# Mower County, Minnesota *County in the U.S. state of Minnesota* Mower County is a county of [[Minnesota]] on the state's boundary with Iowa. Its county seat is Austin. The 2020 census counted 40,029 residents.[^1][^3] The county makes up the Austin Micropolitan Statistical Area and forms part of the Rochester–Austin Combined Statistical Area. Lake Louise State Park lies in its southeastern corner, near Le Roy.[^1] The territorial legislature formed the county on February 20, 1855, from the southern end of Rice County. It named the county for John Edward Mower, then a member of that legislature.[^2] Territorial Governor [[Willis A. Gorman]] signed the act organizing the county on March 1, 1856. The permanent seat was fixed in Austin Township in January 1857.[^2] ## History Wisconsin Territory was established by the federal government effective July 3, 1836. It took in the area that is now Minnesota until Wisconsin, its eastern part, became a state in 1848.[^2] Congress created the [[Minnesota Territory]] effective March 3, 1849. In October of that year the new territorial legislature set up nine counties.[^2] On March 5, 1853, land from two of those first counties, [[Dakota]] and Wabashaw (later [[Wabasha]]), was reassigned to form Rice County.[^2] Settlement of southern Rice County began in 1852, when Jacob McQuillin's family arrived. More settlers followed quickly.[^2] On February 20, 1855, the territorial legislature carved the present county out of Rice County's southernmost part and gave it John Edward Mower's name.[^2] Governor Gorman's signature on March 1, 1856, organized the county. He named three commissioners, whose first meeting took place in Frankford Township.[^2] In January 1857 the commissioners placed the permanent seat in Austin Township. In July 1857 they narrowed the site to Austin village, which had been platted in spring 1856.[^2] ## Geography The county borders Iowa to the south.[^3] The Cedar River runs south through the county's western townships (Udolpho, Lansing, Austin and Lyle) into Mitchell County, Iowa. The Upper Iowa River has its source within the county. Its two branches join near Le Roy and leave through the southeast corner.[^3] Three creeks drain the county toward neighboring counties: - Deer Creek runs northeast from the southeast into Fillmore County. - Bear Creek runs east from the north into Fillmore County. - Carey Creek runs northeast into Olmsted County.[^3] The land is low rolling hills cut by drainages and gullies, and it is farmed where possible.[^3] An elevated ridge runs west to east through the center of the county. Its highest point, 1,440 ft (440 m), is 1.6 miles east of Elkton.[^3] The total area is 712 square miles (1,840 km²). Of that, 711 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles (0.03%) is water.[^3] Mower is one of four Minnesota counties with no natural lakes; the others are Olmsted, Pipestone and Rock.[^4] It has four small dammed ponds and lakes: - East Side Lake, in Austin; - Lake Louise, in Lake Louise State Park; - Mill Pond, in downtown Austin near the Hormel plant; - Ramsey Mill Pond, in Ramsey Golf Course.[^4] ## Demographics Population has fallen since its high point in 1960. The source attributes the decline to younger residents leaving for jobs in cities.[^5] ### 2020 census The 2020 census recorded: - **Population and age:** 40,029 residents, with a median age of 38.5 years.[^5] - **Age groups:** 25.5% were under 18, and 18.5% were 65 or older.[^5] - **Race:** 77.0% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 5.2% Asian, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.6% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. A further 6.3% reported some other race, and 6.4% two or more races.[^5] - **Hispanic or Latino origin:** 12.7% of residents, of any race.[^5] - **Urban and rural:** 63.7% lived in urban areas and 36.3% in rural areas.[^5] - **Households:** 15,700 households.[^5] - **Housing:** 16,928 housing units, of which 7.3% were vacant. Owners occupied 73.6% of occupied units.[^5] ### 2000 census The 2000 census counted 38,603 people, 15,582 households and 10,315 families. Population density was 54.3 per square mile.[^5] ## Government Five county commissioners govern the county under a county-council form. Each is elected from a single-member district to a four-year term, with terms staggered.[^6] As of the cited revision (retrieved October 25, 2026), the commissioners listed by district were: - First district: John Mueller - Second district: Polly Glynn - Third district: Jerry Reinartz - Fourth district: Dan Sparks - Fifth district: Mike Ankeny[^6] ### Presidential elections From 1860 through 1928 the county backed the Republican nominee in every presidential election except 1912, when it chose Theodore Roosevelt on the Bull Moose ticket.[^7] After the 1932 New Deal realignment it supported Democrats through 2012, with three exceptions: - Eisenhower in 1952; - Eisenhower in 1956; - Nixon over Kennedy in 1960.[^7] In 2016, Republican Donald Trump carried the county.[^7] ## Communities The cities are Adams, Austin (the county seat), Brownsdale, Dexter, Elkton, Grand Meadow, Le Roy, Lyle, Mapleview, Racine, Rose Creek, Sargeant, Taopi and Waltham. Lansing is a census-designated place.[^8] The unincorporated communities are Andyville, part of Corning, Johnsburg, Mayville, Nicolville, Ramsey, Renova and Varco.[^8] The county contains 20 townships of 36 square miles each. They are laid out five across (30 miles west to east) and four deep (24 miles north to south).[^8] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), lead section — 2020 population, county seat, statistical areas, Lake Louise State Park. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), History section — territorial origins, creation and organization of the county, 1836–1857. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Geography section — border, rivers, creeks, terrain, area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Geography: Lakes — absence of natural lakes; dammed ponds and lakes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Demographics section — 2020 and 2000 census figures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Government section — form of government, districts, commissioners. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Government section — presidential voting history, 1860–2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mower County, Minnesota* (revision 1375303115, retrieved 2026-10-25), Communities section — cities, census-designated place, unincorporated communities, townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mower_County,_Minnesota