Norman County, Minnesota

Norman County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 6,852.[2] Its county seat is Ada.[3] The county is in Minnesota's Red River Valley region.

Norman County
U.S. county
Norman County Courthouse in Ada, Minnesota.
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°20′N 96°28′W
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 17, 1881[1]
Named forNorwegian settlers
SeatAda
Largest cityAda
Area
 • Total877 sq mi (2,270 km2)
 • Land873 sq mi (2,260 km2)
 • Water3.9 sq mi (10 km2)  0.4%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total6,852
 • Estimate 
(2019)
6,375
 • Density7.56/sq mi (2.92/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.co.norman.mn.us

History

The county was created by the Minnesota legislature on 17 March 1881, with Ada (which had been founded in 1874) as county seat. It was named in recognition of the many settlers who came from Scandinavian countries, especially Norway.[4] Another source posits that it was named for Norman Kittson, an early historical figure of the region.[5]

Geography

Norman County lies on Minnesota's western border, abutting North Dakota across the Red River, which flows north along (and defines) the county's west line. The Wild Rice River flows west through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Red slightly north of the county's southwest corner. The Marsh River rises in central Norman County and flows northwest into the Red near the county's northwest corner. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages and lightly dotted with lakes and swampy areas. The terrain is devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the north and west with its highest point near its southeast corner, at 1,224' (373m) ASL.[7] The county has an area of 877 square miles (2,270 km2), of which 873 square miles (2,260 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.4%) water.[8] Flom Township contains a prominent, irregular hill of morainic drift known as Frenchman's Bluff. It rises 150' (46m) above the shoreline of the former Lake Agassis, three miles (5 km) to the northwest.[4]

Soils of Norman County[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[6]
  • Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (part)
  • Agassiz No. 1 State Wildlife Management Area
  • Agassiz No. 2 State Wildlife Management Area
  • Dalby State Wildlife Management Area
  • Faith State Wildlife Management Area
  • Home Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Moccasin State Wildlife Management Area
  • Neal State Wildlife Management Area
  • Prairie Smoke Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
  • Sandpiper Scientific and Natural Area
  • Santee Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Syre State Wildlife Management Area
  • Twin Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Twin Valley State Wildlife Management Area
  • Vangsness State Wildlife Management Area

Lakes[6]
  • Home Lake
  • Lockhart Swamp

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
189010,618—
190015,04541.7%
191013,446−10.6%
192014,88010.7%
193014,061−5.5%
194014,7464.9%
195012,909−12.5%
196011,253−12.8%
197010,008−11.1%
19809,379−6.3%
19907,975−15.0%
20007,442−6.7%
20106,852−7.9%
2019 (est.)6,375[10]−7.0%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 United States Census data

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 7,442 people, 3,010 households, and 2,007 families in the county. The population density was 8.52/sqmi (3.29/km2). There were 3,455 housing units at an average density of 3.96/sqmi (1.53/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 1.73% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 1.13% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 3.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 57.5% were of Norwegian and 21.7% German ancestry.

There were 3,010 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% of over age 64. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,535, and the median income for a family was $41,280. Males had a median income of $28,674 versus $20,619 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,895. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Government and politics

Norman County has often voted Democratic. Between 1968 and 2016, the county selected the Democratic candidate in nine of the 12 presidential elections.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 56.8% 1,953 40.8% 1,404 2.4% 84
2016 52.1% 1,699 38.8% 1,264 9.1% 298
2012 43.2% 1,384 53.9% 1,730 2.9% 93
2008 35.1% 1,204 62.0% 2,129 2.9% 101
2004 47.1% 1,794 51.3% 1,954 1.6% 62
2000 49.7% 1,808 43.3% 1,575 7.1% 258
1996 37.4% 1,392 50.4% 1,875 12.2% 455
1992 37.4% 1,541 43.3% 1,784 19.3% 796
1988 45.2% 1,789 54.3% 2,149 0.5% 18
1984 49.2% 2,152 50.3% 2,202 0.5% 23
1980 44.9% 2,192 46.2% 2,253 8.9% 435
1976 39.6% 1,983 58.8% 2,946 1.7% 83
1972 50.5% 2,536 48.7% 2,444 0.8% 41
1968 39.5% 1,981 56.4% 2,828 4.1% 203
1964 31.4% 1,662 68.5% 3,631 0.2% 8
1960 47.3% 2,642 52.5% 2,932 0.2% 12
1956 46.0% 2,338 53.9% 2,740 0.1% 3
1952 55.1% 3,069 44.2% 2,465 0.7% 39
1948 32.9% 1,695 62.9% 3,245 4.2% 217
1944 39.5% 1,884 59.7% 2,846 0.8% 38
1940 36.5% 2,161 62.8% 3,716 0.7% 39
1936 28.5% 1,570 68.7% 3,778 2.8% 154
1932 25.1% 1,313 68.8% 3,601 6.1% 320
1928 67.4% 3,308 28.5% 1,401 4.1% 200
1924 45.8% 1,997 3.9% 171 50.3% 2,195
1920 74.2% 3,451 10.3% 481 15.5% 721
1916 42.1% 1,046 43.3% 1,076 14.6% 362
1912 14.7% 329 22.9% 510 62.4% 1,393
1908 55.3% 1,276 28.6% 661 16.1% 372
1904 78.0% 1,782 7.1% 161 14.9% 341
1900 53.6% 1,492 34.6% 964 11.8% 329
1896 49.6% 1,382 46.8% 1,304 3.6% 100
1892 39.0% 724 15.8% 294 45.2% 840
County Board of Commissioners[16]
Position Name District
Commissioner Marvin Gunderson District 1
Commissioner Nathan Redland District 2
Commissioner Steve Jacobson District 3
Commissioner and Chairperson Lee Ann Hall District 4
Commissioner Steve Bommersbach District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  Senate Kent Eken[17] Democrat District 4
  House of Representatives Paul Marquart[18] Democrat District 4B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  House of Representatives Collin Peterson[19] Democrat 7th
  Senate Amy Klobuchar[20] Democrat N/A
  Senate Tina Smith[21] Democrat N/A

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 September 1, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. pp. 381–384.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. p. 177. Norman County named after Norman Kittson.
  6. Norman County MN Google Maps (accessed April 17, 2019)
  7. ""Find an Altitude/Norman County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 17, 2019)". Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  9. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 57-60. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  10. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  11. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  15. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  16. "Norman County". www.co.norman.mn.us. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  17. "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  18. "Rep. Paul Marquart (04B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  19. "Congressman Collin Peterson". Congressman Collin Peterson. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  20. "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  21. "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved 2020-06-24.

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