Wikipedia

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, Minnesota
County
Aitkin County Courthouse
Aitkin County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Aitkin County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 46°37′N 93°25′W / 46.61°N 93.41°W / 46.61; -93.41
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMay 23, 1857 (created)
June 30, 1871 (organized)[1]
Named afterWilliam Alexander Aitken
SeatAitkin
Largest cityAitkin
Area
 • Total
1,995 sq mi (5,170 km2)
 • Land1,822 sq mi (4,720 km2)
 • Water174 sq mi (450 km2)  8.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
15,697
 • Estimate 
(2025)
16,252 Increase
 • Density8.69/sq mi (3.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.co.aitkin.mn.us

History

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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.

In the 1970s and '80s, Aitkin County became home of three short-lived lesbian feminist farmsteads: Rising Moon Farm (1973 - 1980s), Mel’s Place (1974-5), and Del Lago Farm (1975-6), inspired by the commune, housing cooperative, and back-to-the-land movements. Rising Moon, built in 1972 by lesbian activists Jane Stedman, Linda Page, and Trudy Fulton Smith, operated a food co-op, and welcomed other lesbians included writers Dianna Hunter and Kathy McConnell. It operated off-the-grid, and lacked running water and electricity. In 1973, the farm burned down, and was quickly rebuilt by its owners, however some residents moved to Mel’s Place, and then to Del Lago Farm.[5][6][7][8]

Geography

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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.[9] 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.[10] Otherwise the highest terrain is near its northwestern corner, at 1,388 ft (423 m) ASL.[11] 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.[12]

Soils of Aitkin County[13]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • 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

[9]

Climate and weather

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Aitkin, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[14]
Metric conversion
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█ 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.[14]

Demographics

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Aitkin County from ACS 5-year estimates
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602—
18701788,800.0%
1880366105.6%
18902,462572.7%
19006,473162.9%
191010,37160.2%
192015,04345.0%
193015,009−0.2%
194017,86519.0%
195014,327−19.8%
196012,162−15.1%
197011,403−6.2%
198013,40417.5%
199012,425−7.3%
200015,30123.1%
201016,2025.9%
202015,697−3.1%
2025 (est.)16,252[15] Increase3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010-2020[3]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Aitkin County, Minnesota – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[20] Pop 1990[21] Pop 2000[22] Pop 2010[23] Pop 2020[24] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 13,195 12,176 14,698 15,398 14,479 98.44% 98.00% 96.06% 95.04% 92.24%
Black or African American alone (NH) 12 13 31 53 58 0.09% 0.10% 0.20% 0.33% 0.37%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 127 169 340 376 376 0.95% 1.36% 2.22% 2.32% 2.40%
Asian alone (NH) 20 30 27 27 38 0.15% 0.24% 0.18% 0.17% 0.24%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [25] x [26] 3 4 1 x x 0.02% 0.02% 0.01%
Other race alone (NH) 4 2 7 5 25 0.03% 0.02% 0.05% 0.03% 0.16%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [27] x [28] 103 188 500 x x 0.67% 1.16% 3.19%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 46 35 92 151 220 0.34% 0.28% 0.60% 0.93% 1.40%
Total 13,404 12,425 15,301 16,202 15,697 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 15,697. The median age was 56.2 years. 17.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 32.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.8 males age 18 and over.[29][30]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population.[30]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[31]

There were 7,199 households in the county, of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.0% were married-couple households, 21.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[29]

There were 13,944 housing units, of which 48.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.0% were owner-occupied and 18.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.[29]

2010 census

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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

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Cities

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Townships

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Unorganized territories

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Unincorporated communities

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Government and politics

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Aitkin County voters have selected the Democratic Party candidate in 62.5% of national elections since 1960, as of 2020. Recent presidential elections have shifted to the Republican Party, with their candidate winning five of the last six elections as of 2024 and their lone loss in that span coming by just 6 votes.

United States presidential election results for Aitkin County, Minnesota[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1892 445 62.59% 217 30.52% 49 6.89%
1896 855 69.46% 344 27.94% 32 2.60%
1900 988 77.31% 262 20.50% 28 2.19%
1904 1,327 80.96% 191 11.65% 121 7.38%
1908 1,205 67.02% 389 21.64% 204 11.35%
1912 362 17.38% 413 19.83% 1,308 62.79%
1916 1,122 46.23% 877 36.14% 428 17.63%
1920 2,933 70.15% 613 14.66% 635 15.19%
1924 2,720 53.67% 212 4.18% 2,136 42.15%
1928 3,951 70.10% 1,428 25.34% 257 4.56%
1932 2,341 40.76% 2,945 51.28% 457 7.96%
1936 2,466 37.30% 3,806 57.57% 339 5.13%
1940 3,744 50.12% 3,610 48.33% 116 1.55%
1944 2,720 49.37% 2,743 49.79% 46 0.83%
1948 2,466 41.05% 3,277 54.55% 264 4.39%
1952 3,384 55.93% 2,577 42.60% 89 1.47%
1956 2,762 50.18% 2,733 49.65% 9 0.16%
1960 3,097 50.66% 2,980 48.75% 36 0.59%
1964 2,000 33.96% 3,874 65.77% 16 0.27%
1968 2,254 39.84% 3,094 54.69% 309 5.46%
1972 3,241 53.73% 2,687 44.55% 104 1.72%
1976 2,476 35.63% 4,308 61.99% 165 2.37%
1980 3,396 44.28% 3,677 47.94% 597 7.78%
1984 3,422 46.14% 3,943 53.17% 51 0.69%
1988 3,011 43.37% 3,863 55.65% 68 0.98%
1992 2,151 28.46% 3,400 44.98% 2,008 26.56%
1996 2,327 31.43% 3,810 51.46% 1,267 17.11%
2000 3,755 45.46% 3,830 46.37% 675 8.17%
2004 4,768 50.44% 4,539 48.02% 145 1.53%
2008 4,589 48.77% 4,595 48.83% 226 2.40%
2012 4,533 49.58% 4,412 48.26% 197 2.15%
2016 5,516 59.76% 3,134 33.95% 581 6.29%
2020 6,258 62.42% 3,607 35.98% 160 1.60%
2024 6,741 64.53% 3,524 33.74% 181 1.73%
County Board of Commissioners[33]
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[34] Republican District 10
  House of Representatives Dale Lueck[35] Republican District 10B
U.S. Congress (2018–2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
  House of Representatives Pete Stauber[36] Republican 8th
  Senate Amy Klobuchar[37] Democrat N/A
  Senate Tina Smith[38] Democrat N/A

See also

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References

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  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. 1 2 "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. ↑ Stallone, Leila; Swanson, Ulysses; Valderrama, Luis (2025). "EYEWITNESS: Rising Moon: Lesbians Living off the Land in Central Minnesota". Minnesota History. 69 (7): 264–264. ISSN 0026-5497.
  6. ↑ Minnesota Historical Society (March 21, 2025). "Rising Moon Farm (1973)". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Minnesota Historical Society (March 21, 2025). "Mel's Place (1974–1975)". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Minnesota Historical Society (March 21, 2025). "Del Lago (1975–1976)". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Aitkin County MN Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)
  10. ↑ Quadna Mountain MN. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 4, 2019)
  11. ↑ ""Find an Altitude/Aitkin County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  12. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 71-72. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  14. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Aitkin MN". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  15. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Minnesota - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 13-24. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  21. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Minnesota: Table 4-6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 17-79. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 24, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  22. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Aitkin County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  23. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Aitkin County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  24. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Aitkin County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  26. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  27. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  28. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  29. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  30. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  31. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Aitkin County Commissioners". www.co.aitkin.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  34. ↑ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Rep. Dale Lueck (10B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Representative Pete Stauber". Representative Pete Stauber. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  37. ↑ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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46°37′N 93°25′W / 46.61°N 93.41°W / 46.61; -93.41

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