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Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 46°24′21″N 95°42′52″W / 46.405727°N 95.714581°W / 46.405727; -95.714581
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Otter Tail County
County
The Otter Tail County Courthouse in Fergus Falls
The Otter Tail County Courthouse in Fergus Falls
Official logo of Otter Tail County
Logo
Map of Minnesota highlighting Otter Tail County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°24′21″N 95°42′52″W / 46.405727°N 95.714581°W / 46.405727; -95.714581
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedMarch 18, 1858 (created)
September 12, 1868 (organized)
Named afterOtter Tail Lake and Otter Tail River
SeatFergus Falls
Largest cityFergus Falls
Area
 • Total
2,224.328 sq mi (5,760.98 km2)
 • Land1,971.635 sq mi (5,106.51 km2)
 • Water252.693 sq mi (654.47 km2)  11.36%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
60,081
 • Estimate 
(2024)
60,884 Increase
 • Density30.873/sq mi (11.920/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code218
Congressional district7th
Websiteottertailcounty.gov

Otter Tail County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 60,081,[1] and was estimated to be 60,884 in 2024.[2] The county seat and the largest city is Fergus Falls.[3]

Otter Tail County comprises the Fergus Falls micropolitan statistical area. With 1,048 lakes in its borders, Otter Tail County has more lakes than any other county in the United States.[4]

History

[edit]

Native Americans used the area for hunting and fishing and had permanent dwelling sites. Two Native American tribes were in constant conflict. The Dakota (Sioux) were being pushed from their home area by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Burial mounds and artifacts can still be found. Some of the oldest Native American remains were found near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. The remains, nicknamed Minnesota Girl, were dated at about 11,000 BC.

Historic marker for Tordenskjold, which was made the county seat in 1870 by the Minnesota legislature, a decision rescinded the following year.

The first European men to enter the county were French and British fur traders. Efforts were made to set up trading posts on the Leaf Lakes and Otter Tail Lake. In the late 19th century, most of the towns were built along the railroad lines. Lumber and agriculture were the major industries in the county at that time. The pine and hardwood forests, transportation system, and markets were instrumental in the development of Fergus Falls into a lumber center. The Wisconsin Territory was established by the federal government effective July 3, 1836, and existed until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as Wisconsin) in 1848. The federal government set up the Minnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. One of those original counties, Dakota, had a section partitioned off in 1851 to create Cass County. On March 18, 1858, the outgoing territorial legislature created Otter Tail County from areas partitioned from Cass and Pembina, another of the original counties created in 1849. The county was named for Otter Tail Lake and the Otter Tail River.[5] The county was not organized in 1858, nor was a county seat specified. On September 12, 1868, the legislature completed the county organization, and specified Otter Tail City as county seat.

Otter Tail City began as a waystation on a fur-trade route between Saint Paul and the Red River valley. The settlement was of sufficient size that when the Minnesota Territory established a US land office for this part of the territory, the office was sited at Otter Tail City. Thus, the city was named as the seat when the county was organized, but people had begun settling the future Fergus Falls area in 1857, and it grew sufficiently that in fall 1872, the vote was taken to move the county seat there.[6] The Northern Pacific Railroad had initially planned to run a line through Otter Tail City, but complications caused the line to be placed in Fergus Falls, which precipitated the county seat move. The Soo Line later made plans to run a line through Otter Tail City, but when townspeople could not agree on the routing, another route east of the city was constructed. Thus, a new city plat was generated, with the settlement name changing to Ottertail.[7]

In 1870, the population of the county was about 2,000. At that time, the principal languages spoken in the county were Norwegian, Swedish, German, and English.

The people of Fergus Falls organized a new county named Holcomb. In 1872, a legislative act abolished Holcomb County, added additional townships to the west, and established Fergus Falls as Otter Tail County's seat.

Early telephone

[edit]

The Fergus Falls Telephone Exchange Company organized on March 20, 1882, and was in a room at the First National Bank at the corner of Cascade and Lincoln. The system install was very crude. Efforts were made to have telephones installed in the courthouse but commissioners did not feel it was necessary. Eventually a telephone was installed in the auditor's office through a combination of private and public funds. A clerk in the office was tasked with tracking down the officer who was called. The business was sold to the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company in 1883.[8]

Geography

[edit]

The Otter Tail River flows south and west through the central and western parts of the county on its way to form the Red River in Wilkin County. It is joined by the south-flowing Pelican River west of Fergus Falls. The Leaf River rises in the county and flows east to its confluence with the Crow Wing River in neighboring Wadena County. The Redeye River flows southeast through the county's northeast section toward its confluence with the Leaf in Wadena. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, heavily wooded through its center section, dotted with lakes and ponds, and carved with drainages and gullies. The available area is devoted to agriculture.[9] The county terrain slopes to the west and south.[10] The highest points on the county terrain are at two different locations: Inspiration Peak, at 1,727 ft (526 m), and Pekan Peak (unofficial name) a summit northeast of the village of Urbank in Folden Township, Section 32, at 1,800 ft (550 m) above sea level.[11]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,224.328 square miles (5,760.98 km2), of which 1,971.635 square miles (5,106.51 km2) is land and 252.693 square miles (654.47 km2) (11.36%) is water.[12] It is the 7th largest county in Minnesota by total area.[13]

Otter Tail is one of 17 Minnesota savanna region counties with more savanna soils than either forest or prairie soils. According to its website, the county contains over 1,000 lakes.

Soils of Otter Tail County[14]
Soils of Bluff Creek WMA area

Transportation

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Major highways

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Airports

[edit]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Protected areas

[edit]

Source:[9]

  • Aastad State Wildlife Management Area
  • Amor State Wildlife Management Area
  • Bluff Creek State Wildlife Management Area
  • Davies State Wildlife Management Area
  • Dead Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Doran State Wildlife Management Area
  • Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Eastern Township State Wildlife Management Area
  • Elmo State Wildlife Management Area
  • Folden Woods State Wildlife Management Area
  • Glendalough State Park
  • Hi-View State Wildlife Management Area
  • Inman State Wildlife Management Area
  • Inspiration Peak State Wayside Park
  • Jensen Memorial State Wildlife Management Area
  • Maplewood State Park
  • Orwell State Wildlife Management Area
  • Otter Tail Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
  • Prairie Ridge State Wildlife Management Area
  • Valdine State Wildlife Management Area

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860240—
18701,968720.0%
188018,675848.9%
189034,23283.3%
190045,37532.6%
191046,0361.5%
192050,81810.4%
193051,0060.4%
194053,1924.3%
195051,320−3.5%
196048,960−4.6%
197046,097−5.8%
198051,93712.7%
199050,714−2.4%
200057,15912.7%
201057,3030.3%
202060,0814.8%
2024 (est.)60,884[16]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19]
1990–2000[20] 2010–2020[2]

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the median home value in Otter Tail County was $270,005.[21]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 25,181 estimated households in Otter Tail County with an average of 2.34 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $70,912. Approximately 10.6% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Bowman County has an estimated 61.2% employment rate, with 27.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.0% holding a high school diploma.[2]

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (95.7%), Spanish (2.5%), Indo-European (1.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.6%).

The median age in the county was 46.3 years.

Otter Tail County, Minnesota – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[22] Pop. 1990[23] Pop. 2000[24] Pop. 2010[25] Pop. 2020[26]
White alone (NH) 51,468
(99.10%)		 50,052
(98.69%)		 55,137
(96.46%)		 54,244
(94.66%)		 54,362
(90.48%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 24
(0.05%)		 27
(0.05%)		 160
(0.28%)		 422
(0.74%)		 843
(1.40%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 121
(0.23%)		 226
(0.45%)		 269
(0.47%)		 261
(0.46%)		 284
(0.47%)
Asian alone (NH) 134
(0.26%)		 182
(0.36%)		 250
(0.44%)		 264
(0.46%)		 334
(0.56%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 13
(0.02%)		 29
(0.05%)		 17
(0.03%)
Other race alone (NH) 48
(0.09%)		 3
(0.01%)		 5
(0.01%)		 13
(0.02%)		 149
(0.25%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 368
(0.64%)		 580
(1.01%)		 1,876
(3.12%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 142
(0.27%)		 224
(0.44%)		 957
(1.67%)		 1,490
(2.60%)		 2,216
(3.69%)
Total 51,937
(100.00%)		 50,714
(100.00%)		 57,159
(100.00%)		 57,303
(100.00%)		 60,081
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

[edit]
2022 US Census population pyramid for Otter Tail County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 60,884 people and 25,181 households residing in the county. There were 36,922 housing units at an average density of 18.73 per square mile (7.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% White (92.0% NH White), 1.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.9% of the population.[27]

2020 Census

[edit]

As of the 2020 census, there were 60,081 people, 25,123 households, and 16,512 families residing in the county.[28] The population density was 30.5 inhabitants per square mile (11.8/km2). There were 36,506 housing units at an average density of 18.52 per square mile (7.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.39% White, 1.42% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.80% from some other races and 4.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.69% of the population.[29]

2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census, there were 57,303 people, 24,055 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 29.1 inhabitants per square mile (11.2/km2). There were 35,594 housing units at an average density of 18.05 per square mile (7.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.12% White, 0.75% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from some other races and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.60% of the population.

2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census, there were 57,159 people, 22,671 households, and 15,779 families in the county. The population density was 29.0 inhabitants per square mile (11.2/km2). There were 33,862 housing units at an average density of 17.0 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.11% White, 0.29% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from some other races and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.67% of the population.

In terms of ancestry, 35.5% were of German and 31.2% Norwegian.

There were 22,671 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,395, and the median income for a family was $42,740. Males had a median income of $30,151 versus $20,930 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,014. About 6.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]
United States presidential election results for Otter Tail County, Minnesota[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 24,276 66.08% 11,752 31.99% 708 1.93%
2020 23,800 65.39% 11,958 32.85% 641 1.76%
2016 20,939 64.43% 9,340 28.74% 2,221 6.83%
2012 18,860 59.55% 12,165 38.41% 645 2.04%
2008 18,077 55.30% 13,856 42.39% 754 2.31%
2004 19,734 61.33% 12,038 37.41% 406 1.26%
2000 16,963 59.50% 9,844 34.53% 1,704 5.98%
1996 11,808 45.68% 10,519 40.69% 3,523 13.63%
1992 11,074 41.52% 9,176 34.41% 6,420 24.07%
1988 14,015 56.96% 10,373 42.16% 216 0.88%
1984 15,664 61.30% 9,714 38.02% 173 0.68%
1980 15,091 57.74% 9,108 34.85% 1,939 7.42%
1976 12,113 49.42% 11,881 48.47% 516 2.11%
1972 13,519 62.21% 7,881 36.27% 331 1.52%
1968 12,483 60.30% 7,400 35.75% 818 3.95%
1964 10,542 51.26% 9,997 48.61% 26 0.13%
1960 13,747 62.94% 8,054 36.87% 42 0.19%
1956 12,764 65.88% 6,571 33.91% 40 0.21%
1952 16,447 75.03% 5,388 24.58% 86 0.39%
1948 11,131 61.25% 6,546 36.02% 495 2.72%
1944 12,351 67.55% 5,823 31.85% 110 0.60%
1940 13,737 63.51% 7,705 35.62% 187 0.86%
1936 8,899 49.14% 8,642 47.72% 569 3.14%
1932 7,416 43.72% 8,805 51.90% 743 4.38%
1928 11,624 68.28% 4,990 29.31% 411 2.41%
1924 7,557 55.45% 568 4.17% 5,504 40.38%
1920 11,084 78.50% 1,741 12.33% 1,294 9.16%
1916 4,328 54.33% 2,858 35.88% 780 9.79%
1912 755 11.53% 1,739 26.57% 4,052 61.90%
1908 3,964 58.07% 2,320 33.99% 542 7.94%
1904 4,642 73.69% 869 13.80% 788 12.51%
1900 3,446 47.19% 3,257 44.60% 600 8.22%
1896 3,544 42.73% 4,482 54.04% 268 3.23%
1892 2,140 37.40% 1,642 28.70% 1,940 33.90%

Otter Tail is a Republican stronghold in U.S. presidential elections, having voted for the party's candidates in every election since 1936.[31] The only Democrats to win the county since Minnesota became a state in 1858 have been Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first election victory, and unsuccessful candidate William Jennings Bryan in 1896.

During the Great Depression, there was a communist faction within the county. The areas where the movement was centered are quite desolate today, but in mid-1932 over 900 people were involved in one of the state's communist organizations at what was a historic low point for farmers. The members of the communist party were very active in the New York Mills area of Newton, Leaf Lake, Blowers, Deer Creek and Paddock Townships. They held meetings, recruited members, placed candidates on local and state tickets, and distributed propaganda. They held dances in Heinola, Menahga, and Sebeka where the Soviet hammer and sickle was proudly displayed and ran a summer camp on East Leaf Lake.[32]

By the time Franklin Roosevelt implemented his New Deal programs in the county, the communist movement began to lose steam. In addition, the Winter War in Europe between Finland and the U.S.S.R. soured many Finnish immigrants on communism (Finns had been a large proportion of the local communists). Carl Peltoniemi, a former local communist, said, "The communist movement within the Finnish community basically ended at the start of the Winter War in 1939–1940."

In the Minnesota House of Representatives, Otter Tail County is divided into two districts, 8A and 8B. They are represented by Republicans Bud Nornes (8A) and Mary Franson (8B). Districts 8A and 8B make up Minnesota State Senate district 8, which is represented by Republican State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen.

Communities

[edit]
The Otter Tail River at Phelps Mill. June 2004
Fergus Falls City Hall in Fergus Falls
A picnic/beach area in Glendalough State Park. July 2010

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Education

[edit]

School districts include:[33]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Otter Tail County, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  4. ^ "The Minnesota County That Has More Lakes Than Any County In America". www.onlyinyourstate.com. Only In Your State. June 15, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  5. ^ Otter Tail County Website "History and Settlement - GIS - Otter Tail County Minnesota". Archived from the original on June 25, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
  6. ^ "Minnesota geographic names; their origin and historic significance". [St. Paul] Minnesota Historical Society. 1969.
  7. ^ "History of the Community". cityofottertail.com.
  8. ^ Mason, John W. (1916). Otter Tail County Minnesota: Its People, Industries, and Institutions. Vol. 1. B.F. Bowen & Company, Inc.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Otter Tail County · Minnesota". Otter Tail County · Minnesota.
  10. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Otter Tail County MN" Google Maps (accessed April 26, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Sandy, John H. "Prominent Peaks in Otter Tail County, Minnesota". Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "2024 County Gazetteer Files – Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Otter Tail County, Minnesota". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  14. ^ Nelson, Steven (2011). Savanna Soils of Minnesota. Minnesota: Self. pp. 53 - 56. ISBN 978-0-615-50320-2.
  15. ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps.
  16. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  19. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  21. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  22. ^ "Otter Tail County, Minnesota — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  23. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Minnesota" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 20. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Otter Tail County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Otter Tail County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  26. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Otter Tail County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  27. ^ "County Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  28. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  29. ^ "How many people live in Otter Tail County, Minnesota". USA Today. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  31. ^ Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  32. ^ Tweton, Jerome (1988). The New Deal at the Grass Roots: Programs for the People in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. pp. 29–31.
  33. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Otter Tail County, MN" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
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