The region

Twenty counties make up the Southern 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 Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

At a glance profiles

Blue Earth – Three major rivers come together in Blue Earth County and join the Minnesota River – the Blue Earth, LeSueur, and Watonwan. Its county seat is Mankato, and it has a population of nearly 60,500. Blue Earth County is part of the Mankato–North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Brown – Named for Joseph Renshaw Brown, a 19th century trader, businessman, politician, speculator, and inventor, Brown County has a population of nearly 26,000 and its county seat is New Ulm.

Dodge – This county is named for Henry Dodge, two-time governor of Wisconsin. Early inhabitants of Dodge County were of German and Scandinavian descent, as well as Native American tribes including Mdewakanton Sioux, Sauk and Fox Indians. Its county seat is Mantorville and it has a population of nearly 20,000. It is part of the Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Faribault – Faribault County lies along the border with Iowa and has a population of nearly 15,000. Its county seat is Blue Earth, home to the world’s largest statue of the Jolly Green Giant, the symbol of Minnesota-based Green Giant foods, which is now owned by General Mills.

Fillmore – Fillmore County was established March 5, 1853 and was named in honor of President Millard Fillmore. From 1853 to 1870, it was the most populous county in Minnesota. Today, it has a population of around 21,000. Its county seat is Preston.

Freeborn – Freeborn County, population around 31,000, is known as the southern gateway to Minnesota. It boast numerous city and county parks, as well as Helmer Myre State Park. Its county seat is Albert Lea.

Goodhue – The county is named for James Madison Goodhue, the first newspaper editor in Minnesota, and editor of The Minnesota Pioneer. The Mississippi River and Lake Pepin form part of its border on the east. Nearly all of Prairie Island Indian Community is within the county. It has a population of nearly 46,000 and its county seat is Red Wing.

Houston – Located in the southeast corner of the state, Houston county has a population of just over 19,000. It is part of the Lacrosse, WI Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is Caledonia.

Le Sueur – The county is named for the French explorer Pierre-Charles Le Sueur who visited the area in 1700. It has a population of around 28,000 and the county seat is Le Center.

Martin – Martin County is located along the Minnesota/Iowa border, and has a population of around 20,500. Its county seat is Fairmont, which is built around a chain of five lakes: George Lake, Lake Sisseton, Budd Lake, Hall Lake, and Amber Lake.

Mower – This county is named for John Edward Mower, a member of the Minnesota territorial legislature in the 1850s. Its county seat is Austin, also known as “Spamtown USA," in reference to the Hormel Foods, the Fortune 500 company and maker of SPAM, which is headquartered there. It has a population of nearly 38,000.

Nicollet – Named in honor of Joseph N. Nicollet, a French explorer, Nicollet County has a population of around 32,000. Its county seat is St. Peter. Nicollet County is part of the Mankato–North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Olmsted – With a population of more than 141,000, Olmsted is the most populous county in the Southern region. Its county seat is Rochester, the third largest city in the state, and the largest outside of the Twin Cities metro. Rochester is home to the Mayo Clinic and an IBM facility, both of which are major employers in the area. It is part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Rice – Rice County is located in Central Minnesota approximately 50 miles south of the Minneapolis and St. Paul. The two largest cities in Rice County are Faribault (its county seat) and Northfield. It has a total population of nearly 62,500.

Sibley – Named after Henry Hastings Sibley, the first Governor of Minnesota, Sibley County has a population of around 15,000. Its county seat is Gaylord.

Steele – Named in honor of Franklin Steele, a St. Anthony governmental contractor and prominent early resident of Minnesota, Steel County has a population of around 36,500. Nine mineral springs are located in Owatonna, in an area known as Mineral Springs Park. Its county seat is Owatonna.

Wabasha – Located along the Mississippi River, Wabasha County has a population of nearly 22,000. Part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is located in the county. The entire county is part of the Rochester, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is the city of Wabasha.

Waseca – Located in south-central Minnesota and covering 415 square miles, Waseca County is known for its rich, black soil. Its population is around 19,500 and the county seat is Waseca.

Watonwan – The county was named for the Watonwan River. The word Watonwan is thought to be from a Dakota word meaning “where fish bait abounds.” Watonwan County has a population of nearly 11,000 and the county seat is St. James.

Winona – The name of the county is said to derive from a Dakota legend regarding a woman, referred to as Winona, who was betrothed to marry a warrior whom she did not love. It is located in picturesque bluff country along the Mississippi River. The county has population of nearly 50,000, more than half of whom live in the city of Winona, its county seat and home to Winona State University.