Total population (1990 census): 14909
County seat: Spirit Lake
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 361 | 78518 | 9715927 bu | |
| Oats | 24 | 409 | 30679 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 366 | 80177 | 3188662 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 132 | 6612 | 15898 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 96 | 4552 | 12561 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 8 | 175 | 476 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 27 | 1335 | 2048 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 21 | 372 | 543 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 9 | 178 | 811 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 47 | 2811 | 45049 tons, grn | |
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 3 | D | D | |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 4 | D | 40 | D |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 3 | D | D | D |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.