Minnesota

Brown

25,912
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Brown

Brown, Minnesota, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 2,339. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 25,912.

Its recorded population peaked at 28,887 in 1970, and has since declined by roughly 10 percent.

On the ground today, 10 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them New Ulm Second Attack — Dakota War (August 23, 1862), Battle of New Ulm (First), Minnesota — Action at New Ulm (Federal Relief Column), and 39 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202025,912
201025,893
200026,911
199026,984
198028,645
197028,887
196027,676
195025,895
194025,544
193023,428
192022,421
191020,134
190019,787
189015,817
188012,018
18706,396
18602,339
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Brown

Military engagements that took place in Brown, Minnesota.

New Ulm Second Attack — Dakota War (August 23, 1862)
1862
Battle of New Ulm (First)
1862
Minnesota — Action at New Ulm (Federal Relief Column)
1862
New Ulm Second Attack
1862
New Ulm First Attack — Dakota War (August 19, 1862)
1862
First Battle of New Ulm
1862
New Ulm First Attack
1862
Milford Township Massacre
1862
New Ulm — Brown County Settlement Raids August 1862
1862
Battle of New Ulm
1862

Historic places in Brown

National Register of Historic Places listings in Brown, Minnesota.

Boesch, Hummel, and Maltzahn Block
New Ulm
Grand Hotel
New Ulm
Hermann Monument
New Ulm
New Ulm Post Office
New Ulm
Winona and St. Peter Freight Depot
Sleepy Eye
Turner Hall
New Ulm
Gag, Wanda, Childhood Home
New Ulm
Nora Free Christian Church
Hanska
New Ulm High School
New Ulm
New Ulm Oil Company Service Station
New Ulm
Browse all Minnesotahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Minnesota

Explore census history and historic records for more Minnesota counties.

ItascaJacksonKanabecKandiyohiKittsonKoochichingLac qui ParleLakeLake of the WoodsLe SueurLincolnLyonMahkahtaMahnomenManominMarshallMartinMcLeodMeekerMille Lacs
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Everything a full report reveals about Brown County, Minnesota

This page charts the census history of Brown County, Minnesota. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Brown

When does Brown first appear in the US census?
Brown, Minnesota first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 2,339.
What is the population of Brown?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Brown had a recorded population of 25,912.
When did Brown's population peak?
Brown's recorded population peaked at 28,887 in 1970.
Were any battles fought in Brown?
10 documented military engagements took place in Brown, including New Ulm Second Attack — Dakota War (August 23, 1862), Battle of New Ulm (First), Minnesota — Action at New Ulm (Federal Relief Column).
How many historic places are in Brown?
39 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Brown, Minnesota.
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