# Redwood County, Minnesota *County in Minnesota, United States* Redwood County lies in the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]]. Its seat, Redwood Falls, stands on the Redwood River close to where that river joins the [[Minnesota River]].[^1] The 2020 census counted 15,425 residents.[^1] The [[Minnesota Legislature]] formed the county on February 8, 1862, and named it after the Redwood River.[^2] The Lower Sioux Indian Reservation sits wholly inside the county, on the south bank of the Minnesota River in Paxton and Sherman townships. The reservation counted 335 residents in the 2000 census.[^1] In national elections since 1948, the county has backed the Democratic candidate once, and that candidate won the county by less than 2%.[^3] ## History On February 8, 1862, the Minnesota Legislature established the county and designated Redwood Falls its seat.[^2] The county's name comes from the Redwood River, whose course runs east across it.[^2] ## Geography The county covers 882 square miles in total. Of that, 879 square miles are land and 3.2 square miles, or 0.4%, are water.[^4] The Minnesota River runs southeast and forms the county's northeastern edge. The Redwood River crosses the upper county eastward and empties into the Minnesota near Redwood Falls. The Cottonwood River crosses the lower county and passes into Brown County before it reaches the Minnesota.[^4] The land is rolling, cut by drainages and dotted with lakes. It falls toward the east from a high point of 1,450 feet (440 m) above sea level in the southwest corner.[^4] Most of the county is rural, and its farmland is planted mainly in corn and soybeans.[^4] Redwood Falls Municipal Airport (RWF) is in the county. U.S. Highways 14 and 71 and Minnesota State Highways 19, 67, 68 and 330 cross it.[^4] Redwood County borders six counties: Renville to the northeast, Brown to the east, Cottonwood to the south, Murray to the southwest, Lyon to the west, and Yellow Medicine to the northwest.[^4] Its lakes include Daubs, Gales, Francis, Redwood, Long, Three Lakes and Tiger lakes.[^4] Protected land in the county includes Alexander Ramsey State Park and the Cedar Mountain and Cedar Rock Scientific and Natural Areas. Part of the Swedes Forest Scientific and Natural Area also lies in the county. State wildlife management areas include Daubs Lake, Delhi, Gales, Honner, Klabunde, Luescher-Barnum, Mammenga, Paul and Rohlik.[^4] ## Demographics The 2020 census recorded 15,425 residents, down from 16,815 in 2000. The median age was 40.8 years.[^5] Residents under 18 made up 25.3% of the population, and those 65 or older made up 20.7%. There were 102.1 males for every 100 females.[^5] About 29.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 70.1% in rural areas.[^5] The census reported the county's racial makeup as follows:[^5] - White: 85.9% - American Indian and Alaska Native: 5.5% - Asian: 2.7% - Black or African American: 0.5% - Some other race: 0.8% - Two or more races: 4.6% Separately, 3.2% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.[^5] The county had 6,318 households in 2020. Children under 18 lived in 28.3% of them, and 50.1% were married-couple households.[^5] Of the 7,086 housing units, 10.8% stood vacant. Owners occupied 78.6% of occupied units and renters 21.4%.[^5] The 2000 census counted 6,674 households and 4,524 families. Population density was 19.1 people per square mile, and there were 7,230 housing units.[^5] ## Communities Redwood County has 15 cities: Belview, Clements, Delhi, Lamberton, Lucan, Milroy, Morgan, Redwood Falls (the county seat), Revere, Sanborn, Seaforth, Vesta, Wabasso, Walnut Grove and Wanda.[^6] Its unincorporated communities are Gilfillan, the Lower Sioux Indian Community, Rowena and part of Morton.[^6] The county's townships are Brookville, Charlestown, Delhi, Gales, Granite Rock, Honner, Johnsonville, Kintire, Lamberton, Morgan, New Avon, North Hero, Paxton, Redwood Falls, Sheridan, Sherman, Springdale, Sundown, Swedes Forest, Three Lakes, Underwood, Vail, Vesta, Waterbury, Westline and Willow Lake.[^6] ## Politics The Wikipedia article describes the county as reliably Republican.[^3] Since 1948 it has voted for the [[Democratic Party (United States)]] nominee in only one national election. In that election the Democrat carried the county by less than 2%.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, lead section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — establishes the county seat and its river setting, the 2020 census population of 15,425, and the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation's location and 2000 population of 335. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, History section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — establishes creation by the Minnesota Legislature on February 8, 1862, the county seat, and naming for the Redwood River. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, Politics section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — establishes the article's description of the county as reliably Republican and the single post-1948 Democratic selection with a margin under 2%. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, Geography section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — establishes the county's area, rivers, terrain, high point, crops, airport, highways, adjacent counties, lakes and protected areas. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, Demographics section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — establishes the 2020 and 2000 census population, age, racial composition, household and housing figures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Redwood County, Minnesota*, Communities section (revision 1375306479, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lists the county's cities, unincorporated communities and townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redwood_County,_Minnesota