# Norman County, Minnesota *County in northwestern Minnesota, United States* Norman County lies in northwestern [[Minnesota]], within the state's Red River Valley region.[^1] Ada is both its county seat and its largest city.[^1] The 2020 census counted 6,441 residents, and the population was estimated at 6,336 in 2025.[^1] The [[Minnesota Legislature]] created the county on March 17, 1881. Until December 27, 1906, its territory also took in the area that is now Mahnomen County.[^2] In presidential elections the county voted Democratic in all but three contests from 1932 to 2012. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, carried it in 2016, 2020 and 2024.[^6] ## History Norwegian settlement in the area began in the early 1870s.[^2] On March 17, 1881, the legislature established the county and named Ada, which had been founded in 1874, as its seat.[^2] Twin Valley sat much nearer the county's geographic center. The selection of Ada set off a legal dispute that lasted six years.[^2] Accounts of the county's name differ. One holds that it honors the many settlers who came from Scandinavian countries, Norway in particular. Another source attributes the name to Norman Kittson, an early figure in the region's history.[^2] Until December 27, 1906, the county also included what is now Mahnomen County, whose name is Ojibwe for "wild rice".[^2] In March 1915 a law was signed letting Minnesota counties decide whether to allow alcohol production. By that time every city in Norman County had already voted to prohibit alcohol.[^2] ## Geography The county sits on Minnesota's western edge. The north-flowing Red River forms its west line and separates it from North Dakota.[^3] The Wild Rice River crosses the southern part of the county westward and joins the Red a little north of the county's southwest corner. The Marsh River begins in central Norman County and runs northwest to meet the Red near the northwest corner.[^3] The land is given over to agriculture. Its low rolling hills are cut by drainages and scattered with lakes and swampy ground.[^3] Elevation falls toward the north and west. The highest point, 1,224 ft (373 m) above sea level, is near the southeast corner.[^3] In Flom Township, an irregular morainic hill called Frenchman's Bluff stands 150 ft (46 m) above the shoreline of the former Lake Agassis, which lies three miles (4.8 km) to the northwest.[^3] [[United States Census Bureau]] figures give the county a total area of 876.730 square miles (2,270.72 km²). Land makes up 872.789 square miles and water makes up 3.941 square miles (0.45%).[^3] By total area it ranks 26th among Minnesota's counties.[^3] ### Major highways U.S. Highway 75 and Minnesota State Highways 9, 32, 113 and 200 serve the county.[^3] ### Adjacent counties The neighboring counties are Polk County to the north, Mahnomen County to the east, Becker County to the southeast and Clay County to the south. Across the state line are Cass County, North Dakota, to the southwest and Traill County, North Dakota, to the west.[^3] ### Protected areas Protected lands in the county include part of the Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. They also include the Agassiz No. 1, Agassiz No. 2, Dalby, Faith and Home Lake state wildlife management areas.[^3] ## Demographics ### 2020 census The 2020 census recorded 6,441 residents, with a median age of 44.9 years.[^4] Of these residents, 22.8% were under 18 and 22.3% were 65 or older. The census recorded 106.0 males for every 100 females.[^4] ### 2024 estimate The 2024 estimate put the population at 6,284, living in 2,676 households.[^4] It counted 3,249 housing units, an average of 3.72 per square mile.[^4] In the Census Bureau's racial categories, the estimate recorded 92.6% of residents as White (87.7% non-Hispanic White), 2.5% Native American, 0.9% African American and 0.7% Asian. A further 3.2% reported two or more races.[^4] Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 5.9% of the population.[^4] ### Income and housing The 2023 American Community Survey estimated 2,676 households, with an average size of 2.34 persons. It put median household income at $69,833.[^4] About 12.3% of residents lived at or below the poverty line. The estimated employment rate was 63.4%.[^4] Among residents, 93.4% held a high school diploma and 20.9% held a bachelor's degree or higher.[^4] In the fourth quarter of 2024 the median home value was $145,108.[^4] ## Communities ### Cities The county has eight cities: Ada (the county seat), Borup, Gary, Halstad, Hendrum, Perley, Shelly and Twin Valley.[^5] ### Unincorporated communities Its unincorporated communities are Betcher, Faith, Flom, Hadler, Lockhart, Ranum, Syre and Waukon.[^5] ### Townships The county has 24 townships. They are Anthony, Bear Park, Flom, Fossum, Good Hope, Green Meadow, Halstad, Hegne, Hendrum, Home Lake, Lake Ida, Lee, Lockhart, Mary, McDonaldsville, Pleasant View, Rockwell, Shelly, Spring Creek, Strand, Sundal, Waukon, Wild Rice and Winchester.[^5] ## Government and politics Between 1932 and 2012, Norman County backed the Democratic presidential candidate in every election but three, usually by wide margins.[^6] The three exceptions were Dwight D. Eisenhower's nationwide Republican win in 1952, Richard Nixon's in 1972, and 2000. In 2000, strong third-party results in the state helped tip the county to George W. Bush.[^6] Donald Trump carried the county by more than 13% in 2016. His margin rose to nearly 16% in 2020, the strongest Republican result there since Herbert Hoover in 1928.[^6] In 2024 his margin exceeded 22%, which set a new mark.[^6] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota* (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lead: location, Red River Valley region, county seat, 2020 census population, 2025 estimate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota*, History section (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — settlement, 1881 creation, Mahnomen County separation in 1906, county seat dispute, naming, 1915 alcohol law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — borders, rivers, terrain, highest point, Frenchman's Bluff, Census Bureau area figures, highways, adjacent counties, protected areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 census, 2024 estimate, 2023 ACS household, income, poverty, employment and education figures, 2024 home value. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, unincorporated communities, townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Norman County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revid 1376407811, retrieved 2026-10-25) — presidential voting history, 1932–2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_County,_Minnesota