Becker County, Minnesota

Not to be confused with Becker, Minnesota.
Becker County, Minnesota
Map of Minnesota highlighting Becker County
Location in the state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location in the U.S.
Founded March 18, 1858 (created)
1871 (organized)[1]
Named for George Loomis Becker
Seat Detroit Lakes
Largest city Detroit Lakes
Area
 • Total 1,445 sq mi (3,743 km2)
 • Land 1,315 sq mi (3,406 km2)
 • Water 130 sq mi (337 km2), 9.0%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 33,386
 • Density 25/sq mi (10/km²)
Congressional district 7th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.becker.mn.us

Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,504.[2] Its county seat is Detroit Lakes.[3] A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county. The county was created in 1858 and organized in 1871.

History

Becker County became a county on March 18, 1858. It was named after Brigadier General George Loomis Becker (1829-1904).[4] Becker was one of three men elected to congress when Minnesota became a state, but since Minnesota could only send two, Becker elected to stay behind, and he was promised to have a county named after him.

The city of Detroit Lakes was founded by Colonel George Johnston in 1871, the city grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Colonel Johnston had led settlers entirely hailing from the New England states to settle in this region.[5] In 1877, an election finally decided that Detroit Lakes, then known as Detroit, was to become the county seat. Detroit won the election by a ninety percent majority. Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also in the running for the county seat.

Native vegetation based on NRCS soils information[6]
Soils of Callaway WMA area

In 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses such as the Hotel Minnesota, the Lakes Hotel, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first courthouse was built that year also. In 1885, the first County Fire Department was constructed. In 1903, the Soo Line Railroads built a rail line through the county. Only one book has been published about Becker County, "History of Becker" was written by A.H. Wilcox in 1907.

Detroit Lakes is the home of one of three to five Grand Army of the Republic Parks in the Nation. The City of Detroit Lakes rededicated the GAR Park on April 15, 2015, marking the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the death of President Lincoln. The rededication was sponsored by Colonel Tom Mortenson and his wife Pam, representing the Women's Relief Corps who spearheaded community support for the effort that included new signage for the Park, and a time capsule to be opened on the 200th anniversary.<http://www.dl-online.com/news/detroit-lakes/3697521-dl-park-be-re-dedicated-civil-war-vets>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,445 square miles (3,740 km2), of which 1,315 square miles (3,410 km2) is land and 130 square miles (340 km2) (9.0%) is water.[7]

Becker County has much diversity in its topographical features. Becker County is home to several hundred lakes, many acres of fertile farm land, and forested areas. Much of the land consists of hills and deciduous trees.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Climate and weather

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.8
 
 
19
−2
 
 
0.5
 
 
26
3
 
 
1.1
 
 
37
17
 
 
1.9
 
 
56
32
 
 
3.5
 
 
69
45
 
 
4.4
 
 
78
55
 
 
3.8
 
 
82
60
 
 
3
 
 
81
58
 
 
3.6
 
 
71
47
 
 
3.1
 
 
56
35
 
 
1.2
 
 
38
21
 
 
0.7
 
 
23
5
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[8]

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Detroit Lakes have ranged from a low of −2 °F (−19 °C) in January to a high of 82 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −46 °F (−43 °C) was recorded in February 1936 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.53 inches (13 mm) in February to 4.44 inches (113 mm) in June.[8]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860386—
1870308−20.2%
18805,2181,594.2%
18909,40180.2%
190014,37552.9%
191018,84031.1%
192022,85121.3%
193022,503−1.5%
194026,56218.0%
195024,836−6.5%
196023,959−3.5%
197024,3721.7%
198029,33620.4%
199027,881−5.0%
200030,0007.6%
201032,5048.3%
Est. 201533,386[9]2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2015[2]
Age pyramid of county residents based on 2000 U.S. census data

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,000 people, 11,844 households, and 8,184 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 16,612 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.35% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 7.52% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of German, 26.0% Norwegian and 5.2% Swedish ancestry.

There were 11,844 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,797, and the median income for a family was $41,807. Males had a median income of $29,641 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,085. About 8.50% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

A country road in Becker County in summer

Cities

Townships

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

In popular culture

Becker County is the setting for the 2006 independent film Sweet Land, though it was filmed in Chippewa County.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. ↑ Citizen Kane, Charles Curry Aiken (2005). "The American counties: origins of county names, dates of creation, and population data, 1950-2000" p.18. Scarecrow Press, 2005
  5. ↑ A Pioneer History of Becker County, Minnesota: Including a Brief Account of Its Natural History ... and a History of the Early Settlement of the County; Also, Including ... Historical Information Collected by Mrs. Jessie C. West. And Numerous Articles Written by Various Early Pioneers Relating to the History of the Several Townships of Becker County by Alvin H. Wilcox, Mrs. Jessie Campbell West. Pioneer Press Company 1907
  6. ↑ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 53 - 56. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Detroit Lakes, Minnesota". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-11-06.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.

External links

 Norman County Mahnomen County Clearwater County and Hubbard County
Clay County
  Becker County, Minnesota  
Otter Tail County Wadena County

Coordinates: 46°56′N 95°40′W / 46.93°N 95.67°W / 46.93; -95.67

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