According to Countryaah, Big Stone County is located in the western region of Minnesota and is part of the state’s Prairie Region. According to the 2010 census, the county had a population of 5,269 with an estimated population of 4,852 in 2019. The largest city in Big Stone County is Ortonville which has a population of 1,299. The next largest city is Odessa with a population of 431 people. Other cities include Beardsley (184 people), Clinton (144 people), and Graceville (96 people).
Big Stone County has an area of 871 square miles with a median elevation of 947 feet above sea level. It has 12 townships and 21 unincorporated communities. The county seat is Ortonville and it borders South Dakota to the west as well as Stevens County to the east and Chippewa County to the north.
The median household income for Big Stone County was $51,000 in 2019 which was an increase from $50,200 in 2018 according to US Census Bureau estimates. The average household size was 2.38 people with 28% of households having children under 18 years old as per US Census Bureau estimates from 2019 which was an increase from 26% in 2018 according to the same estimates from US Census Bureau data sets.
The largest age group in Big Stone County is 45-54 years old, making up 20% of the total population according to the 2010 census data. This is followed by 35-44-year-olds who make up 17% of the total population and 25-34-year-olds who make up 14% of the total population according to the same data set. The median age for Big Stone County is 43 years old with a 50% male population and 50% female population as per the same data set.
History of Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota was first established in 1862 when it was created from the western part of Chippewa County. The county is named after Big Stone Lake, which is located in the northern part of the county. The lake is believed to have been named by French fur traders who were exploring the area in the 1700s.
The first settlers of Big Stone County were primarily German and Scandinavian immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s and established farms throughout the area. The county grew slowly but steadily over the next several decades as more people moved to the region to take advantage of its fertile soil and abundant resources.
In 1919, Big Stone County was officially incorporated as a township and later became a full-fledged county in 1962. In recent years, Big Stone County has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to lakes, parks, and other outdoor recreational activities.
Today, Big Stone County is a vibrant community with a population of 4,852 people as per US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. It is home to several small towns such as Ortonville (population 1,299), Odessa (population 431), Beardsley (population 184), Clinton (population 144), and Graceville (population 96). In addition to its many attractions, Big Stone County also offers a variety of services including healthcare facilities, schools, libraries, museums, shopping centers, restaurants, and more.
Major cities and towns in Big Stone County, Minnesota
Big Stone County, Minnesota is home to several small towns and cities, each with its own unique character and culture. The county seat is the city of Ortonville, which is located in the southwestern part of the county and has a population of 1,299 people as per US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. Ortonville is known for its quaint downtown area, which offers a variety of shops and restaurants as well as plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and bird watching.
Odessa is another small town located in Big Stone County with a population of 431 people according to US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. The town offers a variety of services including healthcare facilities, schools, libraries, museums, shopping centers, restaurants, and more. It also features a beautiful park with walking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Beardsley is another small town located in Big Stone County with a population of 184 people according to US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. This rural community features several local businesses including an antique store and an ice cream shop as well as an outdoor amphitheater where live music events are held throughout the summer months.
Clinton is another small town located in Big Stone County with a population of 144 people according to US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. This rural community offers plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing on Clinton Lake or taking a stroll through the nearby nature preserve.
Finally, Graceville is another small town located in Big Stone County with a population of 96 people according to US Census Bureau estimates from 2019. This rural community offers plenty of outdoor activities such as camping at Graceville Park or taking an afternoon boat ride on Grace Lake. In addition to its many attractions and amenities, Graceville also boasts several local businesses that offer everything from groceries to hardware supplies.
Population in Big Stone County, Minnesota
According to existingcountries.com, Big Stone County, Minnesota is a rural county located in the west-central part of the state. As of 2019, the population of Big Stone County was estimated to be 5,944 people according to the US Census Bureau. This relatively small population is spread across an area of 868 square miles, which gives it an average population density of 6.8 people per square mile.
The majority of Big Stone County’s population is located within its two largest towns: Ortonville (population 1,299) and Odessa (population 431). These two towns account for nearly half of the county’s total population and are home to a variety of services and amenities such as healthcare facilities, schools, libraries, museums, shopping centers, restaurants and more. Other smaller towns in Big Stone County include Beardsley (population 184), Clinton (population 144) and Graceville (population 96).
Big Stone County has experienced little growth over the past decade with its population growing by just 0.7% between 2010 and 2019. The median age in Big Stone County is 44.7 years old which is slightly higher than the national median age of 38 years old. In terms of race and ethnicity, about 93% of residents identify as white or non-Hispanic while 2% identify as Hispanic or Latino and 5% identify as another race or ethnicity.
In terms of income levels in Big Stone County, the median household income was estimated to be $53,072 in 2019 which is slightly lower than the national median household income ($68,703). The poverty rate in Big Stone County was estimated to be 11% which is lower than both the state poverty rate (14%) and national poverty rate (13%).
Big Stone County can be characterized as a rural area with a small but stable population that consists primarily of white non-Hispanic individuals with slightly below average incomes but above average poverty levels compared to both state and national averages.