Traverse County, Minnesota

Traverse County (locally/ˈtrævərs/ TRAV-ərss) is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,360, making it the least-populous county in Minnesota. Its county seat is Wheaton. The county was founded in 1862 and organized in 1881.

Geography

Traverse County lies on the western edge of Minnesota. Its western border abuts the eastern borders of the states of North and South Dakota. The Red River flows northward along the county's western line. The Mustinka River flows southwestward through the county's upper portion, discharging into Lake Traverse. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, fully devoted to agriculture except in developed areas. The terrain slopes to the west and north, with its highest point at the southeastern corner, at 1,119 ft (341 m) ASL. The county has a total area of 586 square miles (1,520 km2), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.0%) is water.

Major highways

• U.S. Route 75
• Minnesota State Highway 9
• Minnesota State Highway 27
• Minnesota State Highway 28
• Minnesota State Highway 117

Adjacent counties

• Wilkin County - north
• Grant County - northeast
• Stevens County - southeast
• Big Stone County - south
• Roberts County, South Dakota - southwest
• Richland County, North Dakota - northwest

Protected areas

• Reservation Dam State Wildlife Management Area
• White Rock Dam State Wildlife Management Area

Lakes

Source:

• Lake Traverse (part)
• Mud Lake - (part)
• Saint Marys Lake
• Wet Lake

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,360. The median age was 46.8 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 85.4% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 6.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, <0.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.4% from some other race, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.9% of the population.

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,439 households in the county, of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.2% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,877 housing units, of which 23.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.5% were owner-occupied and 21.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.5%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 4,134 people, 1,717 households, and 1,129 families in the county. The population density was 7.2 per square mile (2.8/km2). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 3.83 per square mile (1.48/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.42% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 2.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 1.21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.2% were of German, 13.0% Norwegian, 7.6% Swedish and 5.4% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,717 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 21.70% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 26.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,617, and the median income for a family was $39,655. Males had a median income of $29,821 versus $20,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,378. About 9.30% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 10.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Browns Valley
• Dumont
• Tintah
• Wheaton (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Boisberg
• Charlesville (partial)
• Collis
• Dakomin

Townships

• Arthur Township
• Clifton Township
• Croke Township
• Dollymount Township
• Folsom Township
• Lake Valley Township
• Leonardsville Township
• Monson Township
• Parnell Township
• Redpath Township
• Tara Township
• Taylor Township
• Tintah Township
• Walls Township
• Windsor Township

Government and politics

Traverse County was historically a swing county, although in recent years it has swung substantially Republican. Since 1980 the county has selected the Republican Party candidate 58% of the time in national elections (as of 2024).

See also

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

45°46′N 96°28′W/45.77°N 96.47°W/ 45.77; -96.47