Pine County, Minnesota

Pine County, Minnesota
Pine County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,876. Its county seat is Pine City. The county was formed in 1856 and organized in 1872.
Part of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in Pine County.
History
Pine County was organized on March 1, 1856, with territory partitioned from Chisago and Ramsey counties. The original county seat was Chengwatana. It was named for its abundant pine tree growth.
In 1857, Buchanan County in full and southern parts of Aitkin and Carlton Counties were formed from the original Pine County, with Kanabec County organized a year later. In 1861, Buchanan County was dissolved and folded into Pine County. Pine County was reorganized in 1872, with Pine City named as the county seat for the remaining smaller area.
Popular culture
Pine County has been featured in a series of mysteries by Dean Hovey.
Geography
Pine County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its southeast border abuts Wisconsin (across the St. Croix River). The St. Croix flows southerly along its border. The Kettle River flows southeastward through central Pine County, discharging into the St. Croix on the county's east border, and the Snake River flows eastward through the lower part of the county toward its discharge point into the St. Croix. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved with drainages, partly wooded and otherwise devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point near its northeast corner, at ASL. The county has an area of , of which is land and (1.6%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 35
Minnesota State Highway 18
Minnesota State Highway 23
Minnesota State Highway 48
Minnesota State Highway 70
Minnesota State Highway 107
Minnesota State Highway 123
List of county roads
Adjacent counties
Carlton County - north
Douglas County, Wisconsin - northeast
Burnett County, Wisconsin - east
Chisago County - south
Isanti County - southwest
Kanabec County - west
Aitkin County - northwest
Protected areas
Banning State Park
Chengwatana State Forest
DAR Memorial State Forest
General C. C. Andrews State Forest
Kettle River Scientific and Natural Area
Nemadji State Forest (part)
Pine County State Game Refuge
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)
St. Croix State Park
Wild River State Park (part)
Demographics
2020 census
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,530 people, 9,939 households, and 6,917 families in the county. The population density was . There were 15,353 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 3.1% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.3% were of German, 11.6% Swedish, 11.1% Norwegian and 5.5% American ancestry.
There were 17,276 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% 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 3.02.
The county population contained 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% 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 108.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,379, and the median income for a family was $44,058. Males had a median income of $31,600 versus $22,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,445. About 7.80% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Askov (originally Partridge)
Brook Park
Bruno
Denham
Finlayson
Henriette (originally Cornell)
Hinckley (originally Central Station)
Kerrick
Pine City (county seat)
Rock Creek
Rutledge
Sandstone
Sturgeon Lake
Willow River
Unincorporated communities
Beroun (originally Brown's Hill)
Cloverdale
Cloverton
Duquette
Duxbury
Ellson
Friesland
Greeley
Groningen
Kingsdale
Lake Lena
Markville
Mission Creek
Nickerson
Pokegama
West Rock
Ghost towns
Belden
Banning
Big Spring
Blomskog
Chengwatana
Cornell
Clint
Danewood
Eaglehead
Harlis
Midway
Milburn
Mission Creek
Outflow
Tozer Camp
Turpville
Tuxedo
Villstad
Wareham
Townships
Arlone Township
Arna Township
Barry Township
Birch Creek Township
Bremen Township
Brook Park Township
Bruno Township
Chengwatana Township
Clover Township
Crosby Township
Danforth Township
Dell Grove Township
Finlayson Township
Fleming Township
Hinckley Township
Kerrick Township
Kettle River Township
Mission Creek Township
Munch Township
New Dosey Township
Nickerson Township
Norman Township
Ogema Township
Park Township
Partridge Township
Pine City Township
Pine Lake Township
Pokegama Township
Royalton Township
Sandstone Township
Sturgeon Lake Township
Wilma Township
Windemere Township
Politics
Pine County was once a Democratic stronghold. Since 1932, in only five national elections has the county selected the Republican presidential nominee, with three of those the most recent presidential elections (thru 2020).
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Pine County, Minnesota
References
External links
Pine County Government's Website
Mn/DOT Official Map of Southern Pine County
Mn/DOT Official Map of Northern Pine County
Minnesota counties
1872 establishments in Minnesota
Populated places established in 1872