[3] Douglas County comprises the Alexandria, Minnesota, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Douglas County is the home of Minnesota's only wine-grape appellation, the 10,880 acres (44.0 km2) Alexandria Lakes AVA.

[4] The territorial legislature created Douglas County on March 8, 1858, shortly before Minnesota attained statehood.

It was named for political figure Stephen A. Douglas, who was serving as a US Senator from Illinois at the time of the county's creation.

The county consists of rolling hills, heavily dotted with lakes and ponds, especially in its north-to-south central portion.

[6] The hilly terrain generally slopes to the south and west; its highest point is near the northeast corner, at 1,483 ft (452 m) ASL.