Koochiching County is a county located in the state of Minnesota. As of 2000, the population is 14,355. Its county seat is International Falls⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,170 km² (3,154 mi²). 8,035 km² (3,102 mi²) of it is land and 135 km² (52 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.65% water.

Adjacent counties

• Ontario Province, Canada (north)
• St. Louis County (east)
• Itasca County (south)
• Beltrami County (southwest)
• Lake of the Woods County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 14,355 people, 6,040 households, and 3,962 families residing in the county. The population density is 2/km² (5/mi²). There are 7,719 housing units at an average density of 1/km² (2/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 96.12% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 2.15% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 6,040 households out of which 28.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.30% are married couples living together, 8.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% are non-families. 30.40% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 2.88.

In the county the population is spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 25.80% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $36,262, and the median income for a family is $43,608. Males have a median income of $40,642 versus $22,261 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,167. 12.10% of the population and 8.40% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.10% of those under the age of 18 and 13.40% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and towns

Koochiching is unique in Minnesota, in the sense that there are no organized township governments within the county. Survey townships, as defined by the Public Land Survey System exist but none are organized. Six city governments have been created, and the rest of the county consists of unorganized territories.