# Traverse County, Minnesota *County in Minnesota, United States* Traverse County is a county on the western edge of the U.S. state of [[Minnesota]], bordering North Dakota and South Dakota.[^1][^2] The 2020 census counted 3,360 residents, the smallest population of any Minnesota county. Wheaton is the county seat.[^1] Founded in 1862, the county was organized in 1881.[^1] Outside its developed areas, the county's low rolling hills are given over entirely to agriculture.[^2] Its population fell from 4,134 at the 2000 census to 3,360 at the 2020 census.[^1][^5] The county once swung between the parties, but in recent years it has moved substantially toward the [[Republican Party (United States)]].[^7] ## Geography Traverse County sits along Minnesota's western boundary, where it meets the eastern borders of North Dakota and South Dakota. The Red River runs north along the county's western line.[^2] The [[Mustinka River]] crosses the county's upper portion on a southwestward course and empties into [[Lake Traverse]].[^2] The land is low and rolling and falls toward the west and north. Its high point, 1,119 ft (341 m) above sea level, is at the southeastern corner. Apart from developed areas, the land is used wholly for agriculture.[^2] The county covers a total area of 586 square miles (1,520 km²). Land accounts for 574 square miles (1,490 km²), and water for 12 square miles (31 km²), or 2.0%.[^2] ### Major highways The county's major highways are [[U.S. Route 75]], [[Minnesota State Highway 9]], [[Minnesota State Highway 27]], [[Minnesota State Highway 28]] and [[Minnesota State Highway 117]].[^3] ### Adjacent counties Wilkin County lies to the north and Grant County to the northeast. Stevens County lies to the southeast and Big Stone County to the south. Across the state line are Roberts County, South Dakota, to the southwest and Richland County, North Dakota, to the northwest.[^3] ### Protected areas Two state wildlife management areas lie in the county: Reservation Dam State Wildlife Management Area and White Rock Dam State Wildlife Management Area.[^3] ### Lakes The county's lakes are Saint Marys Lake and Wet Lake, together with parts of Lake Traverse and Mud Lake.[^3] ## Demographics ### 2020 census The 2020 census counted 3,360 people in the county. Their median age was 46.8 years. Residents under 18 made up 21.8% of the population, and those 65 or older made up 26.3%. There were 99.6 males per 100 females overall, and 101.6 males per 100 females among those aged 18 and over.[^4] By race, 85.4% of residents were White and 6.5% were American Indian and Alaska Native. Another 0.8% were Black or African American, 2.4% were of some other race and 4.9% were of two or more races. Asian residents and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander residents each accounted for less than 0.1%. Hispanic or Latino residents, who may be of any race, were 5.9% of the population.[^4] The census classified 100.0% of residents as rural and less than 0.1% as urban.[^4] The county had 1,439 households, and 24.9% of them included children under 18. Married couples made up 50.2% of households. Another 20.8% had a male householder and 23.3% a female householder, in each case with no spouse or partner present.[^4] About 33.2% of households consisted of individuals, and 17.1% had a person aged 65 or older living alone.[^4] Of 1,877 housing units, 23.3% stood vacant. Owners occupied 78.5% of occupied units and renters occupied 21.5%. The vacancy rate was 2.9% for homeowner units and 12.5% for rental units.[^4] ### 2000 census The 2000 census recorded 4,134 people, 1,717 households and 1,129 families in the county. The population density was 7.2 people per square mile (2.8/km²).[^5] There were 2,199 housing units, an average of 3.83 per square mile (1.48/km²). That year, 96.42% of residents were White and 0.02% were Black or African American.[^5] ## Communities Traverse County contains four cities: Browns Valley, Dumont, Tintah and Wheaton, which is the county seat.[^6] Boisberg, Collis and Dakomin are unincorporated communities, and Charlesville lies partly within the county.[^6] The county has fifteen townships: Arthur, Clifton, Croke, Dollymount, Folsom, Lake Valley, Leonardsville, Monson, Parnell, Redpath, Tara, Taylor, Tintah, Walls and Windsor.[^6] ## Government and politics The county was for much of its history a swing county. In recent years its vote has shifted substantially to the Republican side.[^7] In national elections from 1980 through 2024, the county backed the Republican Party candidate 58% of the time.[^7] ## In the Minnesota record ### What - Traverse County is a Minnesota county. It was the state's least-populous county at the 2020 census.[^1] ### When - The county was founded in 1862 and organized in 1881.[^1] ### Where - Wheaton is the county seat. The county lies on Minnesota's western edge, bordering North Dakota and South Dakota.[^1][^2] ### How many - The population was 3,360 at the 2020 census and 4,134 at the 2000 census.[^4][^5] - The 2020 census counted 1,439 households and 1,877 housing units.[^4] - The county's total area is 586 square miles.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 population of 3,360 as the least-populous Minnesota county, county seat, founding (1862) and organization (1881). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — location, borders, rivers, terrain, elevation and area. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — major highways, adjacent counties, protected areas and lakes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2020 census age, sex, race, ethnicity, urban/rural, household and housing figures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 2000 census population, households, families, density, housing units and partial racial makeup. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — cities, unincorporated communities and townships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Traverse County, Minnesota* (rev. 1375331439, retrieved 2026-10-25) — former swing-county status and 58% Republican selection rate in national elections since 1980 (as of 2024). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traverse_County,_Minnesota