Stevens County, Minnesota

County in Minnesota, United States

County in Minnesota

Stevens County

County

Carnegie Library in Morris.

Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 45°35′N 96°00′W﻿ / ﻿45.58°N 96°W﻿ / 45.58; -96
Country|  United States
State|  Minnesota
Founded| February 20, 1862
Named after| Isaac Ingalls Stevens
Seat| Morris
Largest city| Morris
Area

• Total

| 575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Land| 564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Water| 12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.0%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 9,671

• Estimate

(2023)

| 9,728
• Density| 17.1/sq mi (6.6/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 7th
Website| www.co.stevens.mn.us

Stevens County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,671.[1] Its county seat is Morris.[2]

## History

[edit]

The county was created by act of the Minnesota legislature on February 20, 1862. It was not organized at that time, and no county seat was named. The county was named for Isaac Stevens, who had led a railroad survey party across Minnesota in 1853 and was influential in bringing national attention to the Minnesota Territory.[3] The territorial legislature had intended to thus honor Stevens in 1855 when another county was being created, but a clerical error caused that county to be named Stearns. The error was corrected by the 1862 act; by that time Stevens was a brigadier general for the Union Army in the American Civil War. Stevens was killed later that year.[4] The county government was organized in 1872. Morris, which had been platted in 1869, was named the county seat.[5][6]

The University of Minnesota Morris is in Morris. It was developed in the early 20th century from the Morris Industrial School for Indians, which opened in 1887 and was originally operated by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy under contract to the federal government.

In 1975, a moderate earthquake occurred in the county.

## Geography

[edit]

The Pomme de Terre River flows south through central Stevens County, on its way to discharge into the Minnesota River. The county's terrain consists of rolling hills, with the area mostly devoted to agriculture.[7] The terrain generally slopes to the south, although the northeast and southwest portions rise from the central part of the county. The county's highest point is on the eastern portion of the northern border, at 1,250 ft (380 m) ASL.[8] The county has an area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.0%) is water.[9]

Soils of Stevens County[10]

### Major highways

[edit]

* U.S. Highway 59
* Minnesota State Highway 9
* Minnesota State Highway 28
* Minnesota State Highway 329

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Grant County \- north
* Douglas County \- northeast
* Pope County \- east
* Swift County \- south
* Big Stone County \- southwest
* Traverse County \- northwest

### Protected areas[7]

[edit]

* Alberta Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
* Boekholt Grove State Wildlife Management Area
* Bruillet State Wildlife Management Area
* Cin State Wildlife Management Area
* Dablow State Wildlife Management Area
* Dolven State Wildlife Management Area
* Everglade State Wildlife Management Area
* Klason State Wildlife Management Area
* Kline State Wildlife Management Area
* Mathison State Wildlife Management Area
* Muddy Creek State Wildlife Management Area
* Reimers State Wildlife Management Area
* Robertson State Wildlife Management Area
* Selk State Wildlife Management Area
* Thedin State Wildlife Management Area
* Verlyn Marth Memorial Prairie Scientific and Natural Area

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1870| 174| | —
1880| 3,911| | 2,147.7%
1890| 5,251| | 34.3%
1900| 8,721| | 66.1%
1910| 8,293| | −4.9%
1920| 9,778| | 17.9%
1930| 10,185| | 4.2%
1940| 11,039| | 8.4%
1950| 11,106| | 0.6%
1960| 11,262| | 1.4%
1970| 11,218| | −0.4%
1980| 11,322| | 0.9%
1990| 10,634| | −6.1%
2000| 10,053| | −5.5%
2010| 9,726| | −3.3%
2020| 9,671| | −0.6%
2023 (est.)| 9,728| [11]| 0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[1]

### 2020 Census

[edit]

Stevens County Racial Composition[16] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 8,093  | 83.7%
Black or African American (NH)  | 84  | 0.9%
Native American (NH)  | 110  | 1.14%
Asian (NH)  | 68  | 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 1  | 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 329  | 3.4%
Hispanic or Latino | 986  | 10.2%

### 2000 census

[edit]

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,053 people, 3,751 households, and 2,366 families in the county. The population density was 17.8 per square mile (6.9/km2). There were 4,074 housing units at an average density of 7.22 per square mile (2.79/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.13% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.8% were of German, 20.8% Norwegian and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 3,751 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.90% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 21.60% under the age of 18, 20.80% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 19.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,267, and the median income for a family was $47,518. Males had a median income of $32,045 versus $21,681 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,569. About 5.70% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.50% of those under age 18 and 11.30% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Alberta
* Chokio
* Donnelly
* Hancock
* Morris (county seat)

### Townships

[edit]

* Baker Township
* Darnen Township
* Donnelly Township
* Eldorado Township
* Everglade Township
* Framnas Township
* Hodges Township
* Horton Township
* Moore Township
* Morris Township
* Pepperton Township
* Rendsville Township
* Scott Township
* Stevens Township
* Swan Lake Township
* Synnes Township

## Government and politics

[edit]

Stevens County has been a swing district for the past several decades. As of 2020 it has selected the Republican candidate in 56% of presidential elections since 1980. In 2016, Stevens County and several other counties in rural Western Minnesota swung sharply to the right. While Minnesota as a whole swung far to the left in 2020, Stevens County swung further right, giving Donald Trump nearly 60% of the vote - the most any party had got since 1952. Trump received nearly 63% of the county's vote in 2024, again the best performance for a Republican presidential candidate since 1952[17]

United States presidential election results for Stevens County, Minnesota[18][19] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 3,213  | 62.52% | 1,827  | 35.55%  | 99  | 1.93%
2020 | 3,044  | 59.86% | 1,922  | 37.80%  | 119  | 2.34%
2016 | 2,799  | 51.85% | 2,116  | 39.20%  | 483  | 8.95%
2012 | 2,766  | 48.94% | 2,742  | 48.51%  | 144  | 2.55%
2008 | 2,710  | 48.10%  | 2,781  | 49.36% | 143  | 2.54%
2004 | 3,030  | 50.93% | 2,821  | 47.42%  | 98  | 1.65%
2000 | 2,831  | 49.22% | 2,434  | 42.32%  | 487  | 8.47%
1996 | 2,141  | 39.25%  | 2,741  | 50.25% | 573  | 10.50%
1992 | 2,229  | 38.33%  | 2,466  | 42.40% | 1,121  | 19.27%
1988 | 2,679  | 49.08%  | 2,721  | 49.85% | 58  | 1.06%
1984 | 3,251  | 56.58% | 2,451  | 42.66%  | 44  | 0.77%
1980 | 3,283  | 50.69% | 2,559  | 39.52%  | 634  | 9.79%
1976 | 2,484  | 42.91%  | 3,171  | 54.78% | 134  | 2.31%
1972 | 2,830  | 48.70%  | 2,870  | 49.39% | 111  | 1.91%
1968 | 2,560  | 50.57% | 2,247  | 44.39%  | 255  | 5.04%
1964 | 2,220  | 43.22%  | 2,910  | 56.65% | 7  | 0.14%
1960 | 2,710  | 52.87% | 2,405  | 46.92%  | 11  | 0.21%
1956 | 2,606  | 58.83% | 1,822  | 41.13%  | 2  | 0.05%
1952 | 3,288  | 67.39% | 1,579  | 32.36%  | 12  | 0.25%
1948 | 1,928  | 45.02%  | 2,313  | 54.00% | 42  | 0.98%
1944 | 2,377  | 58.23% | 1,693  | 41.47%  | 12  | 0.29%
1940 | 2,619  | 56.30% | 2,018  | 43.38%  | 15  | 0.32%
1936 | 1,431  | 36.15%  | 2,352  | 59.42% | 175  | 4.42%
1932 | 1,396  | 34.99%  | 2,552  | 63.96% | 42  | 1.05%
1928 | 2,275  | 60.70% | 1,457  | 38.87%  | 16  | 0.43%
1924 | 1,553  | 48.99% | 238  | 7.51%  | 1,379  | 43.50%
1920 | 2,339  | 79.83% | 457  | 15.60%  | 134  | 4.57%
1916 | 943  | 52.56% | 787  | 43.87%  | 64  | 3.57%
1912 | 286  | 17.40%  | 640  | 38.93% | 718  | 43.67%
1908 | 877  | 57.93% | 582  | 38.44%  | 55  | 3.63%
1904 | 1,254  | 75.13% | 362  | 21.69%  | 53  | 3.18%
1900 | 1,036  | 58.01% | 682  | 38.19%  | 68  | 3.81%
1896 | 981  | 57.40% | 685  | 40.08%  | 43  | 2.52%
1892 | 622  | 46.21% | 509  | 37.82%  | 215  | 15.97%
County Board of Commissioners[20] Position  | Name  | District

|
|

| Commissioner and Chairperson  | Bob Kopitzke  | District 1
| Commissioner  | Jeanne Ennen  | District 2
| Commissioner  | Ron Staples  | District 3
| Commissioner  | Donnie Wohlers  | District 4
| Commissioner  | Patricia Lesmeister-Nelson  | District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| Senate  | Torrey Westrom[21] | Republican | District 12
| House of Representatives  | Jeff Backer[22] | Republican | District 12A
U.S Congress (2018-2020)  Position  | Name  | Affiliation  | District

|
|
|

| House of Representatives | Michelle Fischbach[23] | Republican | 7th
| Senate | Amy Klobuchar[24] | Democrat | N/A
| Senate | Tina Smith[25] | Democrat | N/A

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Isaac Ingalls Stevens (accessed March 15, 2019)
4. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 535.
5. ^ Brief History. Stevens County (accessed March 15, 2019)
6. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
7. ^ a b Stevens County MN Google Maps (accessed March 15, 2019)
8. ^ "Find an Altitude/Stevens County MN" Google Maps (accessed 15 March 2019)
9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
10. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
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 25, 2014.
13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 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 25, 2014.
16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Stevens County, Minnesota".
17. ^ 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.
18. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
19. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 628 votes, while Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 52 votes, Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 33 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 5 votes.
20. ^ "About the Board of Commissioners | Stevens County, MN - Official Website". www.co.stevens.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
21. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
22. ^ "Rep. Jeff Backer (12A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
23. ^ "Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach". Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
24. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
25. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Stevens County government’s website
* Stevens County Historical Society & Museum

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Stevens County, Minnesota

| Traverse County | Grant County | Douglas County

|
|

|  |

Stevens County, Minnesota

| Pope County
|  |
Big Stone County | Swift County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Stevens County, Minnesota, United States

County seat: Morris

Cities|

* Alberta
* Chokio
* Donnelly
* Hancock
* Morris

Map of Minnesota highlighting Stevens County

Townships|

* Baker
* Darnen
* Donnelly
* Eldorado
* Everglade
* Framnas
* Hodges
* Horton
* Moore
* Morris
* Pepperton
* Rendsville
* Scott
* Stevens
* Swan Lake
* Synnes

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45°35′N 96°00′W﻿ / ﻿45.58°N 96.00°W﻿ / 45.58; -96.00
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