Chisago County
County
Old Chisago County Courthouse originally in Center City, Minnesota, moved in 1990 to Almelund, Minnesota.
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°30′09″N 92°54′30″W / 45.50247°N 92.90834°W / 45.50247; -92.90834
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
Founded	September 1, 1851[1]
Named for	Chisago Lake
Seat	Center City
Largest city	North Branch
Area
• Total	442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
• Land	415 sq mi (1,070 km2)
• Water	28 sq mi (70 km2)  6.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	56,621
• Estimate  (2023)	58,535
• Density	136.4/sq mi (52.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	8th
Website	www.chisagocountymn.gov

Chisago County (/ʃɪˈsɑːɡoʊ/ shi-SAH-goh)^[2] is a county in the east-central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The county covers an area of 442 square miles (1,140 square kilometers) and, as of the 2020 Census, had a population of 56,621 people. It is part of the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The county's largest city is North Branch. Within Chisago County is the Chisago Lakes area, which includes the combined areas of Shafer, Chisago City, Lindström, and Center City. Center City is the county seat.^[3]

The county has a diverse economy, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.^[4]

History

Early history

Before the arrival of European settlers, the area that is now Chisago County was home to the Dakota and Ojibwe tribes. The Dakota lived in the southern part of the county and the Ojibwe in the northern part.^[5]

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, French fur traders who traveled south from Lake Superior established trading posts along the river, extending as far south as Taylors Falls.

European Settlement

The first European settlers arrived in the Chisago County area in the early 1800s. Most of them were of Swedish descent, and they came in search of land and new opportunities.^[6] They established small farms and communities throughout the county. Many Swedes emigrated seeking religious freedom from the oppressive Lutheran Church of Sweden. However, the majority left for reasons other than religious repression and still identified as Lutherans.^[7] The early Swedish churches in Minnesota, like the Chisago Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church in Center City, were initially lay-led due to the absence of ordained clergy.^[8]

In the mid-1800s, the area that is now Chisago County was part of the Minnesota Territory, and it was not officially established as a county until 1851.^[9] It took its name from the Chisago Lake.^[10] In its aboriginal form it was "Ki-chi-saga", from two Ojibwe words: "kichi" (large) and "saga" (fair or lovely).^[11]

The county seat was originally in Taylors Falls, but was relocated to Chisago City in 1865. It took three more years before the legislature approved this relocation and voters approved it in a referendum. The move was later challenged in the courts on allegations of election fraud, resulting in a two-year delay before the state Supreme Court validated the results.

Progressive Era

During the Progressive Era, widespread reform movements resonated throughout Minnesota, significantly impacting regions such as Chisago County.^[12] This county's distinct approach to education can be primarily attributed to its homogeneous population and the unique structure of local governance.^[13] This uniformity allowed the school boards in Chisago County to effectively control external influences through their selection of teachers.^[14]

Nearly 70% of Chisago County voters supported Progressive Party candidate Theodore Roosevelt in 1912.^[15]

Economic growth

Chisago County's early economy was based on farming, logging, and mining. The county was rich in natural resources, and its forests and mines attracted many settlers to the area. As the county grew, it became a hub of commerce and trade, with many businesses and industries establishing themselves in the area. Records of early businesses in Chisago County are recorded in Lindströmsjö.^[16]

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the county's economy shifted toward manufacturing and industry. The county was home to many factories and mills, including sawmills, flour mills, and paper mills. These industries helped fuel the county's growth and prosperity, and they remain an important part of the county's economy.^[16]

Modern era

Today, Chisago County has a diverse economy. It is home to several manufacturing companies, including the Anderson Corporation, a major producer of windows and doors.^[17] Agriculture is also an essential part of the local economy, with crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat grown in the county.^[18] Tourism is also a significant industry in the county, with visitors drawn to the Chisago Lakes area's recreational opportunities.^[3]

The county has retained and continues to celebrate much of its Swedish heritage.^[19]

Geography

Chisago County lies on Minnesota's eastern border, abutting the western border of Wisconsin (across the Saint Croix River). The Saint Croix flows south-southeast along the county's eastern border. The Sunrise River flows north through the county's central part, collecting the waters of the North Branch Sunrise River and Hay Creek before discharging into the St. Croix at the county's eastern boundary. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture.^[20] The terrain slopes to the south and east, with its highest point near the northwest corner, at 1,017 ft (310 m) ASL.^[21] The county has an area of 442 square miles (1,140 km²), of which 415 square miles (1,070 km²) is land and 28 square miles (73 km²) (6.2%) is water.^[22]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

^[20]

Climate and weather

Chisago County has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with long, cold winters and warm summers. The average high temperature in the summer is around 80 °F (27 °C), while the average low temperature in the winter is around 5 °F (−15 °C).

A record low of −38 °F (−39 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1988.^[23]

The county's location in the Upper Midwest region of the United States exposes it to a wide range of weather patterns, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and blizzards. The county experiences moderate precipitation throughout the year, with an average annual rainfall of 30 inches (760 mm) and an average annual snowfall of 47 inches (1,200 mm). Spring is the most active season for severe weather, with thunderstorms and tornadoes common. Winter storms are common during the winter, with heavy snowfall and blizzards.

Chisago County has many lakes and wetlands, which significantly affect its weather and climate. It has over 100 lakes, the largest being North and South Center Lakes, Green Lake, and Chisago Lake. The lakes and wetlands moderate temperatures by absorbing heat during the summer and releasing it during the winter.

Demographics

According to the most recent census data, Chisago County's population is 56,621, making it Minnesota's 18th-most populous county. 52.1% of residents are male and 47.9% are female. The average family size in Chisago County was 3.05 persons, and 62.2% of households were married-couple families.

95.4% of residents have at least a high school education, and 22.2% have attained a bachelor's degree or higher. 4.9% are veterans.^[30]

Population by decade

Race and ethnicity

Historically, Chisago County has been overwhelmingly populated by non-Hispanic Whites. Since 2000, it has been home to a small but growing Black, Asian, and Hispanic population.