Norwegians started settling in Norman County in the early 1870s and up until December 27, 1906 that also included what is now Mahnomen County (Ojibwe for "wild rice"). The county was created by the Minnesota legislature on March 17, 1881, with Ada (which had been founded in 1874) as county seat. Even though Twin Valley was much closer to the geographic center of the county Ada was chosen as the county seat, sparking a 6 year legal battle.[5]
It was named in recognition of the many settlers who came from Scandinavian countries, especially Norway.[6] Another source posits that it was named for Norman Kittson, an early historical figure of the region.[7]
Geography
Norman County lies on Minnesota's western border, abutting North Dakota across the Red River, which flows north along (and defines) the county's west line. The Wild Rice River flows west through the lower part of the county, discharging into the Red slightly north of the county's southwest corner. The Marsh River rises in central Norman County and flows northwest into the Red near the county's northwest corner. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, carved by drainages and lightly dotted with lakes and swampy areas. The terrain is devoted to agriculture.[8] The terrain slopes to the north and west with its highest point near its southeast corner, at 1,224ft (373m) ASL.[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 876.730 square miles (2,270.72km2), of which 872.789 square miles (2,260.51km2) is land and 3.941 square miles (10.21km2) (0.45%) is water.[10] It is the 26th largest county in Minnesota by total area.[11]
Flom Township contains a prominent, irregular hill of morainic drift known as Frenchman's Bluff. It rises 150ft (46m) above the shoreline of the former Lake Agassis, three miles (4.8km) to the northwest.[6]
U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16] 1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[3]
As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Norman County was $145,108.[18]
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 2,676 estimated households in Norman County with an average of 2.34 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $69,833. Approximately 12.3% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Norman County has an estimated 63.4% employment rate, with 20.9% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.4% holding a high school diploma.[3]
The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (95.9%), Spanish (2.2%), Indo-European (0.7%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.9%), and Other (0.4%).
The median age in the county was 43.9 years.
Norman 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.
As of the 2024 estimate, there were 6,284 people and 2,676 households residing in the county. There were 3,249 housing units at an average density of 3.72 per square mile (1.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.6% White (87.7% NH White), 0.9% African American, 2.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.9% of the population.[24]
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 6,441 people, 2,733 households, and 1,742 families residing in the county.[25] The population density was 7.4 inhabitants per square mile (2.9/km2). There were 3,230 housing units at an average density of 3.70 per square mile (1.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% White, 0.31% African American, 1.82% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from some other races and 5.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.47% of the population.[26]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 6,852 people, 2,863 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 7.9 inhabitants per square mile (3.1/km2). There were 3,421 housing units at an average density of 3.92 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.21% White, 0.19% African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from some other races and 2.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.03% of the population.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,442 people, 3,010 households, and 2,007 families in the county. The population density was 8.52 inhabitants per square mile (3.3/km2). There were 3,455 housing units at an average density of 3.96 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.30% White, 0.11% African American, 1.73% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from some other races and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.05% of the population.
In terms of ancestry, 57.5% were of Norwegian and 21.7% German.
There were 3,010 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.
The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.90% of over age 64. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,535, and the median income for a family was $41,280. Males had a median income of $28,674 versus $20,619 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,895. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 14.30% of those age 65 or over.
From 1932 to 2012, Norman County voted Democratic, typically by large margins, in all but three elections, two were the nationwide Republican landslide victories of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and Richard Nixon in 1972, and the third was in 2000, when strong third party showings in the state helped swing the county to George W. Bush. The 2016 election, however, saw the county swing significantly to the right, as Donald Trump won the county by over 13%. He increased his margin of victory in 2020 to nearly 16%, and turned in the best performance for a Republican in Norman County since Herbert Hoover in 1928. Trump increased his margin of victory to over 22% in the county in 2024, breaking this record yet again.[27]
United States presidential election results for Norman County, Minnesota[28]
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