Pine County, Minnesota facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pine County
U.S. county
Pine County Courthouse, Pine City
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	March 1, 1856 (created) 1872 (organized)
Named for	The abundant pine trees in the area
Seat	Pine City
Largest city	Pine City
Area
• Total	1,435 sq mi (3,720 km2)
• Land	1,411 sq mi (3,650 km2)
• Water	23 sq mi (60 km2)  1.6%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	28,876
• Estimate  (2021)	29,302
• Density	20.5/sq mi (7.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	8th

Pine County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,876. Its county seat is Pine City. The county was formed in 1856 and organized in 1872.

Part of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in Pine County.

History

Pine County was organized on March 1, 1856, with Chisago County being its primary parent county. Other portions of the original Pine County originated from Ramsey County. The original county seat was Chengwatana.

In 1857, Buchanan County in full and southern portions of Aitkin and Carlton counties were formed from the original Pine County, with Kanabec County organized a year later. In 1861, Buchanan County was dissolved and folded into Pine County. Pine County was re-organized in 1872, with Pine City becoming the new county seat. Pine County has been featured in a series of Mysteries written by Dean Hovey. The titles include: Where Evil Hides, Unforgettable, and Undeveloped. Each of the Hovey books has been nominated for a Northeastern Minnesota Book Award (NEMBA) for their depiction of life in the area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,435 square miles (3,720 km²), of which 1,411 square miles (3,650 km²) is land and 23 square miles (60 km²) (1.6%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Carlton County (north)
• Douglas County, Wisconsin (northeast)
• Burnett County, Wisconsin (east)
• Chisago County (south)
• Isanti County (southwest)
• Kanabec County (west)
• Aitkin County (northwest)

National protected area

• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (part)

Demographics

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,530 people, 9,939 households, and 6,917 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 15,353 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 2.0% Black or African American, 3.1% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 2.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.3% were of German, 11.6% Swedish, 11.1% Norwegian and 5.5% American ancestry.

There were 17,276 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 108.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,379, and the median income for a family was $44,058. Males had a median income of $31,600 versus $22,675 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,445. About 7.80% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Pine para niños