Cottonwood County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°01′N 95°11′W / 44.01°N 95.18°W / 44.01; -95.18
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Cottonwood County
County
Map of Minnesota highlighting Cottonwood County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°01′N 95°11′W / 44.01°N 95.18°W / 44.01; -95.18
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMay 23, 1857[1]
Named forCottonwood River, translated from Waraju, a Dakota name of the abundant Eastern Cottonwood along its banks.[1]
SeatWindom
Largest cityWindom
Area
 • Total648.91 sq mi (1,680.7 km2)
 • Land639.99 sq mi (1,657.6 km2)
 • Water8.91 sq mi (23.1 km2)  1.37%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,687
 • Density19/sq mi (7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Websitewww.co.cottonwood.mn.us

Cottonwood County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 11,687.[2] Its county seat is WindomTemplate:GR.

History

Cottonwood County was established July 29, 1870. It was named after the Cottonwood River which runs through the northeast corner of Germantown Township. The river received its name from the abundance of cottonwood trees on its banks.

Minnesota Governor Austin appointed three county commissioners when the county was established. They met at a private 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. In the fall of 1870, the first general election was held. The first deed on record was filed on January 10, 1870. The first land assessments were made in 1871, and in 1872, the first taxes were paid.

WindomTemplate:GR was declared the county seat in the 1872 general election and a proclamation was signed by the governor.

Presidential Election Results 2000-2008
Year Democrat Republican
2008 45.71% 2759 52.30% 3157
2004 42.80% 2726 55.85% 3557
2000 40.50% 2503 54.51% 3369

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 648.91 square miles (1,680.7 km2), of which 639.99 square miles (1,657.6 km2) (or 98.63%) is land and 8.91 square miles (23.1 km2) (or 1.37%) is water.[3]

Watersheds

The northeast part of the county drains north to the Minnesota River through numerous small creeks, the Cottonwood River and Watonwan River. The southwest part of the county 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

Des Moines River Watershed Minnesota River Watershed

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186012—
18705344,350.0%
18805,533936.1%
18907,41234.0%
190012,06962.8%
191012,6514.8%
192014,57015.2%
193014,7821.5%
194016,1439.2%
195015,763−2.4%
196016,1662.6%
197014,887−7.9%
198014,854−0.2%
199012,694−14.5%
200012,167−4.2%
201011,687−3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data.

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,167 people, 4,917 households, and 3,338 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 5,376 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). 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 according to Census 2000.

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.

In the county the population was spread out with 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.

Cities and towns

Cities Townships Unincorporated

† Most of Comfrey is in Brown County, but the city extends into Cottonwood County.

County parks

  • Dynamite (Great Bend Township)
  • Lady Bird (Southbrook Township)
  • Pat's Grove (Springfield Township)[4]
  • Mountain (Mountain Lake Township)
  • Red Rock (Germantown Township)
  • South Dutch Charlie (Westbrook Township)[5][6]
  • Talcot Lake (Southbrook Township)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Minnesota Place Names at Minnesota Historical Society
  2. ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
  4. ^ 43°52′32″N 95°17′39″W / 43.8756°N 95.2942°W / 43.8756; -95.2942
  5. ^ 44°05′00″N 95°23′01″W / 44.0832°N 95.3836°W / 44.0832; -95.3836
  6. ^ The park is named after the county's first resident of European descent, Charles "Dutch Charlie" Zierke. "Cottonwood County Timeline". Cottonwood County Historical Society. Retrieved 2009-08-16.

Further reading

  • Cottonwood County Minnesota Highway Map, Cottonwood County Highway Department, 2003.
  • DeLorme's Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer (ISBN 0-89933-333-8)

External links

44°01′N 95°11′W / 44.01°N 95.18°W / 44.01; -95.18

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