Aitkin County, Minnesota

Aitkin County (/ˈeɪkɪn/ AY-kin) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 16,202.[2] Its county seat is Aitkin.[3] Part of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county. The county was created in 1857 and organized in 1871.

Aitkin County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°37′N 93°25′W
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMay 23, 1857 (created)
June 30, 1871 (organized)[1]
Named forWilliam Alexander Aitken
SeatAitkin
Largest cityAitkin
Area
 • Total1,995 sq mi (5,170 km2)
 • Land1,822 sq mi (4,720 km2)
 • Water174 sq mi (450 km2)  8.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total16,202
 • Estimate 
(2019)
15,886
 • Density8.69/sq mi (3.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.co.aitkin.mn.us

History

Aitkin County was established in 1857 as Aiken County. The current spelling was adopted in 1872. It was named for William Alexander Aitken, a fur trader for the American Fur Company, under John Jacob Astor. Formed from Ramsey and Pine counties, Aiken County originally consisted of the 17 townships closest to Mille Lacs Lake. It acquired outlands of Ramsey, Itasca and Pine Counties to its north and east. It was organized in 1871, taking up lands from Cass and Itasca Counties and losing a point in the southwestern corner to Crow Wing County to form its current boundaries.

Geography

The Mississippi River flows southward through the west central part of the county. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds.[4] The terrain slopes to the south; its highest point is Quadna Mountain, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south-southeast of Hill City, Minnesota, at 1,591' (485m) ASL.[5] Otherwise the highest terrain is near its NW corner, at 1,388' (423m) ASL.[6] The county has a total area of 1,995 square miles (5,170 km2), of which 1,822 square miles (4,720 km2) is land and 174 square miles (450 km2) (8.7%) is water.[7]

Soils of Aitkin County[8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas[4]
  • Grayling State Wildlife Management Area
  • Hill River State Forest
  • Kimberly State Wildlife Management Area
  • McGregor Marsh Scientific and Natural Area
  • Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  • Ripple River State Wildlife Management Area
  • Salo Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
  • Savanna Portage State Park
  • Snake River County Park
  • Solana State Forest

Government and Politics

Aitkin County voters selected the Democratic Party candidate in 71% of national elections since 1960. Recent presidential elections have shifted to the Republican Party, with their candidate winning three of the last four elections.

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 59.8% 5,516 34.0% 3,134 6.3% 581
2012 49.6% 4,533 48.3% 4,412 2.2% 197
2008 48.8% 4,589 48.8% 4,595 2.4% 226
2004 50.4% 4,768 48.0% 4,539 1.5% 145
2000 45.5% 3,755 46.4% 3,830 8.2% 675
1996 31.4% 2,327 51.5% 3,810 17.1% 1,267
1992 28.5% 2,151 45.0% 3,400 26.6% 2,008
1988 43.4% 3,011 55.7% 3,863 1.0% 68
1984 46.1% 3,422 53.2% 3,943 0.7% 51
1980 44.3% 3,396 47.9% 3,677 7.8% 597
1976 35.6% 2,476 62.0% 4,308 2.4% 165
1972 53.7% 3,241 44.6% 2,687 1.7% 104
1968 39.8% 2,254 54.7% 3,094 5.5% 309
1964 34.0% 2,000 65.8% 3,874 0.3% 16
1960 50.7% 3,097 48.8% 2,980 0.6% 36
1956 50.2% 2,762 49.7% 2,733 0.2% 9
1952 55.9% 3,384 42.6% 2,577 1.5% 89
1948 41.1% 2,466 54.6% 3,277 4.4% 264
1944 49.4% 2,720 49.8% 2,743 0.8% 46
1940 50.1% 3,744 48.3% 3,610 1.6% 116
1936 37.3% 2,466 57.6% 3,806 5.1% 339
1932 40.8% 2,341 51.3% 2,945 8.0% 457
1928 70.1% 3,951 25.3% 1,428 4.6% 257
1924 53.7% 2,720 4.2% 212 42.1% 2,136
1920 70.2% 2,933 14.7% 613 15.2% 635
1916 46.2% 1,122 36.1% 877 17.6% 428
1912 17.4% 362 19.8% 413 62.8% 1,308
1908 67.0% 1,205 21.6% 389 11.4% 204
1904 81.0% 1,327 11.7% 191 7.4% 121
1900 77.3% 988 20.5% 262 2.2% 28
1896 69.5% 855 27.9% 344 2.6% 32
1892 62.6% 445 30.5% 217 6.9% 49
County Board of Commissioners[10]
Position Name District
Commissioner J. Mark Wedel District 1
Commissioner Laurie Westerlund District 2
Commissioner and Vice Chair Donald Niemi District 3
Commissioner and Chairperson William "Bill" Pratt District 4
Commissioner Anne Marcotte District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  Senate Carrie Ruud[11] Republican District 10
  House of Representatives Dale Lueck[12] Republican District 10B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  House of Representatives Pete Stauber[13] Republican 8th
  Senate Amy Klobuchar[14] Democrat N/A
  Senate Tina Smith[15] Democrat N/A

Climate and weather
Aitkin, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
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F
M
A
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J
J
A
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[16]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Aitkin have ranged from a low of 0 °F (−18 °C) in January to a high of 80 °F (27 °C) in July, although a record low of −47 °F (−44 °C) was recorded in January 1972 and a record high of 100 °F (38 °C) was recorded in August 1976. Although these records are the official records, temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) has been detected numerous times throughout Aitkin County and surrounding areas. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.79 inches (20 mm) in February to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.[16]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18602—
18701788,800.0%
1880366105.6%
18902,462572.7%
19006,473162.9%
191010,37160.2%
192015,04345.0%
193015,009−0.2%
194017,86519.0%
195014,327−19.8%
196012,162−15.1%
197011,403−6.2%
198013,40417.5%
199012,425−7.3%
200015,30123.1%
201016,2025.9%
Est. 201915,886[17]−2.0%
US Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010-2019[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 census data

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 16,202 people, 7,542 households, and 4,458 families in the county. The population density was 8.89/sqmi (3.50/km²). There were 16,626 housing units at an average density of 9.13/sqmi (3.52/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.63% or 15,494 people White, 0.35% or 57 people Black or African American, 2.4% or 390 people Native American, 0.17% or 27 people Asian, 0.025% or 4 people Pacific Islander, 0.13% or 21 people from other races, and 1.29% or 209 people from two or more races. Of the population with two or more races, 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of German, 14.3% Norwegian, 13.0% Swedish, 6.2% Irish, 5.3% United States or American and 5.2% Finnish ancestry.

There were 6,644 households out of which 22.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.76.

The county population contained 20.90% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 29.10% from 45 to 64, and 23.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,139, and the median income for a family was $58,290. Males had a median income of $51,604 versus $30,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,848. About 5.20% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.50% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Unorganized territories

Unincorporated communities
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See also

References
  1. "Aitkin County". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Aitkin County MN Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)
  5. Quadna Mountain MN. PeakBagger.com (accessed 4 May 2019)
  6. ""Find an Altitude/Aitkin County MN" Google Maps (accessed 4 March 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  8. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 71-72. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  9. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. "Aitkin County Commissioners". www.co.aitkin.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  11. "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. "Rep. Dale Lueck (10B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  13. "Representative Pete Stauber". Representative Pete Stauber. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  14. "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  15. "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  16. "Monthly Averages for Aitkin MN". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  17. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  18. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  19. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  20. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  21. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.

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