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Chisago County, Minnesota
Old Chisago County Courthouse
Old Chisago County Courthouse originally in Center City, Minnesota, moved in 1990 to Almelund, Minnesota.
Map of Minnesota highlighting Chisago County
Location in the state of Minnesota
Map of the U.S
Minnesota's location in the U.S.
Founded September 1, 1851[1]
Named for Chisago Lake
Seat Center City
Largest city North Branch
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

442 sq mi (1,145 km²)
415 sq mi (1,075 km²)
28 sq mi (73 km²), 6.2%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

56,621
136.4/sq mi (53/km²)
Congressional district 8th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website https://www.chisagocountymn.gov/

Chisago County ( /ʃɪˈsɑːɡ/ shi-SAH-goh) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 56,621.[2] Its county seat is Center City.[3]

Chisago County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

Chisago County was organized on September 1, 1851.[4] It took its name from Chisago Lake.[5] Swedish immigrants were the predominant group in Chisago County from the early to late 1800s, and strongly influenced the county's religious and cultural development. The county has retained and continues to celebrate much of its Swedish heritage.[6]

Geography[]

File:Chisago County Pie Chart 2015 Wiki No Text Version.pdf

Chisago County lies on Minnesota's eastern border, abutting the western border of Wisconsin (across the Saint Croix River). The Saint Croix flows south-southeast along the county's eastern border. The Sunrise River flows north through the county's central part, collecting the waters of the North Branch Sunrise River and Hay Creek before discharging into the St. Croix at the county's eastern boundary. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture.[8] The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point near the northwest corner, at 1,017' (310m) ASL.[9] The county has an area of 442 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 415 square miles (1,070 km2) is land and 28 square miles (73 km2) (6.2%) is water.[10]

Major highways[]

  • I-35 Interstate 35
  • US 8 US Highway 8
  • US 61 US Highway 61
  • MN-95 Minnesota State Highway 95
  • MN-243 Minnesota State Highway 243
  • List of county roads

Adjacent counties[]

Protected areas[]

  • Fish Lake County Park
  • Franconia Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area
  • Interstate State Park
  • Lawrence Creek Scientific and Natural Area
  • Ojiketa Regional Park
  • Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)
  • Wild River State Park

[8]

Climate and weather[]

Climate chart for Center City, Minnesota
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.89
 
24
2
 
 
0.90
 
31
7
 
 
1.61
 
43
19
 
 
2.84
 
59
33
 
 
3.72
 
70
45
 
 
4.48
 
79
56
 
 
4.40
 
84
60
 
 
3.89
 
81
58
 
 
3.56
 
72
49
 
 
2.82
 
60
37
 
 
1.85
 
42
22
 
 
1.13
 
27
8
temperatures in °Cprecipitation totals in mm
source: The Weather Channel[11]

In recent years, average temperatures in Center City have ranged from a low of 2 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −38 °F (−38.9 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.89 inches (23 mm) in January to 4.48 inches (114 mm) in June.[11]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 1,743
1870 4,358 150.0%
1880 7,982 83.2%
1890 10,359 29.8%
1900 13,248 27.9%
1910 13,537 2.2%
1920 14,445 6.7%
1930 13,189 −8.7%
1940 13,124 −0.5%
1950 12,669 −3.5%
1960 13,419 5.9%
1970 17,492 30.4%
1980 25,717 47.0%
1990 30,521 18.7%
2000 41,101 34.7%
2010 53,887 31.1%
Est. 2021 57,469 [12] 39.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[2]
USA Chisago County, Minnesota age pyramid

Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 census data

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 census, there were 53,887 people, 19,470 households, and 14,389 families in the county. The population density was 130/sqmi (50.1/km2). There were 21,172 housing units at an average density of 51.0/sqmi (19.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.80% White, 1.20% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.90% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,470 households, out of which 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.00% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 20.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09.

The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 28.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males. The per capita income for the county was $29,293. About 6.20% of the population was below the poverty line.

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 census, there were 41,101 people, 14,454 households, and 11,086 families in the county. The population density was 99.0/sqmi (38.2/km2). There were 15,533 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.21% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 31.3% were of German, 18.1% Swedish, 11.3% Norwegian and 6.9% Irish ancestry.

There were 14,454 households, out of which 41.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.50% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.30% were non-families. 18.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.18.

The county population contained 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,012, and the median income for a family was $57,335. Males had a median income of $40,743 versus $27,653 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,013. About 3.20% of families and 5.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.40% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

Education[]

  • Chisago Lakes High School
  • North Branch Area High School
  • Rush City High School

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Center City (county seat)
  • Chisago City
  • Harris
  • Lindström
  • North Branch
  • Rush City
  • Shafer
  • Stacy
  • Taylors Falls
  • Wyoming

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Almelund
  • Franconia
  • Palmdale
  • Rush Point
  • Stark
  • Sunrise

Townships[]

  • Amador Township
  • Chisago Lake Township
  • Fish Lake Township
  • Franconia Township
  • Lent Township
  • Nessel Township
  • Rushseba Township
  • Shafer Township
  • Sunrise Township
  • Wyoming Township (former, now defunct)

Arts and culture[]

Chisago County is strongly influenced by the German, Swedish and Norwegian immigrants who settled there in the mid-19th century. It provided the setting for much of Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg's suite of novels The Emigrants in the 1950s, and Moberg engaged in both archival and oral history research for his books to recreate the early Swedish immigration in the area. Sculptor Ian Dudley's bronze statue of Moberg stands in Chisago City's park. His fictional characters Karl-Oskar and Kristina Nilsson from Ljuder parish in Småland settled around the Lake Ki-Chi-Saga (from the Ojibwe language Ki-chi-saga-igun (Gichi-zaaga'igan in the contemporary spelling) meaning "Big Lake-with-an-outlet," which was later shortened to Lake Chisago). The early settlers' heritage is still honored by the annual Karl Oskar Days in Lindström.

Government and politics[]

Chisago County has trended conservative in recent state and federal elections, backing every Republican nominee for president since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Chisago County, Minnesota[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 21,916 63.40% 11,806 34.15% 848 2.45%
2016 18,441 61.01% 9,278 30.69% 2,509 8.30%
2012 16,227 55.12% 12,524 42.54% 690 2.34%
2008 15,789 53.88% 12,783 43.62% 733 2.50%
2004 15,705 55.57% 12,219 43.24% 336 1.19%
2000 10,937 49.74% 9,593 43.63% 1,457 6.63%
1996 5,984 33.74% 8,611 48.56% 3,138 17.70%
1992 4,813 28.11% 7,077 41.34% 5,229 30.55%
1988 6,163 43.49% 7,875 55.58% 132 0.93%
1984 6,279 48.12% 6,683 51.21% 87 0.67%
1980 5,017 40.06% 6,240 49.83% 1,266 10.11%
1976 3,874 35.65% 6,625 60.96% 368 3.39%
1972 4,718 51.06% 4,174 45.17% 349 3.78%
1968 3,053 39.90% 4,102 53.61% 496 6.48%
1964 2,525 36.65% 4,347 63.10% 17 0.25%
1960 3,822 56.59% 2,907 43.04% 25 0.37%
1956 3,413 55.47% 2,731 44.38% 9 0.15%
1952 3,892 60.25% 2,536 39.26% 32 0.50%
1948 2,704 44.58% 3,184 52.50% 177 2.92%
1944 3,020 55.58% 2,376 43.72% 38 0.70%
1940 3,569 55.97% 2,746 43.06% 62 0.97%
1936 2,462 40.49% 3,360 55.26% 258 4.24%
1932 2,524 43.86% 3,047 52.95% 184 3.20%
1928 4,215 75.51% 1,297 23.24% 70 1.25%
1924 2,678 52.80% 135 2.66% 2,259 44.54%
1920 4,361 80.02% 484 8.88% 605 11.10%
1916 1,749 61.22% 944 33.04% 164 5.74%
1912 346 13.31% 435 16.73% 1,819 69.96%
1908 2,107 79.90% 408 15.47% 122 4.63%
1904 2,417 91.45% 156 5.90% 70 2.65%
1900 2,354 83.36% 411 14.55% 59 2.09%
1896 2,558 84.37% 437 14.41% 37 1.22%
1892 1,480 75.01% 338 17.13% 155 7.86%



County Board of Commissioners[18]
Position Name District Next Election
Commissioner and Vice Chair Chris DuBose District 1 2022
Commissioner Rick Greene District 2 2020
Commissioner George McMahon District 3 2020
Commissioner and Chair Ben Montzka District 4 2022
Commissioner Mike Robinson District 5 2020
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  Senate Mark Koran[19] Republican District 32
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  Senate Karin Housley[20] Republican District 39
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Brian Johnson[21] Republican District 32A
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Anne Neu[22] Republican District 32B
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Bob Dettmer[23] Republican District 39A
U.S. Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Pete Stauber Republican 8th
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Amy Klobuchar[24] Democrat N/A
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Tina Smith[25] Democrat N/A

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Chisago County, Minnesota
  • Swedish Americans

References[]

  1. ^ "Chisago County History". Chisago County Office. https://mn-chisagocounty.civicplus.com/738/Chisago-County-History. 
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Chisago County, Minnesota" (in en). United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chisagocountyminnesota/PST045221. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ "Chisago County, Minnesota". Minnesota Geographic Names. https://genealogytrails.com/minn/chisago/history_naming.html. 
  5. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 107. https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog. 
  6. ^ Bosman, Julie (April 16, 2015). "Lindström Loses Umlauts on Road Signs, and the Town is Dotted With Displeasure (Published 2015)" (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/17/us/lindstrom-minnesota-umlaut-scandinavian-roots-governor-dayton.html. 
  7. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 61-64. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  8. ^ a b Chisago County MN Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019)
  9. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Chisago County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019)". https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm. 
  10. ^ "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. 
  11. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Center City MN". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMN0131. 
  12. ^ "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. 
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt. 
  16. ^ "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. 
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  18. ^ "County Board of Commissioners | Chisago County, MN - Official Website". https://www.chisagocounty.us/175/County-Board-of-Commissioners. 
  19. ^ "MN State Senate" (in en). https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1228. 
  20. ^ "MN State Senate" (in en). https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1214. 
  21. ^ "Rep. Brian Johnson (32A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15403. 
  22. ^ "Rep. Anne Neu (32B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15494. 
  23. ^ "Rep. Bob Dettmer (39A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15276. 
  24. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/. 
  25. ^ "Home" (in en). https://www.smith.senate.gov/. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 45°30′09″N 92°54′30″W / 45.50247, -92.90834


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Chisago 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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