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47-555: It rises in Mower County, Minnesota and enters Iowa in northern Mitchell County . It flows generally southeast across rural Chickasaw , Bremer , and Buchanan counties, past Independence and Anamosa . Along its lower 25 miles (40 km) it turns east, forming the boundary between Clinton and Scott counties. It joins the Mississippi from the west approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Clinton . It defines

94-557: A settlement movement that rapidly grew. On February 20, 1855, the territorial legislature created the present county from the southernmost part of Rice County. The new county was named for John Edward Mower , a member of the territorial legislature. On March 1, 1856, Territorial Governor Willis A. Gorman signed the legislative act that organized the county. He appointed three commissioners, who first met in Frankford Township . In January 1857 those commissioners designated

141-521: A total area of 587 square miles (1,520 km ), of which 562 square miles (1,460 km ) is land and 25 square miles (65 km ) (4.2%) is water. The northern and eastern boundaries of Dakota County are marked by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Management and jurisdiction of the rivers falls into multiple local, State and Federal agencies. Most of the Minnesota River bank is under

188-727: Is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota . As of the 2020 census , the population was 40,029. The county seat is Austin . Mower County comprises the Austin Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Rochester -Austin Combined Statistical Area . Lake Louise State Park is in southeastern Mower County, near Le Roy . The federal government established Wisconsin Territory effective July 3, 1836, and included what

235-623: Is bordered by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the north, and the state of Wisconsin on the east. The county was the site of historical events at Mendota that defined the state's future, including providing materials for the construction of Fort Snelling across the river and the signing of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux which ceded land from the native Dakota nation for the Minnesota Territory. The county's history

282-625: Is devoted to agriculture where possible. The terrain slopes to the east and south from an elevated center ridge running west–east, with its highest point 1.6 miles (2.6 km) east of Elkton , at 1,440 ft (440 m) ASL. The county has an area of 712 square miles (1,840 km ), of which 711 square miles (1,840 km ) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km ) (0.03%) is water. One of only four counties in Minnesota without any natural lakes (along with Olmsted, Pipestone, and Rock), Mower County does have four small ponds and lakes created by dams : The Cedar River (sometimes called

329-431: Is home to sites significant in the state's early history. At Mendota, the Treaty of Mendota was signed, opening Southern Minnesota to settlement, and prominent Saint Paul businessmen built their mansions there. Though linked with the state's capital for much of history via rail, Dakota County owes much of its current growth to the expansion of Minneapolis' population which accelerated during the post-World War II boom era of

376-619: Is now Minnesota, until its eastern portion was granted statehood (as Wisconsin ) in 1848. Congress established the Minnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849. The newly organized territorial legislature created nine counties across the territory in October of that year. Two of the original counties, Dakota and Wabashaw (later Wabasha) , had portions reassigned on March 5, 1853, to create Rice County . In 1852, Jacob McQuillin's family settled in southern Rice County, beginning

423-523: Is now Picnic Island on the south bank of the Minnesota River , Colonel Henry Leavenworth built a stockade fort called "St. Peter's Cantonment" or "New Hope," where materials were assembled for the construction of Fort Snelling to be built on the bluff on the north bank. Permanent settlement on the island was impossible due to annual flooding. Alexis Bailey built some log buildings nearby to trade in furs in 1826. Henry Hastings Sibley later built

470-589: Is served by an elected board of the Soil and Water Conservation District . Dakota County voters tend to vote Democratic. Since 1960, the county has selected the Democratic Party candidate in 71% of national elections (as of 2020). The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the river valleys. Its highest point is at Buck Hill in Burnsville, at 1,168 feet above sea level. The county has

517-460: Is the third-most populous county in the U.S. state of Minnesota , located in the east central portion of the state. As of the 2020 census , the population was 439,882. The population of Dakota County was estimated to be 447,440 in 2023. The county seat is Hastings . Dakota County is named for the Dakota Sioux tribal bands who inhabited the area. The name is recorded as "Dahkotah" in

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564-769: The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge with fish, wildlife, and parkland managed collectively by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District assists the county's six watershed management organizations (WMO) which include the Black Dog WMO, Gun Club Lake WMO, Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, Lower Mississippi WMO, North Cannon River WMO, and

611-552: The Treaty of St. Peters , the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux , and the Treaty of Mendota in 1851. After the Minnesota Territory was established in 1849, Dakotah County (later Dakota County) spanned from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River . By the time Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, power and influence had shifted from Mendota, across the rivers to Saint Paul and Minneapolis . By 1900,

658-455: The stockyards and meat-packing plants in South St. Paul, Minnesota became the world's largest stockyards. Ranchers in the west shipped their livestock to St. Louis , Memphis , and New Orleans . These plants were worked by immigrants from Romania , Serbia , and other Eastern European countries. The rest of the county remained agricultural during the boom of milling activity north of

705-716: The 1960s. This demand for housing along with two major interstate highways linking Minneapolis (I-35W) and St. Paul (I-35E) to the county, concentrated major growth and demand along the northern end. Today, the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul are synonymous with the Twin Cities, as being part of "the Cities." Both Burnsville and Eagan are nearly developed and have become more like independent cities attracting major development than mere residential bedroom suburbs. In contrast,

752-587: The Little Iowa and Upper Branch Upper Iowa, merge near Le Roy and flow east-southeast out of the county's southeast corner into Mitchell County, Iowa. Deer Creek drains the southeastern part of the county, flowing northeast into Fillmore County . Bear Creek drains the northern part of the county, flowing east into Fillmore County. Carey Creek drains the northeastern part of the county, flowing northeast into Olmsted County . The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, etched with drainages and gullies. The area

799-595: The Mdewakanton Dakota were contacted by French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut , and the Mendota ( mdo-TE ) band of the Mdewakanton south of the Minnesota River were contacted by Joseph Nicollet in the 18th century. While Taoyateduta (a.k.a. Little Crow) led the Mendota in northern Dakota County, upstream to the southwest, Chief Black Dog established his village of 600 people around 1750 at

846-630: The Minnesota River due to lack of bridge connections. Rail access came in 1866 via the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad which shipped grain to millers. The Minneapolis St. Paul Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company line in 1905 (now the Dan Patch Corridor ), was primary for passengers going to resorts in Burnsville and Lakeville. By the 1950s, population growth shifted to western Dakota County, which had been predominantly Irish and Scottish extending southward toward

893-593: The Mississippi River. Cedar Rock State Park is located on the Wapsipinicon near Quasqueton. Wapsipinicon State Park is located along its southern bank at Anamosa. Many regional parks also border the river. The Wapsipinicon is known for excellent fishing for catfish , although it also contains abundant northern pike , carp , sunfish , and walleye (in some areas). Mower County, Minnesota Mower County ( / ˈ m aʊ . ər / )

940-605: The Red Cedar River) flows south into the county from its source in Dodge County and continues through the county into Mitchell County, Iowa . It flows through Mower County's four westernmost townships: Udolpho , Lansing , Austin , and Lyle . The county population has declined since its peak in 1960, as younger people have moved to urban areas for economic opportunities. As of the census of 2000, there were 38,603 people, 15,582 households, and 10,315 families in

987-522: The Scandinavians of Southern Minnesota. As population pressures expanded south from Minneapolis and Bloomington, the completion of Interstate 35W and 35E brought about major construction in the post-World War II period, turning villages into cities within 20 years. Burnsville , Apple Valley , Eagan , and Lakeville brought over 200,000 people into the county by the end of the century. The Western and Northern Service Centers were constructed in

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1034-661: The United States Census records until 1851. Dakota County is included in the Minneapolis – St. Paul – Bloomington , MN– WI Metropolitan Statistical Area , the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States with about 3.71 million residents. The largest city in Dakota County is the city of Lakeville , the ninth-largest city in Minnesota and fifth-largest Twin Cities suburb. The county

1081-704: The Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization. Eagan Eureka Township Hastings Lakeville Lilydale Randolph Township Ravenna Township Rosemount West Saint Paul South St. Paul Apple Valley The following protected areas are within or partially within Dakota County: The following parks are located within Dakota County: Since the county grew as a bedroom community of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, over half of

1128-408: The age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.80% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98. The county population contained 25.1% under

1175-463: The age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,654, and the median income for a family was $ 45,154. Males had a median income of $ 31,743 versus $ 23,317 for females. The per capita income for

1222-522: The county but like many metro counties, Dakota County continues to absorb industry and jobs from the core cities. In the 1600s, Mdewakanton Dakota fled their ancestral home of Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota in response to westward expansion of the Ojibwe nation. According to Dakota tradition, their ancestors pushed out the Iowa who were found settled at the mouth of the Minnesota River. In 1680,

1269-468: The county was $ 19,795. About 6.3% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. Mower County has a county-council style of government, made up of five county commissioners, each elected from a single-member district . They are elected to four-year terms, and elected on a staggered basis. From its first participating election in 1860 through 1928 , Mower County

1316-602: The county. The population density was 54.3 per square mile (21.0/km ). There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 22.9 per square mile (8.8/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 94.7% White , 0.6% Black or African American , 0.2% Native American , 1.5% Asian , <0.1% Pacific Islander , 2.2% from other races , and 0.9% from two or more races. 4.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.9% identified as being of German , 24.4% as Norwegian and 7.0% as of Irish ancestry. There were 15,582 households, out of which 29.70% had children under

1363-549: The early 1990s each with an additional courthouse location. License centers were subsequently set up in Burnsville and Lakeville. Though pressure remained since the postwar boom to move the county seat to a larger community, the Dakota County Board maintained the seat in Hastings, while providing government services across the county. The Registered Historic Places in the county include the settlement at Mendota,

1410-631: The first Republican to carry the county since 1960, winning a high plurality of 49.8%. In 2020 , he carried it again, this time with a majority, making it the first time the county had voted Republican two elections in a row since 1956 and 1960. Mower County's land is divided into 20 townships that each contain 36 square miles (six miles on a side). Mower County is five townships wide (30 miles (48 km) west to east) and four townships from north to south (24 miles). 43°40′N 92°45′W  /  43.67°N 92.75°W  / 43.67; -92.75 Dakota County, Minnesota Dakota County

1457-534: The first stone house in Minnesota in 1836, overlooking Fort Snelling. Sibley was a partner in the American Fur Company , and considerable fur trade occurred at Mendota due to the accessibility of the confluence. Ongoing United States expansion into the then "Northwest Territory" led to government purchase of land from the Dakota people (the Mdewakanton, Wahpekute, Wahpeton , and Sisseton bands) via

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1504-558: The growing influence of the state's capital, Saint Paul. On the south border, the City of Northfield, technically in Rice County, has expanded north into Dakota however the city itself is allowed into the municipal sewer boundary. Though all of Dakota County is considered part of the metropolitan area and open to major development, the county government has steadily preserved farmland and continues to acquire new permanent natural lands in

1551-600: The homes of well-heeled residents of Hastings, the ethnic gathering places in South Saint Paul, and other sites related to life on the prairie. Dakota County is governed by the Board of Commissioners. The members of the Board as of May 7, 2023, are: Dakota County has an elected Sheriff (Joe Leko) and an elected County Attorney (Kathryn M. Keena). There are appointed boards for the library system, community development agency, and several advisory boards. Dakota County

1598-587: The hub of activity in the county was in Hastings , the county seat, and a focal point of transportation, communication, and commerce. St. Peter's, now Mendota, had lost out to Fort Snelling. Hastings is located on the Mississippi River at the confluence of the St. Croix River and on the Vermillion River , which provided ample water power. Lumber, milling, and railroads provided good incomes. During this time,

1645-480: The isthmus between Black Dog Lake (which is named after him) and the Minnesota River, near the present site of the Black Dog Power Plant. Following the published expeditions of explorers, in 1805, Zebulon Pike negotiated for military territory with the Mendota band which included land in Dakota County at the Mississippi River confluences with the Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers. In 1819, on what

1692-643: The permanent seat in Austin Township . In July 1857 the location within Austin Township was further defined, within Austin village , which had been platted during the spring of 1856. Mower County lies on Minnesota's border with Iowa . The Cedar River flows south through the western part of the county, into Mitchell County, Iowa . The Upper Iowa River rises in Mower County. Its branches,

1739-597: The population were 16 years and over, 73.6% were 18 years and over, 70.5% were 21 years and over, 12.8% were 62 years and over, and 10.0% were 65 years and over. The median age was 36.8 years. The median age for males was 35.7; the median age for females was 37.9. In terms of race and ethnicity, the county was 85.2% White (82.3% Non-Hispanic White), 4.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2.4% from some other race, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 6.0% of

1786-406: The population. In terms of households, 69.5% were family households and 30.5% were non-family households. Approximately 55.2% were husband-wife family households; 26% had children under 18 years of age. Approximately 36.6% of households had children under 18 years of age living in them; 18.6% had people over the age of 65 living in them. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size

1833-473: The residents (54%) work outside the county. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. As of the census of 2010, Dakota County had a population of 398,552, of which 195,661 (49.1%) were male and 202,891 (50.9%) were female. In terms of age, 76.7% of

1880-582: The river in 1993, as part of the larger floods in region, caused widespread damage to the surrounding cropland. The Wapsipinicon River runs alongside the Iowa cities and communities of McIntire , Riceville , Deerfield , Elma , Frederika , Tripoli , Littleton , Otterville , Independence , Quasqueton , Troy Mills , Paris , Central City , Waubeek , Stone City , Anamosa , Olin , Oxford Junction , Oxford Mills , Massillon , Toronto , Wheatland , McCausland , Folletts , and Shaffton before emptying into

1927-427: The southern part of Dakota County reflects the rural past with small towns such as Farmington, Coates, Vermillion, Hampton, Randolph, and Miesville where street grids and housing dating from the early 20th century can be found. Much of the county is self-contained except for two examples. The City of Hastings, the county seat, lies on both banks of the Mississippi River and was linked historically and physically by rail to

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1974-544: The southern townships. This has further defined the boundaries between urbanized and rural which is starkly visible in the outskirts of the developed cities. While the center of population still lies north with more cosmopolitan residents, culturally Dakota County is a rural community and the Dakota County Fair is still a largely agricultural event, held annually in Farmington. Most of northern Dakota County

2021-653: The western boundary of the Driftless Area . While the Wapsi has a soft, recent catchment, the Driftless, to the east and north, tumbles down to the Mississippi in rugged canyons. The name of the river in the Ojibwe language is Waabiziipiniikaan-ziibi ("river abundant in swan-potatoes"), on account of the large quantity of arrowheads or wild artichokes , known as "swan-potatoes" ( waabiziipiniin , singular waabiziipin ), once found near its banks. Severe flooding on

2068-530: Was 3.12. In terms of housing occupancy, 95.3% of households were occupied and 4.7% were vacant. Of the vacant housing units, 2.0% were for rent, 0.1% were rented but not occupied, 1.2% were for sale only, 0.2% were sold but not occupied, 0.5% were for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, and 0.8% were all other vacants. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.1%. Of all occupied housing units, 76.5% were owner-occupied and 23.5% were renter-occupied. The population in owner-occupied units

2115-706: Was 314,833; the average household size was 2.71. The population in renter-occupied units was 80,866; the average household size was 2.26. Dakota County is home to the state's largest school districts and some of the highest paid Superintendents. Nationally recognized Independent School District 196 (Rosemount–Apple Valley–Eagan) houses 28,000 and is the fourth largest school district in the state. Other districts include Independent School District 191 ( Burnsville–Eagan–Savage School District ), Independent School District 194 (Lakeville–Elko–New Market), Independent School District 197 (West St. Paul–Mendota Heights–Eagan) and Independent School District 200 (Hastings). Dakota County

2162-495: Was initially tied to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, both strategically important for United States expansion and as the convergence of the Dakota and Ojibwe nations who regarded the site as sacred. Influence shifted westward during the post-World War II settlement boom when Interstate 35 connected the western half of the county to Minneapolis and Saint Paul and bedroom communities grew. Most work outside

2209-798: Was traditionally Republican, voting for the Republican nominee in every election save 1912 , when it voted for Bull Moose nominee and former Republican president Theodore Roosevelt . After the New Deal realignment in 1932 , Mower County leaned Democratic for about 80 years, voting for the Democrat in every presidential election through 2012 save in Eisenhower 's two landslides ( 1952 and 1956 ), and 1960 , when it voted for Nixon over Kennedy (despite having only narrowly voted for Eisenhower four years earlier). In 2016 , Donald Trump became

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