Traverse County, Minnesota

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Not to be confused with Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

Traverse County
U.S. county
Old District No. 44 School
Old District No. 44 School
Map of Minnesota highlighting Traverse County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°46′N 96°28′W / 45.77°N 96.47°W / 45.77; -96.47
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1862 (created)
1881 (organized)
Named forLake Traverse[1]
SeatWheaton
Largest cityWheaton
Area
 • Total586 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Land574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.0%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total3,360
 • Density5.9/sq mi (2.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.co.traverse.mn.us

Traverse County (locally /ˈtrævərs/ TRAV-ərss) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 3,360,[2] making it the least-populous county in Minnesota. Its county seat is Wheaton.[3] The county was founded in 1862 and organized in 1881.[4]

Geography[]

Traverse County lies on the western edge of Minnesota. Its western border abuts the eastern borders of the states of North and South Dakota. The Red River flows northward along the county's western line. The Mustinka River flows southwestward through the county's upper portion, discharging into Lake Traverse. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, fully devoted to agriculture except in developed areas.[5] The terrain slopes to the west and north, with its highest point at the southeastern corner, at 1,119' (341m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 586 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.0%) is water.[7]

Soils of Traverse County[8]

Major highways[]

Adjacent counties[]

Protected areas[]

  • Reservation Dam State Wildlife Management Area
  • White Rock Dam State Wildlife Management Area

Lakes[5][]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
187013—
18801,50711,492.3%
18904,516199.7%
19007,57367.7%
19108,0496.3%
19207,943−1.3%
19307,938−0.1%
19408,2834.3%
19508,053−2.8%
19607,503−6.8%
19706,254−16.6%
19805,542−11.4%
19904,463−19.5%
20004,134−7.4%
20103,558−13.9%
20203,360−5.6%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 US census data

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 4,134 people, 1,717 households, and 1,129 families in the county. The population density was 7.2/sqmi (2.78/km2). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 3.83/sqmi (1.48/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.42% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 2.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.2% were of German, 13.0% Norwegian, 7.6% Swedish and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,717 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,617, and the median income for a family was $39,655. Males had a median income of $29,821 versus $20,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,378. About 9.30% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

Unincorporated communities[]

Townships[]

Government and Politics[]

Traverse County has a balanced electorate. Since 1980 the county has selected the Republican Party candidate 50% of the time in national elections (as of 2016).

Presidential election results
County Board of Commissioners[14]
Position Name District
Commissioner Todd Johnson District 1
Commissioner Kayla Schmidt District 2
Commissioner Mark Gail District 3
Commissioner and Chairperson David Salberg District 4
Commissioner Thomas Monson Jr. District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  Senate Torrey Westrom[15] Republican District 12
  House of Representatives Jeff Backer[16] Republican District 12A
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  House of Representatives Collin Peterson[17] Democrat 7th
  Senate Amy Klobuchar[18] Democrat N/A
  Senate Tina Smith[19] Democrat N/A

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Traverse County, Minnesota

Notes[]

  1. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 541 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 16 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 13 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 5 votes.

References[]

  1. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 550.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Traverse County, Minnesota". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Traverse County MN Google Maps (accessed April 2, 2019)
  6. ^ "Find an Altitude/Traverse County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 2, 2019)
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  9. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  14. ^ "County Commissioners | Traverse County, Minnesota". Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  16. ^ "Rep. Jeff Backer (12A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. ^ "Congressman Collin Peterson". Congressman Collin Peterson. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  18. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  19. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

Coordinates: 45°46′N 96°28′W / 45.77°N 96.47°W / 45.77; -96.47

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