Dodge County, Minnesota

Dodge County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 20,087 as of the 2010 United States Census.[2] Its county seat is Mantorville.[3]

Dodge County
U.S. county
Dodge County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°02′N 92°52′W
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1855[1]
Named forHenry Dodge
SeatMantorville
Largest cityKasson
Area
 • Total440 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.07%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total20,087
 • Estimate 
(2019)
20,934
 • Density47.3/sq mi (18.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.dodge.mn.us

Dodge County is part of the Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area of present Dodge County was a hunting and battle ground for the Mdewakanton Sioux, often fighting Sauk and Fox Indians who wandered into their territory. Possibly the first non-indigenous person to enter the territory was a French fur trader from Canada in 1655. After the fur trappers and early explorers, the area was populated by settlers from New England. The 1820s and 1830s saw significant emigration, eased by completion of the Erie Canal (1825) and the end of the Black Hawk War (1831). They brought a passion for education, establishing many schools, as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were members of the Congregational or Episcopal church. Culturally Dodge County was similar to colonial New England during the nineteenth century.[4] In 1853 government surveyors set lines for the townships. In 1854, two Mantor brothers and Eli P. Waterman established their claims in the area of present Mantorville. In early 1855, Dodge County was organized for local government. It was named for Henry Dodge, the first governor of Wisconsin (1836-1841).[5]

The Minnesota State Constitution placed Dodge County in the Fifth Judicial District on May 11, 1858. The county courthouse was constructed in 1865; it is presently the oldest still-used courthouse in Minnesota.[6] As the 20th century began, emigrants from Germany, Sweden and Norway flowed to Minnesota in increasing numbers. Their influence added Catholic and Lutheran influence to the cultural mix.

Soils of Dodge County[7]

Geography

The South Branch of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River flows east-northeast through the upper central part of Dodge County. Salem Creek and Harkcom Creek drain the county to the east. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture where possible.[8] The terrain slopes to the northeast; its highest point is on the eastern part of its southern border, at 1,352' (412m) ASL.[9] The county has a total area of 440 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 439 square miles (1,140 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) (0.07%) is water.[10]

Dodge County is in southeastern Minnesota and is 24 miles (39 km) long and 18 miles (29 km) wide. The central and northern parts are hilly and thickly wooded with pebbly, loose soil that allows for wheat agriculture. The southern part, in contrast, is flat and wet, more suited to grazing livestock. The soil is very fertile, with heavy black loam. Dodge is one of seven southern Minnesota counties that have no forest ecosystems; only prairie and savanna soils exist here.

Dodge County's plentiful sand and rock also make the area a center for building. Quarries in Mantorville were once enterprises and consist of layers of thick stone that can be cut into any desired shape. Wasioja is known nationwide for its excellent "Wasioja stone."

Streams

Lakes
  • Rice Lake (part)
  • Zumbro River Reservoir

Major highways

Airport

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18603,797—
18708,598126.4%
188011,34431.9%
189010,864−4.2%
190013,34022.8%
191012,094−9.3%
192012,5523.8%
193012,127−3.4%
194012,9316.6%
195012,624−2.4%
196013,2595.0%
197013,037−1.7%
198014,77313.3%
199015,7316.5%
200017,73112.7%
201020,08713.3%
2019 (est.)20,934[11]4.2%
US Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2019[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 census data

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[16] there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families in the county. The population density was 40.4/sqmi (15.6/km2). There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15.1/sqmi (5.84/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% were of German, 26.9% Norwegian, 5.8% Irish, 5.8% American and 5.1% English ancestry.

There were 6,420 households, out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.70% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% 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 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,437, and the median income for a family was $54,261. Males had a median income of $34,195 versus $25,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,259. About 4.40% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Dodge County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 61.3% 6,527 29.1% 3,102 9.6% 1,025
2012 53.5% 5,522 43.5% 4,487 3.1% 318
2008 53.5% 5,468 43.7% 4,463 2.8% 282
2004 56.7% 5,593 41.7% 4,117 1.6% 158
2000 52.3% 4,213 41.9% 3,370 5.8% 467
1996 38.8% 2,888 43.5% 3,233 17.7% 1,314
1992 38.3% 3,049 32.9% 2,620 28.9% 2,303
1988 56.2% 3,848 42.7% 2,925 1.1% 73
1984 61.0% 4,428 38.4% 2,786 0.7% 48
1980 54.9% 3,900 38.0% 2,698 7.1% 502
1976 52.2% 3,446 45.6% 3,009 2.2% 143
1972 65.1% 3,863 32.4% 1,921 2.6% 152
1968 53.7% 3,064 42.7% 2,437 3.6% 208
1964 44.0% 2,474 55.8% 3,138 0.1% 8
1960 63.4% 3,769 36.5% 2,170 0.1% 4
1956 63.8% 3,205 36.1% 1,814 0.1% 6
1952 70.7% 3,893 28.7% 1,582 0.6% 33
1948 48.0% 2,381 50.9% 2,523 1.2% 57
1944 61.4% 2,902 38.3% 1,808 0.3% 15
1940 57.9% 3,257 41.9% 2,357 0.2% 11
1936 41.6% 2,138 54.7% 2,812 3.7% 188
1932 43.5% 2,129 54.7% 2,675 1.8% 87
1928 74.5% 3,569 25.0% 1,196 0.5% 26
1924 66.0% 2,856 5.0% 215 29.1% 1,258
1920 83.4% 3,386 12.7% 516 3.9% 158
1916 55.8% 1,260 39.6% 895 4.6% 103
1912 23.4% 470 27.0% 543 49.7% 1,000
1908 69.8% 1,454 24.7% 515 5.5% 115
1904 75.9% 1,499 16.1% 319 8.0% 158
1900 65.1% 1,611 27.2% 674 7.7% 191
1896 65.1% 1,900 31.2% 911 3.7% 108
1892 55.3% 1,219 24.3% 536 20.3% 448

See also

References
  1. "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. The Jones-Steele Family History: Dodge County, Minnesota by Earl W. Velander, Georgean Velander E. & G. Velander, 1990
  5. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 171.
  6. "Dodge County Courthouse". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  7. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  8. Dodge County MN Google Maps (accessed 7 March 2019)
  9. "Find an Altitude/Dodge County MN" Google Maps (accessed 7 March 2019)
  10. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  11. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  12. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  15. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  16. "U.S. Census website". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

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