Wikipedia

Ramsey County, Minnesota

For the suburban city in Anoka County, see Ramsey, Minnesota.

Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 552,352,[2] making it the second-most populous county in Minnesota. Its county seat and largest city is Saint Paul,[3] the state capital and the twin city of Minneapolis. The county was founded in 1849 and is named for Alexander Ramsey, the first governor of the Minnesota Territory.[4]

Ramsey County
County
Ramsey County Courthouse
Ramsey County Courthouse
Map of Minnesota highlighting Ramsey County
Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota
Map of the United States highlighting Minnesota
Minnesota's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°01′N 93°06′W / 45.02°N 93.1°W / 45.02; -93.1
Country United States
State Minnesota
FoundedOctober 27, 1849[1]
Named forAlexander Ramsey
SeatSaint Paul
Largest citySaint Paul
Area
 • Total
170 sq mi (400 km2)
 • Land152 sq mi (390 km2)
 • Water18 sq mi (50 km2)  11%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
552,352
 • Estimate 
(2023)
536,075 Decrease
 • Density3,633.9/sq mi (1,403.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websitewww.ramseycounty.us

Ramsey County is included in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota, as well as one of the most densely populated counties in the United States.[5]

History

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With the establishment of the Minnesota Territory in 1849, nine counties, including Ramsey County, were created. In 1849, Ramsey County included all of what later became the present-day counties of Ramsey, Anoka, Isanti, and Kanabec; and part of Washington, Pine, Carlton, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Hennepin. One of Ramsey County's early settlers was Heman Gibbs, whose farm is now operated as the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life (Gibbs Farm[6]) in Falcon Heights. Ramsey County remained largely farmland until small villages began to appear in the late 19th century, with the incorporation of North St. Paul in 1887, New Brighton in 1891, and White Bear Lake in 1921.[7]

Government and politics

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Ramsey County is overwhelmingly Democratic in presidential elections, having not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1924. In 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden received the largest share of the vote for any candidate in the county's history, with over 71%.

County Sheriff

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The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office was established in the old Minnesota Territory in 1849.[8] The current sheriff is Bob Fletcher, who won the general election for Ramsey County Sheriff on November 6, 2018. The Ramsey County Sheriff is elected for a four-year term via an election running concurrent with the federal mid-term elections.

The sheriff's office provides patrol and investigation for communities without local police forces and is available as backup for all communities. In addition to enforcing the law throughout the county, the office provides town police services under contract to Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Little Canada, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township.[8]

The Ramsey County Sheriff's office provides a number of unique services across the county as mandated by law. This includes detention for court and other court services. This also includes safety, rescue and law enforcement on the waterways. Proactively, the Sheriff's office provides multiple safety classes and coordinates community volunteer efforts. The office is responsible for the county jail, more officially the "Adult Detention Center." The facility has a capacity of five hundred prisoners and a staff of about 150.

On August 25, 2022, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher announced that the Sheriff's office would be featured on the show On Patrol: Live, airing on Reelz.[9] However an agreement was not reached, Sheriff Bob Fletcher continues a broadcast of many of his and his deputies' shifts.

Community Law Enforcement Fire Protection Ambulance
Arden Hills Ramsey County Sheriff Lake Johanna Fire Allina Medical Transport
Falcon Heights Ramsey County Sheriff Saint Paul Fire Saint Paul Fire
Gem Lake White Bear Lake Police White Bear Lake Fire White Bear Lake Fire
Lauderdale Saint Anthony Police Saint Paul Fire Saint Paul Fire
Little Canada Ramsey County Sheriff Little Canada Fire & Rescue Allina Medical Transport
Maplewood Maplewood Police Maplewood Fire Maplewood Fire
Minnesota State Fairgrounds Minnesota State Fair Police Saint Paul Fire Saint Paul Fire
Mounds View Mounds View Police SBM Fire Allina Medical Transport
New Brighton New Brighton Police Division New Brighton Fire Division Allina Medical Transport
North Oaks Ramsey County Sheriff Lake Johanna Fire Allina Medical Transport
North Saint Paul North Saint Paul Police North Saint Paul Fire Lakeview Emergency Medical
Roseville Roseville Police Roseville Fire Allina Medical Transport
Saint Anthony Saint Anthony Police Saint Anthony Fire Hennepin EMS
Saint Paul Saint Paul Police Saint Paul Fire Saint Paul Fire
Shoreview Ramsey County Sheriff Lake Johanna Fire Allina Medical Transport
University of Minnesota-St. Paul University Police Saint Paul Fire Saint Paul Fire
Vadnais Heights Ramsey County Sheriff Vadnais Heights Fire Allina Medical Transport
White Bear Lake White Bear Lake Police White Bear Lake Fire White Bear Lake Fire
White Bear Township Ramsey County Sheriff White Bear Lake Fire White Bear Lake Fire

County Attorney

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The Ramsey County Attorney prosecutes felony crimes which are committed within the jurisdiction of Ramsey County. The current County Attorney is John Choi, who was elected in 2010.

County Commissioners

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The county commission elects a chair who presides at meetings. Commissioners as of January 3, 2023:

District Commissioner In office since Current term expires
on December 31 of
1st Nicole Joy Frethem 2019 2024
2nd Mary Jo McGuire 2013 2024
3rd Trista MatasCastillo (chair) 2019 2026
4th Rena Moran 2022 2026
5th Rafael Ortega 1995 2026
6th Mai Chong Xiong 2022 2026
7th Victoria Reinhardt 1997 2024
United States presidential election results for Ramsey County, Minnesota[10][11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 77,376 26.14% 211,620 71.50% 6,981 2.36%
2016 70,894 25.95% 177,738 65.07% 24,511 8.97%
2012 86,800 31.13% 184,938 66.33% 7,084 2.54%
2008 88,942 32.06% 182,974 65.96% 5,470 1.97%
2004 97,096 35.62% 171,846 63.04% 3,635 1.33%
2000 87,669 35.89% 138,470 56.69% 18,139 7.43%
1996 66,954 29.34% 133,878 58.66% 27,381 12.00%
1992 68,206 27.08% 130,932 51.97% 52,777 20.95%
1988 88,736 37.78% 143,767 61.20% 2,393 1.02%
1984 95,667 39.95% 141,623 59.15% 2,153 0.90%
1980 78,860 33.88% 124,774 53.61% 29,110 12.51%
1976 86,480 37.92% 133,682 58.62% 7,905 3.47%
1972 95,716 45.59% 108,392 51.63% 5,843 2.78%
1968 64,068 32.75% 122,568 62.64% 9,020 4.61%
1964 56,898 29.70% 133,948 69.91% 746 0.39%
1960 77,408 41.50% 108,464 58.15% 655 0.35%
1956 80,701 47.74% 87,784 51.93% 554 0.33%
1952 76,093 44.40% 93,783 54.73% 1,494 0.87%
1948 48,142 34.17% 88,528 62.84% 4,217 2.99%
1944 53,052 39.67% 78,759 58.89% 1,933 1.45%
1940 57,093 41.32% 78,990 57.17% 2,082 1.51%
1936 30,553 23.37% 86,286 66.00% 13,889 10.62%
1932 38,589 35.74% 66,128 61.24% 3,263 3.02%
1928 53,054 47.84% 56,807 51.22% 1,049 0.95%
1924 39,566 47.66% 8,407 10.13% 35,046 42.21%
1920 40,204 58.62% 21,110 30.78% 7,273 10.60%
1916 13,317 35.08% 22,291 58.72% 2,353 6.20%
1912 4,109 12.70% 12,431 38.43% 15,810 48.87%
1908 16,556 54.64% 11,613 38.33% 2,131 7.03%
1904 18,269 70.22% 5,860 22.52% 1,889 7.26%
1900 15,384 56.26% 10,931 39.97% 1,030 3.77%
1896 17,522 57.66% 12,048 39.65% 817 2.69%
1892 11,307 41.99% 12,817 47.60% 2,802 10.41%

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 170 square miles (440 km2), of which 152 square miles (390 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (11%) is water.[12] It is the smallest county by area in Minnesota. It has been considered completely urbanized since the 1990 United States Census.[13]

Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Transportation

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Rail

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Ramsey County is a major freight hub along BNSF's Northern Transcon route, as well as being served by Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific.[14]

Amtrak offers daily intercity passenger rail service on the Empire Builder from Union Depot in Saint Paul.[15] Light rail service is provided by Metro, a light rail and bus rapid transit system operated by Metro Transit that connects several communities in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties.[16] The Metro Green Line connects St. Paul Union Depot to Target Field station in Minneapolis, in neighboring Hennepin County.

Road

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Ramsey County is served by several interstate highways, including Interstate 35 and Interstate 94. I-35 has two routes through Ramsey County. I-35E enters the county from Dakota County to the south and proceeds north through Saint Paul, where it intersects I-94, then continues north to Little Canada, where it runs east concurrently with I-694 for several miles before turning north through North Oaks to Washington County. I-35W crosses from Minneapolis to the west through Saint Anthony before turning north through New Brighton, where it intersects I-694, and then to Anoka County where it goes on to rejoin I-35E in Washington County.[17]

Near the western edge of the county, I-94 enters from Minneapolis where it runs almost parallel to University Avenue until it meets I-35E in Saint Paul and continues east to Washington County. I-494 passes through the southeast corner of the county between Dakota and Washington Counties. From Anoka County in the west, I-694 takes a path through New Brighton, where it meets I-35W, to the junction with I-35E in Little Canada and finally to Washington County in the east.[17]

Ramsey County is also accessible by several U.S. Highways, in particular US 10, US 52, and US 61. US 10 enters from Washington County in the south and continues north to meet I-94 just east of Saint Paul where it turns west to run concurrently with I-94, I-35E, I-694, and finally I-35W before continuing northwest to Anoka County. US 52 runs from South Saint Paul in Dakota County north to downtown Saint Paul where it meets I-94 and turns west to run concurrently with it all the way to the North Dakota border. From the south, US 61 runs concurrently with US 10 and then I-94 until it continues northeast on surface streets through the East Side of Saint Paul. From Saint Paul, US 61 continues north through Maplewood and White Bear Lake before crossing the border into Washington County.[17]

In addition to these federal highways, Ramsey County is served by a number of Minnesota State Highways, including MN 36 and MN 51 which are divided highways for much of their length.[17]

The county also has jurisdiction over 264.108 miles of County State Aid Highways as well as 21,031 miles of county roads and 59 bridges that are maintained and monitored by the Public Works Department of Ramsey County.[18]

Major highways

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Air

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The primary airport serving Ramsey County is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, located in neighboring Hennepin County. The only airport located in Ramsey County is Saint Paul Downtown Airport, a smaller commercial airport with three runways primarily used for general aviation and military operations.[19]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18502,227—
186012,150445.6%
187023,08590.0%
188045,89098.8%
1890139,796204.6%
1900170,55422.0%
1910223,67531.1%
1920244,5549.3%
1930286,72117.2%
1940309,9358.1%
1950355,33214.6%
1960422,52518.9%
1970476,25512.7%
1980459,784−3.5%
1990485,7655.7%
2000511,0355.2%
2010508,640−0.5%
2020552,3528.6%
2023 (est.)536,075[20]−2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790-1960[22] 1900-1990[23]
1990-2000[24] 2010-2020[25]
 
2022 US Census population pyramid for Ramsey County, from ACS 5-year estimates

2020 census

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Ramsey County, Minnesota - Demographic Profile
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[26] Pop 2020[27] % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 340,194 320,477 66.89% 58.02%
Black or African American alone (NH) 54,835 70,101 10.78% 12.69%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 3,143 2,914 0.62% 0.53%
Asian alone (NH) 59,033 85,775 11.61% 15.53%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 195 214 0.04% 0.04%
Some Other Race alone (NH) 737 2,339 0.15% 0.42%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) 14,020 25,498 2.76% 4.62%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 36,483 45,034 7.17% 8.15%
Total 508,640 552,352 100.00% 100.00%

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2010

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As of the 2010 census, there were 508,640 people, 202,691 households, and 117,799 families living in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 70.1% White, 11.0% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 11.7% Asian, 2.9% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. 7.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the 2010–2015 American Community Survey, the largest ancestry groups were German (26.0%), Irish (11.5%), Norwegian (9.9%), and Swedish (7.4%).[28]

2000

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At the 2000 census, there were 511,035 people, 201,236 households, and 119,936 families living in the county. The population density was 3,281 inhabitants per square mile (1,267/km2). There were 206,448 housing units at an average density of 1,325 per square mile (512/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.37% White, 7.61% Black or African American, 0.83% Native American, 8.77% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.45% from other races, and 2.90% from two or more races. 5.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 201,236 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.00% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.40% were non-families. 32.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, 25.60% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 20.70% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,722, and the median income for a family was $57,747. (These figures had risen to $53,141 and $71,485, respectively, as of 2008.) Males had a median income of $39,806 versus $30,814 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,536. About 7.40% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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School districts include:[31]

Charter schools include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Place Names". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ramsey County, Minnesota". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
  5. ^ "Ramsey County". Metro MSP. Minneapolis Regional Chamber Development Foundation. 2008. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "Gibbs Farm". Ramsey County Historical Society. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  7. ^ Virginia Brainard Kunz. "A Brief History of Ramsey County". Ramsey County Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "About the Sheriff's Office". Ramsey County Sheriff's Office. July 14, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Wiita, Tommy (August 29, 2022). "Ramsey County Sheriff's Office to be featured on 'On Patrol: Live'". Bring Me The News. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  11. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 12,426 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 2,942 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 275 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 167 votes.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  13. ^ "Ramsey County Public Works: A System of Thoroughfares, Highways, Streets and Other Public Ways". Ramsey County. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  14. ^ "Twin Cities Area Freight Railroad Map" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. September 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  15. ^ "Empire Builder". Amtrak. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  16. ^ "Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Transit System Map". Metro Transit. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c d "Ramsey County Highway Map" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  18. ^ "Ramsey County Public Works Department 2017 - 2021 Transportation Improvement Plan" (PDF). Ramsey County Public Works Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  19. ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for STP PDF, effective December 7, 2017.
  20. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  21. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  22. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  23. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  24. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  25. ^ "2020 Population and Housing State Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  26. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ramsey County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Ramsey County, Minnesota". United States Census Bureau.
  28. ^ "2015 American Community Survey". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  29. ^ Index to Ramsey County Plats (Map). The St. Paul Abstract Company. April 1931. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  30. ^ "A Brief History of Roseville". City of Roseville. Retrieved January 1, 2024. In 1850 Rose Township was established
  31. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ramsey County, MN" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
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45°01′N 93°06′W / 45.02°N 93.10°W / 45.02; -93.10

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