Editing McLeod County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = McLeod County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = March 1
 | founded year         = 1856<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              = Glencoe
 | largest city wl      = Hutchinson
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 506
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 491
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 14
 | area percentage      = 2.8%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 36771
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 36785 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 74.9
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.co.mcleod.mn.us
 | named for            = Martin McLeod
 | ex image             = 2012-0814-McLeodCtyCrt.jpg
 | ex image cap         = McLeod County Courthouse
 | district             = 7th
}}

'''McLeod County''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|k|ˈ|l|aʊ|d}} {{respell|mək|LOWD}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 36,771.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mcleodcountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Glencoe, Minnesota|Glencoe]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

McLeod County comprises the Hutchinson, MN [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] and is part of the [[Minneapolis]]-[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], MN-[[Wisconsin|WI]] [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
For thousands of years the area was inhabited by [[indigenous peoples]]. At the time of European contact, it was the territory of the [[Dakota Sioux]]. The county was created by the Minnesota Territorial legislature on March 1, 1856.<ref name="Upham">[https://books.google.com/books?id=ShcLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA171 Upham, Warren. ''Minnesota Geographic Names, pp. 316-17'' (1920). Accessed March 14, 2019]</ref> It was named for [[Martin McLeod]], a [[Canadians|Canadian]]-born adventurer who became a [[fur trader]] and later was elected a [[Minnesota Territorial Legislature|territorial representative]] (1849–1856) in Minnesota. As a young man, he was part of [[James Dickson (adventurer)|James Dickson]]'s 1836 expedition to the [[Red River of the North]], a journey recounted in his ''Diary of Martin McLeod'', a manuscript held by the Minnesota Historical Society.<ref>[http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/10/v10i04p387-402.pdf Charles J. Ritchey, "Martin McLeod and the Minnesota Valley"], ''Minnesota History Magazine'', December 1929, accessed June 21, 2010</ref>

"In 1859 the three Czech families already living in McLeod County were joined by those of Josef Vosmek, Josef Zicha, Antonin Nunvar, and Jan Vanous, all acquaintances from Caledonia, where they had resided for several years after their arrival from Bohemia. Other settlers followed, taking homesteads close by in the present township of Rich Valley".<ref name="The transition of a new world Bohemia">{{Cite web |last=Jerabek |first=Esther |title=The transition of a new world Bohemia |url=http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/15/v15i01p026-042.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528061248/http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/15/v15i01p026-042.pdf |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |access-date=May 10, 2020 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref>

The county seat was sited at Glencoe as part of the original act; it had been founded (June 11, 1855) by Martin McLeod, who was a member of the townsite company when the county was founded.<ref name=Upham/>

The county was the site of several events during the [[Dakota War of 1862]], including the [[Attack on Hutchinson|siege of Hutchinson]] and the killing of the White family near [[Brownton, Minnesota|Brownton]]. It was also the first place to use the Geier Hitch,<ref>[http://mirror.uncyc.org/wiki/Geier_hitch Geier hitch (definition)]</ref> a kind of [[animal husbandry]] that some characterize as [[animal abuse]].

==Geography==
The [[Crow River (Minnesota)#Hydrography|South Fork of the Crow River]] flows easterly through the upper central part of McLeod County, thence into [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright County]]. Buffalo Creek also flows eastward through the lower central part of the county, thence into Wright. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, dotted with lakes and lightly etched by drainages and gullies. The area is mostly devoted to agriculture.<ref name="MCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/McLeod+County,+MN/@44.7519804,-94.4000175,26971m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f582502899ac37:0x1b10c691f14717b0!8m2!3d44.8440016!4d-94.315422 ''McLeod County MN''  Google Maps (accessed March 14, 2019)]</ref> The terrain is sloped to the east, with its highest point on the upper west border at {{convert|1,096|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/McLeod County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 14, 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=March 14, 2019}}</ref> The county has an area of {{convert|506|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|491|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|14|sqmi}} (2.8%) 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/20130921060200/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=October 21, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>  Only savanna and prairie soils exist in McLeod County.
[[File:McLeod Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of McLeod County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 49-52. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]
Northeast McLeod County once had significant areas of Maple-Basswood or "Big Woods" forests. https://mn.gov/admin/assets/2012-Investigating-Poorly-Known-Areas-of-Minnesota--An-Archaeological-Survey-of-McLeod-County_tcm36-187391.pdf

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Image:US 212 (MN).svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 212 in Minnesota|US Highway 212]]
* [[Image:MN-7.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 7]]
* [[Image:MN-15.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 15]]
* [[Image:MN-22.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 22]]
* ''[[County roads in McLeod County, Minnesota|List of county roads]]''
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright County]] - northeast
* [[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver County]] - east
* [[Sibley County, Minnesota|Sibley County]] - south
* [[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville County]] - west
* [[Meeker County, Minnesota|Meeker County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Lakes===
Source:<ref name=MCM/>

{{div col|colwidth=24em}}
* [[Baker's Lake (McLeod County, Minnesota)|Baker's Lake]]
* Bear Lake
* [[Belle Lake]] (part)
* Bremers Lake
* Butternut Lake (part)
* Campbell Lake (Acoma Township)
* Campbell Lake (part in Winsted Township, part in Carver County)
* Campbells Lake
* Cedar Lake (part)
* Clear Lake (Acoma Township)
* Clear Lake (Sumter Township)
* Coon Lakes (par)
* Dettman Lake
* Eagle Lake
* Echo Lake
* French Lake
* Grass Lake
* [[Kings Lake (Minnesota)|Kings Lake]]
* Kujas Lake
* Lake Addie
* Lake Allen
* Lake Barber
* Lake Byron (part)
* Lake Clara
* Lake Emily
* Lake Harrington
* [[Lake Hook]]
* Lake Marion
* Lake Mary
* Lake Todd
* Lewis Lake
* Little Bear Lake
* Loughman Lake
* Mud Lake (Hale and Rich Valley townships)
* Mud Lake: (Lynn Township)
* O'Mera Lake
* Otter Lake
* Pierce Lake
* Piker Lake
* Popp Lake
* Round Grove Lake (part)
* Ryan Lake
* Shakopee Lake (part)
* Silver Lake
* South Lake
* [[Stahl Lake]]
* Sustacek Lake
* Swan Lake
* Tomlinson Lake
* Ward Lake (part)
* Whitney Lake
* Winsted Lake
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1286
|1870= 5643
|1880= 12342
|1890= 17026
|1900= 19595
|1910= 18691
|1920= 20444
|1930= 20522
|1940= 21380
|1950= 22198
|1960= 24401
|1970= 27662
|1980= 29657
|1990= 32030
|2000= 34898
|2010= 36651
|2020= 36771
|estyear=2023
|estimate=36785
|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 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</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 21, 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 21, 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 21, 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 21, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''McLeod County, Minnesota - Demographic Profile'''<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')
!Race / Ethnicity
!Pop 2010<ref name="2010CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - McLeod County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US27085&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2&mode=results |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref name="2020CensusP2">{{Cite web |title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - McLeod County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US27085&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2&mode=results |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|34,005
|32,559
|92.78%
|88.55%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|184
|226
|0.50%
|0.62%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|81
|102
|0.22%
|0.28%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|265
|230
|0.72%
|0.63%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|16
|27
|0.04%
|0.07%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|10
|64
|0.03%
|0.17%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|267
|1,008
|0.73%
|2.74%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,811
|2,555
|4.94%
|6.95%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''36,651'''
|'''36,771'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}
''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.''

===2000 census===
[[File:McLeodCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for McLeod County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 34,898 people, 13,449 households and 9,427 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|71.1|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 14,087 housing units at an average density of {{convert|28.7|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.62% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.79% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.58% from two or more races. 3.63% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 57.5% were of [[German people|German]] and 8.5% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]] ancestry.

There were 13,449 households, of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.08.

The county population contained 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The [[median household income]] was $45,953 and the median family income was $55,003. Males had a median income of $35,709 compared with $25,253 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $20,137. About 2.80% of families and 4.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.80% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Biscay, Minnesota|Biscay]]
* [[Brownton, Minnesota|Brownton]]
* [[Glencoe, Minnesota|Glencoe]] (county seat)
* [[Hutchinson, Minnesota|Hutchinson]]
* [[Lester Prairie, Minnesota|Lester Prairie]]
* [[Plato, Minnesota|Plato]]
* [[Silver Lake, Minnesota|Silver Lake]]
* [[Stewart, McLeod County, Minnesota|Stewart]]
* [[Winsted, Minnesota|Winsted]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* [[Fernando, Minnesota|Fernando]]
* [[Heatwole, Minnesota|Heatwole]]
* [[Komensky, Minnesota|Komensky]]
* [[Lake Addie, Minnesota|Lake Addie]]
* [[Sherman, Minnesota|Sherman]]
* [[South Silver Lake, Minnesota|South Silver Lake]]
* [[Sumter, Minnesota|Sumter]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Acoma Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Acoma Township]]
* [[Bergen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Bergen Township]]
* [[Collins Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Collins Township]]
* [[Glencoe Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Glencoe Township]]
* [[Hale Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Hale Township]]
* [[Hassan Valley Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Hassan Valley Township]]
* [[Helen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Helen Township]]
* [[Hutchinson Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Hutchinson Township]]
* [[Lynn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Lynn Township]]
* [[Penn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Penn Township]]
* [[Rich Valley Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Rich Valley Township]]
* [[Round Grove Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Round Grove Township]]
* [[Sumter Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Sumter Township]]
* [[Winsted Township, McLeod County, Minnesota|Winsted Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
McLeod County voters have traditionally been Republican. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=McLeod 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 8, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|14,394|6,374|431|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,986|6,413|534|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|12,155|4,978|1,674|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|11,069|6,968|516|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,993|7,505|531|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,407|6,712|293|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,782|5,609|1,003|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,474|6,027|2,562|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|5,422|4,919|5,006|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,967|5,736|159|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,728|4,864|135|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,819|4,987|1,229|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|6,519|6,249|470|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,820|4,538|375|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,619|4,861|584|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,545|5,755|16|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|7,214|4,276|21|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|6,743|3,068|17|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,246|2,781|21|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|4,623|3,987|106|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,756|2,557|48|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|6,474|2,884|62|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,941|4,449|668|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,293|5,187|128|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,252|3,445|60|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|2,841|563|2,925|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,430|1,139|427|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,772|1,305|132|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|655|1,225|996|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,579|1,506|112|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,478|793|109|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,691|1,540|150|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,595|1,653|94|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|902|1,523|369|Minnesota}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Minnesota#McLeod County|National Register of Historic Places listings in McLeod County MN]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.co.mcleod.mn.us/ McLeod County government’s website]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = McLeod County, Minnesota
|Northeast = [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright County]]
|East      = [[Carver County, Minnesota|Carver County]]
|South     = [[Sibley County, Minnesota|Sibley County]]
|West      = [[Renville County, Minnesota|Renville County]]
|Northwest = [[Meeker County, Minnesota|Meeker County]]
}}

{{McLeod County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|44.83|-94.27|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcleod County, Minnesota}}
[[Category:McLeod County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:1856 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1856]]