Traverse County is a county in Minnesota, United States, on the border with North Dakota and South Dakota, with the Red River forming its western edge. It had a population of 3,360 at the 2020 census and covers 586 square miles (1,520 km2) of land and water, centred near 45°46′N 96°28′W.
Wheaton is the county seat, and its postal code is 56296. The county has four incorporated cities, four unincorporated communities and 15 townships, and sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Traverse County
Eight named places from the old listing are confirmed against current sources below, plus two manufactured-home communities. All four incorporated cities sit along or near U.S. Route 75 or Minnesota Highway 27. Unincorp. = unincorporated community.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | City · seat | — | 1,460 | 56296 |
| Browns Valley | City | — | 558 | 56219 |
| Dumont | City | — | 75 | 56236 |
| Tintah | City | Tintah | 67 | 56583 |
| Boisberg | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Charlesville | Unincorp. (partial) | — | — | — |
| Collis | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Dakomin | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Bergs MH Park | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
| Schultz Trailer Park | Unincorp. | — | — | — |
Townships
Traverse County has 15 civil townships covering the county outside its four cities. Township-level population and settlement detail are not verifiable in current sources, so only names are listed.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur | — | — |
| Clifton | — | — |
| Croke | — | — |
| Dollymount | — | — |
| Folsom | — | — |
| Lake Valley | — | — |
| Leonardsville | — | — |
| Monson | — | — |
| Parnell | — | — |
| Redpath | — | — |
| Tara | — | — |
| Taylor | — | — |
| Tintah | — | Tintah |
| Walls | — | — |
| Windsor | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 56296 — Wheaton (also serves the surrounding townships and Bergs MH Park)
- 56219 — Browns Valley
- 56236 — Dumont
- 56583 — Tintah
Boisberg, Charlesville, Collis, Dakomin and Schultz Trailer Park have no dedicated ZIP code and use the mail service of the nearest city above.
Geography
Traverse County lies on the flat glacial-lake plain of far western Minnesota, in the Red River Valley. The Bois de Sioux and Mustinka rivers cross the county, and Lake Traverse, a long finger lake shared with South Dakota, forms part of the southwestern boundary. The county’s highest point, about 1,119 feet, is in the southeastern corner; the lowest lies along the Bois de Sioux in the northwest.
Traverse County borders Wilkin County to the north, Grant County to the northeast, Stevens County to the southeast, Big Stone County to the south, Roberts County, South Dakota, to the southwest, and Richland County, North Dakota, to the northwest.
Demographics
Traverse County had 3,360 residents at the 2020 census, the fewest of any Minnesota county. Wheaton, the seat, is by far the largest place with 1,460 people; Browns Valley is second with 558. Median household income in the county runs below the Minnesota median of $85,086, typical of the state’s sparsely populated far-western counties. Population density is about 5.9 people per square mile of land, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Grain and livestock farming anchor the county’s economy, with corn, soybeans and sugar beets grown across the flat lake-plain soils. Wheaton serves as the county’s retail, medical and school hub, home to Traverse County’s courthouse and Wheaton Area Public School. Lake Traverse and the Bois de Sioux corridor draw fishing and hunting visitors from the wider region.
History
Traverse County was created on February 20, 1862, and formally organized in 1881. It takes its name from Lake Traverse, itself named for its position at a portage, or “traverse,” between the Mississippi and Red River watersheds used by early travelers and fur traders. The county has voted Republican in most presidential elections since 1980.
Getting There
U.S. Route 75 runs north–south through the county along the Bois de Sioux, and Minnesota Highway 27 crosses it east–west through Wheaton.
- Fergus Falls, MN — 45 miles east
- Sisseton, SD — 25 miles southwest
- Breckenridge, MN — 30 miles north
- Morris, MN — 35 miles southeast
The nearest commercial airport is Fargo Hector International Airport, about 75 miles north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Traverse County?
It is in far western Minnesota, on the North Dakota and South Dakota borders, centred near 45°46′N 96°28′W.
What is the population of Traverse County?
3,360 at the 2020 census, the smallest of any Minnesota county.
How big is Traverse County?
586 square miles (1,520 km2), including 12 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Traverse County?
Wheaton is the county seat.
How many towns are in Traverse County?
Four incorporated cities — Wheaton, Browns Valley, Dumont and Tintah — plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Traverse County?
56296 (Wheaton), 56219 (Browns Valley), 56236 (Dumont) and 56583 (Tintah).
What river forms the county’s western boundary?
The Bois de Sioux River, part of the Red River watershed.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Minnesota.