Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota

Lac qui Parle County (/ˌlæk ki ˈpɑːrl/ LAK kee PARL)[2] is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,719.[3] Its county seat is Madison.[4] The largest city in the county is Dawson.

Lac qui Parle County
County
Lac qui Parle County Courthouse
Lac qui Parle County Courthouse
Image: 200 pixels
Logo
Map of Minnesota highlighting Lac qui Parle 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°00′N 96°11′W
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMarch 6, 1871[1]
Named for"Lake that speaks" French
SeatMadison
Largest cityDawson
Area
 • Total778 sq mi (2,020 km2)
 • Land765 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,719
 • Estimate 
(2022)
6,689 Decrease
 • Density8.8/sq mi (3.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitelqpco.com

History

The name of the county is French for "Lake who speaks."

In 1862 the Minnesota legislature authorized creation of a county to be called Lac qui Parle on an area north of the Minnesota River. However, that initiative was not approved by the local voters affected, so the proposed county did not come into existence. Nine years later (March 6, 1871) the legislature authorized creation of the present Lac qui Parle County, south of the Minnesota River, and it was approved by local voters. The county seat was established at Lac qui Parle village.

In 1884 a settlement was platted at the railway stop in Madison Township (named for Madison, Wisconsin). The settlement, also named Madison, was incorporated in 1885, and in 1889 the county government was moved from Lac qui Parle village to this new town, which incorporated as a city in 1902.[5]

In 1886, a county-wide election chose Madison as the county seat. 150 men and 40 teams of horses rode to Lac qui Parle village, where the town hall was at the time, and dragged the building to Madison.[6]

A new county courthouse was built in Madison in 1899, and in 1903 the Madison City Hall was completed. A total of four fires swept the city's main area during the early years of the twentieth century, resulting in most wood structures in the area being replaced with brick buildings.[7]

A March 2011 study by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranked this as Minnesota's healthiest county.[8][9]

The county reached its peak population of 15,554 in 1920. However, the county seat continued its population growth until 1960, when 2,380 residents were counted.[7]

Geography

Lac qui Parle County is on the west side of Minnesota. Its west border abuts the east border of the state of South Dakota. The Minnesota River flows southeastward along the county's NE border, creating Marsh Lake and Lac qui Parle Reservoir[10] The Minnesota River flow is augmented by Yellow Bank River near the county's north corner, and by Lac qui Parle River near the county's east border. The south fork of the Yellow Bank flows northward through the west portion of the county, and meets the north fork of the Yellow Bank in the north end of the county; the combined flow discharges into the Minnesota at the county's NE border. The Lac qui Parle flows eastward through the lower portion of the county, discharging into the Minnesota near the community of Lac qui Parle.

The county terrain consists of rolling hills, knolls and short bluffs near the west end, running to a steep bluff overlooking the Minnesota River valley on its east border. The area is largely devoted to agriculture.[11] The terrain slopes to the north and east, with its highest point near its SW corner, at 1,404 ft (428 m) ASL.[12] The county has a total area of 778 square miles (2,020 km2), of which 765 square miles (1,980 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (1.7%) is water.[13]

The county's northern boundary is defined by the Minnesota River. Two tributaries, the Lac qui Parle River and the Yellow Bank River, flow through the county to discharge into the Minnesota.[14]

Salt Lake is found the county's western border. The lake is the only alkaline lake in Minnesota.[15] Salt Lake is a popular bird watching location[16] because it is home to 145 species of birds that are not found other places in the area. Rare plants and insects have also been known to inhabit the region.[17]

Soils of Lac Qui Parle County[18]

Lakes
  • Bolland Slough
  • Case Lake
  • Flinks Slough (part)
  • Kibler Lake
  • Lac qui Parle (adjacent to county)
  • Marsh Lake (adjacent to county)
  • Mud Lake
  • Pegg Lake
  • Salt Lake (part)
  • Swanson Lake[11]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas
  • Acton Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
  • Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (part)
  • Borchardt-Rosin State Wildlife Management Area
  • Church State Wildlife Management Area
  • De Vorak State Wildlife Management Area
  • Flinks State Wildlife Management Area
  • Haydenville State Wildlife Management Area
  • Kemen State Wildlife Management Area
  • Kibler Scientific and Natural Area
  • Lac qui Parle State Park
  • Medicine Pipe State Wildlife Management Area
  • Plantation State Wildlife Management Area
  • Providence State Wildlife Management Area
  • Sweetwater State Wildlife Management Area
  • Wild Wings Baxter State Wildlife Management Area
  • Yellow Bank Hills Scientific and Natural Area[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870145—
18804,8913,273.1%
189010,382112.3%
190014,28937.6%
191015,4358.0%
192015,5540.8%
193015,398−1.0%
194015,5090.7%
195014,545−6.2%
196013,330−8.4%
197011,164−16.2%
198010,592−5.1%
19908,924−15.7%
20008,067−9.6%
20107,259−10.0%
20206,719−7.4%
2022 (est.)6,689[19]−0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790-1960[21] 1900-1990[22]
1990-2000[23] 2010-2020[3]

2020 Census
Lac qui Parle County Racial Composition[24]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 6,244 93%
Black or African American (NH) 32 0.47%
Native American (NH) 10 0.14%
Asian (NH) 40 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 191 2.84%
Hispanic or Latino 202 3%

2000 census
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,067 people, 3,316 households, and 2,225 families in the county. The population density was 10.5 per square mile (4.1/km2). There were 3,774 housing units at an average density of 4.93 per square mile (1.90/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.85% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.38% from two or more races. 0.26% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 44.6% were of Norwegian and 35.2% German ancestry.

There were 3,316 households, out of which 27.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples living together, 4.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

The county population contained 24.50% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 23.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,626, and the median income for a family was $41,556. Males had a median income of $27,939 versus $19,681 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,399. About 5.60% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Law and government

Commissioners
District Commissioner In office
since		 Current term
expires on January 1
1stTodd Patzer20052025
2ndDeRon Brehmer20112023
3rdJohn Maatz20172025
4thBen Bothun20192023
5thStacey Tufto20212025

Key staff

Lac qui Parle County's normal operations are coordinated by the County Administrator Jake Sieg along with County Department Heads.

Law enforcement

The current Sheriff of Lac qui Parle County is Allen Anderson, who became sheriff in 2017 upon the resignation of former Sheriff Lou Sager. Anderson won the 2018 election. The City of Dawson Chief of Police is Andrew Stock.

Politics

Lac qui Parle County voters have generally voted Democratic over the past several decades. In 64% of national elections since 1980 and through 2012, the county supported the Democratic candidate. More recently, the county has shifted towards the Republican Party, backing Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections with 59% and 63% of the vote, respectively.

United States presidential election results for Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota[25][26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,528 62.57% 1,446 35.79% 66 1.63%
2016 2,293 59.40% 1,305 33.81% 262 6.79%
2012 1,938 48.64% 1,974 49.55% 72 1.81%
2008 1,912 45.61% 2,160 51.53% 120 2.86%
2004 2,093 46.09% 2,390 52.63% 58 1.28%
2000 1,941 43.59% 2,244 50.39% 268 6.02%
1996 1,447 32.41% 2,420 54.20% 598 13.39%
1992 1,435 28.88% 2,342 47.14% 1,191 23.97%
1988 2,116 42.46% 2,805 56.29% 62 1.24%
1984 2,731 49.68% 2,685 48.84% 81 1.47%
1980 2,981 50.50% 2,457 41.62% 465 7.88%
1976 2,292 37.79% 3,647 60.13% 126 2.08%
1972 2,773 48.43% 2,845 49.69% 108 1.89%
1968 2,672 45.85% 2,937 50.39% 219 3.76%
1964 2,236 36.18% 3,934 63.66% 10 0.16%
1960 3,185 49.39% 3,253 50.44% 11 0.17%
1956 3,276 53.63% 2,826 46.27% 6 0.10%
1952 3,924 58.52% 2,753 41.06% 28 0.42%
1948 2,330 38.20% 3,690 60.49% 80 1.31%
1944 3,104 52.61% 2,779 47.10% 17 0.29%
1940 3,789 54.73% 3,106 44.86% 28 0.40%
1936 2,066 34.46% 3,243 54.09% 687 11.46%
1932 1,911 31.85% 3,992 66.53% 97 1.62%
1928 3,406 59.65% 2,245 39.32% 59 1.03%
1924 2,860 52.26% 106 1.94% 2,507 45.81%
1920 4,219 82.29% 653 12.74% 255 4.97%
1916 1,614 56.30% 1,047 36.52% 206 7.19%
1912 343 13.51% 608 23.96% 1,587 62.53%
1908 1,894 69.17% 661 24.14% 183 6.68%
1904 1,886 83.27% 243 10.73% 136 6.00%
1900 1,924 71.47% 642 23.85% 126 4.68%
1896 1,620 61.34% 932 35.29% 89 3.37%
1892 1,164 52.31% 457 20.54% 604 27.15%
1888 1,298 67.39% 540 28.04% 88 4.57%
1884 966 81.45% 220 18.55% 0 0.00%
1880 878 94.92% 47 5.08% 0 0.00%
1876 351 94.35% 20 5.38% 1 0.27%
1872 236 97.12% 7 2.88% 0 0.00%

See also

References
  1. "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  2. "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Warren Upham (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. pp. 288–290.
  6. "Lac Qui Parle County Courthouse - Minnesota Valley History Learning Center". sites.google.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  7. Madison (city) website (accessed March 18, 2019)
  8. Wobbema, Taryn (March 29, 2011). "How healthy are Minnesotans? It varies, report says". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  9. "Rankings". County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  10. The reservoir was created by damming the Minnesota River in 1939. The dam was rebuilt in 1996.
  11. Lac Qui Parle County MN Google Maps (accessed March 18, 2019)
  12. ""Find an Altitude/Lac qui Parle County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 18, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  13. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  14. Minnesota Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth ME: DeLorme. 1994. pp. 36–37. ISBN 0-89933-222-6.
  15. Ross, Carly (August 11, 2022). "Rare Minnesota Lake is the Only Saltwater Lake in the State". 106.9 KROC. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. "Salt Lake WMA". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  17. "Marietta's Salt Lake Is A Paradise For Birds And Bird Watchers - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. May 5, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  18. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 69-70. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  19. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  20. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  21. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  22. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  23. "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 21, 2014.
  24. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota".
  25. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  26. https://www.sos.state.mn.us/media/4364/mn-2020-state-general-canvassing-report-post-per.pdf
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