Pope County, Minnesota

County in Minnesota, United States

County in Minnesota

Pope County

County

The 1930 Beaux-Arts, Pope County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 45°35′N 95°27′W﻿ / ﻿45.59°N 95.45°W﻿ / 45.59; -95.45
Country|  United States
State|  Minnesota
Founded| February 20, 1862 (created)
1866 (organized)
Named after| John Pope
Seat| Glenwood
Largest city| Glenwood
Area

• Total

| 717 sq mi (1,860 km2)
• Land| 670 sq mi (1,700 km2)
• Water| 47 sq mi (120 km2)  6.6%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 11,308

• Estimate

(2023)

| 11,400
• Density| 16.9/sq mi (6.5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 7th
Website| www.co.pope.mn.us

Pope County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,308.[1] Its county seat is Glenwood.[2] The county was formed in 1862 and organized in 1866.

## History

[edit]

Pope County was identified by the state legislature in 1862[3] and named for John Pope, a Union Army general who had worked as a surveyor in the area.[4] Its organization was effected in 1866.

Pope County was the location of several protests against the CU Powerline in the 1970s.

## Geography

[edit]

Soils of Pope County[5]

Soils of Glacial Lakes State Park area

The Chippewa River flows south through the county's western part. The Little Chippewa River flows south-southwest through its central part, discharging into the Chippewa southeast of Cyrus. The East Branch Chippewa River flows south-southwest through the eastern part of the county toward its union with the Chippewa in neighboring Swift County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved with drainages and dotted with lakes and ponds. The area is devoted to agriculture.[6] The terrain slopes to the south and west, with its highest point near the northeast corner at 1,388 ft (423 m) ASL.[7] The county has an area of 717 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 670 square miles (1,700 km2) is land and 47 square miles (120 km2) (6.6%) is water.[8]

### Major highways

[edit]

* Minnesota State Highway 9
* Minnesota State Highway 28
* Minnesota State Highway 29
* Minnesota State Highway 55
* Minnesota State Highway 104
* Minnesota State Highway 114

### Airports

[edit]

Source:[6]

* Glenwood Municipal Airport (D32)
* Starbuck Municipal Airport (GHW)

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Douglas County \- north
* Stearns County \- east
* Kandiyohi County \- southeast
* Swift County \- south
* Stevens County \- west
* Grant County \- northwest

### Protected areas

[edit]

Source:[6]

* Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery Scientific and Natural Area
* Farwell State Wildlife Management Area
* Glacial Lakes State Park
* Langhei Scientific and Natural Area
* Little Jo State Wildlife Management Area
* Lowry State Wildlife Management Area
* New Prairie State Wildlife Management Area
* Noordmans State Wildlife Management Area
* Skarpness State Wildlife Management Area
* Van Luik State Wildlife Management Area
* Wade State Wildlife Management Area

### Major lakes

[edit]

Source:[6]

* Amelia Lake
* Goose Lake
* Lake Emily
* Lake Johanna
* Lake Minnewaska
* Lake Reno (part)
* Lake Simon
* Pelican Lake
* Pike Lake
* Scandinavian Lake

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 2,691| | —
1880| 5,874| | 118.3%
1890| 10,032| | 70.8%
1900| 12,577| | 25.4%
1910| 12,746| | 1.3%
1920| 13,631| | 6.9%
1930| 13,085| | −4.0%
1940| 13,544| | 3.5%
1950| 12,862| | −5.0%
1960| 11,914| | −7.4%
1970| 11,107| | −6.8%
1980| 11,657| | 5.0%
1990| 10,745| | −7.8%
2000| 11,236| | 4.6%
2010| 10,995| | −2.1%
2020| 11,308| | 2.8%
2023 (est.)| 11,400| [9]| 0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[1]

### 2020 Census

[edit]

Pope County Racial Composition[14] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 10,751  | 95.1%
Black or African American (NH)  | 34  | 0.3%
Native American (NH)  | 27  | 0.24%
Asian (NH)  | 50  | 0.44%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 0  | 0%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 255  | 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino | 191  | 1.7%

### 2000 census

[edit]

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,236 people, 4,513 households, and 3,064 families in the county. The population density was 16.8 per square mile (6.5/km2). There were 5,827 housing units at an average density of 8.70 per square mile (3.36/km2)/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.85% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.8% were of Norwegian and 31.6% German ancestry.

There were 4,513 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 24.80% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,633, and the median income for a family was $42,818. Males had a median income of $30,452 versus $20,511 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,032. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.40% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

A farm in Chippewa Falls Township

### Cities

[edit]

* Brooten (part)
* Cyrus
* Farwell
* Glenwood (county seat)
* Long Beach
* Lowry
* Sedan
* Starbuck
* Villard
* Westport

### Unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Grove Lake
* Terrace

### Ghost town

[edit]

* New Prairie

### Townships

[edit]

* Bangor Township
* Barsness Township
* Ben Wade Township
* Blue Mounds Township
* Chippewa Falls Township
* Gilchrist Township
* Glenwood Township
* Grove Lake Township
* Hoff Township
* Lake Johanna Township
* Langhei Township
* Leven Township
* Minnewaska Township
* New Prairie Township
* Nora Township
* Reno Township
* Rolling Forks Township
* Walden Township
* Westport Township
* White Bear Lake Township

## Government and politics

[edit]

Pope County has been a swing district in the past. In the 21st Century, the county has voted Republican in every election except for 2008. However, the margins were especially close in 2000, when Republican candidate George W. Bush won the county by 37 votes, and in 2004, when he won it by only 2 votes. Since 2016 the county has voted Republican by stronger margins, each of which were the best Republican performance since 1928.[15]

United States presidential election results for Pope County, Minnesota[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 4,677  | 64.80% | 2,398  | 33.22%  | 143  | 1.98%
2020 | 4,417  | 62.90% | 2,477  | 35.27%  | 128  | 1.82%
2016 | 3,793  | 60.03% | 2,106  | 33.33%  | 420  | 6.65%
2012 | 3,142  | 50.30% | 2,981  | 47.73%  | 123  | 1.97%
2008 | 3,069  | 46.96%  | 3,317  | 50.75% | 150  | 2.29%
2004 | 3,303  | 49.30% | 3,301  | 49.27%  | 96  | 1.43%
2000 | 2,808  | 46.90% | 2,771  | 46.28%  | 408  | 6.81%
1996 | 1,992  | 36.03%  | 2,803  | 50.70% | 734  | 13.28%
1992 | 1,886  | 31.59%  | 2,619  | 43.87% | 1,465  | 24.54%
1988 | 2,627  | 45.48%  | 3,074  | 53.22% | 75  | 1.30%
1984 | 3,064  | 52.27% | 2,757  | 47.03%  | 41  | 0.70%
1980 | 3,159  | 51.34% | 2,527  | 41.07%  | 467  | 7.59%
1976 | 2,251  | 36.74%  | 3,746  | 61.14% | 130  | 2.12%
1972 | 2,610  | 45.94%  | 2,910  | 51.22% | 161  | 2.83%
1968 | 2,504  | 46.65%  | 2,592  | 48.29% | 272  | 5.07%
1964 | 2,213  | 38.39%  | 3,549  | 61.57% | 2  | 0.03%
1960 | 3,062  | 51.39% | 2,883  | 48.39%  | 13  | 0.22%
1956 | 2,725  | 51.33% | 2,577  | 48.54%  | 7  | 0.13%
1952 | 3,593  | 60.00% | 2,381  | 39.76%  | 14  | 0.23%
1948 | 2,114  | 38.70%  | 3,251  | 59.52% | 97  | 1.78%
1944 | 2,607  | 48.27%  | 2,781  | 51.49% | 13  | 0.24%
1940 | 2,805  | 46.06%  | 3,266  | 53.63% | 19  | 0.31%
1936 | 1,869  | 35.65%  | 3,200  | 61.05% | 173  | 3.30%
1932 | 1,688  | 31.46%  | 3,571  | 66.56% | 106  | 1.98%
1928 | 3,382  | 66.13% | 1,667  | 32.60%  | 65  | 1.27%
1924 | 2,079  | 45.88%  | 151  | 3.33%  | 2,301  | 50.78%
1920 | 3,466  | 76.34% | 709  | 15.62%  | 365  | 8.04%
1916 | 1,321  | 51.18% | 1,121  | 43.43%  | 139  | 5.39%
1912 | 379  | 16.63%  | 443  | 19.44%  | 1,457  | 63.93%
1908 | 1,794  | 76.86% | 442  | 18.94%  | 98  | 4.20%
1904 | 1,729  | 88.17% | 159  | 8.11%  | 73  | 3.72%
1900 | 1,774  | 76.40% | 481  | 20.71%  | 67  | 2.89%
1896 | 1,773  | 70.53% | 688  | 27.37%  | 53  | 2.11%
1892 | 1,037  | 57.32% | 282  | 15.59%  | 490  | 27.09%
County Board of Commissioners[17] County Board of Commissioners  Position  | Name  | District

|
|

| Commissioner  | Paul Gremmels  | District 1
| Commissioner  | Gordy Wagner  | District 2
| Commissioner  | Paul Gerde  | District 3
| Commissioner  | Larry Lindor  | District 4
| Commissioner  | Paul Wildman  | District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| Senate  | Torrey Westrom[18] | Republican | District 12
| House of Representatives  | Jeff Backer[19] | Republican | District 12A
| House of Representatives  | Paul Anderson[20] | Republican | District 12B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| House of Representatives | Collin Peterson[21] | Democrat | 7th
| Senate | Amy Klobuchar[22] | Democrat | N/A
| Senate | Tina Smith[23] | Democrat | N/A

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Pope County, Minnesota

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
4. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 430.
5. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
6. ^ a b c d Pope County MN Google Maps (accessed April 17, 2019)
7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Pope County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 17, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
13. ^ "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 24, 2014.
14. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pope County, Minnesota".
15. ^ Simon, Steve (November 21, 2024). "2024 State Canvassing Board Certificate". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
17. ^ "Welcome to Pope County Minnesota | Board of Commissioners". www.popecountymn.gov. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
18. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
19. ^ "Rep. Jeff Backer (12A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
20. ^ "Rep. Paul Anderson (12B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
21. ^ "Congressman Collin Peterson". Congressman Collin Peterson. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
22. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
23. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Pope County government’s website
* Pope County Historical Society
* Pope County GenWeb Project Helping people find their roots in Pope County. Part of the MNGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects.

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Pope County, Minnesota

| Grant County | Douglas County |

|
|

|  |
Stevens County |

Pope County, Minnesota

| Stearns County
|  |
| Swift County | Kandiyohi County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Pope County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Glenwood

Cities|

* Brooten‡
* Cyrus
* Farwell
* Glenwood
* Long Beach
* Lowry
* Sedan
* Starbuck
* Villard
* Westport

Map of Minnesota highlighting Pope County

Townships|

* Bangor
* Barsness
* Ben Wade
* Blue Mounds
* Chippewa Falls
* Gilchrist
* Glenwood
* Grove Lake
* Hoff
* Lake Johanna
* Langhei
* Leven
* Minnewaska
* New Prairie
* Nora
* Reno
* Rolling Forks
* Walden
* Westport
* White Bear Lake

Unincorporated
communities|

* Grove Lake
* Terrace

Ghost town|

* New Prairie

Footnotes|

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

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* e

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45°35′N 95°27′W﻿ / ﻿45.59°N 95.45°W﻿ / 45.59; -95.45

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