The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with areas partitioned from Pembina County. The county was named for Alexander Ramsey, a US Senator from Minnesota. The county government was not completed at that time, and the county was not attached to another county for administrative or judicial purposes. This situation continued until January 25, 1883, when the county government was effected. The county's boundaries were altered two times in March 1883, two times in 1885, and in 1890. Its present boundaries have remained unchanged since 1890.
Geography
The southwest boundary of Ramsey County is defined by Devils Lake. The county terrain consists of rolling hills, dotted with lakes and ponds. The area is largely devoted to agriculture. The terrain slopes to the lake, with its highest point at the NE county corner, at 1,631' ASL. The county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 12,066 people, 4,957 households, and 3,187 families in the county. The population density was 10.2/sqmi. There were 5,729 housing units at an average density of 4.83/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 92.31% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 5.40% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.7% were of German and 33.7% Norwegian ancestry. There were 4,957 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couplesliving together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.70% were non-families. 31.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94. The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males. The median income for a household in the county was $35,600, and the median income for a family was $42,439. Males had a median income of $29,562 versus $18,629 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,060. About 8.70% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,451 people, 4,955 households, and 3,008 families in the county. The population density was 9.65/sqmi. There were 5,615 housing units at an average density of 4.73/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 87.7% white, 8.7% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 41.9% were German, 37.7% were Norwegian, 7.0% were Irish, 5.7% were Swedish, 5.2% were English, and 2.9% were American. Of the 4,955 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.3% were non-families, and 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 43.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $41,792 and the median income for a family was $56,632. Males had a median income of $41,274 versus $25,171 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,130. About 8.7% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.
Ramsey County voters have traditionally voted Republican. In only two national elections since 1944 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.
