About The
Northwest Region
Bounded by Canada on the north and North Dakota on the west, the Northwest Region is home to beautiful natural areas, mighty rivers – including the Mississippi and the Red River – and expansive farmland. It also is the site of a number of Ojibwe Indian reservations, including White Earth, Red Lake, and Leech Lake. The largest city in the region is Bemidji, which is home to Bemidji State University and Northwestern Technical College.
the region
Twelve counties make up the Northwest Region. Occasionally information at the regional level may include fewer or more counties because of how data are collected. When this is the case, it is noted.
Support for this region of Minnesota Compass is provided by Northwest Minnesota Foundation.
At a glance profiles
Beltrami – Named after the Italian Count Beltrami, an early explorer of the area, Beltrami County has a population of about 44,000. Its county seat is Bemidji, the main commercial center between Grand Forks, ND and Duluth. Bemidji is also dubbed the "curling capital” of the U.S.
Clearwater – With a population of around 8,000, Clearwater County is home to Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River. Portions of the Red Lake and White Earth Indian Reservations extend into the county.
Hubbard – Named for Governor Lucius Frederick Hubbard, the ninth Governor of Minnesota, Hubbard County is home to nearly 19,000 people. A portion of Leech Lake Indian Reservation is located in Hubbard County as well.
Kittson – Called the “northwestern cornerstone of Minnesota,” Kittson borders on Manitoba, Canada to the north and North Dakota to the west. A major attraction is Lake Bronson State Park, a man-made lake built by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. It has a population of nearly 4,500 and its county seat is Hallock.
Lake of the Woods – Dubbed “Minnesota’s youngest county,” it was established in 1922. The city of Baudette is its county seat, and it has a population of nearly 4,000.
Mahnomen – Mahnomen County has a population of around 5,000 and is the only county in Minnesota that is located entirely within an Indian reservation – White Earth Indian Reservation. This county is one of the largest cattle-raising areas in the region.
Marshall – Named for William R. (Rainey) Marshall, Minnesota’s fifth Governor, Marshall County has a population of around 9,500 and is bounded on the west by the Red River, which separates it from North Dakota.
Norman – Named for the Norwegian immigrants who settled it, Norman County has 581farms that produce soybeans, wheat, sugar beets, corn, barley, and sunflowers, as well as livestock. It has a population of about 6,500.
Pennington – With a population of nearly 14,000, more than half of Pennington County’s residents live in the Thief River Falls, its county seat. Thief River Falls is home to snowmobile manufacturer Arctic Cat, and is just north of Native-American-owned 7 Clans Casino.
Polk – The fifth largest in the state in terms of area, Polk County has approximately 2,013 square miles. It has a population of nearly 31,000, and lies wholly within the Red River Valley.
Red Lake – Red Lake County is the site of the natural confluence of the Red Lake and Clearwater Rivers. Long before the first white explorers and fur traders came to the area, this river crossroads was a favored Indian camp and village site. Today, it has a population of just over 4,000.
Roseau – With a population of nearly 16,000, about half of residents in Roseau County live within 10 miles of the city of Roseau, the county seat.
northwest region news
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Event: April 27, 2010
Bemidji – This event will feature inspirational keynote speakers and spotlight the many success stories of the region’s leadership programs. Register before March 19 for the $80 Early Bird rate.
LeaderImpact
Apply by April 15 for this innovative, competency-based leadership program.
Idea Competition
Entrepreneurs with breakthrough ideas have entered this competition.
The Capacity Development Initiative Providing technical assistance and grant funding to help build the capacity of Northwest Minnesota service organizations.
