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Beltrami County, Minnesota

Coordinates: 48°01′N 94°55′W / 48.02°N 94.92°W / 48.02; -94.92
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Not to be confused with Beltrami, Minnesota.

Beltrami County
County
Beltrami County Courthouse
Beltrami County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Beltrami County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 48°01′N 94°55′W / 48.02°N 94.92°W / 48.02; -94.92
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedFebruary 28, 1866 (created)
1896 (organized)[1]
Named forGiacomo Constantino Beltrami
SeatBemidji
Largest cityBemidji
Area
 • Total
3,056 sq mi (7,920 km2)
 • Land2,505 sq mi (6,490 km2)
 • Water551 sq mi (1,430 km2)  18%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
46,228
 • Estimate 
(2023)
46,718 Increase
 • Density18.6/sq mi (7.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts7th, 8th
Websitewww.co.beltrami.mn.us

Beltrami County (/bɛlˈtræmi/ bel-TRAM-ee)[2] is a county in the northern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,228.[3] Its county seat is Bemidji.[4] The county's name comes from Italian adventurer Giacomo Beltrami from Bergamo, who explored the area in 1825. The county was created in 1866 and organized in 1896.[5]

Beltrami County comprises the Bemidji, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Portions of the Leech Lake and Red Lake Indian reservations are in the county. The northernmost portion of the Mississippi River flows through the southern part of the county, through Bemidji. Beltrami, Renville, and Stearns are Minnesota's only counties that abut nine other counties.

Geography

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Beltrami County's southwest corner is considered part of the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which flows easterly and northeasterly from Lake Itasca through the southern part of the county. Much of the middle and upper county is taken up with the two sections of Red Lake. The county terrain consists of rolling low tree-covered hills, dotted with lakes and ponds.[6] The terrain slopes to the east and north. Its highest point is a small hill 1.3 miles (2.1 km) northwest of Wolf Lake, at 1,511 ft (461 m) ASL;[7] otherwise the terrain high point is near its southwest corner, at 1,457 ft (444 m) ASL.[8] The county has a total area of 3,056 square miles (7,920 km2), of which 2,505 square miles (6,490 km2) is land and 551 square miles (1,430 km2) (18%) is water.[9] It is the fourth-largest county in Minnesota by area.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Bagley Lake State Wildlife Management Area (part)
  • Buena Vista State Forest
  • Chippewa National Forest (part)
  • Lake Bemidji State Park
  • Long Lake State Wildlife Management Area
  • Mississippi Headwaters State Forest (part)
  • Pine Island State Forest (part)
  • Red Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area (part)
  • Three Island Lake County Park

[6]

Climate and weather

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Bemidji, Minnesota
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[10]
Metric conversion
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25
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70
 
 
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12
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28
 
 
1
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Bemidji have ranged from a low of −4 °F (−20 °C) in January to a high of 79 °F (26 °C) in July, although a record low of −50 °F (−46 °C) was recorded in January 1950 and a record high of 101 °F (38 °C) was recorded in July 1975. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 0.59 inches (15 mm) in February to 4.33 inches (110 mm) in July.[10]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187080—
188010−87.5%
18903123,020.0%
190011,0303,435.3%
191019,33775.3%
192027,07940.0%
193020,707−23.5%
194026,10726.1%
195024,962−4.4%
196023,425−6.2%
197026,37312.6%
198030,98217.5%
199034,38411.0%
200039,65015.3%
201044,44212.1%
202046,2284.0%
2023 (est.)46,718[11]1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[3]

2020 census

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Beltrami County Racial Composition[16]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 32,445 70.2%
Black or African American (NH) 519 1.12%
Native American (NH) 9,198 20%
Asian (NH) 268 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 15 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,675 5.8%
Hispanic or Latino 1,108 2.4%

2000 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Beltrami County, from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the census of 2000, there were 39,650 people, 14,337 households, and 9,749 families in the county. The population density was 15.8 per square mile (6.1/km2). There were 16,989 housing units at an average density of 6.78 per square mile (2.62/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.66% White, 0.36% Black or African American, 20.36% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.6% were of German, 19.7% Norwegian and 5.6% Swedish ancestry. 95.1% spoke English and 2.4% Ojibwa as their first language.

There were 14,337 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.30% were married couples living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 28.70% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,392, and the median income for a family was $40,345. Males had a median income of $30,434 versus $22,045 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,497. About 12.90% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.

Over half the children in the county are born out of wedlock. About a third are born to teenaged mothers. The county has about twice the state average in terms of high school dropouts.[17]

Crime

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Between 1990 and 2005, the county had a suicide rate four times higher than the state.[18] The county exceeds the state and national rates in both violent and property crimes.[19]

Communities

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Cities

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Townships

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Unorganized territories

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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[6]

Government and politics

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From the New Deal realignment in 1932 through 1996, Beltrami County leaned Democratic, selecting the Democratic nominee in every presidential election save Eisenhower's landslides in 1952 and 1956 and Nixon's in 1972. In 2000, George W. Bush became the first Republican to carry the county since 1972. Bush fell short of a majority, with third parties (particularly Green nominee Ralph Nader) doing well statewide, but his 48.5% vote share was higher than any Republican's from 1964 to 1996 save Nixon in 1972 and Reagan in 1984. Beltrami returned to the Democratic column in the next three elections, but in 2016, Donald Trump became the second Republican since 1972 to carry the county, winning a bare majority; in 2020, he won it again with a slightly higher percentage, but the margin of victory shrank due to the decrease in vote share for third party candidates.

United States presidential election results for Beltrami County, Minnesota[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,898 51.85% 11,493 46.20% 483 1.94%
2020 12,188 50.39% 11,426 47.24% 575 2.38%
2016 10,783 50.00% 8,688 40.29% 2,093 9.71%
2012 9,637 43.70% 11,818 53.59% 596 2.70%
2008 9,762 43.90% 12,019 54.05% 455 2.05%
2004 10,237 48.45% 10,592 50.13% 302 1.43%
2000 8,346 48.48% 7,301 42.41% 1,570 9.12%
1996 5,806 36.64% 8,006 50.52% 2,036 12.85%
1992 5,204 32.55% 7,210 45.10% 3,573 22.35%
1988 6,652 46.26% 7,566 52.61% 162 1.13%
1984 7,414 49.43% 7,481 49.88% 103 0.69%
1980 6,481 41.71% 7,432 47.83% 1,624 10.45%
1976 5,214 39.25% 7,540 56.76% 531 4.00%
1972 5,947 52.20% 5,194 45.59% 252 2.21%
1968 3,912 40.90% 5,034 52.63% 619 6.47%
1964 3,184 34.74% 5,967 65.10% 15 0.16%
1960 4,482 48.95% 4,653 50.81% 22 0.24%
1956 3,974 50.97% 3,807 48.83% 16 0.21%
1952 4,817 53.75% 4,092 45.66% 53 0.59%
1948 3,126 32.63% 6,020 62.84% 434 4.53%
1944 2,705 32.76% 5,490 66.50% 61 0.74%
1940 3,511 32.77% 7,036 65.68% 166 1.55%
1936 2,182 24.36% 6,507 72.65% 268 2.99%
1932 2,318 32.10% 4,386 60.73% 518 7.17%
1928 4,062 62.28% 2,221 34.05% 239 3.66%
1924 2,960 46.22% 323 5.04% 3,121 48.74%
1920 4,518 61.26% 1,427 19.35% 1,430 19.39%
1916 1,331 33.04% 1,912 47.47% 785 19.49%
1912 490 16.20% 790 26.12% 1,745 57.69%
1908 1,882 63.39% 648 21.83% 439 14.79%
1904 1,953 82.37% 234 9.87% 184 7.76%
1900 1,339 62.05% 767 35.54% 52 2.41%
1896 202 47.98% 213 50.59% 6 1.43%
1892 57 44.88% 44 34.65% 26 20.47%

On January 7, 2020, in response to Trump's executive order, the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners voted to prohibit refugees from resettling in the area.[21]


County Board of Commissioners[22]
Position Name District
Commissioner Craig Gaasvig District 1
Commissioner Joe Gould District 2
Commissioner Richard Anderson District 3
Commissioner Tim Sumner District 4
Commissioner John Carlson District 5
State Legislature (2023-2025)
Position Name Affiliation District
Senate Steve Green [1] Republican District 2
House of Representatives Matt Grossell [2] Republican District 2A
House of Representatives Matt Bliss [3] Republican District 2B
U.S Congress (2023-2025)
Position Name Affiliation District
House of Representatives Pete Stauber[23] Republican 8th
Senate Amy Klobuchar[24] Democratic N/A
Senate Tina Smith[25] Democratic N/A

Education

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School districts include:[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  2. ^ "Minnesota Pronunciation Guide". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 34.
  6. ^ a b c Beltrami County MN Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)
  7. ^ Beltrami County High Point, Minnesota. PeakBagger.com (accessed May 4, 2019)
  8. ^ ""Find an Altitude/Beltrami County MN" Google Maps (accessed March 4, 2019)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Bemidji MN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  15. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  16. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Beltrami County, Minnesota".
  17. ^ Dey, Crystal (November 11, 2014). "Beltrami County children continue to struggle: New data shows higher than average poverty compared to state". Bemidii Pioneer. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  18. ^ Langman, Peter (January 6, 2009). Why Kids Kill (First ed.). St. Martin's Press. p. 137.
  19. ^ "Beltrami County, Minnesota". Sperling's Best Places. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  21. ^ "Beltrami Co. becomes first in state to reject refugee resettlement". MPR News. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  22. ^ "Beltrami County Board of Commissioners". June 24, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "Representative Pete Stauber". Representative Pete Stauber. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  24. ^ "U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar". www.klobuchar.senate.gov. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  25. ^ "Home". Senator Tina Smith. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Beltrami County, MN" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
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48°01′N 94°55′W / 48.02°N 94.92°W / 48.02; -94.92

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