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{{Short description|county in Minnesota, USA}}
{{short description|County in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Olmsted County
| county = Olmsted County
| state = Minnesota
| state = Minnesota
| founded date = February 20
| founded date = February 20
| founded year = 1855
| founded year = 1855
| seat wl = Rochester
| seat wl = Rochester
| largest city = Rochester
| largest city = Rochester
| area_total_sq_mi = 655
| area_total_sq_mi = 655
| area_land_sq_mi = 653
| area_land_sq_mi = 653
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.5
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.5
| area percentage = 0.2%
| area percentage = 0.2%
| population_as_of = 2010
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 144248
| population_total = 162847
| pop_est_as_of = 2019
| pop_est_as_of = 2023
| population_est = 158293
| population_est = 164784 {{increase}}
| density_sq_mi = 239
| density_sq_mi = 249
| time zone = Central
| time zone = Central
| web = https://www.olmstedcounty.gov
| web = https://www.olmstedcounty.gov
| named for = [[David Olmsted]]
| named for = [[David Olmsted]]
| ex image = OlmstedGovtCenter.JPG
| ex image = OlmstedGovtCenter.JPG
| ex image cap = Olmsted County Government Center (pre-expansion)
| ex image cap = Olmsted County Government Center (pre-expansion)
| district = 1st
| district = 1st
}}
}}


'''Olmsted County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 144,248,<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27/27109.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 1, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607011309/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27/27109.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> and has an estimated population of 158,293 as of 2019. Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>
'''Olmsted County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Minnesota]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population is 162,847.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/olmstedcountyminnesota/PST045222 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and most populous city is [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>


Olmsted County is part of the [[Rochester, Minnesota metropolitan area|Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area]].
Olmsted County is part of the [[Rochester, Minnesota metropolitan area|Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area]].


==History==
==History==
The [[Wisconsin Territory]] was established by the federal government effective July 3, 1836, and existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as [[Wisconsin]]) in 1848. Therefore, the federal government set up the [[Minnesota Territory]] effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. One of those original counties, [[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha]], had portions partitioned off in 1853 to create [[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]] and [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] counties. Then on February 20, 1855,<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Place Names|url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society|access-date=March 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620201420/http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm|archive-date=June 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> portions of Rice, Wabasha, and Fillmore counties were partitioned off to create the present county, with [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]] (which was also platted that year) as county seat. The county name recognized [[David Olmsted]] (1822-1861),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ShcLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA385#v=onepage&q&f=false Upham, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names (1920), p. 385 (accessed 26 April 2019)]</ref> a member of the first territorial council and the first mayor of St. Paul.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/yourgovernment/Pages/HistoryofOlmstedCounty.aspx|title=History of Olmsted County|website=www.co.olmsted.mn.us|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm|title=Minnesota Government Series, State Counties|access-date=March 18, 2008|work=Minnesota House of Representatives|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920003621/http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm|archive-date=September 20, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[Wisconsin Territory]] was established by the federal government effective July 3, 1836, and existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as [[Wisconsin]]) in 1848. Therefore, the federal government set up the [[Minnesota Territory]] effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. One of those original counties, [[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha]], had portions partitioned off in 1853 to create [[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore]] and [[Rice County, Minnesota|Rice]] counties. Then on February 20, 1855,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Place Names |url=http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620201420/http://mnplaces.mnhs.org/upham/county.cfm |archive-date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2014 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref> portions of Rice, Wabasha, and Fillmore counties were partitioned off to create the present county, with [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]] (which was also platted that year) as county seat. The county name recognized [[David Olmsted]] (1822-1861),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ShcLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA385 Upham, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names (1920), p. 385 (accessed April 26, 2019)]</ref> a member of the first territorial council and the fourth mayor of St. Paul.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Olmsted County |url=http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/yourgovernment/Pages/HistoryofOlmstedCounty.aspx |access-date=October 10, 2018 |website=www.co.olmsted.mn.us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Government Series, State Counties |url=http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920003621/http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2008 |website=Minnesota House of Representatives}}</ref>


The county boundaries have remained unchanged since 1855.
The county boundaries have remained unchanged since 1855.


==Geography==
==Geography==
Olmsted County is a fairly unusual of mix urban and rural areas in that there’s no transition or buffer between the two environments. Rochester, Minnesota’s third largest city of roughly 118,000 people sits in the Zumbro River valley at the center of the county. Outside the valley however, with the exception of a small amount of urban growth in the last few years, remains farmland with small agricultural based communities and no directly adjacent suburbs. Stewartville, the county’s second largest city, is slightly over 1/20th the size at roughly 6,000 people, an unusually large gap for a metropolitan area.
Olmsted County is a fairly unusual mix of urban and rural areas in that there's no transition or buffer between the two environments. Rochester, Minnesota's third largest city of roughly 118,000 people, sits in the Zumbro River valley at the center of the county. Outside the valley however, with the exception of a small amount of urban growth in the last few years, remains farmland with small agricultural based communities and no directly adjacent suburbs. Stewartville, the county's second largest city, is slightly over 1/20th the size at roughly 6,000 people, an unusually large gap for a metropolitan area.


Olmsted County is drained by three rivers, all flowing to the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]]. The [[Zumbro River]] flows northward through the west central part of the county, into [[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha County]]. The [[Whitewater River (Minnesota)|Whitewater]] flows northeast from the northeast part of the county into [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]], and the [[Root River (Minnesota)|Root]] flows east-southeastward through the lower part of the county into [[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore County]]. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched by drainage gullies and marked by occasional buttes. The available area is devoted to agriculture or is developed for other productive uses.<ref name="OCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Olmsted+County,+MN/@44.0145407,-92.5241113,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f9e40e0b6960a7:0x44af8ecf573fb6e7!8m2!3d43.995179!4d-92.3813621 Olmsted County MN Google Maps (accessed April 26, 2019)]</ref> The county terrain slopes to the east and north,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |title="Find an Altitude/Olmsted County MN" Google Maps (accessed 26 April 2019) |access-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and its highest point is a hill 7.5 miles (12&nbsp;km) west of [[Stewartville, Minnesota|Stewartville]], at 1,380' (421m) ASL.<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=22110 Olmsted County High Point - PeakBagger.com (accessed April 26, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|655|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|653|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.5|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=October 24, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060200/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt|archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> [[File:Olmsted Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Olmsted County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 43 - 48. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]] It is one of four counties in Minnesota that does not have any natural [[lake]]s (the other three being [[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]], [[Pipestone County, Minnesota|Pipestone]], and [[Rock County, Minnesota|Rock]]).
Olmsted County is drained by three rivers, all flowing to the [[Mississippi River|Mississippi]]. The [[Zumbro River]] flows northward through the west central part of the county, into [[Wabasha County, Minnesota|Wabasha County]]. The [[Whitewater River (Minnesota)|Whitewater]] flows northeast from the northeast part of the county into [[Winona County, Minnesota|Winona County]], and the [[Root River (Minnesota)|Root]] flows east-southeastward through the lower part of the county into [[Fillmore County, Minnesota|Fillmore County]]. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched by drainage gullies and marked by occasional buttes. The available area is devoted to agriculture or is developed for other productive uses.<ref name="OCM">[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Olmsted+County,+MN/@44.0145407,-92.5241113,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x87f9e40e0b6960a7:0x44af8ecf573fb6e7!8m2!3d43.995179!4d-92.3813621 Olmsted County MN Google Maps (accessed April 26, 2019)]</ref> The county terrain slopes to the east and north,<ref>{{Cite web |title="Find an Altitude/Olmsted County MN" Google Maps (accessed 26 April 2019) |url=https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521043409/https://www.daftlogic.com/sandbox-google-maps-find-altitude.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref> and its highest point is a hill {{convert|7.5|mi|km}} west of [[Stewartville, Minnesota|Stewartville]], at {{convert|1,380|ft|m|abbr=on}} ASL.<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=22110 Olmsted County High Point - PeakBagger.com (accessed April 26, 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|655|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|653|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.5|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060200/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_27.txt |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> [[File:Olmsted Co Pie Chart No Text Version.pdf|thumb|right|Soils of Olmsted County<ref>Nelson, Steven (2011). ''Savanna Soils of Minnesota.'' Minnesota: Self. pp. 43 - 48. {{ISBN|978-0-615-50320-2}}.</ref>]] It is one of four counties in Minnesota that does not have any natural [[lake]]s (the other three being [[Mower County, Minnesota|Mower]], [[Pipestone County, Minnesota|Pipestone]], and [[Rock County, Minnesota|Rock]]).

===Transit===
* [[Jefferson Lines]]
* [[Rochester Public Transit]]


===Major highways===
===Major highways===
Line 108: Line 112:
|2000= 124277
|2000= 124277
|2010= 144248
|2010= 144248
|2020= 162847
|estyear=2019
|estyear=2023
|estimate=158293
|estimate=164784
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name=QF/>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mn190090.txt |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=October 24, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2020,<ref name="2020-census-27109">{{Cite web |title=2020 Decennial Census: Olmsted County, Minnesota |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US27109&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> the population was 162,847. The [[population density]] was {{convert|249.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 69,270 housing units at an average density of {{convert|106.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 77.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.8% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 6.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.5% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 6.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.6% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.


===2000 census===
===2000 census===
[[File:OlmstedCountyMn2022PopPyr.png|thumb|right|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Olmsted County, from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]
{{Stack|[[Image:USA Olmsted County, Minnesota age pyramid.svg|thumb|right|Age pyramid of county residents based on [[2000 United States Census|2000 US census]] data]]}}
As of the [[2000 United States Census]], there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families in the county. The [[population density]] was 190/sqmi (73.5/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 75.7/sqmi (29.2/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the county was 90.33% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 4.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.92% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
As of the [[2000 United States census]], there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|190|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of {{convert|75.7|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.33% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.68% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 4.27% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.92% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.


There were 47,807 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% 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 3.09.
There were 47,807 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% 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 3.09.
Line 126: Line 134:


==Politics==
==Politics==
Olmsted is a historically Republican county. Rapid population growth in Rochester, however, has been turning the county more competitive in the last several decades. In [[2020 United States presidential election in Minnesota|2020]], [[Joe Biden]] secured a nearly 11 point victory in the county, the best of any Democrat since [[Lyndon Johnson]] in [[1964 United States presidential election in Minnesota|1964]].
Olmsted has historically been a Republican-leaning county. However, rapid population growth in Rochester has made it more competitive in recent years. In [[2020 United States presidential election in Minnesota|2020]], [[Joe Biden]] won it by nearly 11 points, the best performance of any Democrat since [[Lyndon Johnson]] in [[1964 United States presidential election in Minnesota|1964]]. Since 2000, Olmsted County has voted for the winning presidential candidate in five of the six elections. The exception is [[2016 United States presidential election in Minnesota|2016]], where national electoral winner [[Donald Trump]] lost Olmsted County by only 0.75% and a slim margin of 600 votes.


Despite recent success by Democrats on a presidential level, state and local Republicans still see greater success in Olmsted County, with [[split ticket]] voting becoming more common locally. Both of the county's seats in the [[Minnesota Senate]] are held by Republicans, as well as two of the four seats in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. Since 1970, Olmsted County has only voted for the DFL candidate for governor twice: in [[1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election|1974]] and [[2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election|2018]]. In 2018, then-Representative [[Tim Walz]] benefitted from high recognition in the district with a reputation at the time of being a moderate politician. Despite Walz winning a majority of the county's vote that election, Republican candidate [[Doug Wardlow]] concurrently won a majority of the votes in Olmsted County in the [[2018 Minnesota Attorney General election]].
Although it has trended Democratic at the presidential level, Olmsted County continues to lean Republican in state and local races, with [[split ticket]] voting becoming more common locally. Two of the county's three seats in the [[Minnesota Senate]] are held by Republicans, as well as two of the five seats in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. Since 1970, Olmsted County has only voted for the DFL candidate for governor thrice: in [[1974 Minnesota gubernatorial election|1974]], [[2018 Minnesota gubernatorial election|2018]] and [[2022 Minnesota gubernatorial election|2022]]. In 2018, then-Representative [[Tim Walz]] benefitted from high recognition in the district with a reputation at the time of being a moderate politician. Despite Walz winning a majority of the county's vote that election, Republican candidate [[Doug Wardlow]] concurrently won the greatest number of votes in Olmsted County in the [[2018 Minnesota Attorney General election]].

{{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff|title=Presidential election results}}
===US House of Representatives===
{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="thumb:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|-
! Name
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2020 United States presidential election in Minnesota|2020]]'''
! Congressional District
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.4% ''39,692''
! Assumed office
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''54.2%''' ''49,491''
!Party
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.4% ''2,202''
|-
|-
| [[Brad Finstad]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election in Minnesota|2016]]'''
| [[Minnesota's 1st Congressional District|1st District]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.5% ''35,668''
| 2022
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''45.3%''' ''36,268''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|10.2% ''8,193''
|-
|-
|}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''

| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.0% ''36,832''
===Minnesota Senate===
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.2%''' ''39,338''
{| class="wikitable"
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.7% ''2,146''
|-
|-
! Name
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
! District
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.3% ''36,202''
! Assumed office
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.6%''' ''38,711''
!Party
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.0% ''1,557''
|-
|-
| [[Steve Drazkowski]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
| District 20
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.2%''' ''37,371''
| 2023
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.5% ''33,285''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.3% ''919''
|-
|-
| [[Carla Nelson]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
| District 24
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.6%''' ''30,641''
| 2011
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.5% ''25,822''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.9% ''2,929''
|-
|-
| [[Liz Boldon]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]'''
| District 25
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''43.9%''' ''22,860''
| 2023
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.9% ''22,857''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|12.2% ''6,327''
|-
|-
|}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]'''

| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''41.3%''' ''23,404''
===Minnesota House of Representatives===
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.6% ''19,039''
{| class="wikitable"
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|25.1% ''14,219''
|-
|-
! Name
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]'''
! District
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.3%''' ''27,683''
! Assumed office
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.9% ''19,423''
!Party
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.8% ''398''
|-
|-
| [[Steven Jacob|Steve Jacob]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]'''
| District 20A
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.8%''' ''28,129''
| 2023
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.4% ''16,335''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.8% ''359''
|-
|-
| [[Duane Quam]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]'''
| District 24A
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.5%''' ''22,704''
| 2011
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.2% ''13,983''
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|10.3% ''4,224''
|-
|-
| [[Tina Liebling]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]'''
| District 24B
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.7%''' ''24,030''
| 2005
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37.0% ''14,676''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.3% ''911''
|-
|-
| [[Kim Hicks]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]'''
| District 25A
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''69.0%''' ''23,806''
| 2023
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|28.4% ''9,817''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.6% ''898''
|-
|-
| [[Andy Smith (Minnesota politician)|Andy Smith]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]'''
| District 25B
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.3%''' ''17,292''
| 2023
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.1% ''13,417''
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.6% ''1,131''
|-
|-
|}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]'''

| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.9% ''12,699''
{{PresHead|place=Olmsted County, Minnesota|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=October 10, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 1,467 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 112 votes, [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 93 votes, and [[Socialist Labor Party of America|Socialist Labor]] candidate [[Arthur Reimer]] received 19 votes.</ref>}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.9%''' ''16,195''
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|39,692|49,491|2,202|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.2% ''56''
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|35,668|36,268|8,193|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|36,832|39,338|2,146|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]'''
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|36,202|38,711|1,557|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''59.4%''' ''16,080''
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|37,371|33,285|919|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.3% ''10,918''
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|30,641|25,822|2,929|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''67''
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|22,860|22,857|6,327|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|23,404|19,039|14,219|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]'''
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|27,683|19,423|398|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''65.6%''' ''13,789''
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|28,129|16,335|359|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.1% ''7,172''
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|22,704|13,983|4,224|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.2% ''51''
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|24,030|14,676|911|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|23,806|9,817|898|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1952 United States presidential election|1952]]'''
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|17,292|13,417|1,131|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''67.9%''' ''14,566''
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|12,699|16,195|56|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|31.7% ''6,792''
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|16,080|10,918|67|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.4% ''89''
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|13,789|7,172|51|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|14,566|6,792|89|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1948 United States presidential election|1948]]'''
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|8,131|9,155|181|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.6% ''8,131''
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|8,355|6,873|46|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.4%''' ''9,155''
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|9,096|8,393|62|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.0% ''181''
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|5,316|8,958|645|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,254|7,340|280|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1944 United States presidential election|1944]]'''
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|8,334|4,720|44|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.7%''' ''8,355''
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|5,722|857|3,548|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.0% ''6,873''
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|7,130|1,756|359|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''46''
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,101|1,926|203|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|720|1,542|1,691|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1940 United States presidential election|1940]]'''
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,472|1,621|167|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''51.8%''' ''9,096''
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,745|1,140|120|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|47.8% ''8,393''
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,818|1,597|158|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.4% ''62''
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|3,201|1,741|153|Minnesota}}
|-
{{PresFoot|1892|Republican|2,344|1,931|340|Minnesota}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1936 United States presidential election|1936]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|35.6% ''5,316''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.0%''' ''8,958''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.3% ''645''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1932 United States presidential election|1932]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|40.8% ''5,254''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''57.0%''' ''7,340''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.2% ''280''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1928 United States presidential election|1928]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''63.6%''' ''8,334''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|36.0% ''4,720''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''44''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1924 United States presidential election|1924]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.5%''' ''5,722''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|8.5% ''857''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|35.0% ''3,548''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1920 United States presidential election|1920]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''77.1%''' ''7,130''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|19.0% ''1,756''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.9% ''359''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1916 United States presidential election|1916]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.7%''' ''2,101''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|45.5% ''1,926''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|4.8% ''203''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1912 United States presidential election|1912]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|18.2% ''720''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''39.0%''' ''1,542''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|42.8% ''1,691''<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1912)|Progressive]] [[Theodore Roosevelt]], received 1,467 votes, while Socialist candidate [[Eugene V. Debs|Eugene Debs]] received 112 votes, [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Eugene W. Chafin|Eugene Chafin]] received 93 votes, and [[Socialist Labor Party of America|Socialist Labor]] candidate [[Arthur Reimer]] received 19 votes.</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1908 United States presidential election|1908]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.0%''' ''2,472''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.1% ''1,621''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.9% ''167''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1904 United States presidential election|1904]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.5%''' ''2,745''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|28.5% ''1,140''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.0% ''120''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1900 United States presidential election|1900]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.6%''' ''2,818''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.9% ''1,597''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.5% ''158''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1896 United States presidential election|1896]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''62.8%''' ''3,201''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34.2% ''1,741''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.0% ''153''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[1892 United States presidential election|1892]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.8%''' ''2,344''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.8% ''1,931''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|7.4% ''340''
|}{{hidden end}}
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


Line 366: Line 310:
==See also==
==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Olmsted County, Minnesota]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Olmsted County, Minnesota]]
* Musical Artist Yung Gravy is from Rochester


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:48, 6 May 2024

Olmsted County
County
Olmsted County Government Center (pre-expansion)
Olmsted County Government Center (pre-expansion)
Map of Minnesota highlighting Olmsted 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°00′N 92°24′W / 44°N 92.4°W / 44; -92.4
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1855
Named forDavid Olmsted
SeatRochester
Largest cityRochester
Area
 • Total655 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land653 sq mi (1,690 km2)
 • Water1.5 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total162,847
 • Estimate 
(2023)
164,784 Increase
 • Density249/sq mi (96/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.olmstedcounty.gov

Olmsted County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population is 162,847.[1] Its county seat and most populous city is Rochester.[2]

Olmsted County is part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

The Wisconsin Territory was established by the federal government effective July 3, 1836, and existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as Wisconsin) in 1848. Therefore, the federal government set up the Minnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. One of those original counties, Wabasha, had portions partitioned off in 1853 to create Fillmore and Rice counties. Then on February 20, 1855,[3] portions of Rice, Wabasha, and Fillmore counties were partitioned off to create the present county, with Rochester (which was also platted that year) as county seat. The county name recognized David Olmsted (1822-1861),[4] a member of the first territorial council and the fourth mayor of St. Paul.[5][6]

The county boundaries have remained unchanged since 1855.

Geography

[edit]

Olmsted County is a fairly unusual mix of urban and rural areas in that there's no transition or buffer between the two environments. Rochester, Minnesota's third largest city of roughly 118,000 people, sits in the Zumbro River valley at the center of the county. Outside the valley however, with the exception of a small amount of urban growth in the last few years, remains farmland with small agricultural based communities and no directly adjacent suburbs. Stewartville, the county's second largest city, is slightly over 1/20th the size at roughly 6,000 people, an unusually large gap for a metropolitan area.

Olmsted County is drained by three rivers, all flowing to the Mississippi. The Zumbro River flows northward through the west central part of the county, into Wabasha County. The Whitewater flows northeast from the northeast part of the county into Winona County, and the Root flows east-southeastward through the lower part of the county into Fillmore County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched by drainage gullies and marked by occasional buttes. The available area is devoted to agriculture or is developed for other productive uses.[7] The county terrain slopes to the east and north,[8] and its highest point is a hill 7.5 miles (12.1 km) west of Stewartville, at 1,380 ft (420 m) ASL.[9] The county has a total area of 655 square miles (1,700 km2), of which 653 square miles (1,690 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (0.2%) is water.[10]

Soils of Olmsted County[11]

It is one of four counties in Minnesota that does not have any natural lakes (the other three being Mower, Pipestone, and Rock).

Transit

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Airports

[edit]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Protected areas[7]

[edit]
  • Chester Woods Park
  • High Forest Wildlife Management Area
  • Keller Wildlife Management Area
  • Marian Marshall Wildlife Management Area
  • Nelson Fen Wildlife Management Area
  • Oronoco Scientific and Natural Area
  • Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo
  • Root River Park
  • Schumann State Wildlife Management Area
  • Suess State Wildlife Management Area
  • Whitewater Wildlife Management Area (part)

Lakes

[edit]

Though Olmsted County does not have any natural lakes, it does have six reservoirs created by dams:

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18609,524—
187019,793107.8%
188021,5438.8%
189019,806−8.1%
190023,11916.7%
191022,497−2.7%
192028,01424.5%
193035,42626.5%
194042,65820.4%
195048,22813.1%
196065,53235.9%
197084,10428.3%
198092,0069.4%
1990106,47015.7%
2000124,27716.7%
2010144,24816.1%
2020162,84712.9%
2023 (est.)164,784[12]1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]

As of the census of 2020,[17] the population was 162,847. The population density was 249.2 inhabitants per square mile (96.2/km2). There were 69,270 housing units at an average density of 106.0 per square mile (40.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.8% White, 6.8% Black or African American, 6.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.5% from other races, and 6.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

[edit]
2022 US Census population pyramid for Olmsted County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families in the county. The population density was 190 per square mile (73/km2). There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 75.7 per square mile (29.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.33% White, 2.68% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 4.27% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 47,807 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.60% 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 3.09.

The county population contained 27.00% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 10.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,316, and the median income for a family was $61,610. Males had a median income of $40,196 versus $29,994 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,939. About 3.80% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]

Olmsted has historically been a Republican-leaning county. However, rapid population growth in Rochester has made it more competitive in recent years. In 2020, Joe Biden won it by nearly 11 points, the best performance of any Democrat since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Since 2000, Olmsted County has voted for the winning presidential candidate in five of the six elections. The exception is 2016, where national electoral winner Donald Trump lost Olmsted County by only 0.75% and a slim margin of 600 votes.

Although it has trended Democratic at the presidential level, Olmsted County continues to lean Republican in state and local races, with split ticket voting becoming more common locally. Two of the county's three seats in the Minnesota Senate are held by Republicans, as well as two of the five seats in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Since 1970, Olmsted County has only voted for the DFL candidate for governor thrice: in 1974, 2018 and 2022. In 2018, then-Representative Tim Walz benefitted from high recognition in the district with a reputation at the time of being a moderate politician. Despite Walz winning a majority of the county's vote that election, Republican candidate Doug Wardlow concurrently won the greatest number of votes in Olmsted County in the 2018 Minnesota Attorney General election.

US House of Representatives

[edit]
Name Congressional District Assumed office Party
Brad Finstad 1st District 2022 Republican

Minnesota Senate

[edit]
Name District Assumed office Party
Steve Drazkowski District 20 2023 Republican
Carla Nelson District 24 2011 Republican
Liz Boldon District 25 2023 DFL

Minnesota House of Representatives

[edit]
Name District Assumed office Party
Steve Jacob District 20A 2023 Republican
Duane Quam District 24A 2011 Republican
Tina Liebling District 24B 2005 DFL
Kim Hicks District 25A 2023 DFL
Andy Smith District 25B 2023 DFL
United States presidential election results for Olmsted County, Minnesota[18][19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 39,692 43.43% 49,491 54.16% 2,202 2.41%
2016 35,668 44.51% 36,268 45.26% 8,193 10.22%
2012 36,832 47.03% 39,338 50.23% 2,146 2.74%
2008 36,202 47.34% 38,711 50.62% 1,557 2.04%
2004 37,371 52.21% 33,285 46.50% 919 1.28%
2000 30,641 51.59% 25,822 43.48% 2,929 4.93%
1996 22,860 43.92% 22,857 43.92% 6,327 12.16%
1992 23,404 41.30% 19,039 33.60% 14,219 25.09%
1988 27,683 58.28% 19,423 40.89% 398 0.84%
1984 28,129 62.76% 16,335 36.44% 359 0.80%
1980 22,704 55.50% 13,983 34.18% 4,224 10.32%
1976 24,030 60.66% 14,676 37.04% 911 2.30%
1972 23,806 68.96% 9,817 28.44% 898 2.60%
1968 17,292 54.31% 13,417 42.14% 1,131 3.55%
1964 12,699 43.87% 16,195 55.94% 56 0.19%
1960 16,080 59.41% 10,918 40.34% 67 0.25%
1956 13,789 65.62% 7,172 34.13% 51 0.24%
1952 14,566 67.92% 6,792 31.67% 89 0.41%
1948 8,131 46.55% 9,155 52.41% 181 1.04%
1944 8,355 54.70% 6,873 45.00% 46 0.30%
1940 9,096 51.83% 8,393 47.82% 62 0.35%
1936 5,316 35.63% 8,958 60.04% 645 4.32%
1932 5,254 40.81% 7,340 57.01% 280 2.17%
1928 8,334 63.63% 4,720 36.04% 44 0.34%
1924 5,722 56.50% 857 8.46% 3,548 35.04%
1920 7,130 77.12% 1,756 18.99% 359 3.88%
1916 2,101 49.67% 1,926 45.53% 203 4.80%
1912 720 18.21% 1,542 39.01% 1,691 42.78%
1908 2,472 58.03% 1,621 38.05% 167 3.92%
1904 2,745 68.54% 1,140 28.46% 120 3.00%
1900 2,818 61.62% 1,597 34.92% 158 3.46%
1896 3,201 62.83% 1,741 34.17% 153 3.00%
1892 2,344 50.79% 1,931 41.84% 340 7.37%

Communities

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The Helleckson Homestead, built about 1850, preserved in Olmsted County Oxbow Park (Destroyed in 2019 floods)

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  4. ^ Upham, Warren. Minnesota Geographic Names (1920), p. 385 (accessed April 26, 2019)
  5. ^ "History of Olmsted County". www.co.olmsted.mn.us. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  6. ^ "Minnesota Government Series, State Counties". Minnesota House of Representatives. Archived from the original on September 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c Olmsted County MN Google Maps (accessed April 26, 2019)
  8. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Olmsted County MN" Google Maps (accessed 26 April 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  9. ^ Olmsted County High Point - PeakBagger.com (accessed April 26, 2019)
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  11. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 43 - 48. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  16. ^ "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 24, 2014.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census: Olmsted County, Minnesota". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  19. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,467 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 112 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 93 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 19 votes.
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Wikisource has the text of the 1879 American Cyclopædia article Olmsted.

44°00′N 92°24′W / 44.00°N 92.40°W / 44.00; -92.40

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