Chippewa County, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chippewa County
U.S. county
Chippewa County Bank in Montevideo.
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	February 20, 1862 (created) 1868 (organized)
Named for	Chippewa River
Seat	Montevideo
Largest city	Montevideo
Area
• Total	588 sq mi (1,520 km2)
• Land	581 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water	6.7 sq mi (17 km2)  1.1%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,598
• Estimate  (2021)	12,357
• Density	21.7/sq mi (8.4/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	7th

Chippewa County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,598. Its county seat is Montevideo. The county was formed in 1862, and was organized in 1868.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 588 square miles (1,520 km²), of which 581 square miles (1,500 km²) is land and 6.7 square miles (17 km²) (1.1%) is water.

Lakes

• Carlton Lake: in Sparta Township
• Norboro Lake: in Stoneham Township
• Shakopee Lake: in Grace Township

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 59
• U.S. Highway 212
• Minnesota State Highway 7
• Minnesota State Highway 23
• Minnesota State Highway 29
• Minnesota State Highway 40
• Minnesota State Highway 277

Adjacent counties

• Swift County (north)
• Kandiyohi County (northeast)
• Renville County (southeast)
• Yellow Medicine County (southwest)
• Lac qui Parle County (west)

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Montevideo have ranged from a low of 2 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −37 °F (−38 °C) was recorded in January 1970 and a record high of 110 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.86 inches (22 mm) in December to 4.24 inches (108 mm) in June.

Demographics

Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,088 people, 5,361 households, and 3,597 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 5,855 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.94% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.8% were of Norwegian and 36.8% German ancestry.

There were 5,361 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,582, and the median income for a family was $45,160. Males had a median income of $30,556 versus $20,384 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,039. About 4.80% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.80% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Clara City
• Granite Falls (partial)
• Maynard
• Milan
• Montevideo (county seat)
• Watson

Townships

Unincorporated communities

• Asbury
• Big Bend City
• Bunde
• Churchill
• Gluek
• Hagan
• Louriston
• Wegdahl