Norman County, Minnesota
Norman County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 6,852.[2] Its county seat is Ada.[3]
Norman County | |
---|---|
Norman County Courthouse in Ada, Minnesota. | |
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
Minnesota's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 47°20′N 96°28′W | |
Country | |
State | |
Founded | February 17, 1881[1] |
Named for | Norwegian settlers |
Seat | Ada |
Largest city | Ada |
Area | |
• Total | 877 sq mi (2,270 km2) |
• Land | 873 sq mi (2,260 km2) |
• Water | 3.9 sq mi (10 km2) 0.4%% |
Population | |
• Estimate (2018) | 6,475 |
• Density | 7.56/sq mi (2.92/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 7th |
Website | www |
The county is located in the Red River Valley region of Minnesota.
History
The county was created by the Minnesota legislature on 17 March 1881, with Ada (which had been founded in 1874) as county seat. It was named in recognition of the many settlers who came from Scandinavian countries, especially Norway.[4] Another source posits that it was named for Norman Kittson, an early historical figure of the region.[5]
Geography
Norman County lies on the west side of Minnesota. Its west border abuts the east border of the state of North Dakota across the Red River, which flows northward along (and defines) the county's west line. The Wild Rice River flows westward through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Red a little north of the county's southwest corner. The Marsh River rises in central Norman County and flows northwestward into the Red near the county's NW corner. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages and lightly dotted with lakes and swampy areas. The terrain is devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the north and west with its highest point near its SE corner, at 1,224' (373m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 877 square miles (2,270 km2), of which 873 square miles (2,260 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.4%) is water.[8] Flom Township contains a prominent, irregular hill of morainic drift, known as Frenchman's Bluff. It rises 150' (46m) above the shoreline of the former Lake Agassis, three miles (5 km) to the northwest.[4]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Polk County - north
- Mahnomen County - east
- Becker County - southeast
- Clay County - south
- Cass County, North Dakota - southwest
- Traill County, North Dakota - west
Protected areas[6]
- Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (part)
- Agassiz No. 1 State Wildlife Management Area
- Agassiz No. 2 State Wildlife Management Area
- Dalby State Wildlife Management Area
- Faith State Wildlife Management Area
- Home Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Moccasin State Wildlife Management Area
- Neal State Wildlife Management Area
- Prairie Smoke Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
- Sandpiper Scientific and Natural Area
- Santee Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
- Syre State Wildlife Management Area
- Twin Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
- Twin Valley State Wildlife Management Area
- Vangsness State Wildlife Management Area
Lakes[6]
- Home Lake
- Lockhart Swamp
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1890 | 10,618 | — | |
1900 | 15,045 | 41.7% | |
1910 | 13,446 | −10.6% | |
1920 | 14,880 | 10.7% | |
1930 | 14,061 | −5.5% | |
1940 | 14,746 | 4.9% | |
1950 | 12,909 | −12.5% | |
1960 | 11,253 | −12.8% | |
1970 | 10,008 | −11.1% | |
1980 | 9,379 | −6.3% | |
1990 | 7,975 | −15.0% | |
2000 | 7,442 | −6.7% | |
2010 | 6,852 | −7.9% | |
Est. 2018 | 6,475 | [10] | −5.5% |
US Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2018[2] |
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 7,442 people, 3,010 households, and 2,007 families in the county. The population density was 8.52/sqmi (3.29/km²). There were 3,455 housing units at an average density of 3.96/sqmi (1.53/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 1.73% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 1.13% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 57.5% were of Norwegian and 21.7% German ancestry.
There were 3,010 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% of over age 64. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,535, and the median income for a family was $41,280. Males had a median income of $28,674 versus $20,619 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,895. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Townships
- Anthony Township
- Bear Park Township
- Flom Township
- Fossum Township
- Good Hope Township
- Green Meadow Township
- Halstad Township
- Hegne Township
- Hendrum Township
- Home Lake Township
- Lake Ida Township
- Lee Township
- Lockhart Township
- Mary Township
- McDonaldsville Township
- Pleasant View Township
- Rockwell Township
- Shelly Township
- Spring Creek Township
- Strand Township
- Sundal Township
- Waukon Township
- Wild Rice Township
- Winchester Township
Politics
Norman County has often voted Democratic. Since 1968, in nine of the twelve national elections the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 52.1% 1,699 | 38.8% 1,264 | 9.1% 298 |
2012 | 43.2% 1,384 | 53.9% 1,730 | 2.9% 93 |
2008 | 35.1% 1,204 | 62.0% 2,129 | 2.9% 101 |
2004 | 47.1% 1,794 | 51.3% 1,954 | 1.6% 62 |
2000 | 49.7% 1,808 | 43.3% 1,575 | 7.1% 258 |
1996 | 37.4% 1,392 | 50.4% 1,875 | 12.2% 455 |
1992 | 37.4% 1,541 | 43.3% 1,784 | 19.3% 796 |
1988 | 45.2% 1,789 | 54.3% 2,149 | 0.5% 18 |
1984 | 49.2% 2,152 | 50.3% 2,202 | 0.5% 23 |
1980 | 44.9% 2,192 | 46.2% 2,253 | 8.9% 435 |
1976 | 39.6% 1,983 | 58.8% 2,946 | 1.7% 83 |
1972 | 50.5% 2,536 | 48.7% 2,444 | 0.8% 41 |
1968 | 39.5% 1,981 | 56.4% 2,828 | 4.1% 203 |
1964 | 31.4% 1,662 | 68.5% 3,631 | 0.2% 8 |
1960 | 47.3% 2,642 | 52.5% 2,932 | 0.2% 12 |
1956 | 46.0% 2,338 | 53.9% 2,740 | 0.1% 3 |
1952 | 55.1% 3,069 | 44.2% 2,465 | 0.7% 39 |
1948 | 32.9% 1,695 | 62.9% 3,245 | 4.2% 217 |
1944 | 39.5% 1,884 | 59.7% 2,846 | 0.8% 38 |
1940 | 36.5% 2,161 | 62.8% 3,716 | 0.7% 39 |
1936 | 28.5% 1,570 | 68.7% 3,778 | 2.8% 154 |
1932 | 25.1% 1,313 | 68.8% 3,601 | 6.1% 320 |
1928 | 67.4% 3,308 | 28.5% 1,401 | 4.1% 200 |
1924 | 45.8% 1,997 | 3.9% 171 | 50.3% 2,195 |
1920 | 74.2% 3,451 | 10.3% 481 | 15.5% 721 |
1916 | 42.1% 1,046 | 43.3% 1,076 | 14.6% 362 |
1912 | 14.7% 329 | 22.9% 510 | 62.4% 1,393 |
1908 | 55.3% 1,276 | 28.6% 661 | 16.1% 372 |
1904 | 78.0% 1,782 | 7.1% 161 | 14.9% 341 |
1900 | 53.6% 1,492 | 34.6% 964 | 11.8% 329 |
1896 | 49.6% 1,382 | 46.8% 1,304 | 3.6% 100 |
1892 | 39.0% 724 | 15.8% 294 | 45.2% 840 |
References
- "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
- "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. pp. 381–384.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 177.
- Norman County MN Google Maps (accessed 17 April 2019)
- "Find an Altitude/Norman County MN" Google Maps (accessed 17 April 2019)
- "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 57-60. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
- Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 10 October 2018.