Editing Washington County, Minnesota

{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Washington County
 | state             = Minnesota
 | ex image             = Stillwater Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image size        = 220px
 | ex image cap         = [[Washington County Courthouse (Minnesota)|Washington County Courthouse]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date     = October 27
 | founded year         = 1849<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Place Names |url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm |access-date=March 19, 2014 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref>
 | seat wl          = Stillwater
 | largest city wl    = Woodbury
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 423
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 384
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 38
 | area percentage      = 9.1%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 267568
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 283960 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone           = Central
 | web                  = https://www.co.washington.mn.us
 | named for            = [[George Washington]]
 | district             = 2nd
 | district2            = 4th
 | district3            = 8th }}

'''Washington 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 267,568,<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/washingtoncountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the fifth-most populous county in Minnesota. Its [[county seat]] is [[Stillwater, Minnesota|Stillwater]].<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 largest city in the county is [[Woodbury, Minnesota|Woodbury]], the seventh-largest city in Minnesota and the third-largest Twin Cities suburb. Washington County is included in the [[Minneapolis]]-[[Saint Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]-[[Bloomington, Minnesota|Bloomington]], MN-[[Wisconsin|WI]] [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].
[[File:StCroixAboveAfton.jpg|thumb|The forested St. Croix River valley, looking south towards [[Afton, Minnesota|Afton]]]]

==History==
Early development in the area was on the [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]], which now forms the boundary with Wisconsin on the county's eastern side. The river provided a waterway to move settlers upstream and to transport logs downstream. The heavily forested area fostered an early logging and lumber economy. The area's first settlers arrived at the future [[Afton, Minnesota|Afton]] in 1837. In 1838 settlers started ''Dacotah,'' at the north edge of present [[Stillwater, Minnesota|Stillwater]], at the junction of [[Brown's Creek (St. Croix River)|Brown's Creek]] and the St. Croix.<ref>[http://www.wchsmn.org/research/communities/stillwater/ History of Stillwater at the Washington County Historical Society]</ref> The creek's name is from the founder of this settlement, Joseph Renshaw Brown. However, a [[sawmill]] was built at [[Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota|Marine-on-St.-Croix]] in 1839,<ref>History of Marine-on-St.-Croix at the Washington County Historical Society [http://www.wchsmn.org/research/communities/marine/]</ref> and another was built in the current location of downtown Stillwater in 1844. The success of these soon attracted the settlers from Dacotah, and that community declined.

This area was part of [[Wisconsin Territory]] until the eastern part of that territory [[Wisconsin|achieved statehood]] in 1848. Brown and other leaders called a meeting (the "Stillwater Convention") on August 26, 1848. The convention drafted a Memorial to Congress that a new territory be created with the name “Minnesota,” and elected [[Henry Hastings Sibley]] to deliver this citizens' petition to the U.S. Congress. Because of this convention, Stillwater calls itself the “Birthplace of Minnesota.” Congress responded by creating [[Minnesota Territory]] effective March 3, 1849.

The newly established territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October 1849.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Government Series, State Counties |url=http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No34.htm |access-date=March 18, 2008 |website=Minnesota House of Representatives}}.</ref> Washington County was one of the nine, named for [[George Washington]],<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/n585 568]}}</ref> with Stillwater named as county seat. The county's first sheriff was appointed in 1849,<ref>[http://www.wcsheriff.net/history/ Washington County Sheriff's Office History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221042211/http://www.wcsheriff.net/history/|date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> and the county's school district began in 1850.<ref>[http://www.wchsmn.org/research/schools/ Washington County Historical Society - Schools of the Past]</ref>

After the forests were depleted, the economy of Washington County became primarily agricultural. With the growth of neighboring [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] and [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]], some of Washington County developed based on tourism and recreation, as with [[Mahtomedi, Minnesota|Mahtomedi]] and [[Landfall, Minnesota|Landfall]]. Late in the 20th century, the population greatly increased with the suburban expansion of St. Paul.

==Geography==
[[File:Washington Co Pie Chart 2015 Wiki No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Washington County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 61 - 64. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]]

Washington County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its east border abuts the west border of the state of [[Wisconsin]] (across the [[St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)|St. Croix River]]). The [[Mississippi River]] flows south-southeastward west of Washington County, and forms the southwest border of the county as it flows toward its confluence with the St. Croix (at the county's southernmost point).<ref name="WCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Washington+County,+MN/@45.0214403,-93.1607014,10z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x52b2c27b67b143fd:0xe546a70a8ad330fd!8m2!3d44.8896877!4d-92.8577105 Washington County MN Google Maps (accessed April 22, 2019)]</ref> Washington County terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the south and east, with its highest point on the lower west border at {{convert|1,053|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Washington County MN"  Google Maps (accessed April 22, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|423|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|384|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|38|sqmi}} (9.1%) 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> It is the fourth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fifth-smallest by total area.

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=14em}}
* [[File:I-35.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 35 in Minnesota|Interstate 35]]
* [[File:I-94.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 94 in Minnesota|Interstate 94]]
* [[File:I-494.svg|23px]] [[Interstate 494]]
* [[File:I-694.svg|23px]] [[Interstate 694]]
* [[File:US 8.svg|20px]]  [[U.S. Route 8|US Highway 8]]
* [[File:US 10.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 10 in Minnesota|US Highway 10]]
* [[File:US 12.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 12 in Minnesota|US Highway 12]]
* [[File:US 61.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 61 in Minnesota|US Highway 61]]
* [[File:MN-36.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 36]]
* [[File:MN-95.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 95]]
* [[File:MN-96.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 96]]
* [[File:MN-97.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 97]]
* [[File:MN-120.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 120]]
* [[File:MN-244.svg|20px]] [[Minnesota State Highway 244]]
* ''[[County roads in Washington County, Minnesota|List of county roads]]''
{{div col end}}

===Airports===
* Forest Lake Airport (25D) - south of Forest Lake<ref>[http://www.airnav.com/airport/25D AirNav: Forest Lake Airport MN (accessed April 22, 2019)]</ref>
* [[Lake Elmo Airport]] (21D) - northeast of Lake Elmo

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago County]] - north
* [[Polk County, Wisconsin]] - northeast
* [[St. Croix County, Wisconsin]] - east
* [[Pierce County, Wisconsin]] - southeast
* [[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota County]] - southwest
* [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]] - west
* [[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas<ref name=WCM/>===
{{div col}}
* [[Afton State Park]]
* Big Marine Park Reserve
* Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park
* Falls Creek Scientific and Natural Area
* [[Gateway State Trail]]
* Grey Cloud Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
* Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
* Katherine Abbott Park
* Lake Elmo Park Reserve
* Lost Valley Scientific and Natural Area
* [[Mississippi National River and Recreation Area]] (part)
* Pine Point Regional Park
* Point Douglas Park
* Rutstrum State Wildlife Management Area
* [[St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park|Saint Croix Bluffs Regional Park]]
* [[Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway]] (part)
* Saint Croix Savanna Scientific and Natural Area
* Square Lake County Park<ref>[http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/parks_division/parks_and_trails/ Washington County, MN-Parks and Trails] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201080431/http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/parks_division/parks_and_trails/|date=February 1, 2008}}</ref>
* Sunfish Lake Park
* [[William O'Brien State Park]]
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 1056
|1860= 6123
|1870= 11809
|1880= 19563
|1890= 25992
|1900= 27808
|1910= 26013
|1920= 23761
|1930= 24753
|1940= 26430
|1950= 34544
|1960= 52432
|1970= 83003
|1980= 113571
|1990= 145896
|2000= 201130
|2010= 238136
|2020= 267568
|estyear=2024
|estimate=283960
|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 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===
[[File:WashingtonCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Washington County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Washington 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) - Washington County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US27163&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |website=[[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) - Washington County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=0500000US27163&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|204,111
|208,277
|85.71%
|77.84%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|8,376
|13,799
|3.52%
|5.16%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|973
|999
|0.41%
|0.37%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|12,023
|18,530
|5.05%
|6.93%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|72
|72
|0.03%
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|214
|969
|0.09%
|0.36%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|4,240
|11,828
|1.78%
|4.42%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|8,127
|13,094
|3.41%
|4.89%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''238,136'''
|'''267,568'''
|'''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.''

===2010 census===
The ethnic makeup of the country, according to the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], was the following:
* 87.77% [[White American|White]]
* 3.60% [[African American|Black]]
* 0.49% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]
* 5.07% [[Asian American|Asian]]
* >0.01% [[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]]
* 2.10% [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]]
* 0.97% [[Race (United States Census)|Other races]]
* 3.41% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)

As of the census of 2010, there were 238,136 people, 87,446 households, and 64,299 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|620|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 87,446 housing units at an average density of {{convert|228|/mi2|/km2}}. 39.4% were of German, 14.4% Irish, 13.0% Norwegian, and 9.9% Swedish ancestry. There were 87,446 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

The county population contained 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.02 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.03 males. The median income for a household in the county was $79,735, and the median income for a family was $92,497. The per capita income for the county was $36,786. About 5.2% of the population was below the poverty line.

According to the 2007-2011 [[American Community Survey]], of the county's population 25 years and over, 1.4% had less than 9th grade education, 2.8% held 9th to 12th grade with no diploma, 23.6% had High school graduate or equivalent, 22.2% held Some college with no degree, 27.0% had bachelor's degree, and 13.0% earned Graduate or professional degree.

===2000===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 201,130 people, 71,462 households, and 54,668 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|524|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 73,635 housing units at an average density of {{convert|192|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.63% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.83% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 2.14% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.60% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.37% from two or more races.

There were 71,462 households, out of which 41.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.19.

The county population contained 29.40% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $66,305, and the median income for a family was $74,576 (these figures had risen to $78,067 and $90,867 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,815 versus $33,804 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $28,148. About 2.00% of families and 2.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 3.50% of those under age 18 and 4.10% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics and government==
[[File:Washington County Government Center.jpg|thumb|right|The Washington County Government Center in Stillwater]]
Washington County voters slightly tend to vote Democratic. In 63% of national elections since 1948, the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020). It voted for the national winner in every election from 1992 to 2012. 
{{PresHead|place=Washington 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 10, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|75,271|90,324|3,941|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|73,764|89,165|3,857|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|64,428|67,086|12,721|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|69,137|70,203|2,793|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|64,334|70,277|2,448|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|65,751|61,395|1,303|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|51,502|49,637|5,870|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|31,219|45,119|11,719|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|26,568|35,820|23,111|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|30,850|34,952|613|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|29,046|28,527|369|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|22,718|25,634|6,550|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|20,716|26,454|1,413|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|19,142|16,102|854|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|10,921|16,449|1,584|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|8,850|18,108|64|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|11,202|11,870|61|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|9,562|7,462|32|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|9,408|7,768|64|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|5,686|8,039|245|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|6,014|5,599|66|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|6,710|6,288|54|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,863|6,768|1,079|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,996|6,413|247|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|6,113|4,158|80|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,482|699|3,372|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,852|1,558|409|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,167|1,610|270|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|581|1,289|2,353|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,727|1,120|134|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,913|652|79|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,984|1,279|94|Minnesota}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,995|1,558|113|Minnesota}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|2,451|1,733|414|Minnesota}}
Like all counties in Minnesota, Washington is governed by an elected and nonpartisan board of commissioners. Each commissioner represents a district of approximately equal population.

Washington County is divided among three congressional districts. Northern Washington County is represented by [[Minnesota's 6th congressional district]] (CPVI R+12), central Washington County by [[Minnesota's 4th congressional district]] (CPVI D+14), and southern Washington County by [[Minnesota's 2nd congressional district]] (CPVI EVEN).

==Economy==
===Largest employers===
According to the county's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>[https://www.co.washington.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/52947/2021-Washington-County-ACFR?bidId= Washington County ACFR (2021)]</ref> the top employers in the county are:
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
|1
|[[Andersen Corporation]] ([[Bayport, Minnesota|Bayport]])
|4,939
|-
|2
|Independent School District 833
| 2,594
|-
|3
|Woodwinds Healtheast Campus
|1,331
|-
|4
|Washington County Government
|1,324
|-
|5
|[[Walmart]]
|1,274
|-
|6
|Hy-Vee Grocery
|1,250
|-
|7
|Independent School District 834
|1,136
|-
|8
|[[Independent School District 831]]
|1,074
|-
|9
|[[Target Corporation]]
|959
|-
|10
|Bailey Nurseries, Inc
|800
|-
|}

==Points of interest==
* [[Afton State Park]]
* [[Afton Alps]] Ski Area
* [[Gateway State Trail]]
* [[William O'Brien State Park]]

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Afton, Minnesota|Afton]]
* [[Bayport, Minnesota|Bayport]]
* [[Birchwood Village, Minnesota|Birchwood Village]]
* [[Cottage Grove, Minnesota|Cottage Grove]]
* [[Dellwood, Minnesota|Dellwood]]
* [[Forest Lake, Minnesota|Forest Lake]]
* [[Grant, Minnesota|Grant]]
* [[Hastings, Minnesota|Hastings]] (part)
* [[Hugo, Minnesota|Hugo]]
* [[Lake Elmo, Minnesota|Lake Elmo]]
* [[Lake St. Croix Beach, Minnesota|Lake St. Croix Beach]]
* [[Lakeland, Minnesota|Lakeland]]
* [[Lakeland Shores, Minnesota|Lakeland Shores]]
* [[Landfall, Minnesota|Landfall]]
* [[Mahtomedi, Minnesota|Mahtomedi]]
* [[Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota|Marine on St. Croix]]
* [[Newport, Minnesota|Newport]]
* [[Oak Park Heights, Minnesota|Oak Park Heights]]
* [[Oakdale, Minnesota|Oakdale]]
* [[Pine Springs, Minnesota|Pine Springs]]
* [[St. Marys Point, Minnesota|Saint Marys Point]]
* [[St. Paul Park, Minnesota|Saint Paul Park]]
* [[Scandia, Minnesota|Scandia]]
* [[Stillwater, Minnesota|Stillwater]] (county seat)
* [[White Bear Lake, Minnesota|White Bear Lake]] (partly in [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]])
* [[Willernie, Minnesota|Willernie]]
* [[Woodbury, Minnesota|Woodbury]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Arcola, Minnesota|Arcola]]
* [[Basswood Grove, Minnesota|Basswood Grove]]
* Carnelian Junction
* [[Maple Island, Washington County, Minnesota|Maple Island]]
* [[Siegel, Minnesota|Siegel]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns===
* [[Garen, Minnesota|Garen]]
* [[Point Douglas, Minnesota|Point Douglas]]

===Townships===
{{div col}}
* [[Baytown Township, Washington County, Minnesota|Baytown]]
* [[Denmark Township, Washington County, Minnesota|Denmark]]
* [[Grey Cloud Island Township, Washington County, Minnesota|Grey Cloud Island]]
* [[May Township, Washington County, Minnesota|May]]
* [[Stillwater Township, Washington County, Minnesota|Stillwater]]
* [[West Lakeland Township, Washington County, Minnesota|West Lakeland]]
{{div col end}}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st27_mn/schooldistrict_maps/c27163_washington/DC20SD_C27163.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, MN|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 15, 2021|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref>
* [[Chisago Lakes School District]]
* [[Forest Lake Public School District]]
* [[Hastings Public School District]]
* [[Mahtomedi Public School District]]
* [[North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District]]
* [[South Washington County School District]]
* [[Stillwater Area Public School District]]
* [[White Bear Lake School District]]

==Superfund sites and environmental damage==
Washington County has had three locations listed as [[Environmental Protection Agency]] [[Superfund]] sites due to [[soil]] and [[groundwater]] [[contamination]]. The [[Baytown Township Ground Water Plume]] and the [[Oakdale Dump]] are currently listed, while the [[Washington County Landfill]] was cleaned up and removed from the Superfund list in 1996.

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Minnesota]]
*[[List of Superfund sites in Minnesota]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://co.washington.mn.us/ Washington County official government’s website]
* [https://www.co.washington.mn.us/492/Parks Washington County Parks]
* [https://www.co.washington.mn.us/468/Sheriffs-Office Washington County Sheriff's Office]
* [https://www.wchsmn.org/ Washington County Historical Society]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Washington County, Minnesota
|North     = [[Chisago County, Minnesota|Chisago County]]
|Northeast = [[Polk County, Wisconsin]]
|East      = [[St. Croix County, Wisconsin]]
|Southeast = [[Pierce County, Wisconsin]]
|Southwest = [[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota County]]
|West      = [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County]]
|Northwest = [[Anoka County, Minnesota|Anoka County]]
}}

{{Washington County, Minnesota}}
{{Minnesota}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45.04|-92.89|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source: UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Washington County, Minnesota|Washington County]]
[[Category:Minneapolis–Saint Paul]]
[[Category:Minnesota counties on the Mississippi River]]
[[Category:1849 establishments in Minnesota Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1849]]