Editing Douglas County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Douglas County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | ex image             = Douglas County Courthouse (MN).jpg 
 | ex image cap         = Douglas County Courthouse in [[Alexandria, Minnesota]].
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = March 8
 | founded year         = 1858 (created)<br/>1866 (organized)<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              = Alexandria
 | largest city wl      = Alexandria
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 720
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 637
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 83 
 | area percentage      = 11%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 39006
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 39933 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 61.2
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = https://www.douglascountymn.gov/
 | named for            = [[Stephen A. Douglas]]
 | district             = 7th
}}

'''Douglas County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 39,006.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/douglascountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]].<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>

Douglas County comprises the Alexandria, Minnesota, [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

Douglas County is the home of Minnesota's only wine-grape [[appellation]], the {{convert|10,880|acre|km2}} [[Alexandria Lakes AVA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 22, 2006 |url=http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13040.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060422035826/http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-13040.pdf |archive-date=April 22, 2006}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |year=1905 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n107 108]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="DCM">{{Cite web |title=Douglas County · Minnesota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Douglas+County,+MN/@45.9568437,-95.6553887,22230m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x52ca1a51f816fb4d:0xe4bb7e25f45ca82d!8m2!3d45.9279387!4d-95.4218815 |access-date=December 27, 2021 |website=Douglas County · Minnesota |language=en}}</ref> The hilly terrain generally slopes to the south and west; its highest point is near the northeast corner, at {{convert|1,483|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Douglas County MN"  Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)]</ref> The county has an area of {{convert|720|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|637|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|83|sqmi}} (11%) 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> It contains more than 250 lakes.

The county includes two of [[Natural history of Minnesota|Minnesota's biomes]]: [[prairie|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Minnesota's Biomes |url=http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/forestry/biomes/biomes_posterback_sm.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211223049/http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/forestry/biomes/biomes_posterback_sm.pdf |archive-date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=February 27, 2010 |publisher=[[Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]]}}</ref> Douglas is one of 17 Minnesota counties where savanna soils predominate.
[[File:Douglas Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Douglas County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 53-56. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
*[[Image:I-94.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 94 in Minnesota|Interstate 94]]
*[[Image:US 52.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 52]]
*[[Image:MN-27.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 27]]
*[[Image:MN-29.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 29]]
*[[Image:MN-55.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 55]]
*[[Image:MN-79.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 79]]
*[[Image:MN-114.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 114]]
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
* [[Alexandria Municipal Airport]] ("Chandler Field"), city-owned public-use [[airport]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail County]] - north
* [[Todd County, Minnesota|Todd County]] - east
* [[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns County]] - southeast
* [[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope County]] - south
* [[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens County]] - southwest
* [[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant County]] - west
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* 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
{{div col end}}
<ref name=DCM/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 4239
|1880= 9130
|1890= 14606
|1900= 17964
|1910= 17669
|1920= 19039
|1930= 18813
|1940= 20369
|1950= 21304
|1960= 21313
|1970= 22892
|1980= 27839
|1990= 28839
|2000= 32821
|2010= 36009
|2020= 39006
|estyear=2024
|estimate=39933
|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"
|+Douglas 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) – Douglas County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Douglas%20County,%20Minnesota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|36,629
|94%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|223
|0.6%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|104
|0.3%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|227
|0.6%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|11
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|997
|2.6%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|815
|2.1%
|}

===2000 census===
[[File:DouglasCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Douglas County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]

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 {{convert|51.5|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 16,694 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26.2|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.40% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.18% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 38.5% were of [[German people|German]], 24.6% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]] and 8.1% [[swedish people|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 [[Marriage|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===
{{div col}}
* [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]] (county seat)
* [[Brandon, Minnesota|Brandon]]
* [[Carlos, Minnesota|Carlos]]
* [[Evansville, Minnesota|Evansville]]
* [[Forada, Minnesota|Forada]]
* [[Garfield, Minnesota|Garfield]]
* [[Kensington, Minnesota|Kensington]]
* [[Millerville, Minnesota|Millerville]]
* [[Miltona, Minnesota|Miltona]]
* [[Nelson, Minnesota|Nelson]]
* [[Osakis, Minnesota|Osakis]] (part)
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Belle River Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Belle River]]
* [[Holmes City, Minnesota|Holmes City]]
* [[Leaf Valley Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Leaf Valley]]
* [[Rose City, Douglas County, Minnesota|Rose City]]
{{div col end}}
<ref name=DCM/>

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Alexandria Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Alexandria Township]]
* [[Belle River Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Belle River Township]]
* [[Brandon Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Brandon Township]]
* [[Carlos Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Carlos Township]]
* [[Evansville Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Evansville Township]]
* [[Holmes City Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Holmes City Township]]
* [[Hudson Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Hudson Township]]
* [[Ida Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Ida Township]]
* [[La Grand Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|La Grand Township]]
* [[Lake Mary Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Lake Mary Township]]
* [[Leaf Valley Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Leaf Valley Township]]
* [[Lund Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Lund Township]]
* [[Millerville Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Millerville Township]]
* [[Miltona Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Miltona Township]]
* [[Moe Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Moe Township]]
* [[Orange Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Orange Township]]
* [[Osakis Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Osakis Township]]
* [[Solem Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Solem Township]]
* [[Spruce Hill Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Spruce Hill Township]]
* [[Urness Township, Douglas County, Minnesota|Urness Township]]
{{div col end}}

==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]] performing better in 2024 than any Republican since [[Theodore Roosevelt]] in 1904.
{{PresHead|place=Douglas County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,726|7,938|442|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,799|7,868|498|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,966|6,227|1,592|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|11,884|8,653|416|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|11,241|9,256|421|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,793|8,219|297|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,811|6,352|1,042|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,747|6,450|2,267|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,356|5,252|4,251|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,898|5,803|151|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,005|5,444|94|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,778|5,530|1,137|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|5,910|7,097|307|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,678|5,501|427|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,464|4,826|549|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,122|6,040|13|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|5,594|4,871|41|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,114|4,194|12|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,037|3,768|43|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|3,744|5,022|207|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|4,140|3,681|46|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,652|4,507|48|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,681|4,186|497|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,325|5,101|230|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,262|2,829|100|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|2,424|315|3,453|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,428|733|1,535|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,709|1,398|293|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|435|793|1,684|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,894|979|236|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,171|410|153|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,917|1,194|91|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,966|1,350|83|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,315|533|736|Minnesota}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+County Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Douglas County {{!}} Board of Commissioners |url=https://www.douglascountymn.gov/board-of-commissioners |access-date=April 25, 2023 |website=www.douglascountymn.gov}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |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
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+State Legislature (2018-2020)
! colspan="2" |Position
!Name
!Affiliation
!District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|Senate
|[[Bill Ingebrigtsen]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MN State Senate |url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?leg_id=15239 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=www.senate.mn |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|District 8
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|Senate
|[[Torrey Westrom]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=MN State Senate |url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?member_id=1197 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=www.senate.mn |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|District 12
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|House of Representatives
|[[Mary Franson]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Mary Franson (08B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15347 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=www.house.leg.state.mn.us}}</ref>
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|District 8B
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|House of Representatives
|[[Jeff Backer]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Jeff Backer (12A) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15428 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=www.house.leg.state.mn.us}}</ref>
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|District 12A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|House of Representatives
|[[Paul Anderson (Minnesota state representative)|Paul Anderson]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Paul Anderson (12B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15301 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |website=www.house.leg.state.mn.us}}</ref>
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|District 12B
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+U.S Congress (2021-2023)
! colspan="2" |Position
!Name
!Affiliation
!District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |
|[[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|[[Michelle Fischbach]]
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|[[Minnesota's 7th congressional district|7th]]
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
|[[United States Senate|Senate]]
|[[Amy Klobuchar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar |url=https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=www.klobuchar.senate.gov}}</ref>
|[[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
|N/A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" |
|[[United States Senate|Senate]]
|[[Tina Smith]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.smith.senate.gov/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |website=Senator Tina Smith |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party|DFL]]
|N/A
|}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.co.douglas.mn.us/ Douglas County website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109143420/https://www.co.douglas.mn.us/ |date=November 9, 2018 }}
* [http://www.livingalexarea.org/ Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission website]
* [https://livingalexarea.org/careers// Douglas County MN Area Manufacturing & Healthcare Opportunities]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Douglas County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Otter Tail County]]
|East      = [[Todd County, Minnesota|Todd County]]
|Southeast = [[Stearns County, Minnesota|Stearns County]]
|South     = [[Pope County, Minnesota|Pope County]]
|Southwest = [[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens County]]
|West      = [[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant County]]
}}

{{Douglas County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.94|-95.45|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Douglas County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1866]]