Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

County in Minnesota, United States

County in Minnesota

Mille Lacs County

County

Mille Lacs County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 45°56′N 93°38′W﻿ / ﻿45.93°N 93.63°W﻿ / 45.93; -93.63
Country|  United States
State|  Minnesota
Founded| May 23, 1857
Named after| Mille Lacs Lake
Seat| Milaca
Largest city| Princeton
Area

• Total

| 682 sq mi (1,770 km2)
• Land| 572 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Water| 109 sq mi (280 km2)  16%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 26,459

• Estimate

(2023)

| 27,427
• Density| 46.3/sq mi (17.9/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 8th
Website| www.co.mille-lacs.mn.us

Mille Lacs County (/məˈlæks/ mə-LAKS) is a county in the East Central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,459.[1] Its county seat is Milaca.[2] The county was founded in 1857, and its boundary was expanded in 1860.[3][4]

Mille Lacs County is included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.

## Etymology

[edit]

The name Mille Lacs, meaning "thousand lakes" in French, was associated with Mille Lacs Lake in the region. (Its full name in French was Grand lac du pays des mille lacs.) This is the largest lake in the Brainerd Lakes Area, which French colonists and traders called the "Region of the Thousand Lakes" (Pays des mille lacs).[5]

## History

[edit]

The US legislature established the Wisconsin Territory effective July 3, 1836. It existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as Wisconsin) in 1848. The federal government set up the Minnesota Territory from the remaining territory effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. On May 23, 1857, one of those original counties, Benton, had its eastern portion partitioned off to create Mille Lacs County. The original county consisted of the portion of the contemporary Mille Lacs County east of the west branch of the Rum River and two townships now part of Isanti County, adjacent to Mille Lacs County. In 1858 the 12 townships forming the contemporary southern 10 townships of Mille Lacs County and the two northwestern townships in Isanti County were organized apart from Benton and Mille Lacs Counties to form Monroe County, leaving the northern "Square Top-knot" as Mille Lacs County. In 1860, Monroe and Mille Lacs Counties merged. Shortly thereafter, the two southeastern townships were transferred to Isanti County, forming the county's present boundaries.

## Geography

[edit]

The Rum River flows south through the county, originating from Mille Lacs Lake. It is joined by the West Branch of the Rum River, which rises in northwest Mille Lacs County and flows south-southeast to its confluence with the Rum at Princeton. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, carved by drainages, with open areas devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the south and east,[7] with its highest point at one mile (1.6 km) from the southwest shoreline of Mille Lacs Lake, in Mille Lacs Kathio State Park. A hill there measures 1,371 ft (418 m) ASL.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 682 square miles (1,770 km2), of which 572 square miles (1,480 km2) is land[9] and 109 square miles (280 km2) (16%) is water.[10]

Mille Lacs located in the north of Mille Lacs County

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 169
* Minnesota State Highway 18
* Minnesota State Highway 23
* Minnesota State Highway 27
* Minnesota State Highway 47
* Minnesota State Highway 95

### Airports

[edit]

* Milaca Municipal Airport (18Y) - northeast of Milaca
* Princeton Municipal Airport (PNM) - southwest of Princeton

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Aitkin County \- north
* Kanabec County \- northeast
* Isanti County \- southeast
* Sherburne County \- south
* Benton County \- southwest
* Morrison County \- west
* Crow Wing County \- northwest

### Protected areas

[edit]

Sources:[6][7]

* Father Hennepin State Park
* Four Brooks State Wildlife Management Area (part)
* Kunkel State Wildlife Management Area
* Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
* Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
* Mille Lacs State Wildlife Management Area
* Rum River State Forest
* Solana State Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 73| | —
1870| 1,109| | 1,419.2%
1880| 1,501| | 35.3%
1890| 2,845| | 89.5%
1900| 8,066| | 183.5%
1910| 10,705| | 32.7%
1920| 14,180| | 32.5%
1930| 14,076| | −0.7%
1940| 15,558| | 10.5%
1950| 15,165| | −2.5%
1960| 14,560| | −4.0%
1970| 15,703| | 7.9%
1980| 18,430| | 17.4%
1990| 18,670| | 1.3%
2000| 22,330| | 19.6%
2010| 26,097| | 16.9%
2020| 26,459| | 1.4%
2023 (est.)| 27,421| [11]| 3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[1]

### 2020 Census

[edit]

Mille Lacs County Racial Composition[16] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 17,947  | 87.42%
Black or African American (NH)  | 78  | 0.3%
Native American (NH)  | 1,466  | 5.54%
Asian (NH)  | 124  | 0.47%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 6  | 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 1,173  | 4.43%
Hispanic or Latino | 481  | 1.82%

### 2000 census

[edit]

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,330 people, 8,638 households, and 6,003 families in the county. The population density was 39.0 per square mile (15.1/km2). There were 10,467 housing units at an average density of 18.3 per square mile (7.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.55% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 4.68% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.9% were of German, 14.4% Swedish and 14.2% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 8,638 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% 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 3.03.

The county population contained 27.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,977, and the median income for a family was $44,054. Males had a median income of $32,348 versus $22,036 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,656. About 6.70% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.90% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Bock
* Foreston
* Isle (Chi-minising)
* Milaca (county seat)
* Onamia
* Pease
* Princeton (partly in Sherburne County)
* Wahkon

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Vineland (Neyaashiing)

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Bayview
* Cove
* Estes Brook
* Long Siding
* Opstead
* Page
* Woodward Brook

### Ghost towns

[edit]

* Brickton[6]
* Burnhelm Siding
* Esteville
* Freer
* Johnsdale[6]
* Soule's Crossing
* Stirling

### Townships

[edit]

* Bogus Brook Township
* Borgholm Township
* Bradbury Township
* Dailey Township
* East Side Township
* Greenbush Township
* Hayland Township
* Isle Harbor Township
* Kathio Township
* Lewis Township
* Milaca Township
* Milo Township
* Mudgett Township
* Onamia Township
* Page Township
* Princeton Township
* South Harbor Township

## Politics

[edit]

Mille Lacs County voters have traditionally voted a balanced ticket, but in the past few decades have become strongly Republican. Since 1980 the county selected the Republican Party candidate in 67% of national elections (as of 2020), and has done so in every election beginning in 2000.

United States presidential election results for Mille Lacs County, Minnesota[17] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 10,570  | 69.59% | 4,374  | 28.80%  | 246  | 1.62%
2020 | 9,952  | 67.75% | 4,404  | 29.98%  | 333  | 2.27%
2016 | 8,340  | 64.07% | 3,710  | 28.50%  | 967  | 7.43%
2012 | 6,951  | 53.10% | 5,829  | 44.53%  | 311  | 2.38%
2008 | 7,049  | 52.05% | 6,072  | 44.83%  | 423  | 3.12%
2004 | 7,194  | 55.06% | 5,677  | 43.45%  | 194  | 1.48%
2000 | 5,223  | 50.94% | 4,376  | 42.68%  | 654  | 6.38%
1996 | 2,948  | 33.22%  | 4,336  | 48.86% | 1,591  | 17.93%
1992 | 2,814  | 30.74%  | 3,648  | 39.85% | 2,692  | 29.41%
1988 | 3,862  | 46.52%  | 4,327  | 52.13% | 112  | 1.35%
1984 | 4,307  | 51.45% | 4,011  | 47.92%  | 53  | 0.63%
1980 | 3,860  | 42.83%  | 4,443  | 49.30% | 710  | 7.88%
1976 | 3,212  | 37.05%  | 5,172  | 59.65% | 286  | 3.30%
1972 | 4,291  | 55.83% | 3,221  | 41.91%  | 174  | 2.26%
1968 | 2,990  | 43.40%  | 3,494  | 50.71% | 406  | 5.89%
1964 | 2,474  | 36.00%  | 4,369  | 63.58% | 29  | 0.42%
1960 | 3,913  | 57.29% | 2,886  | 42.25%  | 31  | 0.45%
1956 | 3,315  | 55.80% | 2,619  | 44.08%  | 7  | 0.12%
1952 | 3,766  | 58.42% | 2,639  | 40.94%  | 41  | 0.64%
1948 | 2,502  | 41.43%  | 3,343  | 55.36% | 194  | 3.21%
1944 | 2,798  | 49.03%  | 2,872  | 50.32% | 37  | 0.65%
1940 | 3,459  | 48.37%  | 3,619  | 50.61% | 73  | 1.02%
1936 | 2,091  | 33.62%  | 3,767  | 60.56% | 362  | 5.82%
1932 | 1,986  | 34.03%  | 3,538  | 60.62% | 312  | 5.35%
1928 | 3,998  | 72.01% | 1,436  | 25.86%  | 118  | 2.13%
1924 | 2,413  | 48.79% | 167  | 3.38%  | 2,366  | 47.84%
1920 | 3,521  | 73.17% | 526  | 10.93%  | 765  | 15.90%
1916 | 1,127  | 44.58% | 1,113  | 44.03%  | 288  | 11.39%
1912 | 392  | 19.55%  | 449  | 22.39%  | 1,164  | 58.05%
1908 | 1,119  | 61.96% | 427  | 23.64%  | 260  | 14.40%
1904 | 1,451  | 83.87% | 154  | 8.90%  | 125  | 7.23%
1900 | 1,072  | 71.42% | 358  | 23.85%  | 71  | 4.73%
1896 | 977  | 66.78% | 456  | 31.17%  | 30  | 2.05%
1892 | 463  | 56.05% | 223  | 27.00%  | 140  | 16.95%

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[18]

* Isle Public School District
* Milaca Public School District
* Ogilvie Public School District
* Onamia Public School District
* Princeton Public School District

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
4. ^ "History of the County". Mille Lacs County. April 1, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
5. ^ Upham, Warren. (1920; repr. 1991), Minnesota Place Names, St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.
6. ^ a b c d Mille Lacs County MN Google Maps (accessed May 3, 2019)
7. ^ a b ""Find an Altitude/Mille Lacs County MN" Google Maps (accessed May 3, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
8. ^ Mille Lacs County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 3, 2019)
9. ^ The total county area can be accurately calculated using its described boundaries. The quantity of "land", however, is not consistent across all sources. The US Census Bureau lists 572 square miles; the Mille Lacs County website "History" section lists 583 square miles, and the Census Bureas's Quick Facts website lists 574.47 square miles.
10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
15. ^ "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 21, 2014.
16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Mille Lacs County, Minnesota".
17. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
18. ^ Geography Division (January 15, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mille Lacs County, MN (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2025. \- Text list

## External links

[edit]

* Mille Lacs County government’s website
* Minnesota Department of Transportation map of Mille Lacs County

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

| Crow Wing County | Aitkin County | Kanabec County

|
|

|  |
Morrison County |

Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

|  |
Benton County | Sherburne County | Isanti County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Milaca

Cities|

* Bock
* Foreston
* Isle
* Milaca
* Onamia
* Pease
* Princeton‡
* Wahkon

Map of Minnesota highlighting Mille Lacs County

Townships|

* Bogus Brook
* Borgholm
* Bradbury
* Dailey
* East Side
* Greenbush
* Hayland
* Isle Harbor
* Kathio
* Lewis
* Milaca
* Milo
* Mudgett
* Onamia
* Page
* Princeton
* South Harbor

CDP|

* Vineland

Other
communities|

* Bayview
* Cove
* Estes Brook
* Long Siding
* Opstead

Indian
reservation|

* Mille Lacs‡

Footnotes|

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

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45°56′N 93°38′W﻿ / ﻿45.93°N 93.63°W﻿ / 45.93; -93.63
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