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Becker County, Minnesota
Detroit Lakes Carnegie Library 2012-09-27 22-26-27
1913 Prairie School Carnegie library designed by Claude and Starck in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Map of Minnesota highlighting Becker County
Location in the state of Minnesota
Map of the U.S
Minnesota's location in the U.S.
Founded March 18, 1858 (created)
1871 (organized)[1]
Named for George Loomis Becker
Seat Detroit Lakes
Largest city Detroit Lakes
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

1,445 sq mi (3,743 km²)
1,315 sq mi (3,406 km²)
130 sq mi (337 km²), 9.0%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

35,183
25.9/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 7th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.becker.mn.us

Becker County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,183.[2] Its county seat is Detroit Lakes.[3] Part of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1871.

History[]

Becker County became a county on March 18, 1858. It was named for George Loomis Becker,[4] one of three men elected to Congress when Minnesota became a state. Since Minnesota could only send two, Becker elected to stay behind, and he was promised to have a county named after him.

Colonel George Johnston founded the city of Detroit Lakes in 1871. It grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Johnston led settlers from New England to settle in this region.[5] An 1877 election decided that Detroit Lakes, then known as Detroit, would become the county seat. Detroit won the election by a 90% majority. Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also in the running. File:Becker Co Pie Chart 2-20-18 Wiki Version.pdf

Callaway WMA 2016 Wiki Version

Soils of Callaway WMA area

Countryroad

A country road in Becker County in summer

In 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including two hotels, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first courthouse was built that year. In 1885, the first county fire department was constructed. In 1903, the Soo Line Railroad built a line through the county.

Detroit Lakes hosts a park dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic. The city rededicated the park on April 15, 2015, marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the death of President Lincoln. Colonel Tom Mortenson and his wife, Pam, sponsored the rededication, representing the Women's Relief Corps, which spearheaded community support for the effort that included new signage for the park and a time capsule to be opened on the 200th anniversary.[7]

Geography[]

The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, tree-covered and dotted with lakes and ponds.[8] The terrain slopes to the west and north. Its highest point is a hill 2.1 miles (3.4 km) northeast of Wolf Lake, the site of the USFS Wolf Lake lookout tower, at 1,861' (567m) ASL.[9] The next highest point is near its northwest corner, at 1,631' (497m) ASL.[10] The county has an area of 1,445 square miles (3,740 km2), of which 1,315 square miles (3,410 km2) is land and 130 square miles (340 km2) (9.0%) is water.[11]

Becker County has diverse topography. It is home to several hundred lakes, many acres of fertile farm land, and forested areas. Much of the land consists of hills and deciduous trees.

Major highways[]

  • US 10 U.S. Highway 10
  • US 59 U.S. Highway 59
  • MN-34 Minnesota State Highway 34
  • MN-87 Minnesota State Highway 87
  • MN-113 Minnesota State Highway 113

Adjacent counties[]

Protected areas[]

  • Atlanta State Wildlife Management Area
  • Becker State Wildlife Management Area
  • Callaway State Wildlife Management Area
  • Frank State Wildlife Management Area
  • Greenwater Lake Scientific and Natural Area
  • Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge
  • Hasca State Park (part)
  • Lunde State Wildlife Management Area
  • Melbye State Wildlife Management Area
  • Ogema Springs State Wildlife Management Area
  • Pednor State Wildlife Management Area
  • Riparia State Wildlife Management Area
  • Smoky Hills State Forest
  • Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge
    • Tamarac Wilderness
  • Teiken-Dalve State Wildlife Management Area
  • Two Inlets State Forest
  • White Earth State Wildlife Management Area

[8]

Climate and weather[]

Climate chart for Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.79
 
19
-2
 
 
0.53
 
26
3
 
 
1.08
 
37
17
 
 
1.85
 
56
32
 
 
3.51
 
69
45
 
 
4.44
 
78
55
 
 
3.82
 
82
60
 
 
2.96
 
81
58
 
 
3.57
 
71
47
 
 
3.05
 
56
35
 
 
1.20
 
38
21
 
 
0.69
 
23
5
temperatures in °Cprecipitation totals in mm
source: The Weather Channel[12]

In recent years, average temperatures in Detroit Lakes have ranged from a low of −2 °F (−18.9 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July; a record low of −46 °F (−43.3 °C) was recorded in February 1936 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.53 inches (13 mm) in February to 4.44 inches (113 mm) in June.[12]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 386
1870 308 −20.2%
1880 5,218 1,594.2%
1890 9,401 80.2%
1900 14,375 52.9%
1910 18,840 31.1%
1920 22,851 21.3%
1930 22,503 −1.5%
1940 26,562 18.0%
1950 24,836 −6.5%
1960 23,959 −3.5%
1970 24,372 1.7%
1980 29,336 20.4%
1990 27,881 −5.0%
2000 30,000 7.6%
2010 32,504 8.3%
Est. 2021 35,219 [13] 17.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2020[2]
USA Becker County, Minnesota age pyramid

Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 US census data

As of the 2000 census, there were 30,000 people, 11,844 households, and 8,184 families in the county. The population density was 22.8/sqmi (8.81/km2). There were 16,612 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.35% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 7.52% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of German, 26.0% Norwegian and 5.2% Swedish ancestry.

There were 11,844 households, of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 26.6% under age 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% 65 or older. The median age was 39. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,797, and the median income for a family was $41,807. Males had a median income of $29,641 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,085. About 8.5% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under 18 and 11.8% of those 65 and over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Audubon
  • Callaway
  • Detroit Lakes
  • Frazee
  • Lake Park
  • Ogema
  • Wolf Lake

Townships[]

  • Atlanta Township
  • Audubon Township
  • Burlington Township
  • Callaway Township
  • Carsonville Township
  • Cormorant Township
  • Cuba Township
  • Detroit Township
  • Eagle View Township
  • Erie Township
  • Evergreen Township
  • Forest Township
  • Green Valley Township
  • Hamden Township
  • Height of Land Township
  • Holmesville Township
  • Lake Eunice Township
  • Lake Park Township
  • Lake View Township
  • Maple Grove Township
  • Osage Township
  • Pine Point Township
  • Riceville Township
  • Richwood Township
  • Round Lake Township
  • Runeberg Township
  • Savannah Township
  • Shell Lake Township
  • Silver Leaf Township
  • Spring Creek Township
  • Spruce Grove Township
  • Sugar Bush Township
  • Toad Lake Township
  • Two Inlets Township
  • Walworth Township
  • White Earth Township
  • Wolf Lake Township

Census-designated places[]

  • Elbow Lake
  • Osage
  • Pine Point
  • White Earth

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Bucks Mill
  • Cormorant
  • Goldenrod
  • Midway
  • Oak Lake
  • Pine Point
  • Ponsford
  • Richwood
  • Rochert
  • Shoreham
  • Snellman
  • Two Inlets

[8]

Lakes[]

  • Big Cormorant Lake (Minnesota)
  • Middle Cormorant Lake
  • Upper Cormorant Lake
  • Little Cormorant lake
  • Nelson lake
  • Erickson Lake
  • Lake Melissa
  • Detroit Lake
  • Lake Sallie
  • Lake Maud

[18]

Government and politics[]

Becker County voters have voted Republican in recent decades. As of 2020, the county has selected the Democratic nominee for president in only one election since 1980.

United States presidential election results for Becker County, Minnesota[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 12,438 64.11% 6,589 33.96% 374 1.93%
2016 10,880 63.18% 5,208 30.24% 1,134 6.58%
2012 9,204 56.18% 6,829 41.69% 349 2.13%
2008 8,851 52.17% 7,687 45.31% 427 2.52%
2004 9,795 58.30% 6,756 40.21% 250 1.49%
2000 8,152 56.88% 5,253 36.65% 928 6.47%
1996 5,461 40.83% 5,911 44.20% 2,002 14.97%
1992 5,430 39.63% 4,958 36.18% 3,314 24.19%
1988 6,738 53.26% 5,787 45.74% 126 1.00%
1984 7,553 57.65% 5,456 41.65% 92 0.70%
1980 6,848 52.14% 5,221 39.75% 1,065 8.11%
1976 5,611 44.65% 6,597 52.50% 358 2.85%
1972 6,033 55.43% 4,695 43.14% 156 1.43%
1968 4,728 46.37% 4,875 47.81% 593 5.82%
1964 3,751 36.70% 6,453 63.14% 16 0.16%
1960 5,090 48.99% 5,257 50.60% 42 0.40%
1956 4,608 49.81% 4,619 49.93% 24 0.26%
1952 5,815 55.84% 4,539 43.59% 60 0.58%
1948 3,495 35.93% 5,885 60.50% 347 3.57%
1944 3,803 43.46% 4,889 55.87% 58 0.66%
1940 4,292 39.68% 6,432 59.47% 92 0.85%
1936 2,683 28.34% 6,473 68.38% 310 3.27%
1932 2,299 28.00% 5,547 67.56% 364 4.43%
1928 4,273 55.47% 3,253 42.23% 177 2.30%
1924 2,936 45.51% 429 6.65% 3,087 47.85%
1920 4,811 75.78% 901 14.19% 637 10.03%
1916 1,761 50.44% 1,453 41.62% 277 7.93%
1912 509 16.76% 732 24.10% 1,796 59.14%
1908 2,058 64.39% 728 22.78% 410 12.83%
1904 1,872 79.49% 310 13.16% 173 7.35%
1900 1,790 64.62% 771 27.83% 209 7.55%
1896 1,479 58.81% 985 39.17% 51 2.03%
1892 853 55.43% 266 17.28% 420 27.29%



County Board of Commissioners[20]
Position Name District Term Ends
Commissioner Larry Knutson District 1 2022
Commissioner and Chairperson Ben Grimsley District 2 2022
Commissioner John Okeson District 3 2020
Commissioner Donald Skarie District 4 2020
Commissioner Barry Nelson District 5 2020
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  Senate Paul Utke[21] Republican District 2
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Kent Eken[22] Democrat District 4
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Steve Green[23] Republican District 2B
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Paul Marquart[24] Democrat District 4B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Collin Peterson[25] Democrat 7th
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Amy Klobuchar[26] Democrat N/A
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Tina Smith[27] Democrat N/A

In popular culture[]

Becker County is the setting of the 2006 independent film Sweet Land, though it was filmed in Chippewa County.

A popular YouTube channel, CBOYSTV films, is headquartered in Becker County. CBoysTV is an American comedy and motorsports channel run by five men. The channel has amassed over a million subscribers.[28]

Images[]

See also[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm?SendingPage=Region.cfm&county=3. 
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Becker County, Minnesota" (in en). United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/beckercountyminnesota/PST045221. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ Citizen Kane, Charles Curry Aiken (2005). "The American counties: origins of county names, dates of creation, and population data, 1950-2000" p. 18. Scarecrow Press, 2005
  5. ^ A Pioneer History of Becker County, Minnesota: Including a Brief Account of Its Natural History ... and a History of the Early Settlement of the County; Also, Including ... Historical Information Collected by Mrs. Jessie C. West. And Numerous Articles Written by Various Early Pioneers Relating to the History of the Several Townships of Becker County by Alvin H. Wilcox, Mrs. Jessie Campbell West. Pioneer Press Company 1907
  6. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 53-56. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  7. ^ Detroit Lakes: Park to be Re-dedicated
  8. ^ a b c Becker County MN Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)
  9. ^ Wolf Lake Lookout, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 4, 2019)
  10. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Becker County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)". https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm. 
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt. 
  12. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Detroit Lakes MN". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMN0200. 
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021". https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html. 
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt. 
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  18. ^ "Becker County · Minnesota". https://www.google.com/maps/place/Becker+County,+MN/@46.7666355,-95.9640362,11.99z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x52c869ebde38259d:0xc3e648016c1529e6!8m2!3d46.9164628!4d-95.7036557. 
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  20. ^ "Becker County Board of Commissioners". https://www.co.becker.mn.us/government/commissioners/. 
  21. ^ "MN State Senate" (in en). https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?member_id=1218. 
  22. ^ "MN State Senate" (in en). https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?member_id=1195. 
  23. ^ "Rep. Steve Green (02B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15395. 
  24. ^ "Rep. Paul Marquart (04B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/10401. 
  25. ^ "Congressman Collin Peterson" (in en). https://collinpeterson.house.gov/. 
  26. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/. 
  27. ^ "Home" (in en). https://www.smith.senate.gov/. 
  28. ^ "With throttles wide open, small-town 'CBoys' achieve YouTube stardom". https://www.startribune.com/with-throttles-wide-open-small-town-cboys-achieve-youtube-stardom/600016309/. 

External links[]

Template:Becker County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 46°56′N 95°40′W / 46.93, -95.67

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Becker County, Minnesota. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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