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Goodhue County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°25′N 92°43′W / 44.41°N 92.72°W / 44.41; -92.72
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"Larson Lake" redirects here. Not to be confused with Larsen Lake.

Goodhue County
County
Goodhue County Courthouse in Red Wing, Minnesota
Goodhue County Courthouse in Red Wing, Minnesota
Flag of Goodhue County
Flag
Official seal of Goodhue County
Seal
Official logo of Goodhue County
Logo
Map of Minnesota highlighting Goodhue County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°25′N 92°43′W / 44.41°N 92.72°W / 44.41; -92.72
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMarch 5, 1853
Named forJames M. Goodhue
SeatRed Wing
Largest cityRed Wing
Area
 • Total780 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land757 sq mi (1,960 km2)
 • Water24 sq mi (60 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total47,582
 • Estimate 
(2023)
48,035 Increase
 • Density62.9/sq mi (24.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.goodhue.mn.us

Goodhue County (/ˈɡʊdhjuː/ GUUD-hew)[1] is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 47,582.[2] Its county seat is Red Wing.[3] Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community is within the county.

Goodhue County comprises the Red Wing, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI Combined Statistical Area.

History

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The county was created on March 5, 1853, with territory partitioned from Wabasha County. It was named for James Madison Goodhue (1810–1852), who published the first newspaper in the territory, The Minnesota Pioneer.[4][5]

The county was originally settled exclusively by "Yankee" settlers, meaning that they both came to Goodhue County either directly from the six New England states or from upstate New York, where they were born to parents who had moved to that region from the six New England states in the immediate aftermath of the American Revolution, and that they were descended from the English Puritans who emigrated to North America during the early 1600s. Because of the prevalence of New Englanders and New England transplants from upstate New York the county was said to have a "distinctly New England character". While this was true of many neighboring counties it was considered exceptionally true of Goodhue County. The New Englanders brought with them many of their New England values, including a love of education and fervent support of the abolitionist movement.[6] When the New Englanders arrived, they laid out farms, established post routes, and built schools and government buildings out of locally available materials.[7] The New Englanders and their descendants made up the great majority of Goodhue County's inhabitants until the late 19th and early 20th century, when immigrants from Germany and Norway began arriving in the Minnesota-Wisconsin border region in large numbers. There were small numbers of immigrants from Germany, Norway and Sweden during the first several decades of Goodhue County's history as well.[8]

Hamline University, Minnesota's first college of higher learning, was started in Red Wing in 1854. It closed during the Civil War, and reopened in 1869 in Saint Paul.

The county was a leading producer of wheat during the mid-19th century, and for several years the county boasted the highest wheat production in the country. Fires at two of Red Wing's mills in the 1880s and developing railroad routes across Minnesota encouraged farmers from neighboring counties to begin sending their wheat to Minneapolis mills, reducing the county's importance in the wheat trade around the start of the 20th century.

The first municipal swimming pool in the state was built in Goodhue County.

In October 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the county for a bridge dedication ceremony. The Hiawatha Bridge had been built to replace the Old High Bridge that spanned the Mississippi River since 1895. This visit drew 20,000 people. Eisenhower hoped his visit would help in the elections, swaying Minnesota voters to vote for Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential election in the coming month. But John F. Kennedy carried the state on his way to being elected the next president.

Soils of Goodhue County[9]
Soils of Warsaw WMA area

Geography

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Rural Goodhue County from U.S. Route 61/63

Goodhue County lies on Minnesota's border with Wisconsin (across Lake Pepin). The Cannon River flows eastward through the northern part of the county on its way to discharge into Lake Pepin. The Little Cannon River flows northward through the west-central part of the county, discharging into the Cannon River at Cannon Falls. The North Fork of the Zumbro River flows eastward through the lower part of the county. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, etched with drainages and gullies, and with high bluffs against the river valleys.[10] The terrain slopes to the east and north; its highest point is near its southwest corner at 1,260 ft (380 m) ASL.[11] The county has an area of 780 square miles (2,000 km2), of which 757 square miles (1,960 km2) is land and 24 square miles (62 km2) (3.0%) is water.[12] Goodhue is one of 17 Minnesota counties with more savanna soils than either prairie or forest soils.

Lakes

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Source:[10]

  • Birch Lake
  • Brewer Lake
  • Cannon Lake
  • Clear Lake
  • Devils Lake
  • Espen Lakes
  • Goose Lake
  • Lake Byllesby
  • Larson Lake
  • Nelson Lake
  • North Lake
  • Rattling Springs Lake
  • Spring Banks Lake
  • Spring Creek Lake
  • Sturgeon Lake
  • Twin Lakes

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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Source:[10]

  • Cannon River Turtle Preserve Scientific and Natural Area
  • Frontenac State Park
  • Miesville Ravine Park Reserve (part)
  • North Fork Zumbro Woods Scientific and Natural Area
  • Spring Creek Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Woodbury State Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18608,977—
187022,018145.3%
188029,65134.7%
189028,806−2.8%
190031,1378.1%
191031,6371.6%
192030,799−2.6%
193031,3171.7%
194031,5640.8%
195032,1181.8%
196033,0352.9%
197034,8045.4%
198038,74911.3%
199040,6905.0%
200044,1278.4%
201046,1834.7%
202047,5823.0%
2023 (est.)48,035[13]1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2020[2]

2020 Census

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Goodhue County Racial Composition[18]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 42,516 89.4%
Black or African American (NH) 661 1.4%
Native American (NH) 540 1.13%
Asian (NH) 348 0.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 33 0.07%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,687 3.6%
Hispanic or Latino 1,797 3.8%

2000 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Goodhue County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the census of 2000, there were 44,127 people, 16,983 households, and 11,905 families in the county. The population density was 58.3 per square mile (22.5/km2). There were 17,879 housing units at an average density of 23.6 per square mile (9.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.57% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,983 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 26.50% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,972, and the median income for a family was $55,689. Males had a median income of $36,282 versus $25,442 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,934. About 3.70% of families and 5.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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Government and politics

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Goodhue County usually leans Republican. It has selected the Republican nominee in all but two presidential elections since 1964, during both of Bill Clinton's successful runs in 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Goodhue County, Minnesota[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 16,052 56.06% 11,806 41.23% 778 2.72%
2016 14,041 54.60% 9,446 36.73% 2,230 8.67%
2012 12,986 50.33% 12,212 47.33% 603 2.34%
2008 12,775 49.53% 12,420 48.15% 600 2.33%
2004 13,134 51.29% 12,103 47.26% 371 1.45%
2000 10,852 48.76% 9,981 44.84% 1,424 6.40%
1996 7,293 35.89% 9,931 48.88% 3,094 15.23%
1992 7,321 34.45% 7,916 37.25% 6,013 28.30%
1988 9,455 49.50% 9,438 49.41% 209 1.09%
1984 11,171 55.92% 8,679 43.44% 128 0.64%
1980 9,329 46.07% 8,566 42.31% 2,353 11.62%
1976 9,967 51.59% 8,926 46.20% 428 2.22%
1972 11,107 63.00% 6,147 34.86% 377 2.14%
1968 8,283 51.89% 7,220 45.23% 461 2.89%
1964 6,539 41.95% 9,035 57.96% 15 0.10%
1960 10,473 65.16% 5,562 34.60% 38 0.24%
1956 9,365 65.25% 4,969 34.62% 19 0.13%
1952 10,422 67.26% 5,037 32.51% 35 0.23%
1948 6,704 47.14% 7,313 51.42% 205 1.44%
1944 7,820 57.17% 5,791 42.33% 68 0.50%
1940 9,095 58.09% 6,475 41.36% 86 0.55%
1936 5,682 39.57% 8,257 57.50% 422 2.94%
1932 5,486 41.22% 7,450 55.97% 374 2.81%
1928 9,752 72.93% 3,520 26.32% 100 0.75%
1924 6,849 59.05% 615 5.30% 4,135 35.65%
1920 9,330 85.07% 1,118 10.19% 520 4.74%
1916 3,471 61.39% 1,875 33.16% 308 5.45%
1912 1,051 18.31% 1,405 24.48% 3,283 57.21%
1908 4,482 74.89% 1,147 19.16% 356 5.95%
1904 4,562 83.43% 735 13.44% 171 3.13%
1900 4,894 78.54% 1,125 18.05% 212 3.40%
1896 5,748 77.87% 1,426 19.32% 208 2.82%
1892 3,574 61.60% 1,659 28.59% 569 9.81%
County Board of Commissioners[20]
Position Name District Next Election
Commissioner Linda Flanders District 1 2024
Commissioner Brad Anderson District 2 2026
Commissioner Todd Greseth District 3 2024
Commissioner Jason Majerus District 4 2026
Commissioner Susan Betcher District 5 2024
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
Senate Mike Goggin[21] Republican District 21
Senate Matt Little[22] Democrat District 58
House of Representatives Barb Haley[23] Republican District 21A
House of Representatives Steve Drazkowski[24] Republican District 21B
House of Representatives Pat Garofalo[25] Republican District 58B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
House of Representatives Brad Finstad Republican 1st
Senate Amy Klobuchar[26] Democrat N/A
Senate Tina Smith[27] Democrat N/A

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Minnesota Geographic Names, Warren Upham (1920). "Goodhue was a man of very forcible character and of high moral principles . . " (accessed March 9, 2019)
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 139.
  6. ^ History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, pp. 9, 71, 108, 138-140, 155, 163, 213, 254, 259-261
  7. ^ History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge pp.. 97, 202, 271
  8. ^ History of Goodhue County, Minnesota By Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge pp. 340-354, 365-383
  9. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota:Self. pp. 43-48. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2
  10. ^ a b c Goodhue County MN Google Maps (accessed March 9, 2019)
  11. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Goodhue County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 9, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  17. ^ "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 15, 2014.
  18. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Goodhue County, Minnesota".
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  20. ^ "County Board | Goodhue County, MN - Official Website". co.goodhue.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  22. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  23. ^ "Rep. Barb Haley (21A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  24. ^ "Rep. Steve Drazkowski (21B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  25. ^ "Rep. Pat Garofalo (58B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  26. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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44°25′N 92°43′W / 44.41°N 92.72°W / 44.41; -92.72

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