Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Map of Minnesota highlighting Blue Earth County
Location in the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location in the U.S.
Founded March 5, 1853[1]
Named for Blue Earth River
Seat Mankato
Largest city Mankato
Area
 • Total 766 sq mi (1,984 km2)
 • Land 748 sq mi (1,937 km2)
 • Water 18 sq mi (47 km2), 2.3%
Population (est.)
 • (2016) 66,441
 • Density 86/sq mi (33/km2)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC−6/−5
Website www.co.blue-earth.mn.us

Blue Earth County is a county in the State of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,013.[2] Its county seat is Mankato.[3] The county is named for the Blue Earth River and for the deposits of blue-green clay once evident along the banks of the Blue Earth River.

Blue Earth County is part of the Mankato–North Mankato, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area of Blue Earth County was once known as the "Big Woods" and occupied by the Dakota Indians. The French explorer Pierre-Charles Le Sueur was one of the first white people in this area, arriving where the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers meet. There, he made an unsuccessful attempt to mine copper from the blue earth found in the area. The area remained under French control until 1803, but soon after passed to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.

When Minnesota became a territory in 1849, the territorial government became interested in settling the river valley. In 1850 the first steamboat trip, starting in St. Paul, traveled on the Minnesota River and came to the Blue Earth River. The first white settlers, P.K. Johnson and Henry Jackson, came off the boat and settled in present-day Mankato. The ratification of the Mendota and Traverse des Sioux Treaties in 1851 effectively forced the Dakota to leave the area for nearby reservations.

The county of Blue Earth was created after a division of the Minnesota Territory on March 5, 1853, from portions of Dakota County and free territory. It was named after the Blue Earth River.[4] The first government officials were appointed by Alexander Ramsey, the territorial governor. That October the first election was held, with 22 ballots being taken.

Unfulfilled treaty promises and starvation on the reservation led to the Dakota War of 1862, which resulted in Dakota defeat and the largest mass execution in US history in Mankato. In 1868 the railroads' arrival helped with the growth and development of many areas, including Blue Earth. The railroads allowed many immigrants and Yankee settlers into the area.

Soils of Blue Earth County[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 766 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 748 square miles (1,940 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (2.3%) is water.[6] The Blue Earth River and Le Sueur River flow through a part of the county. The land surface is relatively flat with over 30 lakes in the county. There are many "closed forest savannas" that some call the big woods in the county's northeast. The rivers that flow out of the northeast are surrounded by these big woods. Most of the county is grassland prairie but scattered parts are wet prairie. Some spots that surround the rivers are oak openings and barren brushland.

Lakes

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Climate and weather

Mankato, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.9
 
 
24
5
 
 
0.8
 
 
30
10
 
 
2
 
 
42
22
 
 
3.1
 
 
58
35
 
 
3.5
 
 
70
47
 
 
5.1
 
 
79
57
 
 
4.3
 
 
83
62
 
 
4.2
 
 
81
59
 
 
3.2
 
 
73
49
 
 
2.3
 
 
60
37
 
 
1.9
 
 
43
24
 
 
1.1
 
 
28
11
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Mankato have ranged from a low of 5 °F (−15 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −35 °F (−37 °C) was recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.78 inches (20 mm) in February to 5.09 inches (129 mm) in June.[7]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18604,803—
187017,302260.2%
188022,88932.3%
189029,21027.6%
190032,26310.5%
191029,337−9.1%
192031,4777.3%
193033,8477.5%
194036,2037.0%
195038,3275.9%
196044,38515.8%
197052,32217.9%
198052,3140.0%
199054,0443.3%
200055,9413.5%
201064,01314.4%
Est. 201666,441[8]3.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2016[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data

As of the 2000 census, there were 55,941 people, 21,062 households, and 12,616 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 21,971 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.96% White, 1.19% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.79% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. 1.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 47.6% were of German, 13.6% Norwegian and 6.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 21,062 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.60% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.10% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out with 21.40% under the age of 18, 22.10% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 18.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,940, and the median income for a family was $50,257. Males had a median income of $32,087 versus $22,527 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,712. About 6.10% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Government and politics

Blue Earth County has voted for the winning candidate for president in 12 of the last 14 elections, the exceptions being in 1988 and 2004. Since 1988 it has tilted toward the Democratic party, but in 2000 and 2016 it voted for Republicans George W. Bush and Donald Trump respectively.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 46.6% 15,667 43.0% 14,428 10.4% 3,498
2012 43.5% 14,916 53.0% 18,164 3.5% 1,194
2008 42.2% 14,782 55.1% 19,325 2.8% 963
2004 47.5% 15,737 50.9% 16,865 1.6% 517
2000 47.2% 12,942 45.0% 12,329 7.8% 2,131
1996 36.0% 9,082 49.2% 12,420 14.9% 3,759
1992 31.7% 8,813 41.4% 11,531 26.9% 7,503
1988 48.7% 11,959 50.4% 12,375 0.9% 218
1984 54.3% 14,298 45.1% 11,877 0.7% 172
1980 45.8% 11,966 41.8% 10,930 12.4% 3,242
1976 46.7% 11,998 50.3% 12,930 3.0% 760
1972 53.7% 12,702 45.0% 10,638 1.4% 322
1968 49.0% 9,571 47.4% 9,254 3.6% 712
1964 42.6% 8,009 56.9% 10,687 0.5% 101
1960 58.4% 11,328 41.5% 8,052 0.2% 33
1956 67.5% 11,398 32.4% 5,467 0.1% 21
1952 70.3% 11,867 29.4% 4,952 0.3% 51
1948 50.3% 7,520 48.6% 7,272 1.1% 162
1944 64.7% 9,429 35.0% 5,098 0.4% 54
1940 61.9% 9,642 37.7% 5,880 0.4% 62
1936 37.6% 5,550 55.9% 8,255 6.5% 964
1932 40.5% 5,550 57.9% 7,925 1.6% 216
1928 60.7% 8,120 38.7% 5,177 0.6% 79
1924 55.1% 6,773 9.1% 1,123 35.8% 4,399
1920 79.1% 8,894 17.6% 1,974 3.4% 383
1916 54.0% 2,864 41.7% 2,211 4.4% 233
1912 25.4% 1,344 38.3% 2,025 36.3% 1,922
1908 56.2% 3,297 37.3% 2,191 6.5% 379
1904 67.4% 3,573 26.8% 1,419 5.8% 308
1900 58.7% 3,647 36.3% 2,254 5.1% 314
1896 57.5% 4,055 38.9% 2,744 3.6% 253
1892 46.0% 2,680 41.2% 2,399 12.8% 747

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 57.
  5. ↑ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65 - 67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Mankato, Minnesota". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  8. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-04-17.

Coordinates: 44°02′N 94°04′W / 44.03°N 94.06°W / 44.03; -94.06

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