Becker County, Minnesota

Infobox U.S. County
county = Becker County
state = Minnesota


founded year = 1858 [http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No3.htm]
founded date = March 18
seat wl = Detroit Lakes
largest city wl = Detroit Lakes
area_total_sq_mi = 1445
area_total_km2 = 3743
area_land_sq_mi = 1310
area_land_km2 = 3394
area_water_sq_mi = 135
area_water_km2 = 349
area percentage = 9.32%
census yr = 2000
pop = 30000
density_sq_mi = 23
density_km2 = 9
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web = www.co.becker.mn.us
named for = George Loomis Becker, a lawyer and politician.

Becker County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2000, the population was 30,000. Its county seat is Detroit LakesGR|6. A portion of the White Earth Indian Reservation extends into the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,445 square miles (3,743 km²), of which, 1,310 square miles (3,394 km²) of it is land and 135 square miles (349 km²) of it (9.32%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

*Mahnomen County (north)
*Clearwater County (northeast)
*Hubbard County (northeast)
*Wadena County (southeast)
*Otter Tail County (south)
*Clay County (west)
*Norman County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 30,000 people, 11,844 households, and 8,184 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 16,612 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.35% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 7.52% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.2% were of German, 26.0% Norwegian and 5.2% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 11,844 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.In the county the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 24.90% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,797, and the median income for a family was $41,807. Males had a median income of $29,641 versus $20,693 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,085. About 8.50% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.40% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.

"On ePodunk : [http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=20842 Becker County] & [http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genealogyInfo.php?locIndex=20842 Becker Cty. ancestry] ":
German - 31%; Norwegian - 23%; Swedish - 7% (2000)

Trivia

Becker County is the setting for the 2006 film "Sweet Land", though it was filmed in Chippewa County.

Cities and towns

References

External links

* [http://www.co.becker.mn.us/ Becker County government’s website]