Editing Traverse County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{distinguish|Traverse, Minnesota|Grand Traverse County, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Traverse County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = February 20
 | founded year         = 1862 (created)<br/>1881 (organized)
 | ex image             = District No. 44 School.jpg
 | ex image size        = 250px
 | ex image cap         = Old District No. 44 School
 | seat wl              = Wheaton
 | largest city wl      = Wheaton
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 586
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 574
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 12
 | area percentage      = 2.0%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 3360
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 3136 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 5.9
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = http://www.co.traverse.mn.us/
 | named for            = [[Lake Traverse]]<ref name="Upham1920">{{cite book|last=Upham|first=Warren|title=Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance|url=https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog|year=1920|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|page=[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n567 550]}}</ref>
 | district             = 7th
}}

'''Traverse County''' ({{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|t|r|æ|v|ər|s}} {{respell|TRAV|ərss}}) 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 3,360,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/traversecountyminnesota/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 10, 2023}}</ref> making it the least-populous county in Minnesota. Its [[county seat]] is [[Wheaton, Minnesota|Wheaton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was founded in 1862 and organized in 1881.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Place Names|url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm?SendingPage=Region.cfm&county=78|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|access-date=March 19, 2014}}</ref>

==Geography==
Traverse County lies on the western edge of Minnesota. Its western border abuts the eastern borders of the states of [[North Dakota|North]] and [[South Dakota]]. The [[Red River of the North|Red River]] flows northward along the county's western line. The [[Mustinka River]] flows southwestward through the county's upper portion, discharging into Lake Traverse. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, fully devoted to agriculture except in developed areas.<ref name=TCM>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Traverse+County,+MN/@45.8037303,-96.6950515,51895m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52cbf42d769d53ab:0xa1abc0406e219f85!8m2!3d45.8030256!4d-96.365147 ''Traverse County MN''  Google Maps (accessed April 2, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the west and north, with its highest point at the southeastern corner, at {{convert|1,119|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Traverse County MN"  Google Maps (accessed April 2, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|586|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|574|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12|sqmi}} (2.0%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 25, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|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}}</ref>

{{Stack|[[File:Traverse Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Traverse County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]}}

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Image:US 75.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 75#Minnesota|U.S. Route 75]]
* [[Image:MN-9.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 9]]
* [[Image:MN-27.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 27]]
* [[Image:MN-28.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 28]]
* [[Image:MN-117.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 117]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Wilkin County, Minnesota|Wilkin County]] - north
* [[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant County]] - northeast
* [[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens County]] - southeast
* [[Big Stone County, Minnesota|Big Stone County]] - south
* [[Roberts County, South Dakota]] - southwest
* [[Richland County, North Dakota]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
* Reservation Dam State Wildlife Management Area
* White Rock Dam State Wildlife Management Area

===Lakes<ref name=TCM/>===
* [[Lake Traverse]] (part)
* Mud Lake - (part)
* Saint Marys Lake
* Wet Lake

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 13
|1880= 1507
|1890= 4516
|1900= 7573
|1910= 8049
|1920= 7943
|1930= 7938
|1940= 8283
|1950= 8053
|1960= 7503
|1970= 6254
|1980= 5542
|1990= 4463
|2000= 4134
|2010= 3558
|2020= 3360
|estyear=2023
|estimate=3136
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |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 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 25, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Traverse 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) – Traverse County, Minnesota|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Traverse%20County,%20Minnesota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|2,851
|84.85%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|21
|0.63%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|183
|5.45%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|0
|0%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|0
|0%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|108
|3.21%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|197
|5.86%
|}

===2000 census===
[[File:TraverseCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Traverse County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 4,134 people, 1,717 households, and 1,129 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|7.2|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3.83|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.42% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2.81% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.05% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.36% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 52.2% were of [[German people|German]], 13.0% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]], 7.6% [[swedish people|Swedish]] and 5.4% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 1,717 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,617, and the median income for a family was $39,655. Males had a median income of $29,821 versus $20,100 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,378. About 9.30% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Browns Valley, Minnesota|Browns Valley]]
* [[Dumont, Minnesota|Dumont]]
* [[Tintah, Minnesota|Tintah]]
* [[Wheaton, Minnesota|Wheaton]] (county seat)
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Boisberg, Minnesota|Boisberg]]
* [[Charlesville, Minnesota|Charlesville]] (partial)
* [[Collis, Minnesota|Collis]]
* [[Dakomin, Minnesota|Dakomin]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Arthur Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Arthur Township]]
* [[Clifton Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Clifton Township]]
* [[Croke Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Croke Township]]
* [[Dollymount Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Dollymount Township]]
* [[Folsom Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Folsom Township]]
* [[Lake Valley Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Lake Valley Township]]
* [[Leonardsville Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Leonardsville Township]]
* [[Monson Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Monson Township]]
* [[Parnell Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Parnell Township]]
* [[Redpath Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Redpath Township]]
* [[Tara Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Tara Township]]
* [[Taylor Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Taylor Township]]
* [[Tintah Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Tintah Township]]
* [[Walls Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Walls Township]]
* [[Windsor Township, Traverse County, Minnesota|Windsor Township]]
{{div col end}}

==Government and politics==
Traverse County was historically a swing county, although in recent years it has swung substantially Republican. Since 1980 the county has selected the Republican Party candidate 58% of the time in national elections (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Traverse County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|1,165|597|40|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|1,172|661|31|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,049|630|119|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|861|943|43|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|933|1,043|59|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,076|1,026|39|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,074|884|148|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|775|1,135|319|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|841|1,053|590|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,061|1,399|16|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,399|1,325|19|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,574|1,258|198|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,130|2,020|57|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|1,276|1,744|35|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,277|1,669|138|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,073|2,247|2|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,463|2,122|5|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,467|1,724|7|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,809|1,756|8|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,008|2,151|64|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,296|1,721|14|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,434|2,094|13|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|761|2,297|86|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|608|2,633|41|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,214|1,899|17|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|1,002|202|1,344|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,759|550|94|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|774|779|36|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|131|561|575|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|685|514|48|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|885|247|10|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|768|720|39|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|589|963|55|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|413|317|320|Minnesota}}

{| class="wikitable"
|+County Board of Commissioners<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Commissioners {{!}} Traverse County, Minnesota|url=https://www.co.traverse.mn.us/departments/departments/county-commissioners/|access-date=April 25, 2023|language=en-US}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |Position
!Name
!District
|-
|
|Commissioner
|Chad Metz
|District 1
|-
|
|Commissioner
|Kayla Schmidt
|District 2
|-
|
|Commissioner 
|Mark Gail
|District 3
|-
|
|Commissioner
|Jerrel Olson
|District 4
|-
|
|Commissioner
|Dwight Nelson
|District 5
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+State Legislature (2020–2022)
! colspan="2" |Position
!Name
!Affiliation
!District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|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)}}" |&nbsp;
|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
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+U.S Congress (2020–2022)
! colspan="2" |Position
!Name
!Affiliation
!District
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Republican Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|[[Michelle Fischbach]]
|[[Republican Party of Minnesota|Republican]]
|[[Minnesota's 7th congressional district|7th]]
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[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|Democrat]]
|N/A
|-
| style="background-color:{{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}" |&nbsp;
|[[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|Democrat]]
|N/A
|}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Traverse County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Wilkin County, Minnesota|Wilkin County]]
|Northeast = [[Grant County, Minnesota|Grant County]]
|Southeast = [[Stevens County, Minnesota|Stevens County]]
|South     = [[Big Stone County, Minnesota|Big Stone County]]
|Southwest = [[Roberts County, South Dakota]]
|Northwest = [[Richland County, North Dakota]]
}}

{{Traverse County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45.77|-96.47|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Traverse County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties]]
[[Category:1881 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1881]]
[[Category:Minnesota placenames of Native American origin]]