Stearns County | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Minnesota | |
 Minnesota's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 45°33′N 94°37′W / 45.55°N 94.61°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Minnesota |
| Founded | February 20, 1855 |
| Named for | Charles Thomas Stearns |
| Seat | St. Cloud |
| Largest city | St. Cloud |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,390 sq mi (3,600 km2) |
| • Land | 1,343 sq mi (3,480 km2) |
| • Water | 47 sq mi (120 km2) 3.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 158,292 |
• Estimate (2023) | 160,977  |
| • Density | 110/sq mi (44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional districts | 6th, 7th |
| Website | www |
Stearns County is a county in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 158,292.[1] Its county seat and largest city is St. Cloud.[2]
Included within the Minnesota Territory since 1849, the county was founded by European Americans in 1855. It was originally named for Isaac Ingalls Stevens, then renamed for Charles Thomas Stearns. Stearns County is part of the St. Cloud Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Combined Statistical Area.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.