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Brown County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 44°14′N 94°43′W / 44.23°N 94.72°W / 44.23; -94.72
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brown County, Minnesota
County
Brown County Courthouse
Brown County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Brown County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Coordinates: 44°14′N 94°43′W / 44.23°N 94.72°W / 44.23; -94.72
CountryBERJAYA United States
StateBERJAYA Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 20, 1855 (created)
1856 (organized)[1]
Named afterJoseph Renshaw Brown
SeatNew Ulm
Largest cityNew Ulm
Area
 • Total
618 sq mi (1,600 km2)
 • Land611 sq mi (1,580 km2)
 • Water7.4 sq mi (19 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
25,912
 • Estimate 
(2025)
25,517 Decrease
 • Density41.9/sq mi (16.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts1st, 7th
Websitewww.co.brown.mn.us
BERJAYA
1862 Johnson Map showing Brown County was much bigger at the time of the Sioux Uprising and would be later broken up into several other counties

Brown County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,912.[2] Its county seat is New Ulm.[3] The county was formed in 1855 and organized in 1856.

Brown County comprises the New Ulm, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Mankato-New Ulm-North Mankato, MN Combined Statistical Area.

History

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Brown County was founded in 1855 in the southwest corner of what was Minnesota Territory. It was named for Joseph Renshaw Brown, a member of the Governor's Council of the Territory in 1855.[4] In 1857, Brown County was divided, creating Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Murry, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock counties. Watonwan was broken off in 1860. Redwood was created from a large portion of Brown County in 1862. Redwood was further divided into Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon and Yellow Medicine Counties in the 1870s.

In 1862, the county's 150-mile northern border was the boundary line of the Upper and Lower Sioux reservations when the 1862 Dakota War broke out. New Ulm, the county seat, came under heavy attack twice by a superior Mdewakanton Dacotah force that was repulsed. Most of the town was torched and most of the population fled to St. Peter and Mankato. The town took many casualties, with the dead buried in the streets. In 1863, when the treaties with the eastern Dacotah were annulled and the two reservations were dissolved, the county border was moved north 10 miles to the Minnesota River.

Geography

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The Minnesota River flows east-southeast along the county's northern border. The Cottonwood River flows east-northeast through the county's central and upper area, discharging into the Minnesota at the northern border. The Little Cottonwood River flows east through the lower portion of the county, on its way to discharge into the Minnesota in neighboring Blue Earth County. The terrain consists of rolling hills, mostly devoted to agriculture,[5] and generally slopes to the east, tending to drop into the river valleys. Its highest point is at its southwestern corner, at 1,263 ft (385 m) ASL.[6][7]

The county has an area of 618 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 611 square miles (1,580 km2) is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) (1.2%) is water.[8][9]

BERJAYA
Soils of Brown County[10]

Transit

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Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Lakes

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Most of the county is an area of rich farm land; most of its wetlands were drained for use in agriculture, leaving a number of lakes.[11] The county has at least 32 lakes,[12] some of which are deemed to be "protected waters" of the State of Minnesota;[13] these are designated with "(p)" below.

The lakes occupy "hollows in the driftsheet"; many have neither an inflow nor an outflow.[14]

Lakes in the county include:

  • Altermatt Lake (p)
  • Bachelor Lake (p), in Stark township
  • Boise Lake (p)
  • Clear Lake (p)
  • Gilman Lake (p)
  • Horseshoe Lake
  • Juni Lake (p), named for Benedict Juni, a Swiss settler.[15]
  • Lake Cottonwood (p)
  • Lake Hanska (p)
  • Linden Lake (p)
  • Lone Tree Lake (p)
  • Omsrud Lake (p)
  • School Lake (p), named for its location in school section 16.[15]: 72 
  • Sleepy Eye Lake (p)
  • Zanders Lake (p)

Climate and weather

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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of New Ulm have ranged from a low of 6 °F (−14 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −37 °F (−38 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.64 inches (16 mm) in January to 4.82 inches (122 mm) in June.[16]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,339—
18706,396173.5%
188012,01887.9%
189015,81731.6%
190019,78725.1%
191020,1341.8%
192022,42111.4%
193023,4284.5%
194025,5449.0%
195025,8951.4%
196027,6766.9%
197028,8874.4%
198028,645−0.8%
199026,984−5.8%
200026,911−0.3%
201025,893−3.8%
202025,9120.1%
2025 (est.)25,517[17] Decrease−1.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010-2020[2]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Brown 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[22] Pop 1990[23] Pop 2000[24] Pop 2010[25] Pop 2020[26] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 28,447 26,711 26,080 24,662 23,968 99.31% 98.99% 96.91% 95.25% 92.50%
Black or African American alone (NH) 3 11 20 56 118 0.01% 0.04% 0.07% 0.22% 0.46%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 27 12 26 19 39 0.09% 0.04% 0.10% 0.07% 0.15%
Asian alone (NH) 92 98 109 152 126 0.32% 0.36% 0.41% 0.59% 0.49%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [27] x [28] 2 2 6 x x 0.01% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 3 1 7 0 20 0.01% 0.00% 0.03% 0.00% 0.08%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [29] x [30] 122 142 464 x x 0.45% 0.55% 1.79%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 73 151 545 860 1,171 0.25% 0.56% 2.03% 3.32% 4.52%
Total 28,645 26,984 26,911 25,893 25,912 100.00% 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 25,912. The median age was 43.1 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.5 males age 18 and over.[31][32]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.5% of the population.[32]

51.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 48.2% lived in rural areas.[33]

There were 10,970 households in the county, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 19.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[31]

There were 11,780 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.5% were owner-occupied and 22.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.5%.[31]

2000 census

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

As of the 2000 census, there were 26,911 people, 10,598 households, and 7,164 families in the county. The population density was 44.0 per square mile (17.0/km2). There were 11,163 housing units at an average density of 18.3 per square mile (7.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.82% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.91% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 67.1% were of German and 9.6% Norwegian ancestry.

There were 10,598 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 29.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,800, and the median income for a family was $49,811. Males had a median income of $32,347 versus $23,918 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,535. About 4.40% of families and 6.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 9.80% 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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Townships

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Government and politics

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Brown County has traditionally voted Republican. As of 2024, the only time the county has supported the Democratic nominee for president since 1936 was in the 1964 landslide win for Lyndon B. Johnson, and even then, Johnson only won the county by 218 votes and less than a 2% margin of victory.

United States presidential election results for Brown County, Minnesota[34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1892 1,080 38.48% 1,174 41.82% 553 19.70%
1896 1,807 53.41% 1,469 43.42% 107 3.16%
1900 1,695 52.06% 1,471 45.18% 90 2.76%
1904 2,073 68.39% 869 28.67% 89 2.94%
1908 1,518 45.22% 1,536 45.76% 303 9.03%
1912 472 14.93% 1,359 42.99% 1,330 42.08%
1916 2,078 59.68% 1,101 31.62% 303 8.70%
1920 5,841 80.68% 796 10.99% 603 8.33%
1924 2,255 31.87% 270 3.82% 4,551 64.32%
1928 3,611 40.05% 5,341 59.24% 64 0.71%
1932 2,027 22.64% 6,716 75.00% 212 2.37%
1936 2,679 26.09% 6,637 64.64% 951 9.26%
1940 7,533 66.66% 3,678 32.55% 90 0.80%
1944 7,018 70.54% 2,842 28.57% 89 0.89%
1948 5,068 50.60% 4,804 47.96% 144 1.44%
1952 8,152 72.09% 3,129 27.67% 27 0.24%
1956 7,965 72.02% 3,067 27.73% 27 0.24%
1960 7,084 56.89% 5,353 42.99% 16 0.13%
1964 5,851 49.02% 6,069 50.84% 17 0.14%
1968 7,039 57.00% 4,585 37.13% 726 5.88%
1972 7,791 61.21% 4,347 34.15% 591 4.64%
1976 7,479 53.27% 5,792 41.26% 768 5.47%
1980 8,051 57.01% 4,915 34.80% 1,156 8.19%
1984 8,399 64.72% 4,469 34.44% 109 0.84%
1988 6,898 56.67% 5,109 41.97% 166 1.36%
1992 5,390 39.57% 4,278 31.41% 3,953 29.02%
1996 5,580 45.15% 4,864 39.36% 1,915 15.49%
2000 7,370 57.43% 4,650 36.23% 814 6.34%
2004 8,395 60.93% 5,158 37.44% 225 1.63%
2008 7,456 54.74% 5,809 42.65% 355 2.61%
2012 7,938 56.99% 5,630 40.42% 361 2.59%
2016 8,708 63.20% 3,763 27.31% 1,308 9.49%
2020 9,552 65.27% 4,753 32.48% 330 2.25%
2024 9,692 66.39% 4,576 31.35% 330 2.26%

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ History of the Origin of the Place Names in Nine Northwestern States. 1908. p. 12.
  5. ^ Brown County MN Google Maps (accessed March 5, 2019)
  6. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Brown County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 5, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  7. ^ Brown County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 5, 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. ^ Minnesota Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth ME: DeLorme. 1994. pp. 21–22, 30–31. ISBN 0-89933-222-6.
  10. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 65-67. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  11. ^ "Stark Township". Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  12. ^ "Brown County MN Lakes". Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  13. ^ "Final Designation of Protected Waters and Wetlands Within Brown County, Minnesota" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources DIVISION OF WATERS. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 23, 2003. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  14. ^ Winchell & Upham 1884, p. 560.
  15. ^ a b Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 72.: 72 
  16. ^ "Monthly Averages for New Ulm MN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  17. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  18. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Brown County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brown County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  26. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Brown County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  28. ^ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  29. ^ not an option in the 1980 Census
  30. ^ not an option in the 1990 Census
  31. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  33. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  34. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

Works cited

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Further reading

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44°14′N 94°43′W / 44.23°N 94.72°W / 44.23; -94.72

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