# Pope County, Minnesota *County in west-central Minnesota, United States* Pope County lies in [[Minnesota]]. It had 11,308 residents at the 2020 census, and Glenwood is its county seat.[^1] The county was formed in 1862 and organized four years later, in 1866.[^1] The county takes its name from John Pope, a Union Army general who had earlier surveyed in the area.[^2] It remained dry until May 1965, and in the 1970s it saw several protests against the CU Powerline.[^2] In presidential politics, George W. Bush won the county by 37 votes in 2000 and by 2 votes in 2004. Each Republican margin since 2016 has been the party's best in the county since 1928.[^3] ## History In 1862 the state [[Legislature]] identified Pope County and named it for John Pope. Pope was a Union Army general whose earlier work as a surveyor had taken him to the area.[^2] The county was organized in 1866.[^2] Under county option, Pope County barred the sale of beverages above 3.2% alcohol. That status ended in May 1965, when county option was eliminated.[^2] During the 1970s the county was the site of several protests against the CU Powerline.[^2] ## Geography The Chippewa River runs south through the western part of the county.[^4] The Little Chippewa River crosses the central part toward the south-southwest and joins the Chippewa southeast of Cyrus.[^4] In the east, the East Branch Chippewa River also runs south-southwest. It meets the Chippewa in neighboring Swift County.[^4] The terrain is made up of low rolling hills cut by drainages and scattered with lakes and ponds, and the land is used for agriculture.[^4] The land falls toward the south and west. Its highest point, near the northeast corner, stands 1,388 ft (423 m) above sea level.[^4] Of the county's 717 square miles (1,860 km²), 670 square miles (1,700 km²) are land and 47 square miles (120 km²), or 6.6%, are water.[^4] ### Major highways Minnesota State Highways 9, 28, 29, 55, 104 and 114 run through the county.[^4] ### Airports The county has two airports: Glenwood Municipal Airport (D32) and Starbuck Municipal Airport (GHW).[^4] ### Adjacent counties Pope County borders Douglas County to the north, Stearns County to the east, Kandiyohi County to the southeast, Swift County to the south, Stevens County to the west and Grant County to the northwest.[^4] ### Protected areas Protected lands in the county include Glacial Lakes State Park and two scientific and natural areas: Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery and Langhei.[^4] The county also has state wildlife management areas at Farwell, Little Jo, Lowry, New Prairie, Noordmans, Skarpness, Van Luik and Wade.[^4] ### Major lakes The county's listed lakes include Amelia Lake, Goose Lake, Lake Emily, Lake Johanna, Lake Minnewaska, part of Lake Reno, Lake Simon, Pelican Lake and Pike Lake.[^4] ## Demographics ### 2020 census The 2020 census counted 11,308 residents. The median age was 45.5 years.[^5] Residents under 18 made up 22.1% of the population, and those 65 or older made up 24.5%.[^5] There were 104.1 males for every 100 females overall, and 100.9 males for every 100 females among adults.[^5] By race, 95.5% of residents were White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.4% Asian.[^5] Under 0.1% were Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% were of some other race, and 2.8% were of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.7% of the total.[^5] Rural areas held 62.8% of residents, and urban areas held 37.2%.[^5] The census recorded 4,862 households. Of these, 25.9% included children under 18, 54.3% were married couples, and 29.7% consisted of individuals.[^5] Of the 6,367 housing units, 23.6% stood vacant. Owners occupied 79.3% of occupied units and renters 20.7%. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.1%.[^5] ### 2000 census The 2000 census recorded 11,236 people living in 4,513 households and 3,064 families, a density of 16.8 per square mile (6.5/km²).[^6] There were 5,827 housing units, or 8.70 per square mile. Residents were 98.85% White and 0.20% Black or African American.[^6] ## Communities The county's cities are Brooten (part), Cyrus, Farwell, Glenwood (the county seat), Long Beach, Lowry, Sedan, Starbuck, Villard and Westport.[^7] Grove Lake and Terrace are unincorporated communities, and New Prairie is a ghost town.[^7] The county has twenty townships: Bangor, Barsness, Ben Wade, Blue Mounds, Chippewa Falls, Gilchrist, Glenwood, Grove Lake, Hoff, Lake Johanna, Langhei, Leven, Minnewaska, New Prairie, Nora, Reno, Rolling Forks, Walden, Westport and White Bear Lake.[^7] ## Government and politics Pope County has historically been a swing county. In the 21st century it has voted Republican in every election except 2008.[^3] Two of those results were very narrow. George W. Bush, the Republican candidate, carried the county by 37 votes in 2000 and by 2 votes in 2004.[^3] Republican margins have widened since 2016, and each has been the party's best showing in the county since 1928.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, lead (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 census population of 11,308; county seat Glenwood; formed 1862, organized 1866. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — identification by the legislature in 1862; naming for John Pope; organization in 1866; dry-county status until May 1965; CU Powerline protests in the 1970s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, Government and politics section (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — swing-county history; 21st-century voting record; 2000 and 2004 margins; Republican performance since 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — rivers, terrain, elevation, area, highways, airports, adjacent counties, protected areas and lakes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, Demographics section, 2020 census (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — population, age, sex ratio, racial composition, urban/rural split, households and housing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, Demographics section, 2000 census (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — population, households, families, density, housing units and racial composition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Pope County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1375331031, retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, unincorporated communities, ghost town and townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_County,_Minnesota