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Grant County, Minnesota facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Grant, Minnesota.
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Grant County
U.S. county
Grant County Courthouse
Grant County Courthouse
Official seal of Grant County
Seal
Map of Minnesota highlighting Grant 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 March 6, 1868 (created)
1874 (organized)
Named for Ulysses S. Grant
Seat Elbow Lake
Largest city Elbow Lake
Area
 • Total 575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land 548 sq mi (1,420 km2)
 • Water 27 sq mi (70 km2)  4.7%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,074
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 6,139 Increase
 • Density 11.1/sq mi (4.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 7th

Grant County is a county in Minnesota, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 6,074 people lived there. The main town, or county seat, is Elbow Lake.

History of Grant County

Grant County was officially started on March 6, 1868. It was named after Ulysses S. Grant. He was a famous general during the American Civil War and later became a U.S. President. The county's government officially began working in 1874.

Geography and Nature

Grant County is known for its rolling hills and many lakes. Most of the land is used for farming.

The Chippewa River flows through the eastern part of the county. The Mustinka River flows through the western and central parts. The highest point in the county is about 1,375 feet (419 meters) above sea level.

The county covers about 575 square miles (1,490 square kilometers). About 548 square miles (1,419 square kilometers) is land, and 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) is water.

Main Roads in Grant County

  • I-94.svg Interstate 94
  • US 52.svg U.S. Highway 52
  • US 59.svg U.S. Highway 59
  • MN-9.svg Minnesota State Highway 9
  • MN-27.svg Minnesota State Highway 27
  • MN-55.svg Minnesota State Highway 55
  • MN-78.svg Minnesota State Highway 78
  • MN-79.svg Minnesota State Highway 79

Neighboring Counties

Protected Natural Areas

Grant County has several areas set aside to protect wildlife and nature. These are called State Wildlife Management Areas:

  • Alvstad State Wildlife Management Area
  • Berksow State Wildlife Management Area
  • Chippewa State Wildlife Management Area
  • Helsene State Wildlife Management Area
  • Isaacson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Kube-Swift State Wildlife Management Area
  • Malsville State Wildlife Management Area
  • Marple State Wildlife Management Area
  • Mustinka State Wildlife Management Area
  • Storm-Bordson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Wilts State Wildlife Management Area

Population and People

The population of Grant County has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown and shrunk:

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870 340 —
1880 3,004 783.5%
1890 6,875 128.9%
1900 8,935 30.0%
1910 9,114 2.0%
1920 9,788 7.4%
1930 9,558 −2.3%
1940 9,828 2.8%
1950 9,542 −2.9%
1960 8,870 −7.0%
1970 7,462 −15.9%
1980 7,171 −3.9%
1990 6,246 −12.9%
2000 6,289 0.7%
2010 6,018 −4.3%
2020 6,074 0.9%
2023 (est.) 6,139 2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

Population in 2020

In 2020, the census counted 6,074 people living in Grant County. Most people identified as White.

Grant County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 5,699 93.83%
Black or African American (NH) 13 0.2%
Native American (NH) 27 0.44%
Asian (NH) 14 0.23%
Pacific Islander (NH) 7 0.11%
Other/Mixed (NH) 179 2.94%
Hispanic or Latino 135 2.22%

Towns and Communities

Grant County has several cities and smaller communities.

Cities

Smaller Communities

Former Towns (Ghost Towns)

Some towns that used to exist in Grant County are now "ghost towns," meaning no one lives there anymore.

Townships

Townships are smaller local government areas within the county.

  • Delaware Township
  • Elbow Lake Township
  • Elk Lake Township
  • Erdahl Township
  • Gorton Township
  • Land Township
  • Lawrence Township
  • Lien Township
  • Logan Township
  • Macsville Township
  • North Ottawa Township
  • Pelican Lake Township
  • Pomme de Terre Township
  • Roseville Township
  • Sanford Township
  • Stony Brook Township

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Grant (Minnesota) para niños

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