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Washington County, Minnesota

Coordinates: UScensus1990 45°02′N 92°53′W / 45.04°N 92.89°W / 45.04; -92.89
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Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°02′N 92°53′W / 45.04°N 92.89°W / 45.04; -92.89
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedOctober 27, 1849[1]
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatStillwater
Largest cityWoodbury
Area
 • Total423 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land384 sq mi (990 km2)
 • Water38 sq mi (100 km2)  9.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total267,568
 • Estimate 
(2023)
278,936 Increase
 • Density630/sq mi (240/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 4th, 6th
Websitewww.co.washington.mn.us

Washington County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 267,568,[2] making it the fifth-most populous county in Minnesota. Its county seat is Stillwater.[3] The largest city in the county is Woodbury, the eighth-largest city in Minnesota and the fourth-largest Twin Cities suburb. Washington County is included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The forested St. Croix River valley, looking south towards Afton

History

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Early development in the area was on the St. Croix River, which now forms the boundary with Wisconsin on the county's eastern side. The river provided a waterway to move settlers upstream and to transport logs downstream. The heavily forested area fostered an early logging and lumber economy. The area's first settlers arrived at the future Afton in 1837. In 1838 settlers started Dacotah, at the north edge of present Stillwater, at the junction of Brown's Creek and the St. Croix.[4] The creek's name is from the founder of this settlement, Joseph Renshaw Brown. However, a sawmill was built at Marine-on-St.-Croix in 1839,[5] and another was built in the current location of downtown Stillwater in 1844. The success of these soon attracted the settlers from Dacotah, and that community declined.

This area was part of Wisconsin Territory until the eastern part of that territory achieved statehood in 1848. Brown and other leaders called a meeting (the "Stillwater Convention") on August 26, 1848. The convention drafted a Memorial to Congress that a new territory be created with the name “Minnesota,” and elected Henry Hastings Sibley to deliver this citizens' petition to the U.S. Congress. Because of this convention, Stillwater calls itself the “Birthplace of Minnesota.” Congress responded by creating Minnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849.

The newly established territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October 1849.[6] Washington County was one of the nine, named for George Washington,[7] with Stillwater named as county seat. The county's first sheriff was appointed in 1849,[8] and the county's school district began in 1850.[9]

After the forests were depleted, the economy of Washington County became primarily agricultural. With the growth of neighboring Ramsey County and St. Paul, some of Washington County developed based on tourism and recreation, as with Mahtomedi and Landfall. Late in the 20th century, the population greatly increased with the suburban expansion of St. Paul.

Geography

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Soils of Washington County[10]

Washington County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its east border abuts the west border of the state of Wisconsin (across the St. Croix River). The Mississippi River flows south-southeastward west of Washington County, and forms the southwest border of the county as it flows toward its confluence with the St. Croix (at the county's southernmost point).[11] Washington County terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the south and east, with its highest point on the lower west border at 1,053 ft (321 m) ASL.[12] The county has a total area of 423 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 384 square miles (990 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (9.1%) is water.[13] It is the fourth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fifth-smallest by total area.

Major highways

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Airports

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas[11]

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18501,056—
18606,123479.8%
187011,80992.9%
188019,56365.7%
189025,99232.9%
190027,8087.0%
191026,013−6.5%
192023,761−8.7%
193024,7534.2%
194026,4306.8%
195034,54430.7%
196052,43251.8%
197083,00358.3%
1980113,57136.8%
1990145,89628.5%
2000201,13037.9%
2010238,13618.4%
2020267,56812.4%
2023 (est.)278,936[16]4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2020[2]

2020 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Washington County, from ACS 5-year estimates
Washington County, Minnesota - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[21] Pop 2020[22] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 204,111 208,277 85.71% 77.84%
Black or African American alone (NH) 8,376 13,799 3.52% 5.16%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 973 999 0.41% 0.37%
Asian alone (NH) 12,023 18,530 5.05% 6.93%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 72 72 0.03% 0.03%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 214 969 0.09% 0.36%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 4,240 11,828 1.78% 4.42%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8,127 13,094 3.41% 4.89%
Total 238,136 267,568 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010 census

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The ethnic makeup of the country, according to the 2010 census, was the following:

As of the census of 2010, there were 238,136 people, 87,446 households, and 64,299 families in the county. The population density was 620 per square mile (240/km2). There were 87,446 housing units at an average density of 228 per square mile (88/km2). 39.4% were of German, 14.4% Irish, 13.0% Norwegian, and 9.9% Swedish ancestry. There were 87,446 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.

The county population contained 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.02 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.03 males. The median income for a household in the county was $79,735, and the median income for a family was $92,497. The per capita income for the county was $36,786. About 5.2% of the population was below the poverty line.

According to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey, of the county's population 25 years and over, 1.4% had less than 9th grade education, 2.8% held 9th to 12th grade with no diploma, 23.6% had High school graduate or equivalent, 22.2% held Some college with no degree, 27.0% had bachelor's degree, and 13.0% earned Graduate or professional degree.

2000

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As of the census of 2000, there were 201,130 people, 71,462 households, and 54,668 families in the county. The population density was 524 per square mile (202/km2). There were 73,635 housing units at an average density of 192 per square mile (74/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.63% White, 1.83% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races.

There were 71,462 households, out of which 41.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.19.

The county population contained 29.40% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $66,305, and the median income for a family was $74,576 (these figures had risen to $78,067 and $90,867 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,815 versus $33,804 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,148. About 2.00% of families and 2.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.50% of those under age 18 and 4.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics and government

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The Washington County Government Center in Stillwater

Washington County voters slightly tend to vote Democratic. In 63% of national elections since 1948, the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020). It has voted for the national winner in every election from 1992 to 2012.

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Minnesota[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 73,764 44.23% 89,165 53.46% 3,857 2.31%
2016 64,428 44.67% 67,086 46.51% 12,721 8.82%
2012 69,137 48.64% 70,203 49.39% 2,793 1.97%
2008 64,334 46.94% 70,277 51.27% 2,448 1.79%
2004 65,751 51.19% 61,395 47.80% 1,303 1.01%
2000 51,502 48.13% 49,637 46.39% 5,870 5.49%
1996 31,219 35.45% 45,119 51.24% 11,719 13.31%
1992 26,568 31.07% 35,820 41.90% 23,111 27.03%
1988 30,850 46.45% 34,952 52.63% 613 0.92%
1984 29,046 50.13% 28,527 49.23% 369 0.64%
1980 22,718 41.38% 25,634 46.69% 6,550 11.93%
1976 20,716 42.64% 26,454 54.45% 1,413 2.91%
1972 19,142 53.03% 16,102 44.61% 854 2.37%
1968 10,921 37.72% 16,449 56.81% 1,584 5.47%
1964 8,850 32.75% 18,108 67.01% 64 0.24%
1960 11,202 48.42% 11,870 51.31% 61 0.26%
1956 9,562 56.06% 7,462 43.75% 32 0.19%
1952 9,408 54.57% 7,768 45.06% 64 0.37%
1948 5,686 40.70% 8,039 57.54% 245 1.75%
1944 6,014 51.49% 5,599 47.94% 66 0.57%
1940 6,710 51.41% 6,288 48.18% 54 0.41%
1936 3,863 32.99% 6,768 57.80% 1,079 9.21%
1932 3,996 37.50% 6,413 60.18% 247 2.32%
1928 6,113 59.06% 4,158 40.17% 80 0.77%
1924 4,482 52.40% 699 8.17% 3,372 39.42%
1920 5,852 74.84% 1,558 19.93% 409 5.23%
1916 2,167 53.55% 1,610 39.78% 270 6.67%
1912 581 13.76% 1,289 30.52% 2,353 55.72%
1908 2,727 68.50% 1,120 28.13% 134 3.37%
1904 2,913 79.94% 652 17.89% 79 2.17%
1900 2,984 68.49% 1,279 29.36% 94 2.16%
1896 3,995 70.51% 1,558 27.50% 113 1.99%
1892 2,451 53.31% 1,733 37.69% 414 9.00%

Like all counties in Minnesota, Washington is governed by an elected and nonpartisan board of commissioners. Each commissioner represents a district of approximately equal population.

Washington County is divided among three congressional districts. Northern Washington County is represented by Minnesota's 6th congressional district (CPVI R+12), central Washington County by Minnesota's 4th congressional district (CPVI D+14), and southern Washington County by Minnesota's 2nd congressional district (CPVI EVEN).

Economy

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Largest employers

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According to the county's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[24] the top employers in the county are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Andersen Corporation (Bayport) 4,939
2 Independent School District 833 2,594
3 Woodwinds Healtheast Campus 1,331
4 Washington County Government 1,324
5 Walmart 1,274
6 Hy-Vee Grocery 1,250
7 Independent School District 834 1,136
8 Independent School District 831 1,074
9 Target Corporation 959
10 Bailey Nurseries, Inc 800

Points of interest

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Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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Superfund sites and environmental damage

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Washington County has had three locations listed as Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites due to soil and groundwater contamination. The Baytown Township Ground Water Plume and the Oakdale Dump are currently listed, while the Washington County Landfill was cleaned up and removed from the Superfund list in 1996.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ History of Stillwater at the Washington County Historical Society
  5. ^ History of Marine-on-St.-Croix at the Washington County Historical Society [1]
  6. ^ "Minnesota Government Series, State Counties". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved March 18, 2008..
  7. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 568.
  8. ^ Washington County Sheriff's Office History Archived February 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Washington County Historical Society - Schools of the Past
  10. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 61 - 64. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  11. ^ a b Washington County MN Google Maps (accessed April 22, 2019)
  12. ^ "Find an Altitude/Washington County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 22, 2019)
  13. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  14. ^ AirNav: Forest Lake Airport MN (accessed April 22, 2019)
  15. ^ Washington County, MN-Parks and Trails Archived February 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  21. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  24. ^ Washington County ACFR (2021)
[edit]

UScensus1990 45°02′N 92°53′W / 45.04°N 92.89°W / 45.04; -92.89

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