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Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota
Yellow Medicine County Courthouse
Yellow Medicine County Courthouse in Granite Falls in 2007
Map of Minnesota highlighting Yellow Medicine County
Location in the state of Minnesota
Map of the U.S
Minnesota's location in the U.S.
Founded March 6, 1871
Named for Yellow Medicine River[1]
Seat Granite Falls
Largest city Granite Falls
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

763 sq mi (1,976 km²)
759 sq mi (1,966 km²)
4.1 sq mi (11 km²), 0.5%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

9,528
12.6/sq mi (5/km²)
Congressional district 7th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.ym.mn.gov

Yellow Medicine County is a county in the State of Minnesota. Its eastern border is formed by the Minnesota River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,528.[2] Its county seat is Granite Falls.[3]

The Upper Sioux Indian Reservation, related to the historical Yellow Medicine Agency that was located here, is entirely within the county. It was established under the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851, by which the Dakota ceded much territory in the region to the United States.

History[]

The county was established by the Minnesota legislature on March 6, 1871, with Granite Falls as the county seat. Its name comes from Yellow Medicine River, which runs through the eastern part of the county to the Minnesota. The river's name derives from a plant whose yellow root the native Dakota people used for medicinal purposes.[4]

It was proposed in 1878 to create a new county, taken from the western portions of Yellow Medicine, Lincoln, and Lac qui Parle counties. The state legislature approved the petition (subject to local voter approval), and Governor Pillsbury signed the act on February 27, 1879. However, the 1879 ballot proposal failed to garner a combined majority of voters in the three counties, and the proposed Canby County[5] did not come into being.[6]

Geography[]

Yellow Medicine County lies on the west side of Minnesota. Its west border abuts the east border of the state of South Dakota. The Minnesota River flows east-southeasterly along the county's northeast side on its way to discharge into the Mississippi River. The Yellow Medicine River flows northeastward through the eastern part of the county, discharging into the Minnesota near the midpoint of the county's eastern border. The Stony Run Creek flows eastward through the upper east part of the county; the Florida Creek flows northeastward through the west end of the county, and the Lac qui Parle River also flows northeastward through the west central part of the county. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved by drainages. The area is devoted to agriculture.[7] The terrain slopes to the east and slightly to the north; its highest point is on the west border, near its SW corner, at 1,732' (528m) ASL.[8] The county has a total area of 763 square miles (1,980 km2), of which 759 square miles (1,970 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (0.5%) is water.[9]

File:Yellow Medicine Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf

Lakes[7][]

  • Burton Lake
  • Culver Lake (part)
  • Curtis Lake
  • Highbank Lake
  • Kvistid Lake
  • Lake Louie
  • Lone Tree Lake
  • Miedd Lake
  • Miller Lake
  • Mud Lake
  • Spellman Lake
  • Timm Lake
  • Tyson Lake
  • Wood Lake

Rivers and drainages[7][]

  • Florida Creek
  • Lac qui Parle River
  • Minnesota River
  • Spring Creek
  • Stony Run Creek
  • Yellow Medicine River

Major highways[]

  • US 59 U.S. Highway 59
  • US 75 U.S. Highway 75
  • US 212 (MN) U.S. Highway 212
  • MN-23 Minnesota State Highway 23
  • MN-67 Minnesota State Highway 67
  • MN-68 Minnesota State Highway 68
  • MN-274 Minnesota State Highway 274

Adjacent counties[]

Protected areas[7][]

  • Bigrock State Wildlife Management Area
  • Christopherson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Clawson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Flinks State Wildlife Management Area
  • Miller-Richter State Wildlife Management Area
  • Mound Springs Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Omro State Wildlife Management Area
  • Oshkosh State Wildlife Management Area
  • Penthole State Wildlife Management Area
  • Posen State Wildlife Management Area
  • Saint Leo State Wildlife Management Area
  • Sioux Nation State Wildlife Management Area
  • Stokke State Wildlife Management Area
  • Stony Run State Wildlife Management Area
  • Swedes Forest Scientific and Natural Area (part)
  • Upper Sioux Agency State Park

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1880 5,884
1890 9,854 67.5%
1900 14,602 48.2%
1910 15,406 5.5%
1920 16,550 7.4%
1930 16,625 0.5%
1940 16,917 1.8%
1950 16,279 −3.8%
1960 15,523 −4.6%
1970 14,418 −7.1%
1980 13,653 −5.3%
1990 11,684 −14.4%
2000 11,080 −5.2%
2010 10,438 −5.8%
Est. 2021 9,411 [11] −15.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[2]
USA Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota age pyramid

Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 census data

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 census, there were 11,080 people, 4,439 households, and 2,974 families in the county. The population density was 14.6/sqmi (5.64/km2). There were 4,873 housing units at an average density of 6.42/sqmi (2.48/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.09% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 2.04% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 1.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 36.5% were of Norwegian and 34.6% German ancestry.

There were 4,439 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.20% 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 3.01.

The county population contained 25.80% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 20.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,393, and the median income for a family was $42,002. Males had a median income of $27,770 versus $20,870 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,120. About 7.10% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 10.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Canby
  • Clarkfield
  • Echo
  • Granite Falls (county seat; partly in Chippewa County
  • Hanley Falls
  • Hazel Run
  • Porter
  • St. Leo
  • Wood Lake

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Burr (original name Stanley)
  • Lorne
  • Normania
  • Spring Creek

Townships[]

  • Burton Township
  • Echo Township
  • Florida Township
  • Fortier Township
  • Friendship Township
  • Hammer Township
  • Hazel Run Township
  • Lisbon Township
  • Minnesota Falls Township
  • Norman Township
  • Normania Township
  • Omro Township
  • Oshkosh Township
  • Posen Township
  • Sandnes Township
  • Sioux Agency Township
  • Stony Run Township
  • Swede Prairie Township
  • Tyro Township
  • Wergeland Township
  • Wood Lake Township

Government and Politics[]

Yellow Medicine County has recently been a swing county in national elections. Since 1980, the county has selected the Republican Party candidate in 56% of national elections (as of 2020). The county gave a majority to Barack Obama in 2008, but has trended more Republican in recent cycles.

United States presidential election results for Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,734 67.55% 1,688 30.54% 106 1.92%
2016 3,382 64.10% 1,524 28.89% 370 7.01%
2012 2,806 51.83% 2,465 45.53% 143 2.64%
2008 2,579 46.31% 2,816 50.57% 174 3.12%
2004 2,878 49.98% 2,799 48.61% 81 1.41%
2000 2,598 47.11% 2,528 45.84% 389 7.05%
1996 2,006 35.67% 2,741 48.74% 877 15.59%
1992 1,909 30.83% 2,593 41.87% 1,691 27.31%
1988 2,925 46.59% 3,282 52.28% 71 1.13%
1984 3,819 55.22% 3,018 43.64% 79 1.14%
1980 4,004 53.95% 2,833 38.18% 584 7.87%
1976 2,946 39.48% 4,337 58.12% 179 2.40%
1972 3,683 50.32% 3,462 47.30% 174 2.38%
1968 3,060 43.34% 3,587 50.81% 413 5.85%
1964 2,751 36.86% 4,707 63.06% 6 0.08%
1960 3,800 50.84% 3,649 48.82% 26 0.35%
1956 3,594 51.21% 3,416 48.67% 8 0.11%
1952 4,322 57.73% 3,143 41.99% 21 0.28%
1948 2,693 38.41% 4,164 59.38% 155 2.21%
1944 3,337 50.68% 3,214 48.81% 34 0.52%
1940 3,964 50.89% 3,786 48.61% 39 0.50%
1936 2,029 30.38% 3,921 58.71% 729 10.91%
1932 1,739 27.01% 4,580 71.14% 119 1.85%
1928 3,302 52.96% 2,861 45.89% 72 1.15%
1924 2,278 38.70% 151 2.56% 3,458 58.74%
1920 4,225 72.48% 814 13.96% 790 13.55%
1916 1,501 50.08% 1,238 41.31% 258 8.61%
1912 352 14.24% 737 29.81% 1,383 55.95%
1908 1,745 65.06% 786 29.31% 151 5.63%
1904 1,947 83.42% 258 11.05% 129 5.53%
1900 1,743 65.95% 763 28.87% 137 5.18%
1896 1,578 58.92% 1,015 37.90% 85 3.17%
1892 911 49.11% 364 19.62% 580 31.27%



County Board of Commissioners[17]
Position Name District
Commissioner Greg Renneke District 1
Commissioner John Berends District 2
Commissioner Gary Johnson District 3
Commissioner Ron Antony District 4
Commissioner Glen Kack District 5
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  Senate Gary Dahms[18] Republican District 16
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Chris Swedzinski[19] Republican District 16A
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
style="background-color:#FF3333;" width=10px | " |  House of Representatives Michelle Fischbach Democrat 7th
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Amy Klobuchar[20] Democrat N/A
style="background-color:#3333FF;" width=10px | " |  Senate Tina Smith[21] Democrat N/A

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota

References[]

  1. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 593. https://archive.org/details/minnesotageogra00uphagoog. 
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota" (in en). United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/yellowmedicinecountyminnesota/PST045221. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ History of Yellow Medicine County Archived August 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine, Yellow Medicine County website, accessed May 25, 2010
  5. ^ Gramarly.com
  6. ^ Upham, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names, p. 593 (1920). Accessed March 13, 2019
  7. ^ a b c d Yellow Medicine County MN Google Maps (accessed March 13, 2019
  8. ^ "Find an Altitude/Yellow Medicine County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 13, 2019)
  9. ^ "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. 
  10. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 69-70. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  11. ^ "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. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt. 
  15. ^ "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. 
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  17. ^ "County Commissioners - Yellow Medicine County, MN". https://www.co.ym.mn.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B3DB5C6D1-458F-42CE-A5C4-4A70FC55470C%7D. 
  18. ^ "MN State Senate" (in en). https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1174. 
  19. ^ "Rep. Chris Swedzinski (16A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15369. 
  20. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/. 
  21. ^ "Home" (in en). https://www.smith.senate.gov/. 

External links[]

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Template:Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°43′N 95°52′W / 44.72, -95.86

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