Douglas County, Minnesota
County in Minnesota, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Douglas County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,006.[2] Its county seat is Alexandria.[3]
United States1866 (organized)[1]
Douglas County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
Douglas County Courthouse in Alexandria, Minnesota. | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
| Coordinates: 45°56′N 95°27′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | March 8, 1858 (created) 1866 (organized)[1] |
| Named after | Stephen A. Douglas |
| Seat | Alexandria |
| Largest city | Alexandria |
| Area | |
• Total | 720 sq mi (1,900 km2) |
| • Land | 637 sq mi (1,650 km2) |
| • Water | 83 sq mi (210 km2) 11% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 39,006 |
• Estimate (2025) | 40,120  |
| • Density | 61.2/sq mi (23.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | www |
Douglas County comprises the Alexandria, Minnesota, Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Douglas County is the home of Minnesota's only wine-grape appellation, the 10,880 acres (44.0 km2) Alexandria Lakes AVA.[4]
History
The territorial legislature created Douglas County on March 8, 1858, shortly before Minnesota attained statehood. It was named for political figure Stephen A. Douglas, who was serving as a US Senator from Illinois at the time of the county's creation.[5] The county organization was completed in 1866.
Geography
Spruce Creek flows southeast through northeastern Douglas county. The county consists of rolling hills, heavily dotted with lakes and ponds, especially in its north-to-south central portion.[6] The hilly terrain generally slopes to the south and west; its highest point is near the northeast corner, at 1,483 ft (452 m) ASL.[7] The county has an area of 720 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 637 square miles (1,650 km2) is land and 83 square miles (210 km2) (11%) is water.[8] It contains more than 250 lakes.
The county includes two of Minnesota's biomes: prairie grassland in the west and southeast, savannas (also prairie ecosystems) in the middle, and temperate deciduous forest in the south-central, north, and east.[9] Douglas is one of 17 Minnesota counties where savanna soils predominate.
Major highways
Airports
- Alexandria Municipal Airport ("Chandler Field"), city-owned public-use airport
Adjacent counties
- Otter Tail County - north
- Todd County - east
- Stearns County - southeast
- Pope County - south
- Stevens County - southwest
- Grant County - west
Protected areas
- Anderson State Wildlife Management Area
- Balgaard State Wildlife Management Area
- Chermak State Wildlife Management Area
- Herberger Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Kensington State Wildlife Management Area
- La Grand State Wildlife Management Area
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Osakis State Wildlife Management Area North Unit (part)
- Red Rock Wildlife Management Area
- Roger M. Holmes State Wildlife Management Area
- Schnepf State Wildlife Management Area
- Thornberg State Wildlife Management Area
- Urness State Wildlife Management Area
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 4,239 | — | |
| 1880 | 9,130 | 115.4% | |
| 1890 | 14,606 | 60.0% | |
| 1900 | 17,964 | 23.0% | |
| 1910 | 17,669 | −1.6% | |
| 1920 | 19,039 | 7.8% | |
| 1930 | 18,813 | −1.2% | |
| 1940 | 20,369 | 8.3% | |
| 1950 | 21,304 | 4.6% | |
| 1960 | 21,313 | 0.0% | |
| 1970 | 22,892 | 7.4% | |
| 1980 | 27,839 | 21.6% | |
| 1990 | 28,674 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 32,821 | 14.5% | |
| 2010 | 36,009 | 9.7% | |
| 2020 | 39,006 | 8.3% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 40,120 | [11] | 2.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[2] | |||
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[16] | Pop 1990[17] | Pop 2000[18] | Pop 2010[19] | Pop 2020[20] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 27,595 | 28,409 | 32,216 | 34,974 | 36,629 | 99.12% | 99.08% | 98.16% | 97.13% | 93.91% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4 | 14 | 58 | 146 | 223 | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.18% | 0.41% | 0.57% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 45 | 73 | 74 | 94 | 104 | 0.16% | 0.25% | 0.23% | 0.26% | 0.27% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 91 | 100 | 130 | 163 | 227 | 0.33% | 0.35% | 0.40% | 0.45% | 0.58% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [21] | x [22] | 9 | 3 | 11 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 33 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 60 | 0.12% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.15% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [23] | x [24] | 138 | 281 | 937 | x | x | 0.42% | 0.78% | 2.40% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 71 | 78 | 193 | 341 | 815 | 0.26% | 0.27% | 0.59% | 0.95% | 2.09% |
| Total | 27,839 | 28,674 | 32,821 | 36,009 | 39,006 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 39,006. The median age was 43.8 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.2 males age 18 and over.[25][26]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.[26]
48.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 51.4% lived in rural areas.[27]
There were 16,557 households in the county, of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.4% were married-couple households, 18.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]
There were 21,769 housing units, of which 23.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.0% were owner-occupied and 25.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.[25]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,821 people, 13,276 households, and 9,027 families in the county. The population density was 51.5 per square mile (19.9/km2). There were 16,694 housing units at an average density of 26.2 per square mile (10.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.5% were of German, 24.6% Norwegian and 8.1% Swedish ancestry.
There were 13,276 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.
The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,703, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $30,968 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,850. About 5.60% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.30% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Alexandria (county seat)
- Brandon
- Carlos
- Evansville
- Forada
- Garfield
- Kensington
- Millerville
- Miltona
- Nelson
- Osakis (part)
Unincorporated communities
- Belle River
- Holmes City
- Leaf Valley
- Rose City
Townships
- Alexandria Township
- Belle River Township
- Brandon Township
- Carlos Township
- Evansville Township
- Holmes City Township
- Hudson Township
- Ida Township
- La Grand Township
- Lake Mary Township
- Leaf Valley Township
- Lund Township
- Millerville Township
- Miltona Township
- Moe Township
- Orange Township
- Osakis Township
- Solem Township
- Spruce Hill Township
- Urness Township
Government and politics
Douglas County traditionally votes Republican. In only one presidential election since 1964 has it selected the Democratic candidate. In recent years the Republican tilt in the county has increased, with Donald Trump receiving 67% of the county's vote in 2024, the best performance for a Republican presidential candidate since Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.[28]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 1,315 | 50.89% | 533 | 20.63% | 736 | 28.48% |
| 1896 | 1,966 | 57.84% | 1,350 | 39.72% | 83 | 2.44% |
| 1900 | 1,917 | 59.87% | 1,194 | 37.29% | 91 | 2.84% |
| 1904 | 2,171 | 79.41% | 410 | 15.00% | 153 | 5.60% |
| 1908 | 1,894 | 60.92% | 979 | 31.49% | 236 | 7.59% |
| 1912 | 435 | 14.94% | 793 | 27.23% | 1,684 | 57.83% |
| 1916 | 1,709 | 50.26% | 1,398 | 41.12% | 293 | 8.62% |
| 1920 | 4,428 | 66.13% | 733 | 10.95% | 1,535 | 22.92% |
| 1924 | 2,424 | 39.15% | 315 | 5.09% | 3,453 | 55.77% |
| 1928 | 4,262 | 59.27% | 2,829 | 39.34% | 100 | 1.39% |
| 1932 | 2,325 | 30.37% | 5,101 | 66.63% | 230 | 3.00% |
| 1936 | 2,681 | 36.41% | 4,186 | 56.84% | 497 | 6.75% |
| 1940 | 4,652 | 50.53% | 4,507 | 48.95% | 48 | 0.52% |
| 1944 | 4,140 | 52.62% | 3,681 | 46.79% | 46 | 0.58% |
| 1948 | 3,744 | 41.73% | 5,022 | 55.97% | 207 | 2.31% |
| 1952 | 6,037 | 61.30% | 3,768 | 38.26% | 43 | 0.44% |
| 1956 | 5,114 | 54.87% | 4,194 | 45.00% | 12 | 0.13% |
| 1960 | 5,594 | 53.25% | 4,871 | 46.36% | 41 | 0.39% |
| 1964 | 4,122 | 40.51% | 6,040 | 59.36% | 13 | 0.13% |
| 1968 | 5,464 | 50.41% | 4,826 | 44.52% | 549 | 5.07% |
| 1972 | 6,678 | 52.97% | 5,501 | 43.64% | 427 | 3.39% |
| 1976 | 5,910 | 44.39% | 7,097 | 53.30% | 307 | 2.31% |
| 1980 | 7,778 | 53.85% | 5,530 | 38.28% | 1,137 | 7.87% |
| 1984 | 9,005 | 61.92% | 5,444 | 37.43% | 94 | 0.65% |
| 1988 | 7,898 | 57.02% | 5,803 | 41.89% | 151 | 1.09% |
| 1992 | 6,356 | 40.08% | 5,252 | 33.12% | 4,251 | 26.80% |
| 1996 | 6,747 | 43.63% | 6,450 | 41.71% | 2,267 | 14.66% |
| 2000 | 9,811 | 57.02% | 6,352 | 36.92% | 1,042 | 6.06% |
| 2004 | 11,793 | 58.07% | 8,219 | 40.47% | 297 | 1.46% |
| 2008 | 11,241 | 53.74% | 9,256 | 44.25% | 421 | 2.01% |
| 2012 | 11,884 | 56.72% | 8,653 | 41.30% | 416 | 1.99% |
| 2016 | 13,966 | 64.11% | 6,227 | 28.58% | 1,592 | 7.31% |
| 2020 | 15,799 | 65.38% | 7,868 | 32.56% | 498 | 2.06% |
| 2024 | 16,726 | 66.62% | 7,938 | 31.62% | 442 | 1.76% |
| Position | Name | District | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner | Keith Englund | District 1 | |
| Commissioner | Tim Kalina | District 2 | |
| Commissioner | Jerry Rapp | District 3 | |
| Commissioner | Charlie Meyer | District 4 | |
| Commissioner | Shane Schmidt | District 5 | |
| Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | Bill Ingebrigtsen[31] | Republican | District 8 | |
| Senate | Torrey Westrom[32] | Republican | District 12 | |
| House of Representatives | Mary Franson[33] | Republican | District 8B | |
| House of Representatives | Jeff Backer[34] | Republican | District 12A | |
| House of Representatives | Paul Anderson[35] | Republican | District 12B | |
| Position | Name | Affiliation | District | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House of Representatives | Michelle Fischbach | Republican | 7th | |
| Senate | Amy Klobuchar[36] | DFL | N/A | |
| Senate | Tina Smith[37] | DFL | N/A | |