Editing Wabasha County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Wabasha County
 | state                = Minnesota
 | ex image             = Wabasha County Courthouse.webp
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = Wabasha County Courthouse
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = October 27
 | founded year         = 1849
 | seat wl              = Wabasha
 | largest city wl      = Lake City
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 550
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 523
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 27
 | area percentage      = 4.8%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 21387
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 21683 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 40.9
 | time zone            = Central
 | web                  = www.co.wabasha.mn.us
 | named for            = [[Wabasha, Minnesota|Wabasha (city)]]
 | district             = 2nd
}}

'''Wabasha 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 21,387.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wabashacountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Wabasha, Minnesota|Wabasha]].<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>

Wabasha County is part of the [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]] [[Rochester, Minnesota, metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
The recently organized [[Minnesota Territory]] legislature created Wabasha County on October 27, 1849, one of nine original counties in the territory. An area on the [[Mississippi River]]'s west bank, originally called Cratte's Landing, had grown into a town named Wabasha, then a city, and when the legislature created the county west of the river around this city, Wabasha was designated the county seat. The city had been named for three successive chiefs of Mississippi bands of [[Sioux|Dakota]] Indians.<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/n572 555]}}</ref>

Wabasha County's area was reduced in 1853 when sections were partitioned off to create [[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]], [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue]], and [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] counties. More area was partitioned off in 1854 to create [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]], and another part in 1855 to create [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]]. The county boundaries have remained the same since 1855.

==Geography==
{{Stack|[[File:Wabasha Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Wabasha County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}</ref>]]}}
Wabasha County lies on Minnesota's border with [[Wisconsin]] (across the [[Mississippi River]]. The Mississippi flows southeast along the county's eastern line. The North Fork of the Whitewater River flows east through the southern part of the county, then discharges into the [[Whitewater River (Minnesota)|Whitewater]] in [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]]. The combined Whitewater then enters the southeastern part of Wabasha County, flowing northeast to its discharge point into the Mississippi. The [[Zumbro River]] flows east-northeast through the county to its discharge point into the Mississippi. East Indian Creek and Miller Creek drain the northern part of the county into the Mississippi. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, considerably rutted by drainages, with all available area devoted to agriculture.<ref name="WCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wabasha+County,+MN/@44.2812017,-92.3448338,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f9bc292e2b0d63:0x9fae3da3be307ba2!8m2!3d44.3020812!4d-92.2236667 Wabasha County MN Google Maps (accessed April 20, 2019)]</ref> The terrain slopes to the east and south, with its highest point on its upper west border at {{convert|1,191|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Wabasha County MN"  Google Maps (accessed April 20, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|550|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|523|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|27|sqmi}} (4.8%) 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/20141006102023/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 25, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Wabasha is one of 17 Minnesota counties with more savanna soils than either forest or prairie soils.

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[Image:US 61.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 61]]
* [[Image:US 63.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 63]]
* [[Image:MN-42.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 42]]
* [[Image:MN-60.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 60]]
* [[Image:MN-74.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 74]]
* [[Image:MN-247.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 247]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Pepin County, Wisconsin]] - northeast
* [[Buffalo County, Wisconsin]] - east
* [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]] - southeast
* [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]] - south
* [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]] - west, northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas<ref name=WCM/>===
{{div col}}
* Carley State Park
* Kellogg-Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
* Mazeppa State Wildlife Management Area
* McCarthy Lake State Wildlife Management Area
* Miller Creek Aquatic Management Area<ref>{{Cite web |title=Miller Creek AMA |url=https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/amas/detail_report.html?id=AMA00006 |access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref>
* Zumbro Falls Woods Scientific and Natural Area
{{div col end}}

===Lakes<ref name=WCM/>===
{{div col}}
* Lake Pepin (part)
* Robinson Lake
* Zumbro Lake (part)
* These lakes are located within the [[Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge]]
** Cross Lake
** Half Moon Lake
** Maloney Lake
** McCarthy Lake
** Peterson Lake
** Robinson Lake
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 243
|1860= 7228
|1870= 15850
|1880= 18206
|1890= 16972
|1900= 18924
|1910= 18554
|1920= 17919
|1930= 19613
|1940= 17653
|1950= 16878
|1960= 17007
|1970= 17224
|1980= 19335
|1990= 19744
|2000= 21610
|2010= 21676
|2020= 21387
|estyear=2023
|estimate=21683
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{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 25, 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 25, 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 25, 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 25, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2020 Census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Wabasha 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) – Wabasha County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Wabasha%20County,%20Minnesota&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (NH)
|19,921
|93.2%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (NH)
|121
|0.6%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (NH)
|32
|0.2%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (NH)
|97
|0.5%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|6
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] (NH)
|502
|2.35%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|708
|3.31%
|}

===2000 census===
[[File:WabashaCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Wabasha County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 21,610 people, 8,277 households, and 5,876 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|41.3|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 9,066 housing units at an average density of {{convert|17.3|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.97% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.25% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.43% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.62% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.45% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 53.3% were of [[German people|German]], 11.1% [[norwegian people|Norwegian]], 7.3% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 5.0% [[United States|American]] ancestry.

There were 8,277 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 24.30% 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 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.

The county population contained 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,117, and the median income for a family was $50,480. Males had a median income of $33,053 versus $24,316 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,664. About 4.10% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
[[Image:WabashaMinnesotaCountyJail2006.JPG|thumb|Wabasha County Jail, built 1916.]]

===Cities===
{{div col}}
* [[Bellechester, Minnesota|Bellechester]] (partly in [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]])
* [[Elgin, Minnesota|Elgin]]
* [[Hammond, Minnesota|Hammond]]
* [[Kellogg, Minnesota|Kellogg]]
* [[Lake City, Minnesota|Lake City]] (partly in [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]])
* [[Mazeppa, Minnesota|Mazeppa]]
* [[Millville, Minnesota|Millville]]
* [[Minneiska, Minnesota|Minneiska]] (partly in [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]])
* [[Plainview, Minnesota|Plainview]]
* [[Wabasha, Minnesota|Wabasha]] (county seat)
* [[Zumbro Falls, Minnesota|Zumbro Falls]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Bear Valley, Minnesota|Bear Valley]]
* [[Camp Lacupolis, Minnesota|Camp Lacupolis]]
* [[Conception, Minnesota|Conception]]
* [[Dumfries, Minnesota|Dumfries]]
* [[Jarrett, Minnesota|Jarrett]]
* [[Maple Springs, Minnesota|Maple Springs]]
* [[Oak Center, Minnesota|Oak Center]]
* [[Reads Landing, Minnesota|Reads Landing]]
* [[South Troy, Minnesota|South Troy]]
* [[Theilman, Minnesota|Theilman]]
* [[Weaver, Minnesota|Weaver]]
* [[West Albany, Minnesota|West Albany]]
* [[West Newton, Wabasha County, Minnesota|West Newton]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Chester Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Chester]]
* [[Elgin Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Elgin]]
* [[Gillford Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Gillford]]
* [[Glasgow Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Glasgow]]
* [[Greenfield Township, Minnesota|Greenfield]]
* [[Highland Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Highland]]
* [[Hyde Park Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Hyde Park]]
* [[Lake Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Lake]]
* [[Mazeppa Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Mazeppa]]
* [[Minneiska Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Minneiska]]
* [[Mount Pleasant Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Mount Pleasant]]
* [[Oakwood Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Oakwood]]
* [[Pepin Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Pepin]]
* [[Plainview Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Plainview]]
* [[Watopa Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Watopa]]
* [[West Albany Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|West Albany]]
* [[Zumbro Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota|Zumbro]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Wabasha County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only two national elections since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Wabasha 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 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|8,523|4,721|265|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,153|4,696|274|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,989|3,866|977|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,049|5,415|299|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,935|5,646|312|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,120|5,548|167|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|5,245|4,522|764|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,452|4,523|1,598|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,397|3,736|3,084|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,681|4,442|92|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,299|3,872|76|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,986|3,712|755|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,484|4,286|279|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,158|3,017|238|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,081|3,452|353|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,133|4,367|4|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,566|3,628|3|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,728|2,301|39|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|5,461|2,356|26|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|3,297|3,730|75|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|4,213|2,482|33|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,656|2,655|13|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,663|4,122|912|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,319|4,540|119|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,944|3,087|32|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,834|644|2,829|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,907|1,275|182|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,787|1,449|129|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|797|1,422|1,198|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,150|1,416|118|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,315|1,083|102|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,114|1,406|145|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,530|1,630|138|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|1,580|1,774|307|Minnesota}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Wabasha County, Minnesota]]
* [[Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge]]
* [[Wabasha Public Library]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.wabashamn.org/ Wabasha-Kellogg (Minnesota) Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.co.wabasha.mn.us/ Wabasha County government's website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111002145524/http://www.lmhscscorecard.com/sc/brief.cgi?s=3&c=3 Wabasha County Health and Demographic Data]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Wabasha County, Minnesota
|Northeast = [[Pepin County, Wisconsin]]
|East      = [[Buffalo County, Wisconsin]]
|Southeast = [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]]
|South     = [[Olmsted County, Minnesota|Olmsted County]]
|West      = [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]]
|Northwest = [[Goodhue County, Minnesota|Goodhue County]]
}}

{{Wabasha County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}

{{coord|44.28|-92.24|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Wabasha County, Minnesota| ]]
[[Category:Rochester metropolitan area, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties on the Mississippi River]]
[[Category:Minnesota placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Dakota toponyms]]
[[Category:1849 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1849]]