Mixing
Koochiching County, Minnesota
Koochiching County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 International Falls landmark. | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
 Minnesota's location within the U.S. | |
| Founded | 19 December 1906[1] |
| Named for | Ojibway words for neighbor lake, river |
| Seat | International Falls |
| Largest city | International Falls |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,154 sq mi (8,169 km2) |
| • Land | 3,104 sq mi (8,039 km2) |
| • Water | 50 sq mi (129 km2), 1.6% |
| Population (est.) | |
| • (2017) | 12,528 |
| • Density | 4.04/sq mi (1.56/km2) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Time zone | Central: UTC−6/−5 |
| Website | www.co.koochiching.mn.us |
Koochiching County (/ˈkuːtʃɪtʃɪŋ/ KOO-chitch-ing) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,311.[2] Its county seat is International Falls.[3] A portion of the Bois Forte Indian Reservation is in the county. A small part of Voyageurs National Park extends into its boundary, with Lake of the Woods County to its northwest.
Contents
1 History
2 Geography
2.1 Major highways
2.2 Adjacent counties
2.3 Protected areas[6]
2.4 Lakes[6]
3 Demographics
4 2000 census
5 Politics
6 Communities
6.1 Cities[6]
6.2 Unorganized territories
6.3 Census-designated place
6.4 Other unincorporated communities[6]
6.5 Ghost towns[6]
7 In popular culture
8 See also
9 References
10 External links
History
Historymakers of Koochiching County were of many occupations. They were explorers, traders, homesteaders, and lumberjacks. They also were teachers, preachers, merchants, engineers, and builders of industry. Settlers came at the beginning of the 1900s and suffered through isolation, illness, harsh weather, and poverty. They built schools, churches, and good roads. Koochiching County is the second largest county in area next to Saint Louis County. It is also one of the youngest counties in the state having been created in 1906 after it was separated from Itasca County. The name "Koochiching" comes from either the Ojibwe word Gojijiing or Cree Kocicīhk (recorded in some documents as "Ouchichiq"), both meaning "at the place of inlets," referring to the neighboring Rainy Lake and River. Reverend J.A. Gilfillan recorded their meaning, "according to some, Neighbor lake, according to others a lake somewhere," possibly referring to the neighbouring Rainy Lake and to Lake Couchiching located in southern Ontario. Early European (French) inhabitants gave the names Lac à la Pluie (Rainy Lake) and Rivière à la Pluie (Rainy River) to the nearby bodies of water because of the mist-like rain present at the falls of Rainy River and then to the settlement that became known as International Falls. About 10,000 years ago almost 90% of Koochiching County was covered by Lake Agassiz. When it receded it left low areas of decayed vegetation (muskeg); as a result, three-quarters of northern Koochiching are underlain with 2 to 50 feet of peat.[4][5]
Geography
Voyageurs National Park
Koochiching County lies on the north edge of Minnesota. Its northern border abuts the south border of Canada (across the Rainy River). The Rainy River flows west-northwestward along its north border, being fed by several rivers which drain from the county into the Rainy: Rat Root River drains the east central part of the county; Little Fork River flows northward through the eastern part of the county; Big Fork River flows northward through the east-central part of the county; Black River flows northward through the central part of the county; Rapid River and East Fork Rapid River flow north-northwestward through the western part of the county, joining in the NW part of the county shortly before exiting the county's west line to discharge into the Rainy just west of the county's NW corner.
The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, with swampy areas where Lake Agassiz basin was deepest. There are also deposits of peat from 1½ to 50 feet in the low areas. The fairly level soil is broken by ledges of precambrian rock. Bed rock in the area includes Ely greenstone and greenstone schists that are said to be among the oldest on the planet.[6] The terrain slopes to the north, with its highest point on the western part of its southern border at 1,515' (462m) ASL.[7] The county has a total area of 3,154 square miles (8,170 km2), of which 3,104 square miles (8,040 km2) is land and 50 square miles (130 km2) (1.6%) is water.[8] It is the second-largest county in Minnesota by land area and third-largest by total area.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 53
U.S. Highway 71
Minnesota State Highway 1
Minnesota State Highway 6
Minnesota State Highway 11
Minnesota State Highway 46
Minnesota State Highway 65
Minnesota State Highway 217
Minnesota State Highway 332
U.S. Highway 53
U.S. Highway 71
Minnesota State Highway 1
Minnesota State Highway 6
Minnesota State Highway 11
Minnesota State Highway 46
Minnesota State Highway 65
Minnesota State Highway 217
Minnesota State Highway 332
Adjacent counties
Rainy River District, Ontario - north
Saint Louis County - east
Itasca County - south
Beltrami County - southwest
Lake of the Woods County - northwest
Protected areas[6]
- East Rat Root River Scientific and Natural Area
- Lost River Peatland Scientific and Natural Area
- Myrtle Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area
- Pine Island State Forest
- Smoky Bear State Forest
- South Black River Peatland Scientific and Natural Area
Superior National Forest (part)
Voyageurs National Park (part)
Lakes[6]
- Bartlett Lake
- Battle Lake
- Cameron Lake
- Clear Lake
- Dark Lake
- Franklin Lake
- Larson Lake
- Little Constance Lake
- Little Lake
- Lost Lake
- Moose Lake
- Myrtle Lake
- Nett Lake (part)
- Pine Lake
- Pocquette Lake
Rainy Lake (part)- Rat Root Lake
- Seretha Lake
- Silversack Lake
- Teufer Lake
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
|
| 1910 | 6,431 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,520 | 110.2% | |
| 1930 | 14,078 | 4.1% | |
| 1940 | 16,930 | 20.3% | |
| 1950 | 16,910 | −0.1% | |
| 1960 | 18,190 | 7.6% | |
| 1970 | 17,131 | −5.8% | |
| 1980 | 17,571 | 2.6% | |
| 1990 | 16,299 | −7.2% | |
| 2000 | 14,355 | −11.9% | |
| 2010 | 13,311 | −7.3% | |
| Est. 2017 | 12,528 | [9] | −5.9% |
| US Decennial Census[10] 1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12] 1990-2000[13] 2010-2016[2] | |||
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2000 census
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 14,355 people, 6,040 households, and 3,962 families in the county. The population density was 4.62/sqmi (1.79/km²). There were 7,719 housing units at an average density of 2.49/sqmi (0.96/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.12% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 2.15% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.2% were of Norwegian, 19.8% German, 12.3% Swedish and 7.0% Irish ancestry.
There were 6,040 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.88.
The county population contained 23.90% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,262, and the median income for a family was $43,608. Males had a median income of $40,642 versus $22,261 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,167. About 8.40% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Koochiching County voters have tended to vote Democratic for several decades. In 78% of national elections since 1980 the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2016).
| Year |
Republican |
Democratic |
Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 |
56.1% 3,569 |
36.2% 2,306 |
7.7% 488 |
2012 |
44.0% 2,841 |
53.4% 3,451 |
2.6% 166 |
2008 |
43.6% 2,962 |
53.7% 3,649 |
2.8% 191 |
2004 |
48.4% 3,539 |
50.1% 3,662 |
1.5% 108 |
2000 |
51.2% 3,523 |
42.2% 2,903 |
6.6% 453 |
1996 |
30.9% 2,080 |
51.6% 3,472 |
17.5% 1,178 |
1992 |
26.2% 1,954 |
46.5% 3,474 |
27.3% 2,037 |
1988 |
41.9% 2,842 |
57.0% 3,867 |
1.1% 71 |
1984 |
44.8% 3,466 |
54.7% 4,238 |
0.5% 38 |
1980 |
41.6% 3,433 |
50.7% 4,181 |
7.7% 636 |
1976 |
36.1% 2,893 |
60.5% 4,846 |
3.4% 268 |
1972 |
50.9% 3,681 |
47.0% 3,396 |
2.1% 153 |
1968 |
29.6% 2,104 |
66.0% 4,697 |
4.4% 315 |
1964 |
21.4% 1,602 |
78.5% 5,878 |
0.2% 11 |
1960 |
39.9% 3,055 |
59.8% 4,578 |
0.3% 23 |
1956 |
42.6% 2,757 |
57.1% 3,695 |
0.3% 16 |
1952 |
40.0% 2,742 |
59.5% 4,078 |
0.5% 31 |
1948 |
24.7% 1,718 |
71.3% 4,968 |
4.1% 282 |
1944 |
28.5% 1,607 |
70.6% 3,981 |
0.9% 51 |
1940 |
28.5% 2,095 |
71.0% 5,219 |
0.5% 39 |
1936 |
20.2% 1,316 |
77.8% 5,065 |
2.0% 132 |
1932 |
28.7% 1,427 |
63.3% 3,148 |
8.0% 399 |
1928 |
53.7% 2,599 |
43.6% 2,110 |
2.8% 134 |
1924 |
37.4% 1,536 |
5.4% 222 |
57.2% 2,347 |
1920 |
55.3% 1,786 |
26.6% 859 |
18.1% 585 |
1916 |
25.7% 474 |
59.0% 1,089 |
15.3% 283 |
1912 |
12.6% 239 |
33.7% 638 |
53.7% 1,015[15] |
1908 |
56.0% 826 |
28.5% 420 |
15.5% 229 |
Communities
Koochiching County is unique in Minnesota, in the sense that there are no organized civil township governments within the county, due to legislative action taken by the county to absorb existing township governments. Survey townships, as defined by the Public Land Survey System exist but are not organized. Six city governments have been created, and the rest of the county consists of unorganized territories and unincorporated communities.
Cities[6]
- Big Falls
International Falls (county seat; named Koochiching until 1 January 1903)- Littlefork
- Mizpah
- Northome
- Ranier
- South International Falls (part of International Falls since 1987)[16]
Unorganized territories
- East Koochiching
- Nett Lake
- Northome
- Northwest Koochiching
- Rainy Lake
- South Koochiching
Census-designated place
Nett Lake (part)
Other unincorporated communities[6]
- Birchdale
- Bramble
- Central
- Craigville
- Ericsburg
- Forest Grove
- Frontier
- Gates Corner
- Gemmell
- Grand Falls
- Indus
- Island View
- Jameson
- Laurel
- Lindford
- Loman
- Manitou
- Margie
- Nakoda
- Pelland
- Pinetop
- Rauch
- Ray
- Silverdale
- Wildwood
Ghost towns[6]
- Border
- Fairland
- Falls Junction
- Rainy Lake City[17]
- Ridge
- The Pines
- Wayland
In popular culture
Koochiching County is the location of the fictional town of Frostbite Falls, the home of the animated characters Rocky and Bullwinkle. Frostbite Falls was probably named in honor of International Falls, since International Falls is often referred to as the nation's icebox.[18]
See also
- Laurel Complex
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Koochiching County, Minnesota
- Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area
- Iron Range
- Ernest Oberholtzer
References
^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 18, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ ab "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
^ Schwankl, Hermoine Gordon (1983). "History of Koochiching County". Koochiching County. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
^ Soper, E. K. (1919). "Peat Deposits of Minnesota". Bulletin of the Minnesota Geological Survey (16): 172.
^ abcdef Koochiching County MN Google Maps (accessed 17 March 2019)
^ "Find an Altitude/Koochiching County MN" Google Maps (accessed 17 March 2019)
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 6 March 2019.
^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 522 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 460 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 16 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 17 votes.
^ History of International Falls (page 4). Accessed 17 March 2019
^ Rainy Lake City - National Park Service (accessed 17 March 2019)
^ History of International Falls (p. 5) Accessed 17 March 2019
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Koochiching County, Minnesota. |
- County website
Minnesota Department of Transportation maps (Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast)
Koochiching County Historical Museum (Int'l Falls)
Places adjacent to Koochiching County, Minnesota | ||||||||||
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Koochiching County, Minnesota
Municipalities and communities of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States | ||
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County seat: International Falls | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties |
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 State of Minnesota | |
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Saint Paul (capital) | |
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Coordinates: 48°16′N 93°46′W / 48.26°N 93.77°W / 48.26; -93.77
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