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Stearns County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 45°33′N 94°37′W / 45.55°N 94.61°W / 45.55; -94.61
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Stearns County
County
Map of Minnesota highlighting Stearns 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°33′N 94°37′W / 45.55°N 94.61°W / 45.55; -94.61
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1855 [1]
Named forCharles Thomas Stearns by mistake. The county was to be named after Isaac Ingalls Stevens, but a clerical error changed the name to Stearns.
SeatSt. Cloud
Largest citySt. Cloud
Area
 • Total1,390 sq mi (3,600 km2)
 • Land1,345 sq mi (3,482 km2)
 • Water45 sq mi (118 km2)  3.27%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total133,166
 • Density99/sq mi (38/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Websitewww.co.stearns.mn.us

Stearns County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1855[1]. As of 2006, the population was 144,096 (133,166 in 2000). Its county seat is St. CloudTemplate:GR. It was named after Charles Thomas Stearns, a local politician.

Stearns County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area that is currently defined as Stearns County was once occupied by several indigenous tribes, such as the Sioux (Dakota), Chippewa (Ojibwe) and Winnebago (Ho-chunk). The first large immigration was of German Catholics in the 1850s. Early arrivals also came from eastern states. Originally, the county was to be named Stevens County to honor Governor Isaac Ingalls Stevens who conducted an area expedition in 1853. However, due to a clerical error, the county was named Stearns after Charles Thomas Stearns who was a member of the Territorial Council.

Presidential Election Results 2000-2008
Year Democrat Republican
2008 45.32% 35,690 52.31% 41,194
2004 43.21% 32,659 55.21% 41,726
2000 39.70% 24,800 51.86% 32,402

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau,the county has a total area of 1,390 square miles (3,600 km²), of which 1,345 square miles (3,482 km²) is land and 45 square miles (118 km²) (3.27%) is water.

Topography & Vegetation

The East border of Stearns County is the Mississippi River. The land consists of rolling hills, scenic lakes, and woodlands of a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees. There are 166 lakes in the county of Stearns.

Major highways


Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
194067,200—
195070,6815.2%
196080,34513.7%
197095,40018.7%
1980108,16113.4%
1990118,7919.8%
2000133,16612.1%

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 133,166 people, 47,604 households, and 32,132 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 50,291 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.99% White, 0.83% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.58% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 56.9% were of German and 9.4% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 47,604 households out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.50% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.15.

Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.10% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 19.10% 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 101.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,426, and the median income for a family was $51,553. Males had a median income of $34,268 versus $23,393 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,211. About 4.30% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Cities Townships

† Although mainly in Stearns County, the city extends into a neighboring county.
‡ These cities are based in an adjacent county, but extend into Stearns County.

References and notes

  1. ^ Minnesota Government Series, State Symbols

45°33′N 94°37′W / 45.55°N 94.61°W / 45.55; -94.61

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