Nobles County, Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 Nobles County Government Center in Worthington | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofMinnesota | |
 Minnesota's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:43°40′39.67″N95°45′47.275″W / 43.6776861°N 95.76313194°W /43.6776861; -95.76313194 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | May 23, 1857 (created) October 27, 1870 (organized) |
| Named after | William H. Nobles |
| Seat | Worthington |
| Largest city | Worthington |
| Area | |
• Total | 722.551 sq mi (1,871.40 km2) |
| • Land | 715.117 sq mi (1,852.14 km2) |
| • Water | 7.434 sq mi (19.25 km2) 1.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 22,290 |
• Estimate (2024) | 21,969 |
| • Density | 30.381/sq mi (11.730/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | co.nobles.mn.us |
Nobles County is acounty in theU.S. state ofMinnesota. As of the2020 census, the population was 22,290.[1] Itscounty seat isWorthington.[2] Nobles County comprises the Worthington, MNMicropolitan Statistical Area.
Nobles County was first occupied by theSisseton Sioux. The first white man to set foot on the land wasJoseph Nicollet who came to map out the area in 1842. Nicollet namedLake Okabena (there were two Lake Okabenas at the time),Lake Ocheda,East and West Graham Lake and the Kanaranzi Creek.
The first settlement was nearGraham Lakes in 1846. Nobles County was established May 23, 1857, and organized October 27, 1870.[3] The county was named forWilliam H. Nobles, a member of the Minnesota territorial legislature in 1854 and 1856. In Autumn 1856 he began the construction of a wagon road for the US government, crossing southwestern Minnesota and Nobles County, to extend fromFort Ridgely toSouth Pass in the Rocky Mountains. This work was continued in 1857 but was not completed.[4] Nobles County was created by the Minnesota Territory legislature just before the full force of thePanic of 1857 was felt. Settlers were further discouraged from coming by theSpirit Lake Massacre of 1857, where a band of Sioux murdered settlers inSpirit Lake and along the Des Moines River inJackson andCottonwood Counties. The few whites in the area were understandably reluctant to stay.
During the summer of 1867, a mail route was established fromBlue Earth through theGraham Lakes settlement toYankton, South Dakota. In January, a Post Office was established in each settlement. The population in the spring of 1870 was 117 and nearly doubled by fall. County Government did not start until 1870. The first railroad, the St. Paul & Sioux City Railway, was built in 1871. This later became theChicago Northwestern Railroad and is now operated by theUnion Pacific Railroad.
In 1871, a group of men fromToledo, Ohio organized a company to locate a colony of settlers in some western county. After traveling 20,000 miles in the Midwest, they decided on Nobles County and by the spring of 1872, hundreds of people came in and took up land.Worthington was platted in 1871,[5] and became the county seat in 1873. The Worthington & Sioux Falls Railway was established in 1876. This led to rapid settlement inRushmore,Adrian, and the western portions of the county.
The 1860 census of Nobles County showed 11 families, 35 persons, (3 fromNorway, 3 fromBavaria, 1 fromIreland and the rest from the eastern states).[6] In 1880, the population was 4,435. In 1895, the population was 11,905, and in 1970, the population was up to 23,208. In 2000, the population was 20,832, and the 2010 census showed a population of 21,378.[7]
Nobles County's economy is largely driven by agriculture, with corn, soybeans, and hogs as the county's leading agricultural products. Food processing and fabricated metals are important manufacturing sectors, and tourism is a growing industry that benefits from the county's lakes, parks, and historical sites.[8][9]
Nobles County is on the southern side of Minnesota. Its southern border abuts the northern border of the state ofIowa.[12] According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 722.551 square miles (1,871.40 km2), of which 715.117 square miles (1,852.14 km2) is land and 7.434 square miles (19.25 km2) (1.0%) is water.[13]
Source:[12]
Source:[12]
Nobles County sits atop theBuffalo Ridge, a large expanse of rolling hills in southwestern Minnesota reaching a height of 1,995 ft (608 m) ASL. The Buffalo Ridge marks the most southerly extent of the last glaciation, and extends 60 miles (97 km) throughLincoln,Lyon,Pipestone,Murray,Rock, and Nobles counties. It is adrainage divide separating thewatersheds of theMississippi andMissouri Rivers. Because of its elevation and constant winds, Buffalo Ridge has become a major site for wind energy. Over 200wind turbines stand along the Ridge.
Buffalo Ridge is part of the inner coteau and is the highest point of theCoteau des Prairies in Minnesota.[14] Itsbedrock is formed ofCretaceous shale, sandstone and clay that lie above the pinkish-red UpperPrecambrianSioux Quartzite.[15] These units are covered in most areas by thick deposits of glacial drift, which consist of up to 800 ft (240 m) of pre-Wisconsin ageglacial till left after the glaciers receded. The inner coteau is made up of extremely stream-eroded glacial deposits of pre-Wisconsin glacial drift, which is then covered by a 6-15' (1.8-4.6m) thick deposit of a wind-blown silt calledloess.[14] This covering results in the creation of an area with long, gently sloping hills. Loess is an easily eroded material, resulting in few lakes and wetlands in the inner coteau area. Loess however promotes well-established dendritic drainage networks flowing into theMissouri River andMinnesota River systems.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 35 | — | |
| 1870 | 117 | 234.3% | |
| 1880 | 4,435 | 3,690.6% | |
| 1890 | 7,958 | 79.4% | |
| 1900 | 14,932 | 87.6% | |
| 1910 | 15,210 | 1.9% | |
| 1920 | 17,917 | 17.8% | |
| 1930 | 18,618 | 3.9% | |
| 1940 | 21,215 | 13.9% | |
| 1950 | 22,435 | 5.8% | |
| 1960 | 23,365 | 4.1% | |
| 1970 | 23,208 | −0.7% | |
| 1980 | 21,840 | −5.9% | |
| 1990 | 20,098 | −8.0% | |
| 2000 | 20,832 | 3.7% | |
| 2010 | 21,378 | 2.6% | |
| 2020 | 22,290 | 4.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 21,969 | [16] | −1.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19] 1990-2000[20] 2010-2020[1] | |||
As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Nobles County was $191,780.[21]
As of the 2023American Community Survey, there are 7,689 estimated households in Nobles County with an average of 2.82 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $62,973. Approximately 12.2% of the county's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Nobles County has an estimated 66.2% employment rate, with 17.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 79.4% holding a high school diploma.[22]
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 (67.7%), Spanish (23.8%), Indo-European (0.4%), Asian and Pacific Islander (4.7%), and Other (3.4%).
The median age in the county was 36.4 years.
Nobles 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[23] | Pop. 1990[24] | Pop. 2000[25] | Pop. 2010[26] | Pop. 2020[27] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 21,492 (98.41%) | 19,318 (96.12%) | 17,232 (82.72%) | 14,365 (67.20%) | 12,147 (54.50%) |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 30 (0.14%) | 49 (0.24%) | 212 (1.02%) | 727 (3.40%) | 978 (4.39%) |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 52 (0.24%) | 63 (0.31%) | 42 (0.20%) | 67 (0.31%) | 66 (0.30%) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 99 (0.45%) | 399 (1.99%) | 816 (3.92%) | 1,144 (5.35%) | 1,329 (5.96%) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | — | 0 (0.00%) | 7 (0.03%) | 41 (0.18%) |
| Other race alone (NH) | 17 (0.08%) | 7 (0.03%) | 10 (0.05%) | 25 (0.11%) | 42 (0.19%) |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | — | 195 (0.94%) | 223 (1.04%) | 416 (1.87%) |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 150 (0.69%) | 262 (1.30%) | 2,325 (11.16%) | 4,820 (22.55%) | 7,271 (32.62%) |
| Total | 21,840 (100.00%) | 20,098 (100.00%) | 20,832 (100.00%) | 21,378 (100.00%) | 22,290 (100.00%) |
As of the2020 census, there were 22,290 people, 7,851 households, and 5,446 families residing in the county.[28] Thepopulation density was 31.2 inhabitants per square mile (12.0/km2). There were 8,394 housing units at an average density of 11.7 inhabitants per square mile (4.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 58.81%White, 4.41%African American, 2.06%Native American, 6.11%Asian, 0.18%Pacific Islander, 19.60% from some other races and 8.83% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 32.62% of the population.[29] 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.1% were under 5 years of age, and 17.6% were 65 and older.
As of the2010 census, there were 21,378 people, 7,946 households, and 5,431 families residing in the county. The population density was 29.9 inhabitants per square mile (11.5/km2). There were 8,535 housing units at an average density of 11.9 inhabitants per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.81%White, 3.48%African American, 0.52%Native American, 5.46%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 12.84% from some other races and 1.84% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 22.55% of the population.
As of the2000 census, there were 20,832 people, 7,939 households, and 5,517 families in the county. The population density was 29.1 inhabitants per square mile (11.2/km2). There were 8,465 housing units at an average density of 11.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.50%White, 1.07%African American, 0.31%Native American, 3.98%Asian, 0.07%Pacific Islander, 6.64% from some other races and 1.43% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.16% of the population. 47.0% were ofGerman, 8.3%Dutch and 8.0%Norwegian ancestry.
There were 7,939 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% weremarried couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.
The county population contained with 26.50% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,684, and the median income for a family was $43,076. Males had a median income of $27,853 versus $20,346 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,987. About 8.20% of families and 11.70% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.
Source:[5]
Source:[5]
Nobles County voters have tended to vote Republican in the past several decades. In 67% of national elections since 1980, the county has selected the Republican Party candidate (as of 2020).
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 894 | 44.24% | 664 | 32.86% | 463 | 22.91% |
| 1896 | 1,568 | 54.84% | 1,204 | 42.11% | 87 | 3.04% |
| 1900 | 1,709 | 57.68% | 1,101 | 37.16% | 153 | 5.16% |
| 1904 | 1,732 | 70.52% | 622 | 25.33% | 102 | 4.15% |
| 1908 | 1,432 | 56.78% | 925 | 36.68% | 165 | 6.54% |
| 1912 | 605 | 20.78% | 994 | 34.15% | 1,312 | 45.07% |
| 1916 | 1,413 | 50.39% | 1,280 | 45.65% | 111 | 3.96% |
| 1920 | 4,420 | 79.64% | 982 | 17.69% | 148 | 2.67% |
| 1924 | 2,835 | 46.10% | 421 | 6.85% | 2,894 | 47.06% |
| 1928 | 3,676 | 56.01% | 2,862 | 43.61% | 25 | 0.38% |
| 1932 | 2,417 | 35.35% | 4,343 | 63.51% | 78 | 1.14% |
| 1936 | 2,601 | 32.22% | 4,919 | 60.94% | 552 | 6.84% |
| 1940 | 5,104 | 56.34% | 3,919 | 43.26% | 36 | 0.40% |
| 1944 | 4,149 | 54.61% | 3,413 | 44.93% | 35 | 0.46% |
| 1948 | 3,203 | 38.21% | 5,090 | 60.73% | 89 | 1.06% |
| 1952 | 6,340 | 65.25% | 3,351 | 34.49% | 26 | 0.27% |
| 1956 | 5,196 | 56.23% | 4,036 | 43.67% | 9 | 0.10% |
| 1960 | 5,636 | 53.20% | 4,947 | 46.70% | 11 | 0.10% |
| 1964 | 3,517 | 35.31% | 6,431 | 64.57% | 12 | 0.12% |
| 1968 | 4,451 | 44.04% | 5,171 | 51.16% | 485 | 4.80% |
| 1972 | 4,951 | 47.04% | 5,464 | 51.91% | 110 | 1.05% |
| 1976 | 4,503 | 41.95% | 6,034 | 56.21% | 198 | 1.84% |
| 1980 | 4,706 | 45.40% | 4,703 | 45.37% | 956 | 9.22% |
| 1984 | 4,876 | 50.77% | 4,619 | 48.09% | 110 | 1.15% |
| 1988 | 4,348 | 46.28% | 4,953 | 52.73% | 93 | 0.99% |
| 1992 | 3,548 | 35.73% | 3,756 | 37.82% | 2,626 | 26.45% |
| 1996 | 3,769 | 41.60% | 4,106 | 45.32% | 1,186 | 13.09% |
| 2000 | 4,766 | 53.72% | 3,760 | 42.38% | 346 | 3.90% |
| 2004 | 5,159 | 56.05% | 3,898 | 42.35% | 147 | 1.60% |
| 2008 | 4,368 | 49.56% | 4,244 | 48.16% | 201 | 2.28% |
| 2012 | 4,581 | 53.77% | 3,793 | 44.52% | 146 | 1.71% |
| 2016 | 5,299 | 61.39% | 2,733 | 31.66% | 600 | 6.95% |
| 2020 | 5,600 | 64.26% | 2,933 | 33.65% | 182 | 2.09% |
| 2024 | 5,541 | 66.96% | 2,599 | 31.41% | 135 | 1.63% |
Places adjacent to Nobles County, Minnesota | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofNobles County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
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