Editing Dodge County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Dodge County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = February 20
 | founded year         = 1855<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Place Names |url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620201420/http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref>
 | seat wl              = Mantorville
 | largest city wl      = Kasson
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 440
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 439
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 0.3
 | area percentage      = 0.07%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 20867
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 21088 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 47.5
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.co.dodge.mn.us
 | named for            = [[Henry Dodge]]
 | ex image             = CourthouseMantorvilleMN.JPG
 | ex image cap         = Dodge County Courthouse
 | district             = 1st
}}

'''Dodge County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. The population was 20,867 as of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/dodgecountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 23, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Mantorville, Minnesota|Mantorville]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

Dodge County is part of the [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]], MN [[Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
The area of present Dodge County was a hunting and battle ground for the Mdewakanton [[Sioux]], often fighting [[Sauk people|Sauk]] and [[Meskwaki]] who wandered into their territory. Possibly the first non-indigenous person to enter the territory was a French fur trader from Canada in 1655. After the fur trappers and early explorers, the area was populated by settlers from [[New England]]. The 1820s and 1830s saw significant emigration, eased by completion of the [[Erie Canal]] (1825) and the end of the [[Black Hawk War]] (1831). They brought a passion for education, establishing many schools, as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were members of the [[Congregationalist Church|Congregational]] or [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] church. Culturally Dodge County was similar to colonial New England during the nineteenth century.<ref>The Jones-Steele Family History: Dodge County, Minnesota by Earl W. Velander, Georgean Velander E. & G. Velander, 1990</ref> In 1853 government surveyors set lines for the townships. In 1854, two Mantor brothers and Eli P. Waterman established their claims in the area of present Mantorville. In early 1855, Dodge County was organized for local government. It was named for [[Henry Dodge]], the first governor of [[Wisconsin]] (1836–1841).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|year=1920|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n190 171]}}</ref>

The Minnesota State Constitution placed Dodge County in the Fifth Judicial District on May 11, 1858. The county courthouse was constructed in 1865; it is presently the oldest still-used courthouse in Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dodge County Courthouse |url=http://www.mncourts.gov/?siteID=0&page=CourtHouseProfile&ID=40018 |access-date=May 14, 2015 |publisher=Minnesota Judicial Branch}}</ref> As the 20th century began, emigrants from [[Germany]], [[Sweden]] and [[Norway]] flowed to Minnesota in increasing numbers. Their influence added [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Lutheran Church|Lutheran]] influence to the cultural mix.
[[File:Dodge Co MN Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Dodge County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]

==Geography==
The [[Zumbro River#Courses|South Branch of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River]] flows east-northeast through the upper central part of Dodge County. Salem Creek and [[Harkcom Creek]] drain the county to the east. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture where possible.<ref name="DCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dodge+County,+MN/@43.9935267,-92.775408,21788m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f73db3616dde2f:0x138b8aecc9a91153!8m2!3d43.9842889!4d-92.8577105 ''Dodge County MN''  Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the northeast; its highest point is on the eastern part of its southern border, at {{convert|1,352|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Dodge County MN"  Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|440|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|439|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi}} (0.07%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102023/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Dodge County is in southeastern Minnesota and is {{convert|24|mi|km}} long and {{convert|18|mi|km}} wide. The central and northern parts are hilly and thickly wooded with pebbly, loose soil that allows for wheat agriculture. The southern part, in contrast, is flat and wet, more suited to grazing livestock. The soil is very fertile, with heavy black loam. Dodge is one of seven southern Minnesota counties that have no forest ecosystems; only prairie and savanna soils exist here.

Dodge County's plentiful sand and rock also make the area a center for building. [[Quarry|Quarries]] in Mantorville were once enterprises and consist of layers of thick stone that can be cut into any desired shape. Wasioja is known nationwide for its excellent "[[Wasioja]] stone."

===Streams===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* Dodge Center Creek
* Harkcom Creek
* Henslin Creek
* [[Little Cedar River (Dodge County, Minnesota)|Little Cedar River]]
* [[Masten Creek]]
* [[Milliken Creek (Minnesota)|Millikin Creek]]
* Salem Creek
* Tompkins Creek
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
* Rice Lake (part)
* Zumbro River Reservoir

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Image:US 14.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 14 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 14]]
* [[Image:US 218 (MN).svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 218#Minnesota|U.S. Highway 218]]
* [[Image:MN-30.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 30]]
* [[Image:MN-56.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 56]]
* [[Image:MN-57.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 57]]
{{div col end}}

===Airport===
* [[Dodge Center Municipal Airport]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice County]] - northwest
* [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]] - northeast
* [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]] - east
* [[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower County]] - south
* [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele County]] -west
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 3797
|1870= 8598
|1880= 11344
|1890= 10864
|1900= 13340
|1910= 12094
|1920= 12552
|1930= 12127
|1940= 12931
|1950= 12624
|1960= 13259
|1970= 13037
|1980= 14773
|1990= 15731
|2000= 17731
|2010= 20087
|2020= 20867
|estyear=2023
|estimate=21088
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Dodge County Racial Composition<ref>{{Cite web |title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dodge County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Dodge%20County,%20Minnesota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|18,807
|90.13%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|126
|0.6%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|37
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|104
|0.5%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|1
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|735
|3.5%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,057
|5.1%
|}

===2000 census===
[[File:DodgeCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Dodge County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|40.4|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15.1|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.41% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.89% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 34.2% were of [[German people|German]], 26.9% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]], 5.8% [[Irish people|Irish]], 5.8% [[United States|American]] and 5.1% [[English people|English]] ancestry.

There were 6,420 households, out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,437, and the median income for a family was $54,261. Males had a median income of $34,195 versus $25,903 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,259. About 4.40% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Blooming Prairie, Minnesota|Blooming Prairie]] (partly in [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele County]])
* [[Claremont, Minnesota|Claremont]]
* [[Dodge Center, Minnesota|Dodge Center]]
* [[Hayfield, Minnesota|Hayfield]]
* [[Kasson, Minnesota|Kasson]]
* [[Mantorville, Minnesota|Mantorville]] (county seat)
* [[West Concord, Minnesota|West Concord]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Berne, Minnesota|Berne]]
* [[Concord, Minnesota|Concord]]
* [[Danesville, Minnesota|Danesville]] (partial)
* [[Eden, Minnesota|Eden]]
* [[Oslo, Dodge County, Minnesota|Oslo]]
* [[Rice Lake (ghost town), Minnesota|Rice Lake]] (ghost town)
* [[Wasioja, Minnesota|Wasioja]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Ashland Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Ashland Township]]
* [[Canisteo Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Canisteo Township]]
* [[Claremont Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Claremont Township]]
* [[Concord Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Concord Township]]
* [[Ellington Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Ellington Township]]
* [[Hayfield Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Hayfield Township]]
* [[Mantorville Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Mantorville Township]]
* [[Milton Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Milton Township]]
* [[Ripley Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Ripley Township]]
* [[Vernon Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Vernon Township]]
* [[Wasioja Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Wasioja Township]]
* [[Westfield Township, Dodge County, Minnesota|Westfield Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Dodge County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Dodge County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 17, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,095|4,108|281|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,783|4,079|325|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,527|3,102|1,025|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,522|4,487|318|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,468|4,463|282|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,593|4,117|158|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,213|3,370|467|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,888|3,233|1,314|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,049|2,620|2,303|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,848|2,925|73|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,428|2,786|48|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,900|2,698|502|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,446|3,009|143|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,863|1,921|152|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,064|2,437|208|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,474|3,138|8|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,769|2,170|4|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,205|1,814|6|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,893|1,582|33|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,381|2,523|57|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,902|1,808|15|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,257|2,357|11|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,138|2,812|188|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,129|2,675|87|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,569|1,196|26|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,856|215|1,258|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,386|516|158|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,260|895|103|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|470|543|1,000|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,454|515|115|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,499|319|158|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,611|674|191|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,900|911|108|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,219|536|448|Minnesota}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Dodge County, Minnesota]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.co.dodge.mn.us/ Dodge County government's website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Dodge County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]]
|East      = [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]]
|South     = [[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower County]]
|West      = [[Steele County, Minnesota|Steele County]]
|Northwest = [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice County]]
}}

{{Dodge County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|44.03|-92.86|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Dodge County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:Rochester metropolitan area, Minnesota]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]