Dodge County, Minnesota

Dodge County
County
Dodge County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°02′N92°52′W / 44.03°N 92.86°W / 44.03; -92.86
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	February 20, 1855 [1]
Named for	Henry Dodge
Seat	Mantorville
Largest city	Kasson
Area
• Total	440 sq mi (1,100 km2)
• Land	439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.07%
Population  (2020)
• Total	20,867
• Estimate  (2023)	21,088
• Density	47.5/sq mi (18.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.co.dodge.mn.us

Dodge County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 20,867 as of the 2020 census. ^[2] Its county seat is Mantorville. ^[3]

Dodge County is part of the Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The area of present Dodge County was a hunting and battle ground for the Mdewakanton Sioux, often fighting Sauk and Fox Indians who wandered into their territory. Possibly the first non-indigenous person to enter the territory was a French fur trader from Canada in 1655. After the fur trappers and early explorers, the area was populated by settlers from New England. The 1820s and 1830s saw significant emigration, eased by completion of the Erie Canal (1825) and the end of the Black Hawk War (1831). They brought a passion for education, establishing many schools, as well as staunch support for abolitionism. They were members of the Congregational or Episcopal church. Culturally Dodge County was similar to colonial New England during the nineteenth century. ^[4] In 1853 government surveyors set lines for the townships. In 1854, two Mantor brothers and Eli P. Waterman established their claims in the area of present Mantorville. In early 1855, Dodge County was organized for local government. It was named for Henry Dodge, the first governor of Wisconsin (1836–1841). ^[5]

The Minnesota State Constitution placed Dodge County in the Fifth Judicial District on May 11, 1858. The county courthouse was constructed in 1865; it is presently the oldest still-used courthouse in Minnesota. ^[6] As the 20th century began, emigrants from Germany, Sweden and Norway flowed to Minnesota in increasing numbers. Their influence added Catholic and Lutheran influence to the cultural mix.

Soils of Dodge County

Geography

The South Branch of the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River flows east-northeast through the upper central part of Dodge County. Salem Creek and Harkcom Creek drain the county to the east. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture where possible. ^[8] The terrain slopes to the northeast; its highest point is on the eastern part of its southern border, at 1,352 ft (412 m) ASL. ^[9] The county has a total area of 440 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 439 square miles (1,140 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) (0.07%) is water. ^[10]

Dodge County is in southeastern Minnesota and is 24 miles (39 km) long and 18 miles (29 km) wide. The central and northern parts are hilly and thickly wooded with pebbly, loose soil that allows for wheat agriculture. The southern part, in contrast, is flat and wet, more suited to grazing livestock. The soil is very fertile, with heavy black loam. Dodge is one of seven southern Minnesota counties that have no forest ecosystems; only prairie and savanna soils exist here.

Dodge County's plentiful sand and rock also make the area a center for building. Quarries in Mantorville were once enterprises and consist of layers of thick stone that can be cut into any desired shape. Wasioja is known nationwide for its excellent "Wasioja stone."

Streams

• Dodge Center Creek
• Harkcom Creek
• Henslin Creek
• Little Cedar River
• Masten Creek
• Millikin Creek
• Salem Creek
• Tompkins Creek

Lakes

• Rice Lake (part)
• Zumbro River Reservoir

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 14
• U.S. Highway 218
• Minnesota State Highway 30
• Minnesota State Highway 56
• Minnesota State Highway 57

Airport

• Dodge Center Municipal Airport

Adjacent counties

• Rice County - northwest
• Goodhue County - northeast
• Olmsted County - east
• Mower County - south
• Steele County -west

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	3,797		—
1870	8,598		126.4%
1880	11,344		31.9%
1890	10,864		−4.2%
1900	13,340		22.8%
1910	12,094		−9.3%
1920	12,552		3.8%
1930	12,127		−3.4%
1940	12,931		6.6%
1950	12,624		−2.4%
1960	13,259		5.0%
1970	13,037		−1.7%
1980	14,773		13.3%
1990	15,731		6.5%
2000	17,731		12.7%
2010	20,087		13.3%
2020	20,867		3.9%
2023 (est.)	21,088	[11]	1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [12] 1790-1960 [13] 1900-1990 [14] 1990-2000 [15] 2010-2020 [2]

2020 Census

Dodge County Racial Composition ^[16]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	18,807	90.13%
Black or African American (NH)	126	0.6%
Native American (NH)	37	0.2%
Asian (NH)	104	0.5%
Pacific Islander (NH)	1	0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH)	735	3.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1,057	5.1%

2000 census

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,731 people, 6,420 households, and 4,853 families in the county. The population density was 40.4 per square mile (15.6/km²). There were 6,642 housing units at an average density of 15.1 per square mile (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.58% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.89% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% were of German, 26.9% Norwegian, 5.8% Irish, 5.8% American and 5.1% English ancestry.

There were 6,420 households, out of which 40.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.70% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.40% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 30.20% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,437, and the median income for a family was $54,261. Males had a median income of $34,195 versus $25,903 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,259. About 4.40% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.80% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Blooming Prairie (partly in Steele County)
• Claremont
• Dodge Center
• Hayfield
• Kasson
• Mantorville (county seat)
• West Concord

Unincorporated communities

• Berne
• Concord
• Danesville (partial)
• Eden
• Oslo
• Rice Lake (ghost town)
• Wasioja

Townships

• Ashland Township
• Canisteo Township
• Claremont Township
• Concord Township
• Ellington Township
• Hayfield Township
• Mantorville Township
• Milton Township
• Ripley Township
• Vernon Township
• Wasioja Township
• Westfield Township

Politics

Dodge County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	8,095	64.84%	4,108	32.91%	281	2.25%
2020	7,783	63.86%	4,079	33.47%	325	2.67%
2016	6,527	61.26%	3,102	29.12%	1,025	9.62%
2012	5,522	53.47%	4,487	43.45%	318	3.08%
2008	5,468	53.54%	4,463	43.70%	282	2.76%
2004	5,593	56.68%	4,117	41.72%	158	1.60%
2000	4,213	52.34%	3,370	41.86%	467	5.80%
1996	2,888	38.84%	3,233	43.48%	1,314	17.67%
1992	3,049	38.25%	2,620	32.87%	2,303	28.89%
1988	3,848	56.21%	2,925	42.73%	73	1.07%
1984	4,428	60.97%	2,786	38.36%	48	0.66%
1980	3,900	54.93%	2,698	38.00%	502	7.07%
1976	3,446	52.23%	3,009	45.60%	143	2.17%
1972	3,863	65.08%	1,921	32.36%	152	2.56%
1968	3,064	53.67%	2,437	42.69%	208	3.64%
1964	2,474	44.02%	3,138	55.84%	8	0.14%
1960	3,769	63.42%	2,170	36.51%	4	0.07%
1956	3,205	63.78%	1,814	36.10%	6	0.12%
1952	3,893	70.68%	1,582	28.72%	33	0.60%
1948	2,381	47.99%	2,523	50.86%	57	1.15%
1944	2,902	61.42%	1,808	38.26%	15	0.32%
1940	3,257	57.90%	2,357	41.90%	11	0.20%
1936	2,138	41.61%	2,812	54.73%	188	3.66%
1932	2,129	43.53%	2,675	54.69%	87	1.78%
1928	3,569	74.49%	1,196	24.96%	26	0.54%
1924	2,856	65.97%	215	4.97%	1,258	29.06%
1920	3,386	83.40%	516	12.71%	158	3.89%
1916	1,260	55.80%	895	39.64%	103	4.56%
1912	470	23.35%	543	26.97%	1,000	49.68%
1908	1,454	69.77%	515	24.71%	115	5.52%
1904	1,499	75.86%	319	16.14%	158	8.00%
1900	1,611	65.06%	674	27.22%	191	7.71%
1896	1,900	65.09%	911	31.21%	108	3.70%
1892	1,219	55.33%	536	24.33%	448	20.34%

See also

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

References

1. "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. The Jones-Steele Family History: Dodge County, Minnesota by Earl W. Velander, Georgean Velander E. & G. Velander, 1990
5. Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p.  171.
6. "Dodge County Courthouse". Minnesota Judicial Branch. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
7. Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 43-48. ISBN   978-0-615-50320-2.
8. Dodge County MN Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)
9. "Find an Altitude/Dodge County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 7, 2019)
10. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
13. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
14. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 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 15, 2014.
16. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dodge County, Minnesota".
17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

External links

• Dodge County government's website

44°02′N92°52′W / 44.03°N 92.86°W / 44.03; -92.86