of the Upper Midwest, and is situated in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b. As is typical in a continental climate, the difference between average temperatures in the coldest winter month and the warmest summer month is great: 60.1 F-change. In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Anoka have ranged from a low of 5 °F in January to a high of 81 °F in July, although a record low of -50 °F was recorded in January 2019 and a record high of 103 °F was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.87 in in February to 4.45 in in July.

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, 330,844 people were in the county.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 298,084 people, 106,428 households, and 79,395 families resided in the county. The population density was 705 /mi2. The 108,091 housing units had an average density of 256 /mi2.

At the time of the 2000 Census, the racial makeup of the county was 93.64% White, 1.60% African American, 0.70% Native American, 1.69% Asian,  0.67% from other races, and 1.71 percent from two or more races; 1.66% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race. The 2000 Census found 30.2% were of German, 14.3% Norwegian, 9.0% Swedish, 7.3% Irish, and 5.9% Polish ancestry.

Of the 106,428 households, 39.9% had children under 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were not families. About 19.3% were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77, and the average family size was 3.19.

The county's age distribution was 28.9% under 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $57,754, and for a family was $64,261. Males had a median income of $41,527 versus $30,534 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,297. About 2.90% of families and 4.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.90% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics
Anoka County was once one of the most Democratic suburban counties in any metropolitan area nationwide and one of the rare few to have trended Republican since in 21st century. On a national level, Anoka County has voted for the Republican presidential candidate from 2000 onward, though with the margins remaining within 3% outside of 2004 and 2016. However, incumbent Democratic-Farmer-Labor Senator Amy Klobuchar defeated Jim Newberger by over 20,000 votes here in the 2018 midterms; Klobuchar also won this county in 2006 and 2012. Despite this, Republican Karin Housley narrowly defeated Democrat Tina Smith in the concurrent Senate special election in 2018, despite Smith winning the overall election by a margin over 10 points.

County commissioners
As of April 2023:
 * District 1 - Matt Look
 * District 2 - Julie Braastad
 * District 3 - Jeff Reinert
 * District 4 - Scott Schulte
 * District 5 - Mike Gamache
 * District 6 - Julie Jeppson
 * District 7 - Mandy Meisner

Cities

 * Andover
 * Anoka
 * Bethel
 * Blaine (partially in Ramsey County)
 * Centerville
 * Circle Pines
 * Columbia Heights
 * Columbus
 * Coon Rapids
 * East Bethel
 * Fridley
 * Ham Lake
 * Hilltop
 * Lexington
 * Lino Lakes
 * Nowthen
 * Oak Grove
 * Ramsey
 * Saint Francis (partially in Isanti County)
 * Spring Lake Park (partially in Ramsey County)

Township

 * Linwood Township

Census-designated place

 * Martin Lake

Unincorporated community

 * Linwood

Education
School districts include:
 * Anoka-Hennepin School District
 * Centennial Public School District
 * Columbia Heights Public School District
 * Elk River School District
 * Forest Lake Public School District
 * Fridley Public School District
 * Spring Lake Park Public Schools
 * St. Francis Area Schools
 * White Bear Lake School District

title: Anoka County, Minnesota


text:
Barraiya

Barraiya is a god in Australian Aboriginal mythology who created the first vagina with a spear so that Eingana could give birth.

title: Barraiya


text:
Aitkin County, Minnesota

Aitkin County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,697. Its county seat is Aitkin. Part of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county. The county was created in 1857 and organized in 1871.

History
Aitkin County was established in 1857 as Aiken County. The current spelling was adopted in 1872. It was named for William Alexander Aitken, a fur trader for the American Fur Company, under John Jacob Astor. Formed from Ramsey and Pine counties, Aiken County originally consisted of the 17 townships closest to Mille Lacs Lake. It acquired outlands of Ramsey, Itasca and Pine Counties to its north and east. It was organized in 1871, taking up lands from Cass and Itasca Counties and losing a point in the southwestern corner to Crow Wing County to form its current boundaries.

Geography
The Mississippi River flows southward through the west central part of the county. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds. The terrain slopes to the south; its highest point is Quadna Mountain, 2.5 mi south-southeast of Hill City, at 1,591 ft ASL. Otherwise the highest terrain is near its northwestern corner, at 1,388 ft ASL. The county has a total area of 1995 sqmi, of which 1822 sqmi is land and 174 sqmi (8.7%) is water.

Major highways

 * [[Image:US 2.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 2
 * [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 169
 * [[Image:MN-18.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 18
 * [[Image:MN-27.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 27
 * [[Image:MN-47.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 47
 * [[Image:MN-65.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 65
 * [[Image:MN-200.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 200
 * [[Image:MN-210.svg|20px]] Minnesota State Highway 210
 * List of County Roads

Adjacent counties

 * Itasca County - north
 * Saint Louis County - northeast
 * Carlton County - east
 * Pine County - southeast
 * Kanabec County - south
 * Mille Lacs County - southwest
 * Crow Wing County - west
 * Cass County - northwest

Protected areas

 * Grayling State Wildlife Management Area
 * Hill River State Forest
 * Kimberly State Wildlife Management Area
 * McGregor Marsh Scientific and Natural Area
 * Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
 * Ripple River State Wildlife Management Area
 * Salo Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
 * Savanna Portage State Park
 * Snake River County Park
 * Solana State Forest

Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Aitkin have ranged from a low of 0 °F in January to a high of 80 °F in July, although a record low of -47 °F was recorded in January 1972 and a record high of 100 °F was recorded in August 1976. Although these records are the official records, temperatures above 100 °F has been detected numerous times throughout Aitkin County and surrounding areas. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.79 in in February to 4.46 in in June.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,202 people, 7,542 households, and 4,458 families in the county. The population density was 8.89 /mi2. There were 16,626 housing units at an average density of 9.13 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 95.63% or 15,494 people White, 0.35% or 57 people Black or African American, 2.4% or 390 people Native American, 0.17% or 27 people Asian, 0.025% or 4 people Pacific Islander, 0.13% or 21 people from other races, and 1.29% or 209 people from two or more races. Of the population with two or more races, 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of German, 14.3% Norwegian, 13.0% Swedish, 6.2% Irish, 5.3% United States or American and 5.2% Finnish ancestry.

There were 6,644 households, out of which 22.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.76.

The county population contained 20.90% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 29.10% from 45 to 64, and 23.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,139, and the median income for a family was $58,290. Males had a median income of $51,604 versus $30,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,848. About 5.20% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.50% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

 * Aitkin
 * Hill City
 * McGrath
 * McGregor
 * Palisade
 * Tamarack

Townships

 * Aitkin Township
 * Ball Bluff Township
 * Balsam Township
 * Beaver Township
 * Clark Township
 * Cornish Township
 * Farm Island Township
 * Fleming Township
 * Glen Township
 * Haugen Township
 * Hazelton Township
 * Hill Lake Township
 * Idun Township
 * Jevne Township
 * Kimberly Township
 * Lakeside Township
 * Lee Township
 * Libby Township
 * Logan Township
 * Macville Township
 * Malmo Township
 * McGregor Township
 * Millward Township
 * Morrison Township
 * Nordland Township
 * Pliny Township
 * Rice River Township
 * Salo Township
 * Seavey Township
 * Shamrock Township
 * Spalding Township
 * Spencer Township
 * Turner Township
 * Verdon Township
 * Wagner Township
 * Waukenabo Township
 * Wealthwood Township
 * White Pine Township
 * Williams Township
 * Workman Township

Unorganized territories

 * Davidson
 * Jewett
 * Northeast Aitkin
 * Northwest Aitkin

Unincorporated communities

 * Arthyde
 * Ball Bluff
 * Bennettville
 * Cutler
 * Dads Corner
 * East Lake (Minisinaakwaang)
 * Giese
 * Glen
 * Glory
 * Hassman
 * Haypoint
 * Jacobson
 * Kimberly
 * Lawler
 * Libby
 * Malmo
 * Minnewawa
 * Nichols
 * Rabey
 * Red Top
 * Ronald
 * Rossburg
 * Sandy Lake (Gaa-mitaawangaagamaag)
 * Sheshebee
 * Shovel Lake
 * Swatara
 * Thor
 * Waukenabo
 * Wealthwood

Government and politics
Aitkin County voters have selected the Democratic Party candidate in 67% of national elections since 1960. Recent presidential elections have shifted to the Republican Party, with their candidate winning four of the last five elections as of 2020 and their lone loss in that span coming by just 6 votes.

title: Aitkin County, Minnesota


text:
Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford County is a county in the Northern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 33,673. The seat of Wexford County is Cadillac, which is also the county's largest city.

Wexford County is largely covered by the Manistee National Forest, and thus is heavily wooded. The Manistee River flows from east to west in the north of the county. Briar Hill, the highest point in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, is located in northwestern Wexford County, at 1,706 ft.

The county is the location of the first known sighting of the Michigan Dogman, in 1887.

History
The county was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kautawaubet County, after a Potawatomi phrase meaning "broken tooth," and the name of a local Potawatomi chief. In 1843, legislators renamed the county Wexford, after County Wexford in Ireland.

In 1851, Wexford County was attached to Grand Traverse County for administrative purposes. It was then attached to Manistee County in 1855, before being organized on its own in 1869.

County seat battle
The Wexford County seat of government, originally located in Sherman, was moved to Manton in 1881, as the result of a compromise between the feuding residents of Cadillac and Sherman. Cadillac partisans, however, won the county seat by a county-wide vote in April 1882. The day following the election, a sheriff's posse left the city for Manton by special train to seize the county records. After they arrived and collected a portion of the materials, however, an angry crowd confronted the Cadillac men and drove them out of town.

When the sheriff returned to Cadillac, he encountered a force consisting of several hundred armed men; this group reportedly included a brass band. The Sheriff's force, some of whom may have been intoxicated, traveled back to Manton to seize the remaining records. Although Manton residents confronted the Cadillac men and barricaded the courthouse, the posse successfully seized the documents. They returned to Cadillac in dubious glory.

Geography
The Manistee River flows westward through the upper part of Wexford County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, largely tree-covered. The terrain slopes to the west, with its highest point, Briar Hill in Manistee National Forest at 1,706 ft.

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575.46 sqmi (1,490 km2), of which 565.00 sqmi (1,463 km2) is land and 10.46 sqmi (27.1 km2) (1.8%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * Grand Traverse County – north
 * Kalkaska County – northeast
 * Missaukee County – east
 * Osceola County – southeast
 * Lake County – southwest
 * Manistee County – west
 * Benzie County – northwest

Protected areas

 * Brandy Brook Waterfowl Area
 * Manistee National Forest (part)
 * Mitchell State Park

Lakes

 * Hodenpyl Dam Pond
 * Lake Cadillac
 * Lake Gitchegumee
 * Lake Mitchell
 * Long Lake
 * Round Lake (part)

Major highways

 * is a north–south highway that runs in the east of the county. Much of the highway within Wexford County is a freeway, including bypasses of Cadillac and Manton. South of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Reed City, Big Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. North of Wexford County, the highway, as a two-lane road, can be used to access Kalkaska and Petoskey.
 * is a business route serving downtown Cadillac. The route was created in 2001 with the completion of the US 131 freeway on the east side of Cadillac.
 * is a business route serving downtown Manton. The route was created in 2003 with the completion of the US 131 freeway on the east side of Manton.
 * is a north–south route in the west of the county. The highway runs through the villages of Mesick and Buckley. South of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Baldwin, White Cloud, and Newaygo. North of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Traverse City.
 * is an east–west highway in the northeast of the county. The route begins in Manton, and continues east into Missaukee County, where it can be used to access Lake City. Prior to 2007, the highway continued west from Manton to M-37 near Mesick.
 * is an east–west route that runs in the south of the county. The highway passes to the south and east of Cadillac, concurrent at points with US 131 and M-115. West of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Manistee. East of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Lake City and Houghton Lake.
 * is a diagonal northwest–southeast highway. The highway passes through the village of Mesick and passes southwest of Cadillac. Northwest of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Copemish and Frankfort. Southeast of Wexford County, the highway can be used to access Clare.

Cities

 * Cadillac (county seat)
 * Manton

Villages

 * Buckley
 * Harrietta
 * Mesick

Charter township

 * Haring Charter Township

Civil townships

 * Antioch Township
 * Boon Township
 * Cedar Creek Township
 * Cherry Grove Township
 * Clam Lake Township
 * Colfax Township
 * Greenwood Township
 * Hanover Township
 * Henderson Township
 * Liberty Township
 * Selma Township
 * Slagle Township
 * South Branch Township
 * Springville Township
 * Wexford Township

Census-designated places

 * Boon
 * Caberfae
 * Haring
 * Wedgewood

Other unincorporated communities

 * Axin
 * Bagnall
 * Baxter
 * Benson
 * Garletts Corner
 * Gilbert
 * Glengary
 * Harlan
 * Hobart
 * Hoxeyville
 * Meauwataka
 * Millersville
 * Missaukee Junction
 * Sherman
 * Wexford Corner
 * Yuma

Ghost towns

 * Angola
 * Bond's Mill
 * Bunyea
 * Cherry Grove
 * Claggettville
 * Coline
 * Elton
 * Haire
 * Mystic
 * Round Lake
 * Soper
 * Thorp
 * Wexford

Demographics
In 2020, the county's population was 33,673.

Government
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

 * Prosecuting Attorney: Corey Wiggins
 * Sheriff: Trent Taylor
 * County Clerk: Alaina M. Nyman
 * County Treasurer: Kristi Nottingham
 * Register of Deeds: Lorie L. Sorensen
 * Drain Commissioner: Michael J. Solomon
 * County Surveyor: Craig J. Pullen

(information as of July 2019)

Politics
Wexford County is one of the few counties to have given majorities to both the first Republican candidate, John C. Frémont, and to John McCain in his 2008 presidential campaign. The county also twice favored Democrat Bill Clinton.

Wexford County is divided between Michigan's 1st and 2nd congressional districts, both represented by Republicans Jack Bergman and John Moolenaar, respectively.

Tourism
There are many attractions and hot spots in Wexford County. The Manistee National Forest is one recreation site. The Manistee River is used by fishermen, kayakers, and canoers. There are many lakes; the largest are Cadillac and Mitchell. Two hundred miles of snowmobile trails are maintained by the Cadillac Winter Promotions volunteer group. There are at least eight golf courses near Cadillac. There are several museums near Cadillac. The Wexford Civic Center is a 4,000 capacity arena, 300 capacity hockey facility, 300 capacity grand stand, and several buildings for agricultural shows and expos.

Education
The Wexford–Missaukee Intermediate School District, based in Cadillac, services the school districts in the county (with the exception of Buckley Community Schools, which is covered by Northwest Educational Services). The intermediate school district offers regional special education services and technical career programs to students of its districts.

Wexford County is served by the following regular public school districts:

 * Buckley Community Schools
 * Cadillac Area Public Schools
 * Manton Consolidated Schools
 * Mesick Consolidated Schools

The county also has one charter school, the Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan.

Wexford County has the following private schools:

 * Cadillac Heritage Christian School
 * Northview Adventist School (Seventh-Day Adventist)
 * St. Ann School (Catholic)

Historical markers

There are several recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:
 * Battle of Manton
 * Caberfae Ski Resort
 * Cadillac Carnegie Library
 * Charles T. Mitchell House
 * Clam Lake Canal
 * Cobbs & Mitchell Building
 * Cobbs and Mitchell Mill No.1
 * First Wexford County Courthouse
 * Greenwood Disciples of Christ Church
 * Shay Locomotive

title: Wexford County, Michigan