Big Stone County, Minnesota

Big Stone County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 5,269.[2] Its county seat is Ortonville.[3]

Big Stone County
U.S. county
Big Stone County Courthouse in Ortonville, Minnesota.
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°26′N 96°25′W
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1862 (created)
1874 (organized)[1]
Named forBig Stone Lake
SeatOrtonville
Largest cityOrtonville
Area
 • Total528 sq mi (1,370 km2)
 • Land499 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  5.5%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total5,269
 • Estimate 
(2019)
4,991
 • Density10.1/sq mi (3.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.bigstonecounty.org

History

The county was formed in 1862, and was organized in 1874.[4]

Geography

Big Stone County lies on the western side of Minnesota. Its southwest boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of South Dakota. The Little Minnesota River flows along the county's southwestern boundary. Since 1937, a dam (Big Stone Lake Dam) has impounded the river's waters, creating Big Stone Lake. Water flowing out from this lake flows along the south boundary line of the county, and is known as the Minnesota River from that point. Fish Creek flows southwesterly through the northwestern part of the county, discharging into Big Stone Lake at the county's southwestern boundary.

The terrain of Big Stone County is low rolling hills, wooded or devoted to agriculture.[5] The terrain generally slopes to the south and east, although its southwestern portion slopes to the river valley. Its highest point is on its north line near the northwestern corner, 2.9 miles (4.6 km) east of Lagoona Beach, at 1,201' (366m) ASL.[6][7] The county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (5.5%) is water.[8]

Soils of Big Stone County[9]

Lakes

Source: United States Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles[10]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[5]
  • Big Stone Lake State Park
  • Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • Big Stone Wildlife Management Preserve (part)
  • Clinton Prairie Scientific and Nature Area
  • Dismal Swamp State Wildlife Management Area
  • Freed State Wildlife Management Area
  • Lac qui Parle State Wildlife Management Area
  • Otrey State Wildlife Management Area
  • Reisdorph State Wildlife Management Area
  • Victor State Wildlife Management Area

Climate and weather
Ortonville, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
0.6
 
 
23
1
 
 
0.6
 
 
27
7
 
 
1.4
 
 
39
19
 
 
2.6
 
 
56
32
 
 
2.5
 
 
69
45
 
 
3.6
 
 
78
56
 
 
3.9
 
 
84
60
 
 
2.7
 
 
82
58
 
 
2.6
 
 
73
47
 
 
2.2
 
 
59
34
 
 
1
 
 
41
21
 
 
0.4
 
 
25
7
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[11]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Ortonville have ranged from a low of 1 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −44 °F (−42 °C) was recorded in February 1994 and a record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1966. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.43 inches (11 mm) in December to 3.85 inches (98 mm) in July.[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
187024—
18803,68815,266.7%
18905,72255.2%
19008,73152.6%
19109,3677.3%
19209,7664.3%
19309,8380.7%
194010,4476.2%
19509,607−8.0%
19608,954−6.8%
19707,941−11.3%
19807,716−2.8%
19906,285−18.5%
20005,820−7.4%
20105,269−9.5%
2019 (est.)4,991[12]−5.3%
US Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2019[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data

2000 Census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[17] there were 5,820 people, 2,377 households, and 1,611 families in the county. The population density was 11.7/sqmi (4.50/km2). There were 3,171 housing units at an average density of 6.35/sqmi (2.45/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.7% were of German, 21.0% Norwegian, 8.0% Swedish and 6.3% Irish ancestry.

There were 2,377 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 24.80% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,721, and the median income for a family was $37,354. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $20,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,708. About 7.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Government and Politics

Big Stone County voters have tended to vote down the middle for several decades. In recent elections the vote has been more Republican than Democrat. In 2016 Donald Trump expanded the thin margin Mitt Romney won the county by in 2012 as Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton registered only 33% of the vote to Trump's 58%.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 62.6% 1,863 35.4% 1,053 2.0% 58
2016 58.4% 1,608 33.4% 921 8.2% 226
2012 49.7% 1,385 48.2% 1,345 2.1% 59
2008 45.6% 1,362 51.9% 1,552 2.5% 76
2004 48.4% 1,483 50.1% 1,536 1.6% 48
2000 46.0% 1,370 48.0% 1,430 6.0% 180
1996 33.0% 990 54.0% 1,619 13.1% 392
1992 30.8% 1,052 47.1% 1,610 22.2% 758
1988 41.7% 1,469 57.5% 2,026 0.9% 31
1984 47.3% 1,821 51.8% 1,994 0.8% 32
1980 47.7% 1,950 44.3% 1,814 8.0% 327
1976 33.2% 1,332 64.4% 2,581 2.4% 94
1972 43.5% 1,748 54.4% 2,185 2.1% 84
1968 41.7% 1,645 53.7% 2,119 4.6% 182
1964 31.9% 1,331 67.9% 2,831 0.2% 10
1960 42.8% 1,834 56.9% 2,437 0.3% 11
1956 44.3% 1,737 55.5% 2,180 0.2% 8
1952 51.5% 2,260 48.0% 2,107 0.6% 25
1948 34.0% 1,321 63.5% 2,466 2.6% 99
1944 42.9% 1,608 56.5% 2,120 0.6% 24
1940 43.0% 1,925 56.2% 2,517 0.9% 40
1936 27.9% 1,116 66.2% 2,648 5.9% 235
1932 21.0% 868 77.4% 3,200 1.6% 68
1928 43.2% 1,641 56.2% 2,133 0.7% 25
1924 46.1% 1,524 7.9% 260 46.0% 1,519
1920 78.2% 2,415 14.6% 451 7.3% 224
1916 44.9% 810 48.1% 869 7.0% 126
1912 14.6% 244 40.4% 677 45.1% 755[19]
1908 57.8% 965 33.8% 565 8.4% 140
1904 73.1% 1,234 18.8% 318 8.1% 136
1900 59.3% 1,081 35.3% 644 5.4% 99
1896 55.7% 1,048 39.5% 742 4.8% 91
1892 41.7% 576 36.0% 498 22.3% 308
County Board of Commissioners[20]
Position Name District
Commissioner Jay Backer District 1
Commissioner and Chairperson Wade Athey District 2
Commissioner Brent Olson District 3
Commissioner Roger Sandberg District 4
Commissioner Erich Klepel District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  Senate Torrey Westrom[21] Republican District 12
  House of Representatives Jeff Backer[22] Republican District 12A
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  House of Representatives Collin Peterson[23] Democrat 7th
  Senate Amy Klobuchar[24] Democrat N/A
  Senate Tina Smith[25] Democrat N/A

See also

References
  1. "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 53.
  5. Big Stone County MN Google Maps (accessed March 5, 2019)
  6. ""Find an Altitude/Big Stone County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 5, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. Big Stone County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 5, 2019)<
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  9. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  10. "US Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles". Archived from the original on March 10, 2007.
  11. "Monthly Averages for Ortonville MN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  12. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  13. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  17. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  19. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 591 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 98 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 62 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 4 votes.
  20. "Welcome to Big Stone County Minnesota". www.bigstonecounty.org. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  21. "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  22. "Rep. Jeff Backer (12A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  23. "Congressman Collin Peterson". Congressman Collin Peterson. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  24. "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  25. "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

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