Swift County is a county in Minnesota, United States, in the west-central part of the state. It had a population of 9,838 at the 2020 census and covers 751 square miles (1,943 km2) centred near 45°17′N 95°41′W.
Benson is the county seat, and its postal code is 56215. The county has eight incorporated cities, two unincorporated communities, and 21 townships. Swift County observes Central Time.
Towns & Villages in Swift County
Swift County has ten named places on the map: eight incorporated cities and two unincorporated communities (CDP/Unincorp. below). Population figures for individual places were not verified against a current census source and are shown as — where unavailable.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benson | City · seat | Benson | — | 56215 |
| Appleton | City | Appleton | — | 56208 |
| Murdock | City | Torning | — | 56271 |
| Kerkhoven | City | Kerkhoven | — | 56252 |
| Danvers | City | Six Mile Grove | — | 56231 |
| Holloway | City | Camp Lake | — | 56249 |
| Clontarf | City | Clontarf | — | 56226 |
| De Graff | City | Moyer | — | 56208 |
| Fairfield | Unincorp. | Fairfield | — | — |
| Swift Falls | Unincorp. | Six Mile Grove | — | — |
Townships
Swift County is organized into 21 civil townships. Verified 2020 population figures by township were not available from the sources checked, so populations are omitted below; townships are listed alphabetically with their known main settlement.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton | — | Appleton |
| Benson | — | Benson |
| Camp Lake | — | Holloway |
| Cashel | — | — |
| Clontarf | — | Clontarf |
| Dublin | — | — |
| Edison | — | — |
| Fairfield | — | Fairfield |
| Hayes | — | — |
| Hegbert | — | — |
| Kerkhoven | — | Kerkhoven |
| Kildare | — | — |
| Marysland | — | — |
| Moyer | — | De Graff |
| Pillsbury | — | — |
| Shible | — | — |
| Six Mile Grove | — | Danvers, Swift Falls |
| Swenoda | — | — |
| Tara | — | — |
| Torning | — | Murdock |
| West Bank | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 56215 — Benson (post office town)
- 56208 — Appleton (also serves De Graff)
- 56271 — Murdock
- 56252 — Kerkhoven
- 56231 — Danvers
- 56249 — Holloway
- 56226 — Clontarf
Fairfield and Swift Falls are unincorporated and use the ZIP code of their nearest post office town rather than a code of their own.
Geography
Swift County sits on the prairie of west-central Minnesota, with land making up the great majority of its area — 742 square miles against 8.82 square miles of water, or about 1.2%. The county contains Monson Lake State Park and several wildlife management areas managed for the region’s lakes and wetlands. Swift County borders Big Stone County to the west, Stevens County to the northwest, Pope County to the northeast, Kandiyohi County to the east, Chippewa County to the south, and Lac qui Parle County to the southwest.
Demographics
Swift County had 9,838 residents at the 2020 census. Benson and Appleton are the county’s two largest communities. Minnesota’s 2023 median household income was the Minnesota median of $85,086; county-level income data for Swift County was not verified against a current source, so no direct comparison is given here. Population density works out to roughly 13 people per square mile of land.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives Swift County’s economy, with corn, soybeans and livestock operations across its townships. The county also has agricultural equipment manufacturing and an ethanol plant tied to the local grain trade. Benson, the seat, serves as the county’s commercial and government center.
History
Swift County was organized on February 18, 1870, formed out of Chippewa County. It is named for Henry Adoniram Swift, Minnesota’s third governor, who served in 1863 and 1864. The county’s townships and small cities grew up along the rail lines that crossed the prairie in the late 19th century as settlement moved west from the Minnesota River valley.
Getting There
U.S. Highways 12 and 59 cross Swift County, along with five state highways connecting its cities and townships.
- Willmar — 25 miles east
- Morris — 25 miles northwest
- Montevideo — 20 miles south
- Ortonville — 40 miles west
The nearest commercial airport is Willmar Municipal Airport (Kandiyohi County); regional air service is available further away at St. Cloud Regional Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Swift County, Minnesota?
It is in the west-central part of Minnesota, along U.S. Highways 12 and 59, roughly 130 miles west of Minneapolis.
What is the population of Swift County?
Swift County had a population of 9,838 at the 2020 census.
How big is Swift County?
The county covers 751 square miles (1,943 km2), of which 742 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Swift County?
Benson is the county seat.
How many towns are in Swift County?
Swift County has eight incorporated cities and two unincorporated communities, spread across 21 townships.
What ZIP codes are in Swift County?
Swift County’s ZIP codes are 56215 (Benson), 56208 (Appleton and De Graff), 56271 (Murdock), 56252 (Kerkhoven), 56231 (Danvers), 56249 (Holloway), and 56226 (Clontarf).
What is Swift County known for?
Swift County has one of the highest shares of Pacific Islander residents of any county outside Hawaii, a legacy of Hmong and other resettlement in the region, and it is home to Monson Lake State Park.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Minnesota.