Houston County, Minnesota

County in Minnesota, United States

Parts of this article (those related to Demographics) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (March 2020)

|

County in Minnesota

Houston County

County

Houston County Courthouse in Caledonia

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 43°40′N 91°29′W﻿ / ﻿43.67°N 91.49°W﻿ / 43.67; -91.49
Country|  United States
State|  Minnesota
Founded| February 23, 1854 (created)
April 4, 1854 (organized)
Named after| Sam Houston
Seat| Caledonia
Largest city| La Crescent
Area

• Total

| 569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Land| 552 sq mi (1,430 km2)
• Water| 17 sq mi (40 km2)  2.9%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 18,843

• Estimate

(2023)

| 18,582
• Density| 33/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| https://www.co.houston.mn.us/

Houston County (/ˈhjuːstən/ HEW-stən)[1] is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. At the 2020 census, the population was 18,843.[2] Its county seat is Caledonia.[3] Houston County is included in the La Crosse–Onalaska Metropolitan Statistical Area.

## History

[edit]

The area covered by today's Houston County was first organized as St. Croix County, of the Wisconsin Territory, in 1839.[4] On October 27, 1849, part of that county was partitioned off to create Wabashaw County of the Minnesota Territory.[5] On February 23, 1854, the territorial legislature authorized the partitioning of sections of Wabashaw to create Fillmore County[6] and Houston County.[7] An election on April 4, 1854, allowed the county government to be completed.[7] The county was named for Sam Houston, who had been president of the Republic of Texas and a US senator from Texas.[8] The village of Houston was the first county seat. Then a land speculator made an effort to move the seat to Caledonia, and in 1855 the county board moved the county records to Caledonia, which became the de facto seat, and eventually the legal seat after several county votes. In 1855 the records were stored in the cabin of Commissioner Samuel McPhail; the first court hearings were held in that cabin, and a one-story courthouse and jail was built in Caledonia in 1857. A two-story building was built in Caledonia in 1867, and several referendums made Caledonia the county seat by 1874.[9] From that point on, Caledonia prospered and Houston slowly declined. The only other area of prominence was La Crescent, which benefited from its connection to La Crosse, Wisconsin.

## Geography

[edit]

Houston County is at Minnesota's southeast corner. Its eastern border abuts Wisconsin (across the Mississippi River) and its southern border abuts Iowa. The Mississippi flows south-southeast along its eastern border. The Root River flows east through the northern part of the county, discharging into the Mississippi. Pine Creek flows east-southeast through the northeastern part of the county to discharge into the Mississippi, while Crooked Creek flows east across the southern part of the county to discharge into the Mississippi. The county's terrain consists of low rolling hills on its western end, transitioning to hills carved with drainages toward the east.[10] The central and western portion of the county is a plateau with its highest point at 1,273 ft (388 m) ASL, near its southwest corner.[11] The county has an area of 569 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 552 square miles (1,430 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (2.9%) is water.[12]

Driftless scenery in Houston County

The county is in the Driftless Zone, marked by the absence of glacial drift and presence of bedrock cut by streams into steep hills. The plateau that surrounds Caledonia includes flat, fertile farmland and hilly, verdant pasture land.

Soils of Houston County[13] Soils of Beaver Creek Valley State Park neighborhood

### Lakes

[edit]

The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge runs along the county's eastern border. Four lakes in the refuge fall within the county:[10]

* Blue Lake
* Hayshore Lake
* Lawrence Lake
* Target Lake

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Winona County \- north
* La Crosse County, Wisconsin \- northeast
* Vernon County, Wisconsin \- east
* Allamakee County, Iowa \- south
* Winneshiek County, Iowa \- southwest
* Fillmore County \- west

### Protected areas

[edit]

* Beaver Creek Valley State Park
* Mound Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
* Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (part)

[10]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 6,645| | —
1870| 14,936| | 124.8%
1880| 16,332| | 9.3%
1890| 14,653| | −10.3%
1900| 15,400| | 5.1%
1910| 14,297| | −7.2%
1920| 14,013| | −2.0%
1930| 13,845| | −1.2%
1940| 14,735| | 6.4%
1950| 14,435| | −2.0%
1960| 16,588| | 14.9%
1970| 17,556| | 5.8%
1980| 18,382| | 4.7%
1990| 18,497| | 0.6%
2000| 19,718| | 6.6%
2010| 19,027| | −3.5%
2020| 18,843| | −1.0%
2023 (est.)| 18,582| [14]| −1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2020[2]

### 2020 Census

[edit]

Houston County Racial Composition[19] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 17,840  | 94.7%
Black or African American (NH)  | 90  | 0.5%
Native American (NH)  | 42  | 0.22%
Asian (NH)  | 101  | 0.54%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 4  | 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 523  | 2.8%
Hispanic or Latino | 243  | 1.3%

### 2000 census

[edit]

2022 US Census population pyramid for Houston County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,718 people, 7,633 households and 5,411 families in the county. The population density was 35.7 per square mile (13.8/km2). There were 8,168 housing units at an average density of 14.8 per square mile (5.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.1% were of German, 29.6% Norwegian and 7.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 7,633 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.

The county population contained 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median household income was $40,680 and the median family income was $49,196. Males had a median income of $32,557 and females $22,158. The per capita income was $18,826. About 4.2% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

## Transportation

[edit]

### Transit

[edit]

* La Crosse MTU

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 14
* U.S. Highway 61
* Minnesota State Highway 16
* Minnesota State Highway 26
* Minnesota State Highway 44
* Minnesota State Highway 76

### Airport

[edit]

* Houston County Airport

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Brownsville
* Caledonia (county seat)
* Eitzen
* Hokah
* Houston
* La Crescent (partly in Winona County)
* Spring Grove

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bee
* Black Hammer
* Freeburg
* Jefferson
* Mayville
* Money Creek
* Newhouse
* Pine Creek (partial)
* Reno
* River Junction
* Willington Grove
* Wilmington
* Yucatan

* Sheldon

### Townships

[edit]

* Black Hammer Township
* Brownsville Township
* Caledonia Township
* Crooked Creek Township
* Hokah Township
* Houston Township
* Jefferson Township
* La Crescent Township
* Mayville Township
* Money Creek Township
* Mound Prairie Township
* Sheldon Township
* Spring Grove Township
* Union Township
* Wilmington Township
* Winnebago Township
* Yucatan Township

## Government and politics

[edit]

Houston County voters have tended to vote Republican in the 21st century. As of 2024 the county had selected the Republican candidate in 75% of presidential elections since 1980.

United States presidential election results for Houston County, Minnesota[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 6,547  | 57.29% | 4,667  | 40.84%  | 214  | 1.87%
2020 | 6,334  | 55.37% | 4,853  | 42.42%  | 253  | 2.21%
2016 | 5,616  | 52.96% | 4,145  | 39.09%  | 843  | 7.95%
2012 | 4,951  | 47.40%  | 5,281  | 50.56% | 214  | 2.05%
2008 | 4,743  | 43.58%  | 5,906  | 54.27% | 234  | 2.15%
2004 | 5,631  | 50.81% | 5,276  | 47.61%  | 175  | 1.58%
2000 | 5,077  | 49.94% | 4,502  | 44.28%  | 588  | 5.78%
1996 | 3,674  | 38.88%  | 4,153  | 43.95% | 1,623  | 17.17%
1992 | 3,853  | 36.87% | 3,744  | 35.82%  | 2,854  | 27.31%
1988 | 4,777  | 54.13% | 3,936  | 44.60%  | 112  | 1.27%
1984 | 5,645  | 61.06% | 3,512  | 37.99%  | 88  | 0.95%
1980 | 5,582  | 58.88% | 3,218  | 33.94%  | 681  | 7.18%
1976 | 4,853  | 54.37% | 3,861  | 43.26%  | 212  | 2.38%
1972 | 5,186  | 66.57% | 2,467  | 31.67%  | 137  | 1.76%
1968 | 4,450  | 57.94% | 2,703  | 35.19%  | 528  | 6.87%
1964 | 3,433  | 46.86%  | 3,885  | 53.03% | 8  | 0.11%
1960 | 4,807  | 60.93% | 3,080  | 39.04%  | 3  | 0.04%
1956 | 4,538  | 67.93% | 2,133  | 31.93%  | 9  | 0.13%
1952 | 5,365  | 74.28% | 1,830  | 25.34%  | 28  | 0.39%
1948 | 3,540  | 56.81% | 2,623  | 42.10%  | 68  | 1.09%
1944 | 4,036  | 68.31% | 1,847  | 31.26%  | 25  | 0.42%
1940 | 4,825  | 69.48% | 2,082  | 29.98%  | 37  | 0.53%
1936 | 2,701  | 44.28%  | 3,156  | 51.74% | 243  | 3.98%
1932 | 2,335  | 42.63%  | 3,052  | 55.71% | 91  | 1.66%
1928 | 3,615  | 64.87% | 1,937  | 34.76%  | 21  | 0.38%
1924 | 2,782  | 53.58% | 402  | 7.74%  | 2,008  | 38.67%
1920 | 4,101  | 85.67% | 598  | 12.49%  | 88  | 1.84%
1916 | 1,783  | 69.08% | 744  | 28.83%  | 54  | 2.09%
1912 | 659  | 23.75%  | 762  | 27.46%  | 1,354  | 48.79%
1908 | 1,700  | 67.35% | 745  | 29.52%  | 79  | 3.13%
1904 | 1,546  | 76.12% | 434  | 21.37%  | 51  | 2.51%
1900 | 1,765  | 64.58% | 884  | 32.35%  | 84  | 3.07%
1896 | 2,087  | 65.92% | 991  | 31.30%  | 88  | 2.78%
1892 | 1,509  | 50.13% | 1,243  | 41.30%  | 258  | 8.57%
County Board of Commissioners[21] Position  | Name  | District  | Next election

|
|
|

Commissioner  | Dewey Severson  | 1  | 2024
Commissioner  | Eric Johnson  | 2  | 2026
Commissioner  | Bob Burns  | 3  | 2024
Commissioner  | Bob Schuldt  | 4  | 2026
Commissioner  | Greg Myhre  | 5  | 2024
State Legislature (2021–2023)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| Senate  | Jeremy Miller[22] | Republican | District 26
| House of Representatives  | Greg Davids[23] | Republican | District 26B
U.S Congress (2021–2023)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| House of Representatives | Brad Finstad[24] | Republican | 1st
| Senate | Amy Klobuchar[25] | Democrat | N/A
| Senate | Tina Smith[26] | Democrat

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[27]

* Caledonia Public School District
* Houston Public School District
* La Crescent-Hokah School District
* Mabel-Canton Public School District
* Rushford-Peterson Public Schools
* Spring Grove School District

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Houston County, Minnesota
* Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ History 1919, p. 15
5. ^ History 1919, p. 94
6. ^ History 1919, pp. 94-95
7. ^ a b History 1919, p. 95
8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 161.
9. ^ "Houston County Courthouse". Archived from the original on December 6, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
10. ^ a b c Houston County MN Google Maps (accessed March 12, 2019)
11. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Houston County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 12, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
13. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
19. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Houston County, Minnesota".
20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". US Election Atlas. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
21. ^ "Board of Commissioners – Houston County". Retrieved April 25, 2023.
22. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
23. ^ "Rep. Greg Davids (28B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
24. ^ Schnell, Mychael (August 12, 2022). "Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term". The Hill.
25. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
26. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
27. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Houston County, MN" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2022. \- Text list

* History of Houston County (1919)[1]

## External links

[edit]

Wikisource has the text of an 1879 American Cyclopædia article about Houston County, Minnesota.

* Houston County
* Houston County Health and Demographic Data

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Houston County, Minnesota

|  | Winona County | La Crosse County, Wisconsin

|
|

|  |
Fillmore County |

Houston County, Minnesota

| Vernon County, Wisconsin
|  |
Winneshiek County, Iowa | Allamakee County, Iowa |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Houston County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Caledonia

Cities|

* Brownsville
* Caledonia
* Eitzen
* Hokah
* Houston
* La Crescent‡
* Spring Grove

Map of Minnesota highlighting Houston County

Townships|

* Black Hammer
* Brownsville
* Caledonia
* Crooked Creek
* Hokah
* Houston
* Jefferson
* La Crescent
* Mayville
* Money Creek
* Mound Prairie
* Sheldon
* Spring Grove
* Union
* Wilmington
* Winnebago
* Yucatan

Unincorporated
communities|

* Bee
* Black Hammer
* Freeburg
* Jefferson
* Money Creek
* Newhouse
* Pine Creek‡
* Perkins
* Reno
* Riceford
* River Junction
* Schechs Mill
* Sheldon
* South Ridge
* Willington Grove
* Wilmington
* Yucatan

Indian
reservation|

* Ho-Chunk Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Minnesota portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

La Crosse–Onalaska (WI–MN)

Core cities|

* La Crosse°
* Onalaska°

Surrounding
communities|

| (over 5,000)|

* Holmen‡
* La Crescent, MN°
* Onalaska*

|

(under 5,000)|

* Brice Prairie§
* French Island§
* Holland*
* Medary*
* Midway†
* New Amsterdam†
* Shelby*
* Shelby†
* West La Crosse†

Counties|

* Houston
* La Crosse

*town ‡village °city §CDP †unincorporated community

* v
* t
* e

State of Minnesota

Saint Paul (capital)

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43°40′N 91°29′W﻿ / ﻿43.67°N 91.49°W﻿ / 43.67; -91.49

1. ^ [1] Digitized version (accessed March 12, 2019)

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