Douglas County, Minnesota

Douglas County, Minnesota
Douglas County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,006. Its county seat is Alexandria.
Douglas County comprises the Alexandria, Minnesota, Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Douglas County is the home of Minnesota's only wine-grape appellation, the Alexandria Lakes AVA.
History
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. The county organization was completed in 1866.
Geography
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. The hilly terrain generally slopes to the south and west; its highest point is near the northeast corner, at ASL. The county has an area of , of which is land and (11%) is water. 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. Douglas is one of 17 Minnesota counties where savanna soils predominate.
Major highways
Interstate 94
U.S. Highway 52
Minnesota State Highway 27
Minnesota State Highway 29
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 79
Minnesota State Highway 114
Airports
Alexandria Municipal Airport ("Chandler Field"), city-owned public-use airport
Adjacent counties
Otter Tail County - north
Todd County - east
Stearns County - southeast
Pope County - south
Stevens County - southwest
Grant County - west
Protected areas
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
Demographics
2020 Census
2000 census
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 . There were 16,694 housing units at an average density of . 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.
Communities
Cities
Alexandria (county seat)
Brandon
Carlos
Evansville
Forada
Garfield
Kensington
Millerville
Miltona
Nelson
Osakis (part)
Unincorporated communities
Belle River
Holmes City
Leaf Valley
Rose City
Townships
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
Government and politics
Douglas County traditionally votes Republican. In only one presidential election since 1964 has it selected the Democratic candidate.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Douglas County, Minnesota
References
External links
Douglas County website
Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission website
Douglas County MN Area Manufacturing & Healthcare Opportunities
Minnesota counties
1866 establishments in Minnesota
Populated places established in 1866