Douglas County, Minnesota

The territorial legislature created Douglas County on March 8, 1858, shortly before Minnesota attained statehood. It was named for political figure Stephen A. Douglas, who was serving as a US Senator from Illinois at the time of the county's creation.{{Cite book |last=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |year=1905 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n107 108]}} The county organization was completed in 1866.

Spruce Creek flows southeast through northeastern Douglas county. The county consists of rolling hills, heavily dotted with lakes and ponds, especially in its north-to-south central portion.{{Cite web |title=Douglas County · Minnesota |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Douglas+County,+MN/@45.9568437,-95.6553887,22230m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x52ca1a51f816fb4d:0xe4bb7e25f45ca82d!8m2!3d45.9279387!4d-95.4218815 |access-date=December 27, 2021 |website=Douglas County · Minnesota |language=en}} The hilly terrain generally slopes to the south and west; its highest point is near the northeast corner, at {{convert|1,483|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.[https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm "Find an Altitude/Douglas County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)] The county has an area of {{convert|720|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|637|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|83|sqmi}} (11%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102023/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} It contains more than 250 lakes.

The county includes two of Minnesota's biomes: prairie grassland in the west and southeast, savannas (also prairie ecosystems) in the middle, and temperate deciduous forest in the south-central, north, and east.{{Cite web |date=2008 |title=Minnesota's Biomes |url=http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/forestry/biomes/biomes_posterback_sm.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211223049/http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/education/forestry/biomes/biomes_posterback_sm.pdf |archive-date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=February 27, 2010 |publisher=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources}} Douglas is one of 17 Minnesota counties where savanna soils predominate.

File:Douglas Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf

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• 20px Interstate 94
• 20px U.S. Highway 52
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 27
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 29
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 55
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 79
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 114

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• Alexandria Municipal Airport ("Chandler Field"), city-owned public-use airport

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• Otter Tail County - north
• Todd County - east
• Stearns County - southeast
• Pope County - south
• Stevens County - southwest
• Grant County - west

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• Anderson State Wildlife Management Area
• Balgaard State Wildlife Management Area
• Chermak State Wildlife Management Area
• Herberger Lake State Wildlife Management Area
• Kensington State Wildlife Management Area
• La Grand State Wildlife Management Area
• Lake Carlos State Park
• Osakis State Wildlife Management Area North Unit (part)
• Red Rock Wildlife Management Area
• Roger M. Holmes State Wildlife Management Area
• Schnepf State Wildlife Management Area
• Thornberg State Wildlife Management Area
• Urness State Wildlife Management Area

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{{US Census population

|1870= 4239

|1880= 9130

|1890= 14606

|1900= 17964

|1910= 17669

|1920= 19039

|1930= 18813

|1940= 20369

|1950= 21304

|1960= 21313

|1970= 22892

|1980= 27839

|1990= 28839

|2000= 32821

|2010= 36009

|2020= 39006

|estyear=2024

|estimate=39933

|estref={{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 18, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=October 15, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2010-2020

}}

File:DouglasCountyMn2022PopPyr.png for Douglas County, from ACS 5-year estimates]]

As of the census of 2000, there were 32,821 people, 13,276 households, and 9,027 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|51.5|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 16,694 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26.2|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.5% were of German, 24.6% Norwegian and 8.1% Swedish ancestry.

There were 13,276 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% 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 2.93.

The county population contained 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,703, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $30,968 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,850. About 5.60% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.30% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

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• Alexandria (county seat)
• Brandon
• Carlos
• Evansville
• Forada
• Garfield
• Kensington
• Millerville
• Miltona
• Nelson
• Osakis (part)

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• Belle River
• Holmes City
• Leaf Valley
• Rose City

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• Alexandria Township
• Belle River Township
• Brandon Township
• Carlos Township
• Evansville Township
• Holmes City Township
• Hudson Township
• Ida Township
• La Grand Township
• Lake Mary Township
• Leaf Valley Township
• Lund Township
• Millerville Township
• Miltona Township
• Moe Township
• Orange Township
• Osakis Township
• Solem Township
• Spruce Hill Township
• Urness Township

{{div col end}}

Douglas County traditionally votes Republican. In only one presidential election since 1964 has it selected the Democratic candidate. In recent years the Republican tilt in the county has increased, with Donald Trump receiving 67% of the county's vote in 2024, the best performance for a Republican presidential candidate since Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.{{Cite news|url=https://officialdocuments.sos.mn.gov/Files/GetDocument/145965 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422114344/https://officialdocuments.sos.mn.gov/Files/GetDocument/145965 |archive-date=2025-04-22 |url-status=live|title=2024 State Canvassing Board Certificate|last=Simon|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Simon|date=November 21, 2024|work=Minnesota Secretary of State|access-date=May 13, 2025}}

{{PresHead|place=Douglas County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,726|7,938|442|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,799|7,868|498|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,966|6,227|1,592|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|11,884|8,653|416|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|11,241|9,256|421|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|11,793|8,219|297|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,811|6,352|1,042|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,747|6,450|2,267|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,356|5,252|4,251|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,898|5,803|151|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,005|5,444|94|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,778|5,530|1,137|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|5,910|7,097|307|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,678|5,501|427|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,464|4,826|549|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,122|6,040|13|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|5,594|4,871|41|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,114|4,194|12|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,037|3,768|43|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|3,744|5,022|207|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|4,140|3,681|46|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,652|4,507|48|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,681|4,186|497|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,325|5,101|230|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,262|2,829|100|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1924|Progressive|2,424|315|3,453|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,428|733|1,535|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,709|1,398|293|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|435|793|1,684|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,894|979|236|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,171|410|153|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,917|1,194|91|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,966|1,350|83|Minnesota}}

{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|1,315|533|736|Minnesota}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Minnesota

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.co.douglas.mn.us/ Douglas County website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109143420/https://www.co.douglas.mn.us/ |date=November 9, 2018 }}
• [http://www.livingalexarea.org/ Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission website]
• [https://livingalexarea.org/careers// Douglas County MN Area Manufacturing & Healthcare Opportunities]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Douglas County, Minnesota

|North = Otter Tail County

|East = Todd County

|Southeast = Stearns County

|South = Pope County

|Southwest = Stevens County

|West = Grant County

}}

{{Douglas County, Minnesota}}

{{Minnesota}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|45.94|-95.45|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Minnesota counties

Category:1866 establishments in Minnesota

Category:Populated places established in 1866