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Nicollet County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°20′N 94°15′W / 44.34°N 94.25°W / 44.34; -94.25
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Nicollet County
County
Nicollet County Courthouse
Nicollet County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Nicollet County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°20′N 94°15′W / 44.34°N 94.25°W / 44.34; -94.25
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMarch 5, 1853
Named forJoseph Nicolas Nicollet
SeatSt. Peter
Largest cityNorth Mankato
Area
 • Total
467 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Land448 sq mi (1,160 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  3.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
34,454
 • Estimate 
(2023)
34,242 Decrease
 • Density76.9/sq mi (29.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.nicollet.mn.us

Nicollet County (/ˈnɪkəlɪt/ NIH-kə-lit)[1] is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,454.[2] Its county seat is St. Peter.[3]

Nicollet County is part of the Mankato – North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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In 1849 the Minnesota Territory legislature defined the boundaries of nine future counties. One of those, Dakota, contained the area north of the Minnesota River where it altered its flow from southeast to northeast. In 1853 the first settler had homesteaded an area on the northeast run of the river, and the following year the settlement of Saint Peter was platted there. Seeing the inflow of settlers into the areas adjoining the river, on March 5, 1853, the territorial legislature partitioned off the lower portion of Dakota County to form a separate entity. It was named for Joseph Nicolas Nicollet (1786-1843),[4] a French explorer whose maps of the area had been instrumental in the territory's development. The county seat was established at Saint Peter.[5]

Significant fighting occurred in the county during the 1862 Dakota War, most notably at the Battle of Fort Ridgely.

Geography

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The Minnesota River flows eastward along the southern border of Nicollet County, from its northwestern corner to its northeastern corner, defining the county's southern line. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, completely devoted to agriculture where possible.[6] The terrain slopes to the east.[7] The county has an area of 467 square miles (1,210 km2), of which 448 square miles (1,160 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.9%) is water.[8]

Nicollet County's highest point is the lowest high point of all Minnesota counties, with an elevation of 1,065 feet.[9][10] The county's high point is east of Clear Lake and west of the town of Lafayette.

Soils of Nicollet County[11]
Soils of Chamberlain Woods SNA area

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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[6]

Lakes

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  • Annexstad Lake
  • Erickson Lake
  • Middle Lake
  • Oak Leaf Lake
  • Overson Lake
  • Rice Lake
  • Sand Lake
  • Swan Lake

[6]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,778—
18708,362121.3%
188012,33347.5%
189013,3828.5%
190014,77410.4%
191014,125−4.4%
192015,0366.4%
193016,55010.1%
194018,28210.5%
195020,92914.5%
196023,19610.8%
197024,5185.7%
198026,9299.8%
199028,0764.3%
200029,7716.0%
201032,7279.9%
202034,4545.3%
2023 (est.)34,242[12]−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[2]

2020 Census

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Nicollet County Racial Composition[17]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 29,287 85%
Black or African American (NH) 1,672 4.9%
Native American (NH) 141 0.41%
Asian (NH) 558 1.62%
Pacific Islander (NH) 10 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 986 2.9%
Hispanic or Latino 1,800 5.22%

2000 census

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

As of the 2000 census, there were 29,771 people, 10,642 households, and 7,311 families in the county. The population density was 66.5 per square mile (25.7/km2). There were 11,240 housing units at an average density of 25.1 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.37% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 49.2% were of German, 13.3% Norwegian, 6.8% Swedish and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 10,642 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.

The county population contained 24.70% under the age of 18, 16.40% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,170, and the median income for a family was $55,694. Males had a median income of $36,236 versus $25,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,517. About 4.30% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost town

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Townships

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Government and politics

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Nicollet County has been politically balanced in past decades. Since 1980 the county has selected the Democratic and Republican Party candidates in equal measure in national elections (as of 2024). It has backed the nationwide winner in every election since 1980 except for 2004, and even then, losing Democrat John Kerry only beat incumbent Republican George W. Bush in the county by just 108 votes and a 0.61% margin.

United States presidential election results for Nicollet County, Minnesota[18][19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,540 49.13% 9,441 48.62% 436 2.25%
2020 9,018 47.15% 9,622 50.31% 485 2.54%
2016 8,437 46.62% 7,886 43.58% 1,774 9.80%
2012 8,214 44.75% 9,652 52.58% 491 2.67%
2008 7,968 43.67% 9,887 54.19% 390 2.14%
2004 8,689 48.98% 8,797 49.59% 255 1.44%
2000 7,221 47.11% 7,041 45.94% 1,065 6.95%
1996 5,057 36.53% 6,772 48.92% 2,013 14.54%
1992 5,091 33.85% 6,055 40.26% 3,893 25.89%
1988 6,878 49.92% 6,786 49.25% 115 0.83%
1984 7,472 55.97% 5,789 43.37% 88 0.66%
1980 6,436 47.25% 5,400 39.64% 1,786 13.11%
1976 6,071 49.58% 5,777 47.18% 397 3.24%
1972 6,230 56.28% 4,680 42.28% 159 1.44%
1968 4,671 50.58% 4,244 45.96% 319 3.45%
1964 3,605 41.27% 5,121 58.62% 10 0.11%
1960 5,283 57.08% 3,961 42.80% 11 0.12%
1956 5,322 66.81% 2,636 33.09% 8 0.10%
1952 5,775 68.77% 2,584 30.77% 39 0.46%
1948 3,576 48.82% 3,663 50.01% 86 1.17%
1944 4,345 64.83% 2,321 34.63% 36 0.54%
1940 4,674 62.01% 2,832 37.57% 31 0.41%
1936 2,360 33.70% 4,136 59.06% 507 7.24%
1932 2,217 35.03% 3,960 62.58% 151 2.39%
1928 3,628 59.13% 2,466 40.19% 42 0.68%
1924 2,518 50.05% 287 5.70% 2,226 44.25%
1920 4,115 83.45% 556 11.28% 260 5.27%
1916 1,288 58.44% 814 36.93% 102 4.63%
1912 525 21.64% 929 38.29% 972 40.07%
1908 1,392 59.28% 832 35.43% 124 5.28%
1904 1,677 74.04% 513 22.65% 75 3.31%
1900 1,684 64.13% 858 32.67% 84 3.20%
1896 1,803 66.41% 837 30.83% 75 2.76%
1892 1,098 47.70% 937 40.70% 267 11.60%
County Board of Commissioners[20]
Position Name District Next Election
Commissioner Marie Dranttel District 1 2024
Commissioner Terry Morrow District 2 2026
Commissioner Jack Kolars District 3 2024
Commissioner Mark Dehen District 4 2026
Commissioner and Chairperson Kurt Zins District 5 2024
State Legislature (2021-2023)
Position Name Affiliation District
Senate Nick Frentz[21] Democrat District 19
House of Representatives Susan Akland[22] Republican District 19A
House of Representatives Luke Frederick[23] Democrat District 19B
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 N/A

See also

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References

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  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 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "About Nicollet County". government of Nicollet County. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  5. ^ Upton, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names (1920), pp. 371-4 (accessed April 19, 2019)
  6. ^ a b c Nicollet County MN Google Maps (accessed April 19, 2019)
  7. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Nicollet County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 19, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 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. ^ "Nicollet County High Point - Peakbagger.com". peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  10. ^ "Nicollet County HP - 1,065' Minnesota". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  11. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Nicollet County, Minnesota".
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  19. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 825 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 70 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 53 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 24 votes.
  20. ^ "County Board | Nicollet County, MN - Official Website". www.co.nicollet.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  22. ^ Rinehart, Jake. "Akland wins House District 19A following recount". www.keyc.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  23. ^ "Rep. Luke Frederick - Statement: Rep. Luke Frederick sworn in". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  24. ^ "Republican Rep. Brad Finstad sworn in to finish Hagedorn's House term". August 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  26. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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44°20′N 94°15′W / 44.34°N 94.25°W / 44.34; -94.25

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