Pope County

As of the latest U.S. Census data, Pope County, MN has approximately 11,000 residents. The racial composition is predominantly White at around 96%, followed by small percentages of Hispanic or Latino (2.5%), African American (0.5%), Asian (0.3%), and other races. The median household income is about $55,000, with a poverty rate of roughly 10%. The age distribution includes 20% under 18, 60% between 18-64, and 20% aged 65 and older. The county spans 717 square miles with a density of 15 people per square mile.

As of the latest data, Pope County, MN has a median home value of approximately $160,000. The homeownership rate is about 80%, with an average household size of 2.4. Median gross rent is around $700 per month. The county's housing inventory includes a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and seasonal properties. The vacancy rate stands at roughly 10%. Housing demand remains steady, driven by a mix of retirees and families attracted to the area's lakes and rural charm.

Pope County, MN, holds elections for various local, state, and federal positions. County elections typically include positions such as County Commissioner, Sheriff, County Attorney, and representatives for state legislature districts.

As of the latest election cycle:

• County Commissioner Districts: 5
• Sheriff: Candidates include the incumbent and challengers (specific names rotate based on the electoral cycle)
• County Attorney: Candidates often include the incumbent and local attorneys.

In recent state legislative elections:

• State Representative Districts: Covering parts of MN House Districts 12A and 12B.
• Recent turnout: Approximately 75-80% of registered voters in general elections.

For up-to-date candidate information, voter registration, and polling places, residents can visit the Pope County official website or contact the Pope County Auditor-Treasurer's office. Always refer to official sources for the latest data, as candidate lists and numerical values can change each election cycle.

As of the most recent data, approximately 90% of Pope County, MN residents have at least a high school diploma, slightly below the national average of around 91%. Furthermore, about 25% of adults in Pope County hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is also below the national average of approximately 33% and Minnesota's state average of about 37%. These figures suggest that while educational attainment in Pope County is decent, it trails both national and state benchmarks. Efforts to improve educational outcomes could benefit the community by closing these gaps.

As of the latest available data, Pope County, MN has an employment rate with the majority of jobs distributed across key industries. Notably, the top industries in Pope County include Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Educational Services. These sectors account for significant employment opportunities, mirroring trends seen both statewide and nationally but with a slight local emphasis on agriculture and manufacturing.

For a numerical perspective, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector employs around 20% of the workforce, Manufacturing about 15%, and Retail Trade approximately 12%. These proportions are somewhat higher in comparison to national averages, where healthcare typically constitutes about 13% and manufacturing about 8.5% of employment.

At the state level, the employment distribution shows similar trends but with higher diversification in urban areas. Minnesota's employment in Health Care and Social Assistance aligns closely at roughly 14%, while Manufacturing stands around 11%.

Such data underscores Pope County's reliance on core industries with a unique local flavor in agriculture and manufacturing.

As of recent data, the median household income in Pope County, Minnesota is approximately $56,000 annually. Comparatively, the median household income for the state of Minnesota is around $74,000, while the national median household income is roughly $68,700.

Pope County's median income falls below both the state and national averages. This may reflect differences in economic opportunities, cost of living, and population density compared to larger urban areas in the state and nation.

Pope County, MN is known for its relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data for 2022, the county recorded the following crime statistics:

Violent crimes include offenses such as assault and robbery, while property crimes encompass burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Pope County's crime rate per 1,000 residents is considerably lower than the national average, making it one of the safer regions in Minnesota.