Area 1,368 km² | Website www.bigstonecounty.org Population 5,122 (2013) Unemployment rate 4.3% (Apr 2015) | |
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Founded February 20, 1862 (created)1874 (organized) Rivers Minnesota River, Little Minnesota River, Stony Run, West Branch Twelvemile Creek, Whetstone River, Fish Creek | ||
Big Stone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,269. Its county seat is Ortonville.
Contents
- Map of Big Stone County MN USA
- History
- Geography
- Lakes
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
- Climate and weather
- Demographics
- Unincorporated communities
- References
Map of Big Stone County, MN, USA
History
The county was formed in 1862 and organized in 1874.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (5.5%) is water.
Lakes
Source: United States Census Bureau 2007 TIGER/Line Shapefiles
Major highways
Adjacent counties
National protected area
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Ortonville have ranged from a low of 1 °F (−17 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −44 °F (−42 °C) was recorded in February 1994 and a record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1966. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.43 inches (11 mm) in December to 3.85 inches (98 mm) in July.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,820 people, 2,377 households, and 1,611 families residing in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 3,171 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.7% were of German, 21.0% Norwegian, 8.0% Swedish and 6.3% Irish ancestry.
There were 2,377 households out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 5.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 21.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,721, and the median income for a family was $37,354. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $20,123 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,708. About 7.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.50% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.