[4] Kandiyohi County comprises the US Census Bureau's "Willmar, MN Micropolitan Statistical Area".

Kandiyohi County is named for a Dakota word meaning "where the buffalo fish come".

Development was slow, and in 1870 the state legislature called for Monongalia County to merge with Kandiyohi.

The terrain of Kandiyohi County consists of rolling hills, partly wooded, mostly devoted to agriculture.

[7] The territory slopes to the south and west, with the highest point near its northeastern corner, at 1,306 ft (398 m) ASL.

Kandiyohi County voters have switched from Democratic to Republican in recent years.

However, Democratic incumbent Amy Klobuchar won the county in 2018 as she coasted to an easy reelection over Republican challenger Jim Newberger.