Wright County, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Wright County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
, founded in 1855. As of 2010, the population was 124,700. Its county seat
is Buffalo
.
. The first County seat was Monticello
, then in 1868 the County seat was changed to Buffalo
. The Majority of people to first settle this area were German and Swedish. The population of the county in 1860 was 3729 people.
The 1998 thriller A Simple Plan
was set in Wright County though the specific town name is never mentioned.
of 2000, there were 89,986 people, 31,465 households, and 23,913 families residing in the county. The population density
was 136 people per square mile (53/km²). There were 34,355 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% White
, 0.26% Black
or African American
, 0.28% Native American
, 0.44% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.36% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 42.3% were of German, 11.9% Norwegian, 7.4% Swedish and 6.6% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 31,465 households out of which 42.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.50% were married couples
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,945, and the median income for a family was $60,940. Males had a median income of $40,630 versus $28,201 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,844. About 3.60% of families and 4.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.50% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
† Located in Wright County, the city extends into neighboring counties as well.
‡ Based in an adjacent county, part of Dayton extends into Wright 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...
, founded in 1855. As of 2010, the population was 124,700. 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 Buffalo
Buffalo, Minnesota
As of the census of 2008, there were 18,141 people, 6,612 households, and 6,313 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,675.8 people per square mile . There were 3,871 housing units at an average density of 642.5 per square mile...
.
History
The County was established in 1855, and was named after New York Politician Silas WrightSilas Wright
Silas Wright, Jr. was an American Democratic politician. Wright was born in Amherst, Massachusetts and moved with his father to Weybridge, Vermont in 1796. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1815 and moved to Sandy Hill, New York, the next year, where he studied law, being admitted to the bar...
. The first County seat was Monticello
Monticello, Minnesota
Monticello is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. Monticello was founded in 1856 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006. The population was 12,759 at the 2010 census. The name Monticello is derived from the Italian word for "Little Mountain," it translates literally to...
, then in 1868 the County seat was changed to Buffalo
Buffalo, Minnesota
As of the census of 2008, there were 18,141 people, 6,612 households, and 6,313 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,675.8 people per square mile . There were 3,871 housing units at an average density of 642.5 per square mile...
. The Majority of people to first settle this area were German and Swedish. The population of the county in 1860 was 3729 people.
The 1998 thriller A Simple Plan
A Simple Plan (film)
A Simple Plan is a 1998 drama film directed by Sam Raimi, based on the novel of the same name by Scott Smith, who also wrote the screenplay of the film. It was shot in Delano, Minnesota and Ashland and Saxon, Wisconsin. Billy Bob Thornton was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor...
was set in Wright County though the specific town name is never mentioned.
| Year | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 40.7% 26,343 | 57.6% 37,779 |
| 2004 | 37.99% 22,618 | 60.77% 36,176 |
| 2000 | 38.65% 16,762 | 55.02% 23,861 |
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 714.39 square miles (1,850.3 km²), of which 660.75 square miles (1,711.3 km²) (or 92.49%) is land and 53.63 square miles (138.9 km²) (or 7.51%) is water.Major highways
|
 Minnesota State Highway 25Minnesota State Highway 25 Minnesota State Highway 25 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. Highway 169 in Belle Plaine and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 210 in Brainerd.The route is in length....  Minnesota State Highway 55Minnesota State Highway 55 Minnesota State Highway 55 is a highway in west-central, central, and east-central Minnesota, which runs from the North Dakota state line near Tenney and continues east and southeast to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...  Minnesota State Highway 101Minnesota State Highway 101 Minnesota State Highway 101 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The present day route currently has two separate segments. The roadway was a continuous route until 1988.-Route description:...  Minnesota State Highway 241Minnesota State Highway 241 Minnesota State Highway 241 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Wright County Road 19 and Wright County Road 35 in St. Michael and continues east to its eastern terminus at its interchange with Interstate 94 and Wright County Road 36 in St... |
U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Highway 52
Adjacent counties
- Sherburne CountySherburne County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 64,417 people, 21,581 households, and 16,746 families residing in the county. The population density was 148 people per square mile . There were 22,827 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
(northeast) - Hennepin CountyHennepin County, MinnesotaHennepin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. As of 2010 the population was 1,152,425. Its county seat is Minneapolis. It is by far the most populous county in Minnesota; more than one in five Minnesotans live...
(east) - Carver CountyCarver County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 70,205 people, 24,356 households, and 18,778 families residing in the county. The population density was 197 people per square mile . There were 24,883 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile...
(southeast) - McLeod CountyMcLeod County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 34,898 people, 13,449 households, and 9,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile . There were 14,087 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
(southwest) - Meeker CountyMeeker County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 22,644 people, 8,590 households, and 6,133 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile . There were 9,821 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
(west) - Stearns CountyStearns County, MinnesotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 133,166 people, 47,604 households, and 32,132 families residing in the county. The population density was 99 people per square mile . There were 50,291 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
(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 89,986 people, 31,465 households, and 23,913 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 136 people per square mile (53/km²). There were 34,355 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.28% 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...
, 0.44% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.36% 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 0.80% from two or more races. 1.10% 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. 42.3% were of German, 11.9% Norwegian, 7.4% Swedish and 6.6% 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 31,465 households out of which 42.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.50% 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, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 18.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 19.90% from 45 to 64, and 8.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $53,945, and the median income for a family was $60,940. Males had a median income of $40,630 versus $28,201 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 $21,844. About 3.60% of families and 4.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.50% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
| Cities | Townships | Ghost town | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maple Lake, Minnesota Maple Lake is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,059 at the 2010 census.Minnesota State Highway 55 serves as a main route in the city.-History:... Monticello, Minnesota Monticello is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. Monticello was founded in 1856 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006. The population was 12,759 at the 2010 census. The name Monticello is derived from the Italian word for "Little Mountain," it translates literally to... Montrose, Minnesota Montrose is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,847 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 1.03% is water. U.S... Otsego, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 6,389 people, 2,062 households, and 1,674 families residing in the city. The population density was 217.5 people per square mile . There were 2,120 housing units at an average density of 72.2 per square mile... Rockford, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 3,484 people, 1,296 households, and 929 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,021.2 people per square mile . There were 1,333 housing units at an average density of 773.3 per square mile... † South Haven, Minnesota South Haven is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 187 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles , all of it land.... St. Michael, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 9,099 people, 2,926 households, and 2,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 279.4 people per square mile . There were 3,058 housing units at an average density of 93.9 per square mile... Waverly, Minnesota Waverly is a city in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,357 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.U.S... |
|
Silver Creek Township, Wright County, Minnesota Silver Creek Township is a township in Wright County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,332 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 39.2 square miles , of which, 36.0 square miles of it is land and... |
Dickinson, Minnesota Dickinson is a ghost town in Wright County, Minnesota, United States.-Location:Dickinson is located at a bend in Minnesota State Highway 55 on the east side of Wright County, between the cities of Rockford and Buffalo.-History:... |
† Located in Wright County, the city extends into neighboring counties as well.
‡ Based in an adjacent county, part of Dayton extends into Wright County.