# Douglas County, Minnesota *County in the U.S. state of Minnesota* Douglas County lies in the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]]. Alexandria is its county seat, and the 2020 census counted 39,006 residents.[^1] The county makes up the Alexandria, Minnesota, Micropolitan Statistical Area. It contains the Alexandria Lakes AVA, a 10,880-acre (44.0 km²) appellation and the only wine-grape appellation in Minnesota.[^1] Douglas County was established on March 8, 1858, by act of the territorial legislature, a short time before Minnesota became a state. Its name honors Stephen A. Douglas, who held a US Senate seat from Illinois when the county was formed. Organization of the county was finished in 1866.[^2] ## History On March 8, 1858, before statehood, the territorial legislature established the county.[^2] The legislature named it after Stephen A. Douglas, then a sitting US Senator from Illinois. The work of organizing the county ended in 1866.[^2] ## Geography Douglas County covers 720 square miles (1,900 km²). Of that area, 637 square miles (1,650 km²) is land and 83 square miles (210 km²), or 11%, is water. More than 250 lakes lie within it.[^3] The land is made up of rolling hills with many lakes and ponds, which are most concentrated in a band running north to south through the county's center. The terrain falls off generally toward the south and west. The highest ground, near the northeast corner, reaches 1,483 ft (452 m) above sea level. Spruce Creek runs southeast across the county's northeastern part.[^3] Two of Minnesota's biomes meet in the county. Prairie grassland covers the west and southeast, savannas (also prairie ecosystems) cover the middle, and temperate deciduous forest covers the south-central, northern and eastern areas. Savanna soils predominate in Douglas and in 16 other Minnesota counties.[^4] ### Major highways [[Interstate 94]], U.S. Highway 52, and Minnesota State Highways 27, 29, 55, 79 and 114.[^5] ### Airports Alexandria Municipal Airport ("Chandler Field") is a public-use airport owned by the city.[^5] ### Adjacent counties Otter Tail County (north), Todd County (east), Stearns County (southeast), Pope County (south), Stevens County (southwest) and Grant County (west).[^6] ### Protected areas The protected areas are the Anderson, Balgaard, Chermak, Herberger Lake, Kensington, La Grand, Red Rock, Roger M. Holmes, Schnepf, Thornberg and Urness wildlife management areas, part of the North Unit of the Osakis State Wildlife Management Area, and Lake Carlos State Park.[^6] ## Demographics ### 2020 census The 2020 census recorded 39,006 residents, with a median age of 43.8 years. Residents under 18 made up 21.6% of the population, and residents aged 65 or older made up 23.5%. The census counted 99.8 males for every 100 females overall and 98.2 males for every 100 females among adults.[^7] The census reported the racial makeup as 94.6% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% some other race, and 3.2% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.1% of the population. Urban areas held 48.6% of residents and rural areas held 51.4%.[^8] The census counted 16,557 households. Children under 18 lived in 25.3% of them, and 53.4% were married-couple households. Male householders with no spouse or partner present headed 18.1% of households, and female householders with no spouse or partner present headed 22.1%. Individuals made up about 29.8% of households, and in 13.5% someone aged 65 or older lived alone.[^9] Of the 21,769 housing units, 23.9% stood vacant. Owners occupied 75.0% of occupied units and renters 25.0%. The vacancy rate was 1.2% for homeowner units and 7.9% for rental units.[^9] ### 2000 census The 2000 census counted 32,821 people in 13,276 households and 9,027 families, a density of 51.5 people per square mile (19.9/km²). It also counted 16,694 housing units, at 26.2 per square mile (10.1/km²).[^10] ## Communities ### Cities Alexandria (county seat), Brandon, Carlos, Evansville, Forada, Garfield, Kensington, Millerville, Miltona, Nelson, and Osakis (part).[^11] ### Unincorporated communities Belle River, Holmes City, Leaf Valley and Rose City.[^11] ### Townships Alexandria, Belle River, Brandon, Carlos, Evansville, Holmes City, Hudson, Ida, La Grand, Lake Mary, Leaf Valley, Lund, Millerville, Miltona, Moe, Orange, Osakis, Solem, Spruce Hill and Urness townships.[^11] ## Government and politics In presidential elections the county has historically favored Republicans. It has backed the Democratic nominee only once since 1964.[^12] The Republican margin has grown in recent cycles. In 2024 Donald Trump won 67% of the county's vote, the strongest showing by a Republican presidential nominee there since Theodore Roosevelt in 1904.[^12] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - The county's namesake is Stephen A. Douglas, a US Senator from Illinois when the county was created.[^2] ### What - The county makes up the Alexandria Micropolitan Statistical Area and contains the Alexandria Lakes AVA.[^1] ### When - The territorial legislature created the county on March 8, 1858, and its organization was completed in 1866.[^2] ### Where - The county seat is Alexandria. The county borders Otter Tail, Todd, Stearns, Pope, Stevens and Grant counties.[^6] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994, retrieved 2026-10-25), lead — county seat, 2020 population, Alexandria Micropolitan Statistical Area, Alexandria Lakes AVA and its acreage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), History section — creation by the territorial legislature on March 8, 1858; naming for Stephen A. Douglas; organization completed 1866. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Geography section — total, land and water area; lake count; terrain; highest point; Spruce Creek. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Geography section — biomes and the 17 savanna-soil counties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Geography section, "Major highways" and "Airports" — highways and Alexandria Municipal Airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Geography section, "Adjacent counties" and "Protected areas" — bordering counties, wildlife management areas and Lake Carlos State Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Demographics section, 2020 census — population, median age, age distribution and sex ratios. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Demographics section, 2020 census — racial makeup, Hispanic or Latino share, urban and rural shares. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Demographics section, 2020 census — household composition, housing units, vacancy and tenure. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^10]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Demographics section, 2000 census — population, households, families, density and housing units. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^11]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Communities section — cities, unincorporated communities and townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota [^12]: Wikipedia contributors, *Douglas County, Minnesota* (revision 1375328994), Government and politics section — presidential voting history and 2024 result. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_County,_Minnesota