Pope County, Minnesota

Pope County, Minnesota
Pope County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,308. Its county seat is Glenwood. The county was formed in 1862 and organized in 1866.
History
Pope County was identified by the state legislature in 1862 and named for John Pope, a Union Army general who had worked as a surveyor in the area. Its organization was effected in 1866.
Pope County was the location of several protests against the CU Powerline in the 1970s.
Geography
The Chippewa River flows south through the county's western part. The Little Chippewa River flows south-southwest through its central part, discharging into the Chippewa southeast of Cyrus. The East Branch Chippewa River flows south-southwest through the eastern part of the county toward its union with the Chippewa in neighboring Swift County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved with drainages and dotted with lakes and ponds. The area is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and west, with its highest point near the northeast corner at ASL. The county has an area of , of which is land and (6.6%) is water.
Major highways
Minnesota State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 28
Minnesota State Highway 29
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 104
Minnesota State Highway 114
Airports
Glenwood Municipal Airport (D32)
Starbuck Municipal Airport (GHW)
Adjacent counties
Douglas County - north
Stearns County - east
Kandiyohi County - southeast
Swift County - south
Stevens County - west
Grant County - northwest
Protected areas
Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery Scientific and Natural Area
Farwell State Wildlife Management Area
Glacial Lakes State Park
Langhei Scientific and Natural Area
Little Jo State Wildlife Management Area
Lowry State Wildlife Management Area
New Prairie State Wildlife Management Area
Noordmans State Wildlife Management Area
Skarpness State Wildlife Management Area
Van Luik State Wildlife Management Area
Wade State Wildlife Management Area
Major lakes
Amelia Lake
Goose Lake
Lake Emily
Lake Johanna
Lake Minnewaska
Lake Reno (part)
Lake Simon
Pelican Lake
Pike Lake
Scandinavian Lake
Demographics
2020 Census
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,236 people, 4,513 households, and 3,064 families in the county. The population density was . There were 5,827 housing units at an average density of /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.85% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.8% were of Norwegian and 31.6% German ancestry.
There were 4,513 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.10% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% 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 2.99.
The county population contained 24.80% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,633, and the median income for a family was $42,818. Males had a median income of $30,452 versus $20,511 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,032. About 5.80% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.40% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Brooten (part)
Cyrus
Farwell
Glenwood (county seat)
Long Beach
Lowry
Sedan
Starbuck
Villard
Westport
Unincorporated communities
Grove Lake
Terrace
Ghost town
New Prairie
Townships
Bangor Township
Barsness Township
Ben Wade Township
Blue Mounds Township
Chippewa Falls Township
Gilchrist Township
Glenwood Township
Grove Lake Township
Hoff Township
Lake Johanna Township
Langhei Township
Leven Township
Minnewaska Township
New Prairie Township
Nora Township
Reno Township
Rolling Forks Township
Walden Township
Westport Township
White Bear Lake Township
Government and politics
Pope County has been a swing district in the past, but strongly supported the Republican nominee in the last three presidential elections.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Pope County, Minnesota
References
External links
Pope County government’s website
Pope County Historical Society
Pope County GenWeb Project Helping people find their roots in Pope County. Part of the MNGenWeb and USGenWeb Projects.
Minnesota counties
1866 establishments in Minnesota
Populated places established in 1866