# Aitkin County, Minnesota *County in Minnesota, United States* Aitkin County is a county in the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]], with its seat at the city of Aitkin.[^1] The 2020 census counted 15,697 residents.[^1] A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation falls inside the county, which was created in 1857 and organized in 1871.[^1] The county first appeared in 1857 under the name Aiken County and took its present spelling in 1872. Its namesake is William Alexander Aitken, who traded furs for John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company.[^2] It is crossed by the [[Mississippi River]], and its 1,995 square miles include 174 square miles of water.[^3] Since 1960, county voters backed the [[Democratic Party (United States)]] nominee in 62.5% of national elections, as of 2020. The [[Republican Party (United States)]] nominee carried five of the six most recent presidential contests, as of 2024.[^7] ## History Aiken County was carved out of Ramsey and Pine counties in 1857. At first it covered the 17 townships nearest Mille Lacs Lake, then gained outlying lands of Ramsey, Itasca and Pine Counties to the north and east.[^2] The spelling changed to Aitkin in 1872.[^2] At its organization in 1871 the county absorbed lands from Cass and Itasca Counties. It gave up a point at its southwestern corner to Crow Wing County, yielding its present boundaries.[^2] The source describes three short-lived lesbian feminist farmsteads in the county during the 1970s and 1980s. These were Rising Moon Farm (1973 to the 1980s), Mel's Place (1974–5) and Del Lago Farm (1975–6). The source links them to the commune, housing-cooperative and back-to-the-land movements.[^2] Jane Stedman, Linda Page and Trudy Fulton Smith built Rising Moon in 1972. It ran a food co-op and operated off the grid, without running water or electricity.[^2] After a 1973 fire destroyed the farm, its owners rebuilt it quickly. Some residents relocated to Mel's Place and later to Del Lago Farm.[^2] ## Geography The Mississippi runs south through the west-central part of the county. The land is rolling and wooded, with many lakes and ponds, and slopes generally toward the south.[^3] The county's highest point is Quadna Mountain, at 1,591 ft (485 m) above sea level, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south-southeast of Hill City. Apart from that summit, the highest ground lies near the northwestern corner, at 1,388 ft (423 m).[^3] Of the county's 1,995 square miles (5,170 km²), land accounts for 1,822 square miles (4,720 km²). Water accounts for 174 square miles (450 km²), or 8.7%.[^3] U.S. Highways 2 and 169 cross the county, as do Minnesota State Highways 18, 27, 47, 65, 200 and 210.[^3] The neighboring counties are: - Itasca to the north - Saint Louis to the northeast - Carlton to the east - Pine to the southeast - Kanabec to the south - Mille Lacs to the southwest - Crow Wing to the west - Cass to the northwest[^3] Protected areas include: - Savanna Portage State Park - Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge - Hill River and Solana State Forests - McGregor Marsh Scientific and Natural Area - Several state wildlife management areas - Snake River County Park[^3] ## Climate and weather At the county seat, recent average temperatures run from a January low of 0 °F (−18 °C) to a July high of 80 °F (27 °C).[^4] The official records are a low of −47 °F (−44 °C) in January 1972 and a high of 100 °F (38 °C) in August 1976. The source adds that readings above 100 °F have been recorded many times in the county and surrounding areas.[^4] Mean monthly precipitation is lowest in February, at 0.79 inches (20 mm), and highest in June, at 4.46 inches (113 mm).[^4] ## Demographics The 2020 census counted 15,697 people with a median age of 56.2 years.[^5] Residents under 18 made up 17.0% of the population, and residents 65 or older made up 32.9%. There were 102.6 males per 100 females.[^5] The census recorded the following racial makeup:[^5] - 92.6% White - 0.4% Black or African American - 2.5% American Indian and Alaska Native - 0.2% Asian - 0.4% some other race - 3.8% two or more races Residents of Hispanic or Latino origin, of any race, made up 1.4%.[^5] The census classified 100.0% of residents as rural and under 0.1% as urban.[^5] The county had 7,199 households in 2020. Of these, 18.2% included children under 18 and 49.0% were married couples. One-person households made up 33.2%.[^5] Nearly half of the 13,944 housing units, 48.4%, stood vacant. Of occupied units, 82.0% were owner-occupied and 18.0% were rented.[^5] The 2010 census had counted 16,202 people, 7,542 households and 4,458 families. Population density was 8.89 per square mile, and there were 16,626 housing units.[^5] ## Communities The county has six cities: Aitkin, Hill City, McGrath, McGregor, Palisade and Tamarack.[^6] The source lists 40 townships, from Aitkin Township to Workman Township. It also lists four unorganized territories: Davidson, Jewett, Northeast Aitkin and Northwest Aitkin.[^6] Among the 29 unincorporated communities listed, two carry Ojibwe names: East Lake (Minisinaakwaang) and Sandy Lake (Gaa-mitaawangaagamaag).[^6] ## Government and politics From 1960 through 2020, Democratic nominees won 62.5% of national elections among Aitkin County voters.[^7] In presidential races the county has since moved toward the Republican Party. As of 2024, Republican nominees had won five of the last six elections, and their single loss in that period was by 6 votes.[^7] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota* (revision 1375313912, retrieved 2026-10-25) — county seat, 2020 population, Mille Lacs Indian Reservation, creation in 1857 and organization in 1871. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, History section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — 1857 establishment as Aiken County, 1872 spelling, namesake, boundary changes, 1970s–80s farmsteads. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, Geography section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — terrain, elevations, area, highways, adjacent counties, protected areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, Climate and weather section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — average and record temperatures, precipitation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 and 2010 census figures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, Communities section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, townships, unorganized territories, unincorporated communities. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Aitkin County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (retrieved 2026-10-25) — presidential voting record as of 2020 and 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitkin_County,_Minnesota