Goodhue County, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Goodhue County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
. As of 2010, the population was 46,183. Its county seat
is Red Wing
. Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community
is within the county.
on March 5, 1853. County boundaries were defined in 1854 and further refined again in 1855.
Hamline University
, Minnesota's first college of higher learning, was originally located in Red Wing, Minnesota
. It opened its doors in 1854 but closed during the Civil War due to low enrollment. Hamline University re-opened in Saint Paul, Minnesota
in 1869.
The county was a leading producer of wheat during the mid-nineteenth century and for several years the county boasted the highest wheat production in the country, sending wheat through numerous mills in Red Wing and then transporting the grain along the Mississippi River
.
The confluence of fires at two of Red Wing's mills in the 1880s and developing railroad routes across Minnesota incited farmers from neighboring counties to begin sending their wheat to Minneapolis mills, reducing the county's importance in the wheat trade by the turn of the century.
The first municipal swimming pool in the state was built in the county.
In October 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
visited the county for a bridge dedication ceremony. The Hiawatha Bridge had been built to replace the Old High Bridge that spanned the Mississippi River since 1895. This visit drew 20,000 people. Eisenhower hoped that his visit would help in the elections, swaying Minnesota voters to vote for Richard Nixon
in the 1960 presidential election
in the coming month. The visit wasn't enough, however, as John F. Kennedy
carried the state on his way to being elected the next president.
of 2000, there were 44,127 people, 16,983 households, and 11,905 families residing in the county. The population density
was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 17,879 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White
, 0.63% Black
or African American
, 0.98% Native American
, 0.57% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.53% from other races
, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 39.1% were of German, 22.0% Norwegian, 7.9% Swedish and 6.8% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,983 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples
living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% 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 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% 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 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,972, and the median income for a family was $55,689. Males had a median income of $36,282 versus $25,442 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,934. About 3.70% of families and 5.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
† Most of these cities are in Goodhue County, but a part extends into Wabasha County
.
‡ Fragments of Dennison extend into Rice County
, and Pine Island into Olmsted County
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. As of 2010, the population was 46,183. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Red Wing
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
. Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community
Prairie Island Indian Community
Prairie Island Indian Community is a Mdewakanton Sioux Indian reservation in Goodhue County, Minnesota, along the Mississippi River, in and around the city of Red Wing. It was created in 1889, with boundaries modified after that time. Much of the reservation land was lost following construction of...
is within the county.
History
The county was formed from territory within Wabasha CountyWabasha County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,610 people, 8,277 households, and 5,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile . There were 9,066 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
on March 5, 1853. County boundaries were defined in 1854 and further refined again in 1855.
Hamline University
Hamline University
-Red Wing location :Hamline was named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a bishop of the Methodist Church whose interest in the frontier led him to donate $25,000 toward the building of an institution of higher learning in what was then the territory of Minnesota. Today, a statue of Bishop Hamline...
, Minnesota's first college of higher learning, was originally located in Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
. It opened its doors in 1854 but closed during the Civil War due to low enrollment. Hamline University re-opened in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
in 1869.
The county was a leading producer of wheat during the mid-nineteenth century and for several years the county boasted the highest wheat production in the country, sending wheat through numerous mills in Red Wing and then transporting the grain along the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
The confluence of fires at two of Red Wing's mills in the 1880s and developing railroad routes across Minnesota incited farmers from neighboring counties to begin sending their wheat to Minneapolis mills, reducing the county's importance in the wheat trade by the turn of the century.
The first municipal swimming pool in the state was built in the county.
In October 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
visited the county for a bridge dedication ceremony. The Hiawatha Bridge had been built to replace the Old High Bridge that spanned the Mississippi River since 1895. This visit drew 20,000 people. Eisenhower hoped that his visit would help in the elections, swaying Minnesota voters to vote for Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
in the 1960 presidential election
United States presidential election, 1960
The United States presidential election of 1960 was the 44th American presidential election, held on November 8, 1960, for the term beginning January 20, 1961, and ending January 20, 1965. The incumbent president, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, was not eligible to run again. The Republican Party...
in the coming month. The visit wasn't enough, however, as John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
carried the state on his way to being elected the next president.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 780.44 square miles (2,021.3 km²), of which 758.27 square miles (1,963.9 km²) (or 97.16%) is land and 22.17 square miles (57.4 km²) (or 2.84%) is water.Lakes
- Birch Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Brewer Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Cannon Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Clear Lake: in Welch Township
- Devils Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Espen Lakes: in Wacouta Township
- Goose Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Lake Byllesby: the northern half is in Dakota CountyDakota County, MinnesotaDakota County is the third most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east. Dakota County comprises the southeast portion of seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul, the thirteenth...
and the southern half is in Stanton Township - Larson Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Nelson Lake: in Wacouta Township
- North Lake: in Welch Township
- Rattling Springs Lake: in Welch Township
- Spring Banks Lake: in Welch Township
- Spring Creek Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Sturgeon Lake: in Wacouta Township
- Twin Lakes: in Welch Township
Major highways
|
 Minnesota State Highway 58Minnesota State Highway 58 Minnesota State Highway 58 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. 52 / State Highway 60 in Zumbrota and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S...  Minnesota State Highway 60Minnesota State Highway 60 Minnesota State Highway 60 is a highway in southern Minnesota, which runs from Iowa Highway 60 at the Iowa state line and continues east-northeast to its eastern terminus at the Wisconsin state line , where the route becomes Wisconsin Highway 25 upon crossing the Mississippi River.Highway 60 is...  Minnesota State Highway 246Minnesota State Highway 246 Minnesota State Highway 246 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 3 in the city of Northfield and continues south and east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 56 in Holden Township near Kenyon.Highway 246 is in...  Minnesota State Highway 292 Minnesota State Highway 316Minnesota State Highway 316 Minnesota State Highway 316 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its first intersection with U.S. Highway 61 in Welch Township, near Miesville; and continues north to its second intersection with U.S... |
Adjacent counties
- Pierce County, WisconsinPierce County, WisconsinPierce County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2010, the population was 41,019. Its county seat is Ellsworth. Pierce County is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area .-Geography:...
(northeast) - Pepin County, Wisconsin (northeast)
- Wabasha CountyWabasha County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 21,610 people, 8,277 households, and 5,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile . There were 9,066 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
(east,southeast) - Olmsted CountyOlmsted County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile...
(southeast) - Dodge CountyDodge County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile . There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
(southwest) - Rice CountyRice County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 56,665 people, 18,888 households, and 13,353 families residing in the county. The population density was 114 people per square mile . There were 20,061 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile...
(west) - Dakota CountyDakota County, MinnesotaDakota County is the third most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east. Dakota County comprises the southeast portion of seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul, the thirteenth...
(northwest)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 44,127 people, 16,983 households, and 11,905 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 17,879 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.63% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.98% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.57% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.53% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 39.1% were of German, 22.0% Norwegian, 7.9% Swedish and 6.8% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 16,983 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% 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 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% 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 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,972, and the median income for a family was $55,689. Males had a median income of $36,282 versus $25,442 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $21,934. About 3.70% of families and 5.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
| Cities | Townships | Unincorporated | Ghost Town | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Leon Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota Leon Township is a township in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 942 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Wastedo:Settled in 1856, Wastedo is a small,... |
Warsaw Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota Warsaw Township is a township in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 603 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.6 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were... |
Eggleston, Minnesota Eggleston is an unincorporated community in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States.- History :Eggleston was named after John E. Eggleston and Joseph Eggleston, who settled at the portion of the community in what was then Burnside Township. From 1875-1934, the community had a post office... Frontenac, Minnesota Frontenac is an unincorporated community in Florence Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River.-History:James Wells established a trading post in the location that would become Frontenac before 1850. He dealt mostly with Native Americans until the railroad was... Hader, Minnesota Hader is an unincorporated community located along U.S. Route 52 in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States.-History:When Hader was founded by Otis F. Smith in 1857, it was built in order to be the county seat. However, these plans failed; the plat was not fulfilled, and few buildings were... Ryan, Minnesota Ryan is an unincorporated community in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States.-History:Ryan was settled primarily by Irish. It had a stage coach stop on the route between Red Wing and Kenyon. The community also had a post office that operated 1882-1903. Today, St. Columba's Church remains an... Stanton, Minnesota Stanton is an unincorporated community in Stanton Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States. It lies at the junction of Minnesota State Highways 19 and 56, approximately 10 miles east of Northfield. Its post office closed during federal budget cuts in the 1970s.The community is served by... |
|
† Most of these cities are in Goodhue County, but a part extends into Wabasha County
Wabasha County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,610 people, 8,277 households, and 5,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile . There were 9,066 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
.
‡ Fragments of Dennison extend into Rice County
Rice County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 56,665 people, 18,888 households, and 13,353 families residing in the county. The population density was 114 people per square mile . There were 20,061 housing units at an average density of 40 per square mile...
, and Pine Island into Olmsted County
Olmsted County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile...
.
See also
- List of County Roads in Goodhue County, Minnesota
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Goodhue County, MinnesotaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Goodhue County, MinnesotaThis is a complete list of the 59 historic properties and districts in Goodhue County, Minnesota that are entered on the National Register of Historic Places.Goodhue County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S...