Minnesota is a state defined by its vast diversity, stretching from the rugged cliffs of Lake Superior in the northeast to the rolling prairies of the southwest. 

minnesota blank printable county map

To truly understand the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” you have to look closer at how it is organized. While outsiders might only know the Twin Cities, the real heart of the state beats across its 87 distinct counties.

Whether you are a student researching state geography, a business owner analyzing regional data, or a traveler planning a road trip through the Driftless Area, having access to a reliable Minnesota county map is essential. 

But a simple image isn’t always enough. You need context, historical data, and the ability to interact with the information.

How to Use the Tool on This Page

Interactive Minnesota County Map

Navigating complex geographic data should be simple. Our interactive map tool is designed to give you immediate access to the information you need without clutter. 

Here is how you can get the most out of the viewing experience:

Hover Highlight

Simply move your mouse (or tap on mobile) over any specific county. The map will instantly highlight the border of that county, separating it from its neighbors for clear visibility.

Zoom In and Out

Use the + and – buttons (or scroll wheel) to zoom in for a granular view and zoom out to see the full state context.

Reset Button

If you have zoomed in too far or lost your orientation, hit the “Reset” button to instantly snap the map back to the default statewide view.

Dark Mode Toggle

For easier viewing in low-light environments, or simply to make the county borders pop against a high-contrast background, toggle the Dark Mode switch.

Download Options

We understand that sometimes you need a map you can take with you, print out for a classroom, or use in a professional presentation. 

We offer several high-quality download formats for the Minnesota county map.

Blank Printable Map

Perfect for educational settings, quizzes, or manual data entry. This version removes all labels, leaving just the crisp outline of the 87 counties.

  • Best for: Teachers, students, and coloring activities.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

For graphic designers and publishers, the SVG format ensures that lines remain sharp no matter how much you resize the image. You can edit individual county shapes in software like Adobe Illustrator.

  • Best for: Web design, print publications, and professional presentations.

PNG Image

A standard, high-resolution image file that works with almost any software, from Microsoft Word to Google Slides.

  • Best for: Quick sharing, email attachments, and document insertion.

Historical Overview of County Formation

The map of Minnesota looked very different in the mid-19th century. The organization of the state’s counties is a story of rapid expansion, political maneuvering, and population growth.

The Original Nine

On October 27, 1849, the Minnesota Territory legislature established the first nine counties. While some of these names are familiar, their boundaries were massive compared to today:

  • Benton
  • Dahkotah (Later Dakota)
  • Itasca
  • Ramsey
  • Mahkahta (Dissolved)
  • Pembina (Renamed Kittson)
  • Wabasha
  • Washington
  • Wahnata (Dissolved)

Statehood and Expansion

By the time Minnesota was granted statehood in 1858, the map was filling in rapidly. 57 of the current 87 counties were already established. 

The drive to organize counties was fueled by the need for local governance as settlers moved westward and northward.

The Final Piece

The county map as we know it today wasn’t finalized until the 20th century. The very last county to be formed was Lake of the Woods County, created in 1923. 

It was carved out of the northern portion of Beltrami County, largely due to the geographic isolation of the area.

Geographical Overview of Minnesota

Minnesota’s counties are not just political lines; they encompass four distinct ecological provinces (biomes) that make the state geographically unique.

The Arrowhead and North Woods

Counties in the northeast, such as St. Louis, Lake, and Cook, are part of the Canadian Shield. This area is defined by:

  • Dense pine forests
  • Rocky terrain and cliffs
  • Thousands of lakes (including the Boundary Waters)
  • Iron ore deposits

The Driftless Area

In the southeast, counties like Houston, Fillmore, and Winona lie in the “Driftless Zone.” This region escaped the flattening effects of the last glaciers. Consequently, the geography features:

  • Deep river valleys
  • Limestone bluffs
  • Trout streams
  • Cave systems

The Prairie Pothole Region

Moving to the west and southwest, counties like Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock are characterized by:

  • Rolling plains
  • Rich agricultural soil
  • Wind farms (Buffalo Ridge)
  • Open horizons

The Transition Zone

A diagonal band of counties stretching from the southeast to the northwest acts as a transition zone. 

This includes the “Big Woods”, once a vast deciduous forest, now largely replaced by agriculture and suburban development, notably in Hennepin and Wright counties.

Important Minnesota County Insights

When analyzing the map, certain counties stand out due to their statistical outliers. Here are key insights to keep in mind:

Largest County by Area

St. Louis County is massive. Covering approximately 6,860 square miles, it is larger than the entire states of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Smallest County by Area

Ramsey County, home to the state capital (St. Paul), is the most geographically compact, covering roughly 170 square miles.

Most Populous

Hennepin County dominates the population charts, home to Minneapolis and over 1.2 million residents.

Least Populous

Traverse County, located on the western border, consistently ranks as one of the least populated, often with fewer than 3,500 residents.

Newest County

As mentioned in the history section, Lake of the Woods (1923) is the youngest county on the map.

The Importance of County Data

Why does county-level data matter? In Minnesota, counties serve as the primary administrative arm of the state government. 

They are responsible for essential services that affect daily life. Understanding county boundaries helps you understand:

  • Social Services: Delivery of welfare, child protection, and mental health services.
  • Infrastructure: Maintenance of County State-Aid Highways (CSAH) and rural roads.
  • Elections: Management of polling places and vote tabulation.
  • Law Enforcement: The Sheriff’s office and county attorney jurisdictions.
  • Property Records: Recording of land titles, deeds, and vital statistics.

List of Minnesota Counties

The following table provides a complete reference for all 87 counties in Minnesota. 

It includes the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, which is vital for data analysis, the county seat (administrative center), and the year the county was established.

County NameFIPS CodeCounty SeatEstablished
Aitkin County001Aitkin1857
Anoka County003Anoka1857
Becker County005Detroit Lakes1858
Beltrami County007Bemidji1866
Benton County009Foley1849
Big Stone County011Ortonville1862
Blue Earth County013Mankato1853
Brown County015New Ulm1855
Carlton County017Carlton1857
Carver County019Chaska1855
Cass County021Walker1851
Chippewa County023Montevideo1870
Chisago County025Center City1851
Clay County027Moorhead1862
Clearwater County029Bagley1902
Cook County031Grand Marais1874
Cottonwood County033Windom1857
Crow Wing County035Brainerd1857
Dakota County037Hastings1849
Dodge County039Mantorville1855
Douglas County041Alexandria1858
Faribault County043Blue Earth1855
Fillmore County045Preston1853
Freeborn County047Albert Lea1855
Goodhue County049Red Wing1853
Grant County051Elbow Lake1868
Hennepin County053Minneapolis1852
Houston County055Caledonia1854
Hubbard County057Park Rapids1883
Isanti County059Cambridge1857
Itasca County061Grand Rapids1849
Jackson County063Jackson1857
Kanabec County065Mora1858
Kandiyohi County067Willmar1858
Kittson County069Hallock1878
Koochiching County071International Falls1906
Lac qui Parle County073Madison1871
Lake County075Two Harbors1856
Lake of the Woods County077Baudette1923
Le Sueur County079Le Center1853
Lincoln County081Ivanhoe1873
Lyon County083Marshall1871
McLeod County085Glencoe1856
Mahnomen County087Mahnomen1906
Marshall County089Warren1879
Martin County091Fairmont1857
Meeker County093Litchfield1856
Mille Lacs County095Milaca1857
Morrison County097Little Falls1856
Mower County099Austin1855
Murray County101Slayton1857
Nicollet County103St. Peter1853
Nobles County105Worthington1857
Norman County107Ada1881
Olmsted County109Rochester1855
Otter Tail County111Fergus Falls1858
Pennington County113Thief River Falls1910
Pine County115Pine City1856
Pipestone County117Pipestone1857
Polk County119Crookston1858
Pope County121Glenwood1862
Ramsey County123Saint Paul1849
Red Lake County125Red Lake Falls1896
Redwood County127Redwood Falls1862
Renville County129Olivia1855
Rice County131Faribault1853
Rock County133Luverne1857
Roseau County135Roseau1894
St. Louis County137Duluth1855
Scott County139Shakopee1853
Sherburne County141Elk River1856
Sibley County143Gaylord1853
Stearns County145St. Cloud1855
Steele County147Owatonna1855
Stevens County149Morris1862
Swift County151Benson1870
Todd County153Long Prairie1855
Traverse County155Wheaton1862
Wabasha County157Wabasha1849
Wadena County159Wadena1858
Waseca County161Waseca1857
Washington County163Stillwater1849
Watonwan County165St. James1860
Wilkin County167Breckenridge1858
Winona County169Winona1854
Wright County171Buffalo1855
Yellow Medicine County173Granite Falls1871

Frequently Asked Questions

How many counties are in Minnesota?

There are 87 counties in Minnesota. This number has remained stable since the final county, Lake of the Woods, was established in 1923.

Which Minnesota county has the largest population?

Hennepin County is the most populous, containing Minneapolis and many of its suburbs. It is the economic and cultural hub of the state.

Which Minnesota county is the largest by area?

St. Louis County is the largest by land area, covering the northeastern part of the state, including Duluth and the Iron Range.

What is the newest county in Minnesota?

Lake of the Woods County is the newest county, established on November 28, 1923. It was created to provide better local governance for residents separated from the Beltrami county seat by dense forests and peat bogs.

Which county is home to the state capital?

Ramsey County is home to Saint Paul, the capital city of Minnesota.

Are there any counties named after Native American tribes?

Yes, many. For example, Dakota, Chisago, Chippewa, and Mahnomen counties all derive their names from the Dakota or Ojibwe languages and tribes.

Why does Minnesota have so many counties?

Like many midwestern states, county lines were often drawn so that a resident could travel by horse and buggy to the county seat and back in a single day. 

This resulted in smaller, more numerous counties in the southern agricultural part of the state compared to the larger, forested northern counties.

What is the “Northwest Angle”?

The Northwest Angle is the northernmost point of the contiguous United States. It is part of Lake of the Woods County and is separated from the rest of the US by the lake, making it accessible by land only through Canada.

Can I print the map on this page for my classroom?

Yes! Please utilize the “Download Options” section above to download a high-resolution, blank Printable Map specifically designed for educational use.