Goodhue County, Minnesota#Micropolitan Statistical Area

The county was created on March 5, 1853, with territory partitioned from Wabasha County. It was named for James Madison Goodhue (1810–1852), who published the first newspaper in the territory, The Minnesota Pioneer.[https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog/page/n232 Minnesota Geographic Names, Warren Upham (1920). "Goodhue was a man of very forcible character and of high moral principles . . "] (accessed March 9, 2019){{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/n138 139]}}

The county was originally settled exclusively by "Yankee" settlers, meaning that they both came to Goodhue County either directly from the six New England states or from upstate New York, where they were born to parents who had moved to that region from the six New England states in the immediate aftermath of the American Revolution, and that they were descended from the English Puritans who emigrated to North America during the early 1600s. Because of the prevalence of New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York the county was said to have a "distinctly New England character". While this was true of many neighboring counties it was considered exceptionally true of Goodhue County. The New Englanders brought with them many of their New England values, including a love of education and fervent support of the abolitionist movement.History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, pp. 9, 71, 108, 138-140, 155, 163, 213, 254, 259-261 When the New Englanders arrived, they laid out farms, established post routes, and built schools and government buildings out of locally available materials.History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge pp.. 97, 202, 271 The New Englanders and their descendants made up the great majority of Goodhue County's inhabitants until the late 19th and early 20th century, when immigrants from Germany and Norway began arriving in the Minnesota-Wisconsin border region in large numbers. There were small numbers of immigrants from Germany, Norway and Sweden during the first several decades of Goodhue County's history as well.History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge pp. 340-354, 365-383

Hamline University, Minnesota's first college of higher learning, was started in Red Wing in 1854. It closed during the Civil War, and reopened in 1869 in Saint Paul.

The county was a leading producer of wheat during the mid-19th century, and for several years the county boasted the highest wheat production in the country. Fires at two of Red Wing's mills in the 1880s and developing railroad routes across Minnesota encouraged farmers from neighboring counties to begin sending their wheat to Minneapolis mills, reducing the county's importance in the wheat trade around the start of the 20th century.

The first municipal swimming pool in the state was built in Goodhue County.

In October 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the county for a bridge dedication ceremony. The Hiawatha Bridge had been built to replace the Old High Bridge that spanned the Mississippi River since 1895. This visit drew 20,000 people. Eisenhower hoped his visit would help in the elections, swaying Minnesota voters to vote for Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election in the coming month. But John F. Kennedy carried the state on his way to being elected the next president.

File:Goodhue Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf File:Warsaw_WMA_Area_Wiki_Version.jpg

Image:Barn in Goodhue County.jpg/63]]

Goodhue County lies on Minnesota's border with Wisconsin (across Lake Pepin). The Cannon River flows eastward through the northern part of the county on its way to discharge into Lake Pepin. The Little Cannon River flows northward through the west-central part of the county, discharging into the Cannon River at Cannon Falls. The North Fork of the Zumbro River flows eastward through the lower part of the county. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, etched with drainages and gullies, and with high bluffs against the river valleys.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Goodhue+County,+MN/@44.4398965,-92.9511988,22814m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f7763fb8bc81b9:0x6195b7a847fa01ca!8m2!3d44.4430251!4d-92.6983868 Goodhue County MN Google Maps (accessed March 9, 2019)] The terrain slopes to the east and north; its highest point is near its southwest corner at {{convert|1,260|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/Goodhue County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 9, 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=March 9, 2019}} The county has an area of {{convert|780|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|757|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|24|sqmi}} (3.0%) 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}} Goodhue is one of 17 Minnesota counties with more savanna soils than either prairie or forest soils.

Source:

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Birch Lake
• Brewer Lake
• Cannon Lake
• Clear Lake
• Devils Lake
• Espen Lakes
• Goose Lake
• Lake Byllesby
• Larson Lake
• Nelson Lake
• North Lake
• Rattling Springs Lake
• Spring Banks Lake
• Spring Creek Lake
• Sturgeon Lake
• Twin Lakes

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• 20px U.S. Highway 52
• 20px U.S. Highway 61
• 20px U.S. Highway 63
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 19
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 20
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 56
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 57
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 58
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 60
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 246
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 292
• 20px Minnesota State Highway 316
• List of county roads

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Pierce County, Wisconsin - north
• Pepin County, Wisconsin - northeast
• Wabasha County - east
• Olmsted County - southeast
• Dodge County - south
• Rice County - west
• Dakota County - northwest

{{div col end}}

Source:

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}

• Cannon River Turtle Preserve Scientific and Natural Area
• Frontenac State Park
• Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (part)
• North Fork Zumbro Woods Scientific and Natural Area
• Spring Creek Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
• Woodbury State Wildlife Management Area

{{div col end}}

{{US Census population

|1860= 8977

|1870= 22018

|1880= 29651

|1890= 28806

|1900= 31137

|1910= 31637

|1920= 30799

|1930= 31317

|1940= 31564

|1950= 32118

|1960= 33035

|1970= 34804

|1980= 38749

|1990= 40690

|2000= 44127

|2010= 46183

|2020= 47582

|estyear=2024

|estimate=47982

|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/prod/www/decennial.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |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:GoodhueCountyMn2022PopPyr.png for Goodhue County, from ACS 5-year estimates]]

As of the census of 2000, there were 44,127 people, 16,983 households, and 11,905 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|58.3|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 17,879 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23.6|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,983 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,972, and the median income for a family was $55,689. Males had a median income of $36,282 versus $25,442 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,934. About 3.70% of families and 5.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Bellechester (part)
• Cannon Falls
• Dennison (part)
• Goodhue
• Kenyon
• Lake City (part)
• Pine Island (part)
• Red Wing (county seat)
• Wanamingo
• Zumbrota

{{div col end}}

• Frontenac

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Belle Creek
• Belvidere Mills
• Bombay
• Claybank
• Forest Mills
• Hader
• Hay Creek
• Roscoe
• Ryan
• Skyberg
• Sogn
• Stanton
• Vasa
• Wacouta
• Wangs
• Wastedo
• Welch
• White Rock

{{div col end}}

• Central Point Township
• Fairpoint
• Florence
• Thoten/Belvidere

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Belle Creek Township
• Belvidere Township
• Cannon Falls Township
• Cherry Grove Township
• Featherstone Township
• Florence Township
• Goodhue Township
• Hay Creek Township
• Holden Township
• Kenyon Township
• Leon Township
• Minneola Township
• Pine Island Township
• Roscoe Township
• Stanton Township
• Vasa Township
• Wacouta Township
• Wanamingo Township
• Warsaw Township
• Welch Township
• Zumbrota Township

{{div col end}}

Goodhue County usually leans Republican. It has selected the Republican nominee in all but two presidential elections since 1964, during both of Bill Clinton's successful runs in 1992 and 1996.

{{PresHead|place=Goodhue County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 6, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,461|11,731|625|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|16,052|11,806|778|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|14,041|9,446|2,230|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|12,986|12,212|603|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|12,775|12,420|600|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|13,134|12,103|371|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,852|9,981|1,424|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|7,293|9,931|3,094|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|7,321|7,916|6,013|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|9,455|9,438|209|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|11,171|8,679|128|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,329|8,566|2,353|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|9,967|8,926|428|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|11,107|6,147|377|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|8,283|7,220|461|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|6,539|9,035|15|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|10,473|5,562|38|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|9,365|4,969|19|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|10,422|5,037|35|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|6,704|7,313|205|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|7,820|5,791|68|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|9,095|6,475|86|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|5,682|8,257|422|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,486|7,450|374|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|9,752|3,520|100|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|6,849|615|4,135|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|9,330|1,118|520|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,471|1,875|308|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|1,051|1,405|3,283|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|4,482|1,147|356|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|4,562|735|171|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|4,894|1,125|212|Minnesota}}

{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,748|1,426|208|Minnesota}}

{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|3,574|1,659|569|Minnesota}}

School districts include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st27_mn/schooldistrict_maps/c27049_goodhue/DC20SD_C27049.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Goodhue County, MN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-11-29}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st27_mn/schooldistrict_maps/c27049_goodhue/DC20SD_C27049_SD2MS.txt Text list]

• Cannon Falls Public School District
• Faribault Public School District
• Goodhue Public School District
• Hastings Public School District
• Kenyon-Wanamingo School District
• Lake City Public School District
• Northfield Public School District
• Pine Island Public School District
• Randolph Public School District
• Red Wing Public School District
• Triton School District
• Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District

• List of County Roads in Goodhue County, Minnesota
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Goodhue County, Minnesota

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.co.goodhue.mn.us/ Goodhue County Government's website]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Goodhue County, Minnesota

|North = Pierce County, Wisconsin

|Northeast = Pepin County, Wisconsin

|East = Wabasha County

|Southeast = Olmsted County

|South = Dodge County

|West = Rice County

|Northwest = Dakota County

}}

{{Goodhue County, Minnesota}}

{{Minnesota}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|44.41|-92.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MN_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Minnesota counties

Category:Minnesota counties on the Mississippi River

Category:1853 establishments in Minnesota Territory

Category:Populated places established in 1853