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Clearwater County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 47°34′N 95°23′W / 47.57°N 95.38°W / 47.57; -95.38
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Not to be confused with Clearwater, Minnesota.

Clearwater County
County
Clearwater County Building and Courthouse in Bagley, Minnesota.
Clearwater County Building and Courthouse in Bagley, Minnesota.
Map of Minnesota highlighting Clearwater County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 47°34′N 95°23′W / 47.57°N 95.38°W / 47.57; -95.38
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedDecember 20, 1902[1]
Named forClearwater Lake
Clearwater River[2]
SeatBagley
Largest cityBagley
Area
 • Total
1,030 sq mi (2,700 km2)
 • Land999 sq mi (2,590 km2)
 • Water31 sq mi (80 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,524
 • Estimate 
(2023)
8,644 Increase
 • Density8.5/sq mi (3.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.co.clearwater.mn.us

Clearwater County is a county in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,524.[3] Its county seat is Bagley.[4]

Clearwater County is home to Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River. Parts of the Red Lake and White Earth Indian reservations extend into the county.

Geography

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The Red Lake River flows west out of Red Lake across the top of Clearwater County on its way to discharge into the Red River at Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Clearwater River flows west-southwest across the central part of the county on its way to discharge into the Red Lake River. The county terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds.[5] The terrain slopes to the north, with the highest point on the lower west boundary, at 1,781 ft (543 m) ASL.[6] The county has an area of 1,030 square miles (2,700 km2), of which 999 square miles (2,590 km2) is land and 31 square miles (80 km2) (3.0%) is water.[7]

Soils of Clearwater County[8]

The county's high point, just south of Scoop Lake, is one of a few places to exceed 2000 feet in Minnesota, rising to 2005 feet at 47.2318°N, -95.5034°W.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Bagley Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Clearwater State Wildlife Management Area
  • Iron Springs Bog SNA
  • Itasca State Park (part)
  • Jackson Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Little Pine State Wildlife Management Area
  • Lower Rice Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Old Red Lake Trail State Wildlife Management Area
  • Upper Rice Lake State Wildlife Management Area

[5]

Climate and weather

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Bagley, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
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35
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0.6
 
 
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[9]
Metric conversion
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18
 
 
−9
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−6
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100
 
 
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82
 
 
26
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73
 
 
20
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61
 
 
12
0
 
 
24
 
 
2
−8
 
 
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−6
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years average temperatures in Bagley have ranged from a low of −15 °F (−26 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, with a record low of −53 °F (−47 °C) recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) recorded in August 1976. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.64 inches (16 mm) in December to 4.62 inches (117 mm) in June.[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19106,870—
19208,56924.7%
19309,54611.4%
194011,15316.8%
195010,204−8.5%
19608,864−13.1%
19708,013−9.6%
19808,7619.3%
19908,309−5.2%
20008,4231.4%
20108,6953.2%
20208,524−2.0%
2023 (est.)8,643[10]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[3]

2020 Census

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Clearwater County Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 7,151 83.9%
Black or African American (NH) 19 0.2%
Native American (NH) 752 8.82%
Asian (NH) 23 0.3%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 476 5.6%
Hispanic or Latino 101 1.2%

2000 census

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

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,423 people, 3,330 households, and 2,287 families in the county. The population density was 8.43 per square mile (3.25/km2). There were 4,114 housing units at an average density of 4.12 per square mile (1.59/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.26% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 8.58% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 43.6% were of Norwegian, 15.6% German, 6.5% Swedish, and 6.2% American ancestry.

There were 3,330 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.90% 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 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,517, and the median income for a family was $39,698. Males had a median income of $29,338 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,694. About 11.00% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 18.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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  • Alida
  • Big Bear Landing
  • Bonga Landing
  • Bush Landing
  • Lake Itasca
  • Mallard
  • Ponsford Landing
  • Vern
  • Weme
  • Zerkel

[5]

Townships

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Unorganized territories

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Government and politics

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From 1932 to 1996, Clearwater County voted for the Democratic nominee all but twice, both during nationwide Republican landslides for Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. Though the county went Democrat in the subsequent three elections, Reagan's victory foreshadowed the changing political landscape of Clearwater County, as the margins for Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton were much reduced compared to the prior decades, with Dukakis winning the county by only 6 votes in 1988 and Clinton winning by less than 7.5% in both of his successful runs for the presidency. Beginning in 2000, Clearwater County has voted Republican in each election, and the only time the margin got under 10% was in 2008. In 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to win over 60% of the county's vote since 1928, defeating Hillary Clinton by an astounding 43%. In 2020, Trump increased his vote share again, defeating Joe Biden in the county by 45%, and in 2024 improved yet again, defeating Kamala Harris by almost a 50% margin of victory. It was the best Republican performance in the county's history outside of its inaugural election in 1904 for Theodore Roosevelt.

United States presidential election results for Clearwater County, Minnesota[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,575 74.26% 1,169 24.28% 70 1.45%
2020 3,372 71.62% 1,260 26.76% 76 1.61%
2016 2,925 68.90% 1,100 25.91% 220 5.18%
2012 2,359 56.21% 1,753 41.77% 85 2.03%
2008 2,291 53.77% 1,877 44.05% 93 2.18%
2004 2,438 55.90% 1,871 42.90% 52 1.19%
2000 2,137 55.88% 1,466 38.34% 221 5.78%
1996 1,423 40.50% 1,578 44.91% 513 14.60%
1992 1,315 34.99% 1,587 42.23% 856 22.78%
1988 1,763 49.43% 1,769 49.59% 35 0.98%
1984 2,066 51.33% 1,917 47.63% 42 1.04%
1980 1,919 46.39% 1,955 47.26% 263 6.36%
1976 1,374 34.22% 2,437 60.70% 204 5.08%
1972 1,819 49.39% 1,751 47.54% 113 3.07%
1968 1,284 36.06% 2,046 57.46% 231 6.49%
1964 1,137 30.41% 2,596 69.43% 6 0.16%
1960 1,651 39.93% 2,466 59.64% 18 0.44%
1956 1,464 40.11% 2,171 59.48% 15 0.41%
1952 1,971 47.89% 2,089 50.75% 56 1.36%
1948 1,171 27.80% 2,793 66.31% 248 5.89%
1944 1,125 29.47% 2,658 69.64% 34 0.89%
1940 1,354 28.94% 3,289 70.31% 35 0.75%
1936 939 22.05% 3,208 75.34% 111 2.61%
1932 845 22.89% 2,688 72.81% 159 4.31%
1928 1,898 60.01% 1,189 37.59% 76 2.40%
1924 1,020 37.54% 86 3.17% 1,611 59.29%
1920 1,788 70.73% 340 13.45% 400 15.82%
1916 493 39.92% 544 44.05% 198 16.03%
1912 125 11.42% 123 11.23% 847 77.35%
1908 779 66.07% 164 13.91% 236 20.02%
1904 903 85.27% 79 7.46% 77 7.27%
County Board of Commissioners[17]
Position Name District Next Election
Commissioner Mark Titera District 1 2026
Commissioner Dean Newland District 2 2024
Commissioner Stuart Dukek District 3 2026
Commissioner John Nelson District 4 2024
Commissioner Mark Larson District 5 2026
State Legislature (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
Senate Paul Utke[18] Republican District 2
House of Representatives Matt Grossell[19] Republican District 2A
House of Representatives Steve Green[20] Republican District 2B
U.S Congress (2018-2020)
Position Name Affiliation District
House of Representatives Collin Peterson[21] Democrat 7th
Senate Amy Klobuchar[22] Democrat N/A
Senate Tina Smith[23] Democrat N/A

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 121.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Clearwater County MN Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019)
  6. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Clearwater County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 6, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  8. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 57-60. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  9. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Bagley, Minnesota". The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  14. ^ "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 6, 2014.
  15. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clearwater County, Minnesota".
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  17. ^ "County Board - Clearwater County, MN". www.co.clearwater.mn.us. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Rep. Matt Grossell (02A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  20. ^ "Rep. Steve Green (02B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  21. ^ "Congressman Collin Peterson". Congressman Collin Peterson. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  22. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  23. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
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47°34′N 95°23′W / 47.57°N 95.38°W / 47.57; -95.38

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