Norman County, Minnesota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman County
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Norman County Courthouse in Ada, 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 | February 17, 1881 |
| Named for | Norwegian settlers |
| Seat | Ada |
| Largest city | Ada |
| Area | |
| • Total | 877 sq mi (2,270 km2) |
| • Land | 873 sq mi (2,260 km2) |
| • Water | 3.9 sq mi (10 km2) 0.4%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,441 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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6,329  |
| • Density | 7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
Norman County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,441. Its county seat is Ada. The county is in Minnesota's Red River Valley region.
Contents
History
Norwegians started settling in Norman County in the early 1870s and up until Dec. 27th, 1906 that also included what is now Mahnomen County (Ojibwe for "wild rice"). The county was created by the Minnesota legislature on March 17, 1881, with Ada (which had been founded in 1874) as county seat. Even though Twin Valley was much closer to the geographic center of the county Ada was chosen as the county seat, sparking a 6 year legal battle.
It was named in recognition of the many settlers who came from Scandinavian countries, especially Norway. Another source posits that it was named for Norman Kittson, an early historical figure of the region.
Geography
Norman County lies on Minnesota's western border, abutting North Dakota across the Red River, which flows north along (and defines) the county's west line. The Wild Rice River flows west through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Red slightly north of the county's southwest corner. The Marsh River rises in central Norman County and flows northwest into the Red near the county's northwest corner. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages and lightly dotted with lakes and swampy areas. The terrain is devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the north and west with its highest point near its southeast corner, at 1,224 ft (373 m) ASL. The county has an area of 877 square miles (2,270 km2), of which 873 square miles (2,260 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.4%) water. Flom Township contains a prominent, irregular hill of morainic drift known as Frenchman's Bluff. It rises 150 ft (46 m) above the shoreline of the former Lake Agassis, three miles (4.8 km) to the northwest.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 75
Minnesota State Highway 9
Minnesota State Highway 32
Minnesota State Highway 113
Minnesota State Highway 200
Adjacent counties
- Polk County - north
- Mahnomen County - east
- Becker County - southeast
- Clay County - south
- Cass County, North Dakota - southwest
- Traill County, North Dakota - west
Protected areas
- Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area (part)
- Agassiz No. 1 State Wildlife Management Area
- Agassiz No. 2 State Wildlife Management Area
- Dalby State Wildlife Management Area
- Faith State Wildlife Management Area
- Home Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Moccasin State Wildlife Management Area
- Neal State Wildlife Management Area
- Prairie Smoke Dunes Scientific and Natural Area
- Sandpiper Scientific and Natural Area
- Santee Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
- Syre State Wildlife Management Area
- Twin Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
- Twin Valley State Wildlife Management Area
- Vangsness State Wildlife Management Area
Lakes
- Home Lake
- Lockhart Swamp
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 10,618 | — | |
| 1900 | 15,045 | 41.7% | |
| 1910 | 13,446 | −10.6% | |
| 1920 | 14,880 | 10.7% | |
| 1930 | 14,061 | −5.5% | |
| 1940 | 14,746 | 4.9% | |
| 1950 | 12,909 | −12.5% | |
| 1960 | 11,253 | −12.8% | |
| 1970 | 10,008 | −11.1% | |
| 1980 | 9,379 | −6.3% | |
| 1990 | 7,975 | −15.0% | |
| 2000 | 7,442 | −6.7% | |
| 2010 | 6,852 | −7.9% | |
| 2020 | 6,441 | −6.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 6,329 | −7.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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2020 Census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| White (NH) | 5,702 | 88.52% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 17 | 0.3% |
| Native American (NH) | 115 | 1.8% |
| Asian (NH) | 18 | 0.3% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 0 | 0% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 301 | 4.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 288 | 4.5% |
Communities
Cities
Unincorporated communities
Townships
- Anthony Township
- Bear Park Township
- Flom Township
- Fossum Township
- Good Hope Township
- Green Meadow Township
- Halstad Township
- Hegne Township
- Hendrum Township
- Home Lake Township
- Lake Ida Township
- Lee Township
- Lockhart Township
- Mary Township
- McDonaldsville Township
- Pleasant View Township
- Rockwell Township
- Shelly Township
- Spring Creek Township
- Strand Township
- Sundal Township
- Waukon Township
- Wild Rice Township
- Winchester Township
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Norman para niños
