# Grant County, Minnesota *County in the U.S. state of Minnesota* Grant County is a county in [[Minnesota]]. Its seat is the city of Elbow Lake, and the 2020 census counted 6,074 residents there.[^1] The county was created on March 6, 1868, and named for Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who later became president of the United States. It organized a county government in 1874.[^2] The 2020 census classified 100.0% of the county's residents as living in rural areas.[^3] Wikipedia describes the county as a swing district that has leaned Republican in recent elections.[^4] ## History Grant County dates from March 6, 1868, and takes its name from Ulysses S. Grant. County government followed six years later, in 1874.[^2] Before May 1965 the county was dry under county option, and beverages above 3.2% alcohol could not be sold there. That status ended when county option was eliminated in May 1965.[^2] ## Geography Two rivers drain the county. The Chippewa runs generally south through the eastern part, and the Mustinka runs south and then west-southwest through the upper and central portions of the western part.[^5] Lakes are scattered across low, rolling hills, and land that can be used is farmed. Elevation generally falls toward the south and east. The highest ground, 1,375 ft (419 m) above sea level, is on the upper eastern border.[^5] Of the county's 575 square miles (1,490 km²), 548 square miles are land and 27 square miles, or 4.7%, are water.[^5] The county's major highways are [[Interstate 94]], U.S. Highways 52 and 59, and Minnesota State Highways 9, 27, 55, 78 and 79.[^6] Grant County borders six counties:[^7] - Otter Tail County to the north - Wilkin County to the northwest - Traverse County to the southwest - Stevens County to the south - Pope County to the southeast - Douglas County to the east Eleven state wildlife management areas are listed among the county's protected areas: Alvstad, Berksow, Chippewa, Helsene, Isaacson, Kube-Swift, Malsville, Marple, Mustinka, Storm-Bordson and Wilts.[^8] ## Demographics ### 2020 census The 2020 census enumerated 6,074 people, with a median age of 43.7 years. Children under 18 made up 23.4% of the population, and people aged 65 or older made up 23.3%.[^3] The census recorded 100.3 males per 100 females overall and 100.5 per 100 among adults. Fewer than 0.1% of residents lived in areas the census classed as urban.[^3] By the census's racial categories, 94.2% of residents were White and 3.8% were of two or more races. A further 0.8% were of some other race, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Black or African American, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino residents, of any race, made up 2.2% of the population.[^3] The census counted 2,540 households:[^3] - 27.1% included children under 18. - 52.9% were married couples. - 19.1% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. - 21.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. - About 30.2% consisted of one person. - In 14.6%, a person aged 65 or older lived alone. Of the county's 3,155 housing units, 19.5% stood vacant. Owners held 79.6% of occupied units and renters 20.4%. The vacancy rate was 1.7% for owner housing and 11.1% for rentals.[^3] ### 2000 census The 2000 census counted 6,289 people in 2,534 households, 1,740 of which were families. The county had 3,098 housing units, and population density was 11.6 people per square mile.[^9] The 2020 count was 215 people lower than the 2000 count.[^3][^9] ## Communities Grant County has seven cities:[^10] - Ashby - Barrett - Elbow Lake, the county seat - Herman - Hoffman - Norcross - Wendell Its unincorporated communities are Erdahl and part of Charlesville. Hereford, Pomme de Terre and Thorsborg are ghost towns.[^10] The county has sixteen townships: Delaware, Elbow Lake, Elk Lake, Erdahl, Gorton, Land, Lawrence, Lien, Logan, Macsville, North Ottawa, Pelican Lake, Pomme de Terre, Roseville, Sanford and Stony Brook.[^10] ## Government and politics Wikipedia characterizes Grant County as a swing district that has leaned Republican in recent elections. It reports that, as of 2024, the county had backed the Republican presidential candidate in 67% of national elections from 1980 onward, including 1980.[^4] The record assembled for this article carries no primary election returns that would confirm that figure.[^4] ## In the Minnesota record ### Where - The county seat is Elbow Lake.[^1] - The county covers 575 square miles, of which 548 are land.[^5] ### How many - 6,074 residents as of the 2020 census.[^3] - 2,540 households and 3,155 housing units as of the 2020 census.[^3] ### When - Created March 6, 1868.[^2] - County government organized in 1874.[^2] - Dry-county status ended in May 1965, with the elimination of county option.[^2] ### Who - Named for Ulysses S. Grant, Civil War general and U.S. president.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, lead section (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — county status, county seat, 2020 census population. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — creation date, naming, organization of government, dry-county status to May 1965. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Demographics: 2020 census (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — population, age, sex ratio, urban–rural split, census race categories, households, housing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — swing-district characterization; 67% Republican presidential selection, 1980–2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — rivers, terrain, slope, highest point, total, land and water area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Geography: Major highways (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — list of major highways. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Geography: Adjacent counties (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — bordering counties and directions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Geography: Protected areas (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — state wildlife management areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Demographics: 2000 census (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2000 population, households, families, density, housing units. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota [^10]: Wikipedia contributors, *Grant County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1375329683, retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, unincorporated communities, ghost towns, townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grant_County,_Minnesota