Washington County, Minnesota | |
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 Location within the U.S. state ofMinnesota | |
| Coordinates:45°02′N92°53′W / 45.04°N 92.89°W /45.04; -92.89 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | October 27, 1849[1] |
| Named after | George Washington |
| Seat | Stillwater |
| Largest city | Woodbury |
| Area | |
• Total | 423 sq mi (1,100 km2) |
| • Land | 384 sq mi (990 km2) |
| • Water | 38 sq mi (98 km2) 9.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 267,568 |
• Estimate (2024) | 283,960 |
| • Density | 697/sq mi (269/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 2nd,4th,8th |
| Website | www |
Washington County is acounty in theU.S. state ofMinnesota. As of the2020 census, the population was 267,568,[2] making it the fifth-most populous county in Minnesota. Itscounty seat isStillwater.[3] The largest city in the county isWoodbury, the seventh-largest city in Minnesota and the third-largest Twin Cities suburb. Washington County is included in theMinneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WIMetropolitan Statistical Area.
Early development in the area was on theSt. Croix River, which now forms the boundary with Wisconsin on the county's eastern side. The river provided a waterway to move settlers upstream and to transport logs downstream. The heavily forested area fostered an early logging and lumber economy. The area's first settlers arrived at the futureAfton in 1837. In 1838 settlers startedDacotah, at the north edge of presentStillwater, at the junction ofBrown's Creek and the St. Croix.[4] The creek's name is from the founder of this settlement, Joseph Renshaw Brown. However, asawmill was built atMarine-on-St.-Croix in 1839,[5] and another was built in the current location of downtown Stillwater in 1844. The success of these soon attracted the settlers from Dacotah, and that community declined.
This area was part ofWisconsin Territory until the eastern part of that territoryachieved statehood in 1848. Brown and other leaders called a meeting (the "Stillwater Convention") on August 26, 1848. The convention drafted a Memorial to Congress that a new territory be created with the name “Minnesota,” and electedHenry Hastings Sibley to deliver this citizens' petition to the U.S. Congress. Because of this convention, Stillwater calls itself the “Birthplace of Minnesota.” Congress responded by creatingMinnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849.
The newly established territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October 1849.[6] Washington County was one of the nine, named forGeorge Washington,[7] with Stillwater named as county seat. The county's first sheriff was appointed in 1849,[8] and the county's school district began in 1850.[9]
After the forests were depleted, the economy of Washington County became primarily agricultural. With the growth of neighboringRamsey County andSt. Paul, some of Washington County developed based on tourism and recreation, as withMahtomedi andLandfall. Late in the 20th century, the population greatly increased with the suburban expansion of St. Paul.
Washington County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its east border abuts the west border of the state ofWisconsin (across theSt. Croix River). TheMississippi River flows south-southeastward west of Washington County, and forms the southwest border of the county as it flows toward its confluence with the St. Croix (at the county's southernmost point).[11] Washington County terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the south and east, with its highest point on the lower west border at 1,053 ft (321 m) ASL.[12] The county has a total area of 423 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 384 square miles (990 km2) is land and 38 square miles (98 km2) (9.1%) is water.[13] It is the fourth-smallest county in Minnesota by land area and fifth-smallest by total area.
Source:[11]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,056 | — | |
| 1860 | 6,123 | 479.8% | |
| 1870 | 11,809 | 92.9% | |
| 1880 | 19,563 | 65.7% | |
| 1890 | 25,992 | 32.9% | |
| 1900 | 27,808 | 7.0% | |
| 1910 | 26,013 | −6.5% | |
| 1920 | 23,761 | −8.7% | |
| 1930 | 24,753 | 4.2% | |
| 1940 | 26,430 | 6.8% | |
| 1950 | 34,544 | 30.7% | |
| 1960 | 52,432 | 51.8% | |
| 1970 | 83,003 | 58.3% | |
| 1980 | 113,571 | 36.8% | |
| 1990 | 145,896 | 28.5% | |
| 2000 | 201,130 | 37.9% | |
| 2010 | 238,136 | 18.4% | |
| 2020 | 267,568 | 12.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 283,960 | [16] | 6.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19] 1990-2000[20] 2010-2020[2] | |||
As of the 2020 United States census, the county had a population of 267,568. The median age was 40.0 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.9 males age 18 and over.[21][22]
The racial makeup of the county was 79.1% White, 5.2% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 7.0% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.8% from some other race, and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.9% of the population.[22]
86.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 13.4% lived in rural areas.[23]
There were 99,507 households in the county, of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 57.7% were married-couple households, 13.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]
There were 104,014 housing units, of which 4.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.1% were owner-occupied and 19.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[21]
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[24] | Pop 2020[25] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 204,111 | 208,277 | 85.71% | 77.84% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 8,376 | 13,799 | 3.52% | 5.16% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 973 | 999 | 0.41% | 0.37% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 12,023 | 18,530 | 5.05% | 6.93% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 72 | 72 | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 214 | 969 | 0.09% | 0.36% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 4,240 | 11,828 | 1.78% | 4.42% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8,127 | 13,094 | 3.41% | 4.89% |
| Total | 238,136 | 267,568 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
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 can be of any race.
The ethnic makeup of the country, according to the2010 census, was the following:
As of the census of 2010, there were 238,136 people, 87,446 households, and 64,299 families in the county. The population density was 620 per square mile (240/km2). There were 87,446 housing units at an average density of 228 per square mile (88/km2). 39.4% were of German, 14.4% Irish, 13.0% Norwegian, and 9.9% Swedish ancestry. There were 87,446 households, out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14.
The county population contained 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.02 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.03 males. The median income for a household in the county was $79,735, and the median income for a family was $92,497. The per capita income for the county was $36,786. About 5.2% of the population was below the poverty line.
According to the 2007-2011American Community Survey, of the county's population 25 years and over, 1.4% had less than 9th grade education, 2.8% held 9th to 12th grade with no diploma, 23.6% had High school graduate or equivalent, 22.2% held Some college with no degree, 27.0% had bachelor's degree, and 13.0% earned Graduate or professional degree.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 201,130 people, 71,462 households, and 54,668 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 524 per square mile (202/km2). There were 73,635 housing units at an average density of 192 per square mile (74/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.63%White, 1.83%Black orAfrican American, 0.39%Native American, 2.14%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.60% fromother races, and 1.37% from two or more races.
There were 71,462 households, out of which 41.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.80% weremarried couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.50% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.19.
The county population contained 29.40% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.60% 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 96.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $66,305, and the median income for a family was $74,576 (these figures had risen to $78,067 and $90,867 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,815 versus $33,804 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $28,148. About 2.00% of families and 2.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 3.50% of those under age 18 and 4.10% of those age 65 or over.
Washington County voters slightly tend to vote Democratic. In 63% of national elections since 1948, the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020). It voted for the national winner in every election from 1992 to 2012.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 2,451 | 53.31% | 1,733 | 37.69% | 414 | 9.00% |
| 1896 | 3,995 | 70.51% | 1,558 | 27.50% | 113 | 1.99% |
| 1900 | 2,984 | 68.49% | 1,279 | 29.36% | 94 | 2.16% |
| 1904 | 2,913 | 79.94% | 652 | 17.89% | 79 | 2.17% |
| 1908 | 2,727 | 68.50% | 1,120 | 28.13% | 134 | 3.37% |
| 1912 | 581 | 13.76% | 1,289 | 30.52% | 2,353 | 55.72% |
| 1916 | 2,167 | 53.55% | 1,610 | 39.78% | 270 | 6.67% |
| 1920 | 5,852 | 74.84% | 1,558 | 19.93% | 409 | 5.23% |
| 1924 | 4,482 | 52.40% | 699 | 8.17% | 3,372 | 39.42% |
| 1928 | 6,113 | 59.06% | 4,158 | 40.17% | 80 | 0.77% |
| 1932 | 3,996 | 37.50% | 6,413 | 60.18% | 247 | 2.32% |
| 1936 | 3,863 | 32.99% | 6,768 | 57.80% | 1,079 | 9.21% |
| 1940 | 6,710 | 51.41% | 6,288 | 48.18% | 54 | 0.41% |
| 1944 | 6,014 | 51.49% | 5,599 | 47.94% | 66 | 0.57% |
| 1948 | 5,686 | 40.70% | 8,039 | 57.54% | 245 | 1.75% |
| 1952 | 9,408 | 54.57% | 7,768 | 45.06% | 64 | 0.37% |
| 1956 | 9,562 | 56.06% | 7,462 | 43.75% | 32 | 0.19% |
| 1960 | 11,202 | 48.42% | 11,870 | 51.31% | 61 | 0.26% |
| 1964 | 8,850 | 32.75% | 18,108 | 67.01% | 64 | 0.24% |
| 1968 | 10,921 | 37.72% | 16,449 | 56.81% | 1,584 | 5.47% |
| 1972 | 19,142 | 53.03% | 16,102 | 44.61% | 854 | 2.37% |
| 1976 | 20,716 | 42.64% | 26,454 | 54.45% | 1,413 | 2.91% |
| 1980 | 22,718 | 41.38% | 25,634 | 46.69% | 6,550 | 11.93% |
| 1984 | 29,046 | 50.13% | 28,527 | 49.23% | 369 | 0.64% |
| 1988 | 30,850 | 46.45% | 34,952 | 52.63% | 613 | 0.92% |
| 1992 | 26,568 | 31.07% | 35,820 | 41.90% | 23,111 | 27.03% |
| 1996 | 31,219 | 35.45% | 45,119 | 51.24% | 11,719 | 13.31% |
| 2000 | 51,502 | 48.13% | 49,637 | 46.39% | 5,870 | 5.49% |
| 2004 | 65,751 | 51.19% | 61,395 | 47.80% | 1,303 | 1.01% |
| 2008 | 64,334 | 46.94% | 70,277 | 51.27% | 2,448 | 1.79% |
| 2012 | 69,137 | 48.64% | 70,203 | 49.39% | 2,793 | 1.97% |
| 2016 | 64,428 | 44.67% | 67,086 | 46.51% | 12,721 | 8.82% |
| 2020 | 73,764 | 44.23% | 89,165 | 53.46% | 3,857 | 2.31% |
| 2024 | 75,271 | 44.40% | 90,324 | 53.28% | 3,941 | 2.32% |
Like all counties in Minnesota, Washington is governed by an elected and nonpartisan board of commissioners. Each commissioner represents a district of approximately equal population.
Washington County is divided among three congressional districts. Northern Washington County is represented byMinnesota's 6th congressional district (CPVI R+10), central Washington County byMinnesota's 4th congressional district (CPVI D+18), and southern Washington County byMinnesota's 2nd congressional district (CPVI D+3).
According to the county's 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[27] the top employers in the county are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andersen Corporation (Bayport) | 4,939 |
| 2 | Independent School District 833 | 2,594 |
| 3 | Woodwinds Healtheast Campus | 1,331 |
| 4 | Washington County Government | 1,324 |
| 5 | Walmart | 1,274 |
| 6 | Hy-Vee Grocery | 1,250 |
| 7 | Independent School District 834 | 1,136 |
| 8 | Independent School District 831 | 1,074 |
| 9 | Target Corporation | 959 |
| 10 | Bailey Nurseries, Inc | 800 |
School districts include:[28]
Washington County has had three locations listed asEnvironmental Protection AgencySuperfund sites due tosoil andgroundwatercontamination. TheBaytown Township Ground Water Plume and theOakdale Dump are currently listed, while theWashington County Landfill was cleaned up and removed from the Superfund list in 1996.
Places adjacent to Washington County, Minnesota | |
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Municipalities and communities ofWashington County, Minnesota,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns/Neighborhoods | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
UScensus199045°02′N92°53′W / 45.04°N 92.89°W /45.04; -92.89
