Most rural counties in Minnesota

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Minnesota

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Minnesota using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Houston County

- Rural area: 99.2% (548 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 552 square miles
--- #61 largest county in state, #1,892 nationwide

- Population density: 33.8 people / square mile (18,670 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,311 nationwide

#49. Mille Lacs County

- Rural area: 99.3% (568 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 572 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #1,755 nationwide

- Population density: 45.4 people / square mile (25,963 residents)
--- #59 lowest density county in state, #1,586 nationwide

#48. Meeker County

- Rural area: 99.3% (604 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 608 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #1,598 nationwide

- Population density: 38.1 people / square mile (23,149 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #1,426 nationwide

#47. Nobles County

- Rural area: 99.3% (710 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 715 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,275 nationwide

- Population density: 30.3 people / square mile (21,667 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #1,220 nationwide

#46. Chippewa County

- Rural area: 99.3% (577 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 581 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #1,693 nationwide

- Population density: 20.4 people / square mile (11,876 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #906 nationwide

#45. Morrison County

- Rural area: 99.4% (1,119 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,125 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #559 nationwide

- Population density: 29.4 people / square mile (33,119 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,195 nationwide

#44. Wadena County

- Rural area: 99.5% (534 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 536 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #1,948 nationwide

- Population density: 25.5 people / square mile (13,681 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,086 nationwide

#43. Kanabec County

- Rural area: 99.5% (519 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 522 square miles
--- #66 largest county in state, #2,001 nationwide

- Population density: 31.1 people / square mile (16,205 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #1,240 nationwide

#42. Watonwan County

- Rural area: 99.5% (433 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 435 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,330 nationwide

- Population density: 25.1 people / square mile (10,903 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,072 nationwide

#41. Stevens County

- Rural area: 99.5% (561 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 564 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #1,831 nationwide

- Population density: 17.3 people / square mile (9,770 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #808 nationwide

#40. Beltrami County

- Rural area: 99.6% (2,494 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,505 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #218 nationwide

- Population density: 18.7 people / square mile (46,784 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #843 nationwide

#39. Becker County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,309 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,315 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #453 nationwide

- Population density: 26.0 people / square mile (34,227 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,099 nationwide

#38. Pipestone County

- Rural area: 99.6% (463 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 465 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,212 nationwide

- Population density: 19.7 people / square mile (9,163 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #883 nationwide

#37. Rock County

- Rural area: 99.6% (480 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 482 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #2,152 nationwide

- Population density: 19.5 people / square mile (9,386 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #869 nationwide

#36. Otter Tail County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,964 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,972 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #289 nationwide

- Population density: 29.6 people / square mile (58,416 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,201 nationwide

#35. Polk County

- Rural area: 99.6% (1,963 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,971 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #290 nationwide

- Population density: 15.9 people / square mile (31,384 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #767 nationwide

#34. Cottonwood County

- Rural area: 99.6% (636 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 639 square miles
--- #47 largest county in state, #1,491 nationwide

- Population density: 17.7 people / square mile (11,279 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #818 nationwide

#33. Jackson County

- Rural area: 99.6% (700 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 703 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #1,320 nationwide

- Population density: 14.0 people / square mile (9,873 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #709 nationwide

#32. Redwood County

- Rural area: 99.7% (876 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 879 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #912 nationwide

- Population density: 17.3 people / square mile (15,193 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #806 nationwide

#31. Itasca County

- Rural area: 99.7% (2,660 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,668 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #197 nationwide

- Population density: 16.9 people / square mile (45,180 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #798 nationwide

#30. Wilkin County

- Rural area: 99.7% (749 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 751 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,172 nationwide

- Population density: 8.3 people / square mile (6,264 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #511 nationwide

#29. Todd County

- Rural area: 99.7% (942 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 945 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #748 nationwide

- Population density: 26.0 people / square mile (24,603 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,100 nationwide

#28. Hubbard County

- Rural area: 99.8% (923 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 926 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #783 nationwide

- Population density: 23.0 people / square mile (21,287 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,004 nationwide

#27. Faribault County

- Rural area: 99.8% (711 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 712 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #1,285 nationwide

- Population density: 19.3 people / square mile (13,727 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #861 nationwide

#26. Swift County

- Rural area: 99.8% (740 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 742 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #1,190 nationwide

- Population density: 12.6 people / square mile (9,329 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #661 nationwide

#25. Koochiching County

- Rural area: 99.8% (3,097 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 3,104 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #167 nationwide

- Population density: 4.0 people / square mile (12,355 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #309 nationwide

#24. Pine County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,409 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,411 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #426 nationwide

- Population density: 20.7 people / square mile (29,254 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #914 nationwide

#23. Roseau County

- Rural area: 99.9% (1,669 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,672 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #360 nationwide

- Population density: 9.1 people / square mile (15,259 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #541 nationwide

#22. Yellow Medicine County

- Rural area: 99.9% (758 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 759 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,153 nationwide

- Population density: 12.9 people / square mile (9,775 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #672 nationwide

#21. Fillmore County

- Rural area: 99.9% (861 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 861 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #963 nationwide

- Population density: 24.4 people / square mile (21,031 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,050 nationwide

#20. Lake County

- Rural area: 99.9% (2,108 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,109 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #266 nationwide

- Population density: 5.0 people / square mile (10,571 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #368 nationwide

#19. Sibley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (589 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 589 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #1,664 nationwide

- Population density: 25.3 people / square mile (14,871 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,079 nationwide

#18. Pope County

- Rural area: 100.0% (670 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 670 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #1,405 nationwide

- Population density: 16.6 people / square mile (11,107 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #789 nationwide

#17. Renville County

- Rural area: 100.0% (983 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 983 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #701 nationwide

- Population density: 14.8 people / square mile (14,572 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #731 nationwide

#16. Cass County

- Rural area: 100.0% (2,022 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 2,022 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #282 nationwide

- Population density: 14.6 people / square mile (29,462 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #725 nationwide

#15. Murray County

- Rural area: 100.0% (705 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 705 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #1,315 nationwide

- Population density: 11.7 people / square mile (8,247 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #626 nationwide

#14. Grant County

- Rural area: 100.0% (548 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 548 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #1,904 nationwide

- Population density: 10.9 people / square mile (5,962 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #604 nationwide

#13. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 100.0% (537 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 537 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #1,945 nationwide

- Population density: 10.5 people / square mile (5,641 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #593 nationwide

#12. Big Stone County

- Rural area: 100.0% (499 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 499 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,087 nationwide

- Population density: 10.0 people / square mile (4,974 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #575 nationwide

#11. Mahnomen County

- Rural area: 100.0% (558 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 558 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #1,861 nationwide

- Population density: 9.9 people / square mile (5,508 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #572 nationwide

#10. Red Lake County

- Rural area: 100.0% (432 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 432 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,347 nationwide

- Population density: 9.3 people / square mile (4,005 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #546 nationwide

#9. Clearwater County

- Rural area: 100.0% (999 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 999 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #682 nationwide

- Population density: 8.9 people / square mile (8,872 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #531 nationwide

#8. Aitkin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,822 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,822 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #322 nationwide

- Population density: 8.7 people / square mile (15,826 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #526 nationwide

#7. Lac qui Parle County

- Rural area: 100.0% (765 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 765 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,139 nationwide

- Population density: 8.7 people / square mile (6,645 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #525 nationwide

#6. Norman County

- Rural area: 100.0% (873 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 873 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #932 nationwide

- Population density: 7.4 people / square mile (6,466 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #468 nationwide

#5. Traverse County

- Rural area: 100.0% (574 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 574 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #1,740 nationwide

- Population density: 5.7 people / square mile (3,282 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #399 nationwide

#4. Marshall County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,775 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,775 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #335 nationwide

- Population density: 5.3 people / square mile (9,353 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #380 nationwide

#3. Kittson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,099 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,099 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #581 nationwide

- Population density: 3.9 people / square mile (4,272 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #301 nationwide

#2. Cook County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,452 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,452 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #413 nationwide

- Population density: 3.7 people / square mile (5,402 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #289 nationwide

#1. Lake of the Woods County

- Rural area: 100.0% (1,298 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,298 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #462 nationwide

- Population density: 2.9 people / square mile (3,747 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #226 nationwide

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