Total population (1990 census): 33060
County seat: Albert Lea
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 780 | 166520 | 23788926 bu | |
| Sorghum for grain or seed | 3 | 85 | 2350 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 4 | 46 | 1819 bu | |
| Spring Wheat for Grain | 4 | 46 | 1819 bu | |
| Barley | 8 | 108 | 5866 bu | |
| Oats | 119 | 1738 | 112370 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 782 | 149014 | 6448587 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 317 | 7897 | 19826 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 254 | 4921 | 14665 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 34 | 401 | 818 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 61 | 677 | 1000 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 42 | 855 | 1751 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 20 | 1043 | 4770 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 80 | 2030 | 32376 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Carrots | 7 | 486 | ||
| Dry Onions | 11 | 463 | ||
| Green Peas | 34 | 1669 | ||
| Potatoes | 18 | 3117 | 719370 bu | |
| Pumpkins | 3 | D | ||
| Squash | 3 | 1 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 48 | 6033 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 4 | 3 | 146 trees | |
| Strawberries | 3 | 4 | 5090 lbs | |
| 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 | 11 | 68800 | D | 775 |
| Florculture Crops | 7 | 52200 | D | 318 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 5 | 36100 | D | D |
| Potted Flowering Plants | 4 | 16100 | D | 60 |
| Greenhouse Vegetables | 3 | D | X | 149 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.