kids encyclopedia robot

Traverse County, Minnesota facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Traverse County
Old District No. 44 School
Old District No. 44 School
Map of Minnesota highlighting Traverse County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Minnesota
Founded February 20, 1862 (created)
1881 (organized)
Named for Lake Traverse
Seat Wheaton
Largest city Wheaton
Area
 • Total 586 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Land 574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water 12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.0%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 3,360
 • Estimate 
(2021)
3,286 Decrease
 • Density 5.9/sq mi (2.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Traverse County ( TRAV-ərss) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,360, making it the least-populous county in Minnesota. Its county seat is Wheaton. The county was founded in 1862 and organized in 1881.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 586 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.0%) is water.

Lakes

  • Lake Traverse - east three-quarters in Windsor Township, west quarter in Folsom Township, east edge in Lake Valley Township, east edge in Walls Township
  • Mud Lake - Lake Valley Township
  • Saint Marys Lake - Tara Township
  • Wet Lake - Arthur Township

Major highways

  • US 75.svg U.S. Route 75
  • MN-9.svg Minnesota State Highway 9
  • MN-27.svg Minnesota State Highway 27
  • MN-28.svg Minnesota State Highway 28
  • MN-117.svg Minnesota State Highway 117

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 13
1880 1,507 11,492.3%
1890 4,516 199.7%
1900 7,573 67.7%
1910 8,049 6.3%
1920 7,943 −1.3%
1930 7,938 −0.1%
1940 8,283 4.3%
1950 8,053 −2.8%
1960 7,503 −6.8%
1970 6,254 −16.6%
1980 5,542 −11.4%
1990 4,463 −19.5%
2000 4,134 −7.4%
2010 3,558 −13.9%
2015 (est.) 3,401 −4.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2015
USA Traverse County, Minnesota age pyramid
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,134 people, 1,717 households, and 1,129 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (3/km²). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.42% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 2.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.2% were of German, 13.0% Norwegian, 7.6% Swedish and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,717 households out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,617, and the median income for a family was $39,655. Males had a median income of $29,821 versus $20,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,378. About 9.30% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

  • Arthur Township
  • Clifton Township
  • Croke Township
  • Dollymount Township
  • Folsom Township
  • Lake Valley Township
  • Leonardsville Township
  • Monson Township
  • Parnell Township
  • Redpath Township
  • Tara Township
  • Taylor Township
  • Tintah Township
  • Walls Township
  • Windsor Township

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Traverse para niños

kids search engine
Traverse County, Minnesota Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.