Becker County, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Becker County
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1913 Prairie School Carnegie library designed by Claude and Starck in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
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Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
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 Minnesota's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | March 18, 1858 (created) 1871 (organized) |
| Named for | George Loomis Becker |
| Seat | Detroit Lakes |
| Largest city | Detroit Lakes |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,445 sq mi (3,740 km2) |
| • Land | 1,315 sq mi (3,410 km2) |
| • Water | 130 sq mi (300 km2) 9.0%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 35,183 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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35,283  |
| • Density | 25.9/sq mi (10.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
Becker County is a place in Minnesota, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 35,183 people lived there. Its main town, or county seat, is Detroit Lakes. Part of the White Earth Indian Reservation is also in the county. Becker County was created in 1858 and officially started working in 1871.
Contents
History of Becker County
Becker County officially became a county on March 18, 1858. It was named after George Loomis Becker. He was one of three men chosen to go to Congress when Minnesota became a state. Since Minnesota could only send two, George Becker decided to stay. He was promised that a county would be named after him.
How Detroit Lakes Grew
Colonel George Johnston started the city of Detroit Lakes in 1871. The town grew fast when the Northern Pacific Railroad was built. Colonel Johnston brought settlers from New England to live in this area. In 1877, people voted to make Detroit Lakes the county seat. Back then, it was just called Detroit. Detroit won the vote by a lot, getting 90% of the votes. Other towns like Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also hoping to be the county seat.
By 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses. These included two hotels, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first courthouse was built that same year. In 1885, the county's first fire department was created. Later, in 1903, the Soo Line Railroad built a train line through the county.
Remembering History
Detroit Lakes has a park dedicated to the Grand Army of the Republic. This group was made up of soldiers from the Civil War. On April 15, 2015, the park was rededicated. This day marked 150 years since the Civil War ended and President Lincoln passed away. Colonel Tom Mortenson and his wife, Pam, helped with the rededication. They represented a group called the Women's Relief Corps. This group helped get community support for new signs at the park. They also placed a time capsule to be opened in 200 years.
Geography and Nature
Becker County has low, rolling hills covered with trees. Many lakes and ponds are scattered throughout the area. The land gently slopes towards the west and north. The highest point is a hill near Wolf Lake. It is about 1,861 feet (567 meters) above sea level. This is where the USFS Wolf Lake lookout tower is located.
Becker County has a very interesting landscape. It has hundreds of lakes, lots of good farmland, and many forests. Much of the land is hilly and covered with trees that lose their leaves in the fall. The county covers about 1,445 square miles (3,742 square kilometers). About 1,315 square miles (3,406 square kilometers) is land, and 130 square miles (337 square kilometers) is water. This means about 9% of the county is water.
Main Roads in Becker County
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 59
Minnesota State Highway 34
Minnesota State Highway 87
Minnesota State Highway 113
Neighboring Counties
- Mahnomen County - north
- Clearwater County - northeast
- Hubbard County - northeast
- Wadena County - southeast
- Otter Tail County - south
- Clay County - west
- Norman County - northwest
Protected Natural Areas
Becker County is home to several areas protected for wildlife and nature. These include:
- 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
Climate and Weather
| Weather chart for Detroit Lakes, Minnesota | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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0.8
19
-2
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0.5
26
3
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1.1
37
17
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1.9
56
32
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3.5
69
45
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4.4
78
55
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3.8
82
60
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3
81
58
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3.6
71
47
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3.1
56
35
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1.2
38
21
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0.7
23
5
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| temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches source: The Weather Channel |
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Metric conversion
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In recent years, the average temperatures in Detroit Lakes have changed a lot. In January, the average low is about -2°F (-19°C). In July, the average high is about 82°F (28°C). The coldest temperature ever recorded was -46°F (-43°C) in February 1936. The hottest was 107°F (42°C) in July 1936. The amount of rain and snow also changes. February usually gets the least, about 0.53 inches (1.3 cm). June gets the most, about 4.44 inches (11.3 cm).
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| 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% | |
| 2020 | 35,183 | 8.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 35,283 | 8.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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People in Becker County (2020)
The 2020 Census showed the different groups of people living in Becker County:
| Race | Number | Percent |
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| White | 29,645 | 84.3% |
| Black or African American | 200 | 0.6% |
| Native American | 2,417 | 6.9% |
| Asian | 156 | 0.44% |
| Pacific Islander | 9 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed | 2,181 | 6.2% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 575 | 1.6% |
Towns and Communities
Becker County has several cities and many smaller communities.
Cities in Becker County
- Audubon
- Callaway
- Detroit Lakes
- Frazee
- Lake Park
- Ogema
- Wolf Lake
Townships (Smaller Areas)
- 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
These are areas that are like towns but not officially incorporated as cities.
- Elbow Lake
- Osage
- Pine Point
- White Earth
Unincorporated Communities
These are small settlements that are not part of any city or census-designated place.
Lakes in Becker County
Becker County is famous for its many beautiful lakes. Some of the main ones include:
- 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
Becker County in Pop Culture
Becker County has been featured in popular culture:
- The 2006 independent movie Sweet Land is set in Becker County. However, it was filmed in a different county, Chippewa County.
- A popular YouTube channel called CBOYSTV films is based in Becker County. CBoysTV is an American comedy and motorsports channel run by five men. It has over a million subscribers!
Images for kids
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The County Public Works Center for Becker County in Detroit Lakes
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Highway Department building for Becker County
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Becker para niños
