Aitkin County, Minnesota

Aitkin County (/ˈeɪkɪn/ AY-kin)^[2] is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,697.^[3] Its county seat is Aitkin.^[4] Part of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county. The county was created in 1857 and organized in 1871.

Aitkin County
County
Aitkin County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°37′N 93°25′W
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	May 23, 1857 (created) June 30, 1871 (organized)[1]
Named for	William Alexander Aitken
Seat	Aitkin
Largest city	Aitkin
Area
• Total	1,995 sq mi (5,170 km2)
• Land	1,822 sq mi (4,720 km2)
• Water	174 sq mi (450 km2)  8.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	15,697
• Estimate  (2023)	16,102
• Density	8.69/sq mi (3.36/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	8th
Website	www.co.aitkin.mn.us

History

Aitkin County was established in 1857 as Aiken County. The current spelling was adopted in 1872. It was named for William Alexander Aitken, a fur trader for the American Fur Company, under John Jacob Astor. Formed from Ramsey and Pine counties, Aiken County originally consisted of the 17 townships closest to Mille Lacs Lake. It acquired outlands of Ramsey, Itasca and Pine Counties to its north and east. It was organized in 1871, taking up lands from Cass and Itasca Counties and losing a point in the southwestern corner to Crow Wing County to form its current boundaries.

Geography

The Mississippi River flows southward through the west central part of the county. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds.^[5] The terrain slopes to the south; its highest point is Quadna Mountain, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south-southeast of Hill City, at 1,591 ft (485 m) ASL.^[6] Otherwise the highest terrain is near its northwestern corner, at 1,388 ft (423 m) ASL.^[7] The county has a total area of 1,995 square miles (5,170 km²), of which 1,822 square miles (4,720 km²) is land and 174 square miles (450 km²) (8.7%) is water.^[8]

Soils of Aitkin County^[9]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 2
• U.S. Highway 169
• Minnesota State Highway 18
• Minnesota State Highway 27
• Minnesota State Highway 47
• Minnesota State Highway 65
• Minnesota State Highway 200
• Minnesota State Highway 210
• List of County Roads

Adjacent counties

• Itasca County - north
• Saint Louis County - northeast
• Carlton County - east
• Pine County - southeast
• Kanabec County - south
• Mille Lacs County - southwest
• Crow Wing County - west
• Cass County - northwest

Protected areas

• Grayling State Wildlife Management Area
• Hill River State Forest
• Kimberly State Wildlife Management Area
• McGregor Marsh Scientific and Natural Area
• Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• Ripple River State Wildlife Management Area
• Salo Marsh State Wildlife Management Area
• Savanna Portage State Park
• Snake River County Park
• Solana State Forest

^[5]

Climate and weather

Aitkin, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     1     20 0     0.8     26 4     1.7     38 16     2.6     54 30     3.1     66 40     4.5     75 51     4.2     80 56     3.2     77 53     3.3     68 45     2.9     55 34     1.6     38 21     1     24 7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel[10]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     25     −7 −18     20     −3 −16     43     3 −9     66     12 −1     79     19 4     113     24 11     105     27 13     81     25 12     84     20 7     73     13 1     40     3 −6     26     −4 −14 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Aitkin have ranged from a low of 0 °F (−18 °C) in January to a high of 80 °F (27 °C) in July, although a record low of −47 °F (−44 °C) was recorded in January 1972 and a record high of 100 °F (38 °C) was recorded in August 1976. Although these records are the official records, temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) has been detected numerous times throughout Aitkin County and surrounding areas. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.79 inches (20 mm) in February to 4.46 inches (113 mm) in June.^[10]

Demographics

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

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	2		—
1870	178		8,800.0%
1880	366		105.6%
1890	2,462		572.7%
1900	6,473		162.9%
1910	10,371		60.2%
1920	15,043		45.0%
1930	15,009		−0.2%
1940	17,865		19.0%
1950	14,327		−19.8%
1960	12,162		−15.1%
1970	11,403		−6.2%
1980	13,404		17.5%
1990	12,425		−7.3%
2000	15,301		23.1%
2010	16,202		5.9%
2020	15,697		−3.1%
2023 (est.)	16,102	[11]	2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[3]

2020 Census

Aitkin County Racial Composition^[16]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	14,479	92.24%
Black or African American (NH)	58	0.37%
Native American (NH)	376	2.4%
Asian (NH)	38	0.24%
Pacific Islander (NH)	1	0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)	525	3.34%
Hispanic or Latino	220	1.4%

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 16,202 people, 7,542 households, and 4,458 families in the county. The population density was 8.89 per square mile (3.43/km²). There were 16,626 housing units at an average density of 9.13 per square mile (3.53/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.63% or 15,494 people White, 0.35% or 57 people Black or African American, 2.4% or 390 people Native American, 0.17% or 27 people Asian, 0.025% or 4 people Pacific Islander, 0.13% or 21 people from other races, and 1.29% or 209 people from two or more races. Of the population with two or more races, 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.5% were of German, 14.3% Norwegian, 13.0% Swedish, 6.2% Irish, 5.3% United States or American and 5.2% Finnish ancestry.

There were 6,644 households, out of which 22.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.50% were married couples living together, 6.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.76.

The county population contained 20.90% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 29.10% from 45 to 64, and 23.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,139, and the median income for a family was $58,290. Males had a median income of $51,604 versus $30,633 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,848. About 5.20% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.50% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Aitkin
• Hill City
• McGrath
• McGregor
• Palisade
• Tamarack

Townships

• Aitkin Township
• Ball Bluff Township
• Balsam Township
• Beaver Township
• Clark Township
• Cornish Township
• Farm Island Township
• Fleming Township
• Glen Township
• Haugen Township
• Hazelton Township
• Hill Lake Township
• Idun Township
• Jevne Township
• Kimberly Township
• Lakeside Township
• Lee Township
• Libby Township
• Logan Township
• Macville Township
• Malmo Township
• McGregor Township
• Millward Township
• Morrison Township
• Nordland Township
• Pliny Township
• Rice River Township
• Salo Township
• Seavey Township
• Shamrock Township
• Spalding Township
• Spencer Township
• Turner Township
• Verdon Township
• Wagner Township
• Waukenabo Township
• Wealthwood Township
• White Pine Township
• Williams Township
• Workman Township

Unorganized territories

• Davidson
• Jewett
• Northeast Aitkin
• Northwest Aitkin

Unincorporated communities

• Arthyde
• Ball Bluff
• Bennettville
• Cutler
• Dads Corner
• East Lake (Minisinaakwaang)
• Giese
• Glen
• Glory
• Hassman
• Haypoint
• Jacobson
• Kimberly
• Lawler
• Libby
• Malmo
• Minnewawa
• Nichols
• Rabey
• Red Top
• Ronald
• Rossburg
• Sandy Lake (Gaa-mitaawangaagamaag)
• Sheshebee
• Shovel Lake
• Swatara
• Thor
• Waukenabo
• Wealthwood

Government and politics

Aitkin County voters have selected the Democratic Party candidate in 67% of national elections since 1960. Recent presidential elections have shifted to the Republican Party, with their candidate winning four of the last five elections as of 2020 and their lone loss in that span coming by just 6 votes.

United States presidential election results for Aitkin County, Minnesota^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	6,258	62.42%	3,607	35.98%	160	1.60%
2016	5,516	59.76%	3,134	33.95%	581	6.29%
2012	4,533	49.58%	4,412	48.26%	197	2.15%
2008	4,589	48.77%	4,595	48.83%	226	2.40%
2004	4,768	50.44%	4,539	48.02%	145	1.53%
2000	3,755	45.46%	3,830	46.37%	675	8.17%
1996	2,327	31.43%	3,810	51.46%	1,267	17.11%
1992	2,151	28.46%	3,400	44.98%	2,008	26.56%
1988	3,011	43.37%	3,863	55.65%	68	0.98%
1984	3,422	46.14%	3,943	53.17%	51	0.69%
1980	3,396	44.28%	3,677	47.94%	597	7.78%
1976	2,476	35.63%	4,308	61.99%	165	2.37%
1972	3,241	53.73%	2,687	44.55%	104	1.72%
1968	2,254	39.84%	3,094	54.69%	309	5.46%
1964	2,000	33.96%	3,874	65.77%	16	0.27%
1960	3,097	50.66%	2,980	48.75%	36	0.59%
1956	2,762	50.18%	2,733	49.65%	9	0.16%
1952	3,384	55.93%	2,577	42.60%	89	1.47%
1948	2,466	41.05%	3,277	54.55%	264	4.39%
1944	2,720	49.37%	2,743	49.79%	46	0.83%
1940	3,744	50.12%	3,610	48.33%	116	1.55%
1936	2,466	37.30%	3,806	57.57%	339	5.13%
1932	2,341	40.76%	2,945	51.28%	457	7.96%
1928	3,951	70.10%	1,428	25.34%	257	4.56%
1924	2,720	53.67%	212	4.18%	2,136	42.15%
1920	2,933	70.15%	613	14.66%	635	15.19%
1916	1,122	46.23%	877	36.14%	428	17.63%
1912	362	17.38%	413	19.83%	1,308	62.79%
1908	1,205	67.02%	389	21.64%	204	11.35%
1904	1,327	80.96%	191	11.65%	121	7.38%
1900	988	77.31%	262	20.50%	28	2.19%
1896	855	69.46%	344	27.94%	32	2.60%
1892	445	62.59%	217	30.52%	49	6.89%

County Board of Commissioners^[18]

Position		Name	District
	Commissioner and Chairperson	J. Mark Wedel	District 1
	Commissioner	Laurie Westerlund	District 2
	Commissioner and Vice Chair	Travis Leiviska	District 3
	Commissioner	Bret Sample	District 4
	Commissioner	Michael Kearney	District 5

State Legislature (2018-2020)

Position		Name	Affiliation	District
	Senate	Carrie Ruud[19]	Republican	District 10
	House of Representatives	Dale Lueck[20]	Republican	District 10B

U.S. Congress (2018-2020)

Position		Name	Affiliation	District
	House of Representatives	Pete Stauber[21]	Republican	8th
	Senate	Amy Klobuchar[22]	Democrat	N/A
	Senate	Tina Smith[23]	Democrat	N/A

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Aitkin County, Minnesota

References

1. "Aitkin County". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 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 23, 2023.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. Aitkin County MN Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)
6. Quadna Mountain MN. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 4, 2019)
7. ""Find an Altitude/Aitkin County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
9. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 71-72. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
10. "Monthly Averages for Aitkin MN". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
11. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
12. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
15. "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 5, 2014.
16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Aitkin County, Minnesota".
17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
18. "Aitkin County Commissioners". www.co.aitkin.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
19. "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
20. "Rep. Dale Lueck (10B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
21. "Representative Pete Stauber". Representative Pete Stauber. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
22. "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
23. "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

External links

• Aitkin County government’s website
• Minnesota Department of Transportation map of Aitkin County (southern portion, northern portion)
• Records

46.61°N 93.41°W / 46.61; -93.41