Blue Earth County

Blue Earth County is an administrative division in southern Minnesota that covers agricultural land with rolling hills and stream valleys. Two rivers wind through the area, and farming communities are scattered across the landscape alongside small towns and rural roads.

The county was established in 1853 when settlers reorganized surrounding territories into a new administrative region. The name comes from natural features found in the local geography that caught the attention of early European explorers and settlers.

The Dakota people, particularly the Sisseton tribe, maintained strong connections to the land before European settlement changed the regional demographics.

Visitors can access public facilities and government offices located throughout the county, with main centers in the larger towns. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for exploring the rural landscape and visiting local communities.

Blue-toned clay deposits line the banks of the river that gives the county its name, creating a distinctive geological feature in the landscape. This natural characteristic remains visible along the waterway and tells the story of how the region got its identity.

Location: Minnesota

Inception: March 5, 1853

Capital city: Mankato

Shares border with: Nicollet County, Faribault County, Le Sueur County, Waseca County, Martin County, Watonwan County, Brown County

Website: http://co.blue-earth.mn.us

GPS coordinates: 44.03000,-94.06000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05