Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Otter Tail County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2000, the population was 57,159. Its county seat is Fergus Falls⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,762 km² (2,225 mi²). 5,127 km² (1,980 mi²) of it is land and 635 km² (245 mi²) of it (11.02%) is water. According to the official web site, Otter Tail County contains over 1000 lakes and two Minnesota state parks, Maplewood and Glendalough.

The Otter Tail River as it passes Phelps Mill in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Photo by Scott Backstrom. June 2004

Adjacent counties

*Becker County (north)
*Wadena County (northeast)
*Todd County (southeast)
*Douglas County (southeast)
*Grant County (southwest)
*Wilkin County (west)
*Clay County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 57,159 people, 22,671 households, and 15,779 families residing in the county. The population density was 11/km² (29/mi²). There were 33,862 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (17/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.11% White, 0.29% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

There were 22,671 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,395, and the median income for a family was $42,740. Males had a median income of $30,151 versus $20,930 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,014. About 6.70% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns