Map of Cottonwood County, Minnesota

Cottonwood County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,517. Its county seat is Windom.

Cottonwood County overview:
Name:	Cottonwood County
FIPS code:	27-033
State:	Minnesota
Founded:	1857
Named for:	Cottonwood River
Seat:	Windom
Largest city:	Windom
Total Area:	649 sq mi (1,680 km²)
Land Area:	639 sq mi (1,660 km²)
Total Population:	11,517
Population Density:	18.0/sq mi (6.9/km²)
Time zone:	UTC−6 (Central)
Summer Time Zone (DST):	UTC−5 (CDT)
Website:	www.co.cottonwood.mn.us

Cottonwood County location map. Where is Cottonwood County?

Cottonwood County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Cottonwood County. — Location of Cottonwood County in the the United States.

Cottonwood County location on the Minnesota map. Where is Cottonwood County. — Location of Cottonwood County in Minnesota.

History

The county was created on May 23, 1857, named for the river in Germantown Township (“cottonwood” is the English meaning of the Dakota Sioux word “Waraju”). Minnesota Governor Horace Austin appointed three county commissioners when the county was established. They met at a home about six miles northwest of Windom on the Des Moines River at Big Bend. During this meeting, they designated the commissioners’ districts and changed various county officers. The county organization was completed on July 29, 1870. The first general election was held in the county that November. The first deed of record was filed on January 10, 1870. The first land assessments were made in 1871, and the first taxes were paid in 1872.

County NRHP listings

The Cottonwood County Courthouse (1904), an example of Neoclassical architecture, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Mountain Park, southeast of Mountain Lake, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973. A 1976 archeological dig unearthed evidence of a Fox Indian habitation there circa 500 B.C., the oldest human habitation to be discovered in Minnesota.
The Jeffers Petroglyphs, near Jeffers, contain pre-European Native American rock carvings. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cottonwood County Road Map

Cottonwood CountyStreet Map. — Street map of Cottonwood County, Minnesota. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Cottonwood CountyMap — Cottonwood Countypolitical map.

Geography

The Heron Lake Outflow flows east through the lower part of Cottonwood County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture. The terrain generally slopes to the east, with the northern portion also sloping north and the lower portion sloping south. The highest point is on the midpoint of the west border, at 1,535′ (468m) ASL. The county has an area of 649 square miles (1,680 km), of which 639 square miles (1,660 km) is land and 10 square miles (26 km) (1.5%) is water.

Watersheds

The northeastern part of the county drains north to the Minnesota River through numerous small creeks, the Cottonwood River and Watonwan River. The southwestern part drains south through the Des Moines River. These two watersheds come together at the Mississippi River near Keokuk, Iowa. Most wetlands in the county have been drained for agricultural use.

Lakes

Major highways

U.S. Highway 71
Minnesota State Highway 30
Minnesota State Highway 60
Minnesota State Highway 62

Adjacent counties

Redwood County – north
Brown County – northeast
Watonwan County – east
Jackson County – south
Nobles County – southwest
Murray County -west

Protected areas

Delft State Wildlife Management Area
Dynamite Park
Lady Bird County Park
Little Swan Lake State Wildlife Management Area
Mound Creek County Park
Mountain County Park
Pats Grove County Park
Regehr State Wildlife Management Area
Red Rock Falls County Park
Rock Ridge Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
South Dutch Charlie County Park
Talcot County Park