Wright County, Minnesota
Wright County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 Howard Lake City Hall | |
 Location in the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
 Minnesota's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | February 20, 1855[1] |
| Named for | Silas Wright |
| Seat | Buffalo |
| Largest city | St. Michael |
| Area | |
| • Total | 714 sq mi (1,849 km2) |
| • Land | 661 sq mi (1,712 km2) |
| • Water | 53 sq mi (137 km2), 7.4% |
| Population (est.) | |
| • (2017) | 134,286 |
| • Density | 189/sq mi (73/km2) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Time zone | Central: UTC−6/−5 |
| Website | www.co.wright.mn.us |
Wright County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 124,700.[2] Its county seat is Buffalo.[3] The county was founded in 1855.
Wright County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
1 History
2 Geography
2.1 Major highways
2.2 Adjacent counties
3 Demographics
3.1 2010
3.2 2000
4 Politics
5 Communities
5.1 Townships
5.2 Census-designated place
5.3 Other unincorporated communities
5.4 Ghost town
6 Largest Cities in Wright County
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
History
The county was established in 1855, and was named after New York politician Silas Wright.[4] The first county seat was Monticello; in 1868 the county seat was changed to Buffalo. The majority of people to first settle this area were German and Swedish. The county's population in 1860 was 3,729; in 1875, it was 13,775.[5]
The 1998 thriller A Simple Plan was set in Wright County, though it does not mention a specific town.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 714 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 661 square miles (1,710 km2) is land and 53 square miles (140 km2) (7.4%) is water.[6] The terrain is undulating and contains numerous small lakes. The county is bounded on the northeast by the Mississippi River.[5] Wright is one of 17 Minnesota savanna region counties with more savanna soils than either prairie or forest soils, and one of only two Minnesota counties where savanna soils make up more than 75% of the county area (the other is Hennepin County).
Soils of Wright County[7]
Major highways
Interstate 94
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 52 (runs hidden with I-94)
Minnesota State Highway 24
Minnesota State Highway 25
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 101
Minnesota State Highway 241
Interstate 94
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 52 (runs hidden with I-94)
Minnesota State Highway 24
Minnesota State Highway 25
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 101
Minnesota State Highway 241
Soils of Lake Maria State Park
Adjacent counties
Sherburne County (northeast)
Hennepin County (east)
Carver County (southeast)
McLeod County (southwest)
Meeker County (west)
Stearns County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 3,729 | — | |
| 1870 | 9,457 | 153.6% | |
| 1880 | 18,104 | 91.4% | |
| 1890 | 24,164 | 33.5% | |
| 1900 | 29,157 | 20.7% | |
| 1910 | 28,082 | −3.7% | |
| 1920 | 28,685 | 2.1% | |
| 1930 | 27,119 | −5.5% | |
| 1940 | 27,550 | 1.6% | |
| 1950 | 27,716 | 0.6% | |
| 1960 | 29,935 | 8.0% | |
| 1970 | 38,933 | 30.1% | |
| 1980 | 58,681 | 50.7% | |
| 1990 | 68,710 | 17.1% | |
| 2000 | 89,986 | 31.0% | |
| 2010 | 122,700 | 36.4% | |
| Est. 2017 | 134,286 | [8] | 9.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2016[2] | |||
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data
2010
The ethnic makeup of the county, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, was the following:
- 95.04% White
- 1.06% Black
- 0.34% Native American
- 1.19% Asian
- 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 1.53% Two or more races
- 0.81% Other races
- 2.45% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
2000
As of the 2000 census, there were 89,986 people, 31,465 households, and 23,913 families residing in the county. The population density was 136 people per square mile (53/km²). There were 34,355 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 42.3% were of German, 11.9% Norwegian, 7.4% Swedish and 6.6% Irish ancestry.
There were 31465 households out of which 42.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.50% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the county, the population was spread out with 31.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,945, and the median income for a family was $60,940. Males had a median income of $40,630 versus $28,201 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,844. About 3.60% of families and 4.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.50% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 62.2% 43,274 | 29.2% 20,334 | 8.6% 6,010 |
2012 | 59.7% 40,466 | 38.0% 25,741 | 2.4% 1,609 |
2008 | 57.6% 37,779 | 40.2% 26,343 | 2.2% 1,456 |
2004 | 60.8% 36,176 | 38.0% 22,618 | 1.2% 740 |
2000 | 55.0% 23,861 | 38.7% 16,762 | 6.3% 2,743 |
1996 | 37.9% 13,224 | 44.6% 15,542 | 17.5% 6,108 |
1992 | 33.1% 11,650 | 35.5% 12,465 | 31.4% 11,045 |
1988 | 50.7% 14,987 | 48.0% 14,177 | 1.3% 379 |
1984 | 54.8% 15,399 | 44.5% 12,486 | 0.7% 205 |
1980 | 45.5% 12,293 | 45.9% 12,383 | 8.6% 2,315 |
1976 | 39.7% 9,314 | 57.0% 13,379 | 3.3% 771 |
1972 | 51.6% 9,996 | 44.9% 8,695 | 3.6% 695 |
1968 | 40.1% 6,321 | 55.8% 8,793 | 4.1% 639 |
1964 | 38.6% 5,476 | 61.2% 8,687 | 0.2% 22 |
1960 | 52.6% 7,180 | 47.2% 6,452 | 0.2% 26 |
1956 | 59.4% 7,257 | 40.5% 4,944 | 0.1% 12 |
1952 | 64.6% 8,089 | 34.9% 4,373 | 0.5% 62 |
1948 | 49.5% 5,589 | 48.9% 5,523 | 1.6% 185 |
1944 | 65.0% 6,961 | 34.3% 3,678 | 0.7% 72 |
1940 | 67.0% 8,297 | 32.3% 3,993 | 0.7% 87 |
1936 | 36.0% 4,087 | 47.3% 5,363 | 16.8% 1,901 |
1932 | 31.5% 3,406 | 66.5% 7,205 | 2.0% 219 |
1928 | 56.6% 6,011 | 42.2% 4,483 | 1.2% 132 |
1924 | 47.5% 4,349 | 6.2% 567 | 46.3% 4,235 |
1920 | 79.5% 7,013 | 14.7% 1,299 | 5.8% 508 |
1916 | 52.2% 2,683 | 44.0% 2,262 | 3.7% 191 |
1912 | 19.4% 837 | 30.9% 1,333 | 49.6% 2,139 |
1908 | 63.5% 2,820 | 31.4% 1,396 | 5.1% 226 |
1904 | 75.0% 3,183 | 20.3% 860 | 4.7% 199 |
1900 | 60.7% 3,153 | 36.4% 1,888 | 2.9% 152 |
1896 | 59.4% 3,312 | 38.9% 2,172 | 1.7% 95 |
1892 | 48.6% 2,271 | 39.1% 1,829 | 12.3% 577 |
Communities
Townships
- Albion
- Buffalo
- Chatham
- Clearwater
- Cokato
- Corinna
- Franklin
- French Lake
- Maple Lake
- Marysville
- Middleville
- Monticello
- Rockford
- Silver Creek
- Southside
- Stockholm
- Victor
- Woodland
Census-designated place
- Silver Creek
Other unincorporated communities
- Albion Center
- Albright
- Enfield
- French Lake
- Hasty
- Highland
- Knapp
- Oster
- Rassat
- Rice Lake
- Smith Lake
- Stockholm
- West Albion
Ghost town
- Dickinson
Largest Cities in Wright County
| 2017 Rank | City | 2017 Estimate[14] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
7000100000000000000♠1 | St. Michael | 17,565 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000200000000000000♠2 | Otsego | 16,755 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000300000000000000♠3 | Buffalo | 16,201 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000400000000000000♠4 | Monticello | 13,599 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000500000000000000♠5 | Albertville | 7,403 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000600000000000000♠6 | Delano | 6,059 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000700000000000000♠7 | Rockford | 4,488 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000800000000000000♠8 | Annandale | 3,370 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7000900000000000000♠9 | Hanover | 3,456 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
7001100000000000000♠10 | Montrose | 3,168 | 0000000000000000000♠ | 0000000000000000000♠NA |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wright County, Minnesota
References
^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 586.
^ ab
Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wright. I. A central county of Minnesota". The American Cyclopædia.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 49–52.
ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wright. I. A central county of Minnesota". The American Cyclopædia.
External links
- Wright County government’s website
- Wright County community website
Places adjacent to Wright County, Minnesota | ||||||||||
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Wright County, Minnesota
Municipalities and communities of Wright County, Minnesota, United States | ||
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County seat: Buffalo | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
 State of Minnesota | |
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Saint Paul (capital) | |
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| Largest cities pop. over 25,000 |
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| Counties |
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Coordinates: 45°11′N 93°58′W / 45.18°N 93.97°W / 45.18; -93.97
