Carlton County, Minnesota
Carlton County is a county in the State of Minnesota, formed in 1857. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 35,386. Its county seat is Carlton. Part of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation lies in NE Carlton County.
Carlton County is included in the Duluth, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Carlton County lies on the east side of Minnesota. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Wisconsin. The Saint Louis River flows east-southeasterly through the county's NE corner, discharging into Lake Superior as it exits the county. The Moose Horn River flows southwesterly through the central part of the county, discharging into the Kettle River SW of the county's south boundary. The Nemadji River and the South Fork Nemadji River flow eastward through the eastern and SE part of the county, meeting a few miles east of the county's eastern boundary before flowing to Lake Superior. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, heavily wooded. The terrain slopes to the several river valleys; the NW corner lies at 1,329' ASL, and a small hill 0.2 mile west of Rogers Lake rises to 1,450' ASL.The county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
Major highways
- Interstate 35
- Minnesota State Highway 23
- Minnesota State Highway 27
- Minnesota State Highway 33
- Minnesota State Highway 45
- Minnesota State Highway 73
- Minnesota State Highway 210
- Minnesota State Highway 289
Adjacent counties
- Saint Louis County - north
- Douglas County, Wisconsin - east
- Pine County - south
- Aitkin County - west
Protected areas
- Black Hoof Wildlife Management Area
- Dye State Wildlife Management Area
- Fond du Lac State Forest
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Kettle Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- Nemadji State Forest
- Sawyer State Wildlife Management Area
History
In 1857, Carlton county was formed and organized in 1870. It was named for Reuben B. Carlton, a member of the Minnesota Senate.
In October 1918, an immense forest fire occurred known as the Cloquet Fire.
The Carlton County Historical Society hosts a permanent exhibit about the Fires of 1918 besides one about the Ojibwe of Carlton County, and the Logging Era.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Carlton have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1912 and a record high of was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in September.Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 35,386 people living in the county. 89.7% were White, 5.9% Native American, 1.4% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 2.4% of two or more races. 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino. 16.4% were of German, 13.5% Finnish, 8.9% Norwegian, 8.6% Swedish and 5.6% American ancestry.As of the 2000 census, there were 31,671 people, 12,064 households, and 8,408 families in the county. The population density was 36.8/sqmi. There were 13,721 housing units at an average density of 15.9/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 91.75% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 5.19% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 0.84% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.5% were of German, 16.9% Finnish, 12.5% Norwegian, 11.8% Swedish and 5.8% Polish ancestry. 95.5% spoke English, 1.8% Finnish and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.
There were 12,064 households out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
The county population contained 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 102.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,021, and the median income for a family was $48,406. Males had a median income of $38,788 versus $25,555 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,073. About 5.40% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.20% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Barnum
- Carlton
- Cloquet
- Cromwell
- Kettle River
- Moose Lake
- Scanlon
- Thomson
- Wrenshall
- Wright
Census-designated places
- Big Lake
- Esko
- Mahtowa
Unincorporated communities
- Atkinson
- Automba
- Duesler
- Harney
- Holyoke
- Iverson
- Nemadji
- Otter Creek
- Pleasant Valley
- Sawyer
- Scotts Corner
Townships
- Atkinson Township
- Automba Township
- Barnum Township
- Beseman Township
- Blackhoof Township
- Eagle Township
- Holyoke Township
- Kalevala Township
- Lakeview Township
- Mahtowa Township
- Moose Lake Township
- Perch Lake Township
- Silver Township
- Silver Brook Township
- Skelton Township
- Split Rock Township
- Thomson Township
- Twin Lakes Township
- Wrenshall Township
Unorganized territories
- Clear Creek
- North Carlton
Government and Politics
Local government
As of 2019, the Carlton County Sheriff is Kelly Lake.The Carlton County Board of Commissioners consists of 5 members, each representing one district.
In April 2019 Lake and the Fond du Lac Police Department collaborated in training on the topic of sex trafficking on behalf of other sheriff agencies that would be affected by the upcoming Enbridge Line 3.
In 2017, Carlton County published a detailed Jail & Criminal Justice System Planning Study.
As of 2019, Carlton County Public Health employs 36 county staff and 6 contract staff. It has been operating since 1920.