Ramsey County, Minnesota

Infobox U.S. County
county = Ramsey County
state = Minnesota


founded year = 1849 [http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm]
founded date = October 27
seat wl = St. Paul
largest city wl = St. Paul
area_total_sq_mi = 170
area_total_km2 = 441
area_land_sq_mi = 156
area_land_km2 = 403
area_water_sq_mi = 14
area_water_km2 = 37
area percentage = 8.44%
census yr = 2000
pop = 511035
density_sq_mi = 3281
density_km2 = 1267
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset = -5
footnotes =
web = www.co.ramsey.mn.us
named for = Alexander Ramsey

Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849 [cite web |url=http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/govseries/No33.htm |title=Minnesota Government Series, State Counties |accessdate=2008-03-18 |work=Minnesota House of Representatives.] As of 2000, the population was 511,035. Its county seat is St. PaulGR|6, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey (W), the first governor of the Minnesota Territory. It is the smallest county in Minnesota in terms of area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 170 square miles (441 km²), of which, 156 square miles (403 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (37 km²) of it (8.44%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

*Anoka County (north)
*Washington County (east)
*Dakota County (south)
*Hennepin County (west)

National protected area

* Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 511,035 people, 201,236 households, and 119,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 3,281 people 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. 24.2% were of German, 8.8% Norwegian, 8.7% Irish and 6.2% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.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 the population was spread out with 25.60% 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% who were 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. 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.

County Commissioners

As of August 2008
*District 1: Tony Bennett
*District 2: Jan Parker (chair)
*District 3: Janice Rettman
*District 4: Toni Carter
*District 5: Rafael Ortega
*District 6: Jim McDonough
*District 7: Victoria Reinhardt

Cities and towns

† Based in another county, but partially extending into Ramsey County.
‡ A small part of this city extends into Washington County.

References

External links

* [http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ Ramsey County government’s website]