Becker County, Minnesota
Encyclopedia
Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat
is Detroit Lakes
. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation
extends into the county.
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. 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.
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.
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 according to Census 2000.
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.
On ePodunk : Becker County & Becker Cty. ancestry:
German - 31%; Norwegian - 23%; Swedish - 7% (2000)
, though it was filmed in Chippewa County
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. As of 2010, the population was 32,504. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
-Demographics:As of the official census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 people per square mile . There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile...
. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation
White Earth Indian Reservation
The White Earth Indian Reservation is the home to the White Earth Nation, located in northwestern Minnesota. It is the largest Indian reservation in that state...
extends into the county.
History
Becker County became a county on March 18, 1858. It was named after Brigadier General George Loomis Becker. Becker was one of three men elected to congress when MinnesotaMinnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
became a state, but since Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
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. 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
Frazee, Minnesota
The United States Census Bureau estimated the population to be 1,385 in 2007. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,377 people, 504 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,593.2 people per square mile . There were 553 housing units at an average density of...
, Lake Park
Lake Park, Minnesota
Lake Park is a city in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 783 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, and Audubon
Audubon, Minnesota
Audubon is a city in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 519 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and 1.69% is water.-Demographics:...
were also in the running for the county seat.
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
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad
The Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad was a Class I railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Midwest U.S. Commonly known as the Soo Line after the phonetic spelling of Sault, it was merged with several other major CP subsidiaries on January 1, 1961 to form the...
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.
| Year | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 45.31% 7687 | 52.17% 8851 |
| 2004 | 40.21% 6756 | 58.30% 9795 |
| 2000 | 36.65% 5253 | 56.88% 8152 |
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1445.11 square miles (3,742.8 km²), of which 1310.42 square miles (3,394 km²) (or 90.68%) is land and 134.69 square miles (348.8 km²) (or 9.32%) is water.Major highways
|
 Minnesota State Highway 113Minnesota State Highway 113 Minnesota State Highway 113 is a highway in northwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 32 in Syre and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...  Minnesota State Highway 224Minnesota State Highway 224 Minnesota State Highway 224 was a short state highway connecting the unincorporated town of White Earth with U.S. Highway 59 at Ogema. The route was turned back to Becker County maintenance in 2005.-Route description:...  Minnesota State Highway 225Minnesota State Highway 225 Minnesota State Highway 225 is a highway in north-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Becker County Road 26 in the town of Ponsford and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 34 in Osage Township of Becker County.The route is in length... |
U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Highway 59
Topography
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.Adjacent counties
National protected areas
- Hamden Slough National Wildlife RefugeHamden Slough National Wildlife RefugeHamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge is an area in Minnesota, United States. Eastern Hardwood forests stretching from the Atlantic seaboard give way to the western prairie at the area, near Audubon, Minnesota. Prior to settlement, its diverse vegetation was attractive to wildlife: waterfowl,...
- Tamarac National Wildlife RefugeTamarac National Wildlife RefugeTamarac National Wildlife Refuge covers and lies in the glacial lake country of northwestern Minnesota in Becker County, northeast of Detroit Lakes. It was established in 1938 as a refuge breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife....
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 30,000 people, 11,844 households, and 8,184 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 7.52% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.36% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.32% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 32.2% were of German, 26.0% Norwegian and 5.2% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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.
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
On ePodunk : Becker County & Becker Cty. ancestry:
German - 31%; Norwegian - 23%; Swedish - 7% (2000)
In popular culture
Becker County is the setting for the 2006 independent film Sweet LandSweet Land
Sweet Land is a 2005 American independent period drama film written and directed by Ali Selim. It is an adaptation of the 1989 short story "A Gravestone Made of Wheat" by Will Weaver...
, though it was filmed in Chippewa County
Chippewa County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,088 people, 5,361 households, and 3,597 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 5,855 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
.
Cities and towns
| Cities | Townships | CDPs | Other communities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Forest Township, Becker County, Minnesota Forest Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 58 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and is water... |
Maple Grove Township, Becker County, Minnesota Maple Grove Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 405 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.7 square miles , of which 27.7 square miles is land and 8.0 square... Round Lake Township, Becker County, Minnesota Round Lake Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 157 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 72.6 square miles , of which 64.1 square miles is land and 8.5 square... Spring Creek Township, Becker County, Minnesota Spring Creek Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 120 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.7 square miles , of which 37.2 square miles is land and... Spruce Grove Township, Becker County, Minnesota Spruce Grove Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 358 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.7 square miles , of which 35.6 square miles is land and... Sugar Bush Township, Becker County, Minnesota Sugar Bush Township is a township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 537 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 72.6 square miles , of which 65.3 square miles is land and 7.3 square... |
Elbow Lake, Becker County, Minnesota Elbow Lake is a census-designated place in Becker and Clearwater counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 104 at the 2000 census.-Geography:... Pine Point, Minnesota Pine Point is a census-designated place in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 337 at the 2000 census.-Geography:... White Earth, Minnesota White Earth is a census-designated place in Becker County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 424 at the 2000 census.-Geography:... |
Oak Lake, Minnesota Oak Lake is a ghost town in section 24 of Audubon Township in Becker County, Minnesota, United States.-History:The village of Oak Lake, which was also known as Oak Lake Cut or Oak City, had a station of the Northern Pacific Railroad located in nearby section 19 of Detroit Township, but was... Ponsford, Minnesota Ponsford is an unincorporated community in Becker County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located west of Park Rapids on Minnesota State Highway 225.Minnesota State Highway 34 is nearby.... Snellman, Minnesota Snellman is an unincorporated community in Becker County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located between Detroit Lakes and Park Rapids on Minnesota State Highway 34.... |
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Detroit Lakes have ranged from a low of -2 °F in January to a high of 82 °F (27.8 °C) in July, although a record low of -46 °F was recorded in February 1936 and a record high of 107 °F (41.7 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.53 inches (1.3 cm) in February to 4.44 inches (11.3 cm) in June.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Becker County, Minnesota