Editing Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Mille Lacs County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = May 23
 | founded year         = 1857
 | seat wl              = Milaca
 | largest city wl      = Princeton
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 682
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 572
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 109
 | area percentage      = 16%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 26459
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 27427 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 46.3
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.co.mille-lacs.mn.us
 | named for            = [[Mille Lacs Lake]]
 | ex image             = Mille Lacs County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Mille Lacs County Courthouse]]
 | district             = 8th
}}

'''Mille Lacs County''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|l|æ|k|s}} {{respell|mə|LAKS}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the East Central part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 26,459.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/millelacscountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 19, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Milaca, Minnesota|Milaca]].<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> The county was founded in 1857, and its boundary was expanded in 1860.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Place Names |url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm?SendingPage=Region.cfm&county=48 |access-date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2013 |title=History of the County |url=http://www.co.mille-lacs.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={D41C9D21-CB97-47A2-9548-B1B83940AE6A} |access-date=October 27, 2014 |publisher=Mille Lacs County}}</ref>

Mille Lacs County is included in the [[Minneapolis]]-[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]] [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

A portion of the [[Mille Lacs Indian Reservation]] is in the county.

==Etymology==
The name ''Mille Lacs'', meaning "thousand lakes" in [[French language|French]], was associated with [[Mille Lacs Lake]] in the region. (Its full name in French was ''Grand lac du pays des mille lacs''.) This is the largest lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area, which French colonists and traders called the "Region of the Thousand Lakes" (''Pays des mille lacs'').<ref>Upham, Warren. (1920; repr. 1991), ''Minnesota Place Names'', St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.</ref>

==History==
The US legislature established the [[Wisconsin Territory]] effective July 3, 1836. It existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as [[Wisconsin]]) in 1848. The federal government set up the [[Minnesota Territory]] from the remaining territory effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. On May 23, 1857, one of those original counties, [[Benton County, Minnesota|Benton]], had its eastern portion partitioned off to create Mille Lacs County. The original county consisted of the portion of the contemporary Mille Lacs County east of the west branch of the [[Rum River]] and two townships now part of [[Isanti County, Minnesota|Isanti County]], adjacent to Mille Lacs County. In 1858 the 12 townships forming the contemporary southern 10 townships of Mille Lacs County and the two northwestern townships in Isanti County were organized apart from Benton and Mille Lacs Counties to form Monroe County, leaving the northern "Square Top-knot" as Mille Lacs County. In 1860, Monroe and Mille Lacs Counties merged. Shortly thereafter, the two southeastern townships were transferred to Isanti County, forming the county's present boundaries.

==Geography==
The [[Rum River]] flows south through the county, originating from [[Mille Lacs Lake]]. It is joined by the West Branch of the Rum River, which rises in northwest Mille Lacs County and flows south-southeast to its confluence with the Rum at [[Princeton, Minnesota|Princeton]]. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, carved by drainages, with open areas devoted to agriculture.<ref name="MLM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mille+Lacs+County,+MN/@45.9753162,-93.7046534,11.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x52b3c1d941dba0e9:0x88888a25bb8e373d!8m2!3d45.9228403!4d-93.6218744 Mille Lacs County MN Google Maps (accessed May 3, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the south and east,<ref name="MLGM">{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/Mille Lacs County MN"  Google Maps (accessed May 3, 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=May 4, 2019}}</ref> with its highest point at {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} from the southwest shoreline of [[Mille Lacs Lake]], in [[Mille Lacs Kathio State Park]]. A hill there measures {{convert|1,371|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=18363 Mille Lacs County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 3, 2019)]</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|682|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|572|sqmi}} is land<ref>The total county area can be accurately calculated using its described boundaries. The quantity of "land", however, is not consistent across all sources. The US Census Bureau lists 572 square miles; the Mille Lacs County website "History" section lists 583 square miles, and the Census Bureas's ''Quick Facts'' website lists 574.47 square miles.</ref> and {{convert|109|sqmi}} (16%) 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>
[[File:Mille Lacs Lake.jpg|center|thumb|Mille Lacs located in the north of Mille Lacs County]]

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[Image:US 169 (MN).svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota|U.S. Highway 169]]
* [[Image:MN-18.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 18]]
* [[Image:MN-23.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 23]]
* [[Image:MN-27.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 27]]
* [[Image:MN-47.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 47]]
* [[Image:MN-95.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 95]]
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
* [[Milaca Municipal Airport]] (18Y) - northeast of [[Milaca, Minnesota|Milaca]]
* [[Princeton Municipal Airport (Minnesota)|Princeton Municipal Airport]] (PNM) - southwest of [[Princeton, Minnesota|Princeton]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin County]] - north
* [[Kanabec County, Minnesota|Kanabec County]] - northeast
* [[Isanti County, Minnesota|Isanti County]] - southeast
* [[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne County]] - south
* [[Benton County, Minnesota|Benton County]] - southwest
* [[Morrison County, Minnesota|Morrison County]] - west
* [[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
Sources:<ref name=MLM/><ref name=MLGM/>
{{div col}}
* [[Father Hennepin State Park]]
* Four Brooks State Wildlife Management Area (part)
* Kunkel State Wildlife Management Area
* [[Mille Lacs Kathio State Park]]
* [[Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge]]
* Mille Lacs State Wildlife Management Area
* [[Rum River State Forest]]
* [[List of Minnesota state forests|Solana State Forest]] (part)
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 73
|1870= 1109
|1880= 1501
|1890= 2845
|1900= 8066
|1910= 10705
|1920= 14180
|1930= 14076
|1940= 15558
|1950= 15165
|1960= 14560
|1970= 15703
|1980= 18430
|1990= 18670
|2000= 22330
|2010= 26097
|2020= 26459
|estyear=2023
|estimate=27421
|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/prod/www/decennial.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"
|+Mille Lacs 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) – Mille Lacs County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Mille%20Lacs%20County,%20Minnesota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|17,947
|87.42%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|78
|0.3%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|1,466
|5.54%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|124
|0.47%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|6
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|1,173
|4.43%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|481
|1.82%
|}

===2000 census===
[[File:MilleLacsCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Mille Lacs County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 22,330 people, 8,638 households, and 6,003 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|39.0|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 10,467 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18.3|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.55% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.05% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 31.9% were of [[German people|German]], 14.4% [[swedish people|Swedish]] and 14.2% [[Norwegian people|Norwegian]] ancestry.

There were 8,638 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.03.

The county population contained 27.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,977, and the median income for a family was $44,054. Males had a median income of $32,348 versus $22,036 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,656. About 6.70% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.90% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col}}
* [[Bock, Minnesota|Bock]]
* [[Foreston, Minnesota|Foreston]]
* [[Isle, Minnesota|Isle]] (''Chi-minising'')
* [[Milaca, Minnesota|Milaca]] (county seat)
* [[Onamia, Minnesota|Onamia]]
* [[Pease, Minnesota|Pease]]
* [[Princeton, Minnesota|Princeton]] (partly in [[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne County]])
* [[Wahkon, Minnesota|Wahkon]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Vineland, Minnesota|Vineland]] (''Neyaashiing'')

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Bayview, Minnesota|Bayview]]
* [[Cove, Minnesota|Cove]]
* [[Estes Brook, Minnesota|Estes Brook]]
* [[Long Siding, Minnesota|Long Siding]]
* [[Opstead, Minnesota|Opstead]]
* [[Page, Minnesota|Page]]
* [[Woodward Brook, Minnesota|Woodward Brook]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
{{div col}}
* Brickton<ref name=MLM/>
* Burnhelm Siding
* Esteville
* Freer
* Johnsdale<ref name=MLM/>
* Soule's Crossing
* Stirling
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Bogus Brook Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Bogus Brook Township]]
* [[Borgholm Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Borgholm Township]]
* [[Bradbury Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Bradbury Township]]
* [[Dailey Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Dailey Township]]
* [[East Side Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|East Side Township]]
* [[Greenbush Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Greenbush Township]]
* [[Hayland Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Hayland Township]]
* [[Isle Harbor Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Isle Harbor Township]]
* [[Kathio Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Kathio Township]]
* [[Lewis Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Lewis Township]]
* [[Milaca Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Milaca Township]]
* [[Milo Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Milo Township]]
* [[Mudgett Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Mudgett Township]]
* [[Onamia Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Onamia Township]]
* [[Page Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Page Township]]
* [[Princeton Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|Princeton Township]]
* [[South Harbor Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota|South Harbor Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Mille Lacs County voters have traditionally voted a balanced ticket, but in the past few decades have become strongly Republican. Since 1980 the county selected the Republican Party candidate in 67% of national elections (as of 2020), and has done so in every election beginning in 2000.
{{PresHead|place=Mille Lacs 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=October 9, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,570|4,374|246|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,952|4,404|333|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,340|3,710|967|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,951|5,829|311|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,049|6,072|423|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,194|5,677|194|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,223|4,376|654|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,948|4,336|1,591|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,814|3,648|2,692|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,862|4,327|112|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,307|4,011|53|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,860|4,443|710|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,212|5,172|286|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,291|3,221|174|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,990|3,494|406|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,474|4,369|29|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,913|2,886|31|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,315|2,619|7|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,766|2,639|41|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,502|3,343|194|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,798|2,872|37|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,459|3,619|73|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,091|3,767|362|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,986|3,538|312|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,998|1,436|118|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,413|167|2,366|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,521|526|765|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,127|1,113|288|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|392|449|1,164|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,119|427|260|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,451|154|125|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,072|358|71|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|977|456|30|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|463|223|140|Minnesota}}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.co.mille-lacs.mn.us/ Mille Lacs County government’s website]
* [[Minnesota Department of Transportation]] map of [https://web.archive.org/web/20120908011901/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/maps/cadd/county/millelacs.pdf Mille Lacs County]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Mille Lacs County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Aitkin County, Minnesota|Aitkin County]]
|Northeast = [[Kanabec County, Minnesota|Kanabec County]]
|Southeast = [[Isanti County, Minnesota|Isanti County]]
|South     = [[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne County]]
|Southwest = [[Benton County, Minnesota|Benton County]]
|West      = [[Morrison County, Minnesota|Morrison County]]
|Northwest = [[Crow Wing County, Minnesota|Crow Wing County]]
}}

{{Mille Lacs County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45.93|-93.63|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Mille Lacs County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:1857 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1857]]