Cass County, Minnesota

Cass County was created on September 1, 1851, by the Minnesota Territory legislature, although its government was not organized until 1897. The county was formed of areas partitioned from Dakota, Mahkatah, Pembina and Wahnata Counties. It was named for Lewis Cass, a Michigan political figure of the 19th century.^[4] Before it was organized several parcels of county land were partitioned off to augment or form adjacent counties.

The Crow Wing River flows east-southeast along Cass County's southern border, and the Gull River flows southwest through the lower part, to discharge into the Crow Wing on the southern border. The terrain consists of wooded rolling hills, heavily dotted with lakes and ponds,^[6] and slopes to the south and east; its highest point is on the upper western border, at 1,614 ft (492 m) ASL.^[7] The county has an area of 2,414 square miles (6,250 km²), of which 2,022 square miles (5,240 km²) is land and 393 square miles (1,020 km²) (16%) is water.^[8]

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In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Walker have ranged from a low of 0 °F (−18 °C) in January to a high of 79 °F (26 °C) in July, although a record low of −44 °F (−42 °C) was recorded in February 1996 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in August 1976. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.62 inches (16 mm) in February to 4.11 inches (104 mm) in July.^[9]

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,150 people, 10,893 households, and 7,734 families in the county. The population density was 13.4 per square mile (5.2/km²). There were 21,286 housing units at an average density of 10.5 per square mile (4.1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.52% White, 0.11% BlackorAfrican American, 11.45% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were HispanicorLatino of any race. 28.2% were of German, 15.0% Norwegian, 7.3% Swedish, 6.1% Irish and 6.1% American ancestry.

There were 10,893 households, out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.00% from 25 to 44, 27.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,332, and the median income for a family was $40,156. Males had a median income of $30,097 versus $21,232 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,189. About 9.50% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

• Whipholt

Cass County tends to vote Republican. As of 2020 the county has selected the Republican nominee in 78% of presidential elections since 1980.

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cass County, Minnesota
• Woman Lake

• Cass County government's website
• Minnesota Department of Transportation map of Cass County (southern portion, west central portion, east central portion, northern portion)

46°57′N 94°19′W / 46.95°N 94.32°W / 46.95; -94.32