Grant County, Minnesota


Grant County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,074. Its county seat is Elbow Lake.
WWW co.grant.mn.us

History

The county was created on March 6, 1868. It was named for Civil War General and US President Ulysses S. Grant. Its government was organized in 1874.

Geography

The Chippewa River flows generally southward through the eastern part of Grant County. The Mustinka River flows south and then west-southwest through the upper and central parts of western Grant County. The terrain consists of low rolling hills dotted with lakes, its usable areas devoted to agriculture. The terrain generally slopes to the south and east; its highest point is on its upper eastern border, at ASL. The county has an area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Source:
  • Alvstad State Wildlife Management Area
  • Berksow State Wildlife Management Area
  • Chippewa State Wildlife Management Area
  • Helsene State Wildlife Management Area
  • Isaacson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Kube-Swift State Wildlife Management Area
  • Malsville State Wildlife Management Area
  • Marple State Wildlife Management Area
  • Mustinka State Wildlife Management Area
  • Storm-Bordson State Wildlife Management Area
  • Wilts State Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,074. The median age was 43.7 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.5 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 94.2% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 2,540 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.9% were married-couple households, 19.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,155 housing units, of which 19.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.6% were owner-occupied and 20.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,289 people, 2,534 households, and 1,740 families in the county. The population density was. There were 3,098 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 98.28% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 41.2% were of Norwegian, 30.0% German and 7.4% Swedish ancestry.
There were 2,534 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.
The county population contained 23.90% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 23.10% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 22.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,775, and the median income for a family was $42,214. Males had a median income of $28,428 versus $20,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,131. About 6.00% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Government and politics

Grant County is a swing district that has leaned Republican in recent elections. As of 2024, the county has selected the Republican presidential candidate in 67% of national elections from 1980 inclusive.