The federal government set up the Minnesota Territory effective March 3, 1849.

It was named for Bradley B. Meeker (1813-1873), who served on the Minnesota Territorial Supreme Court from 1849 to 1853.

[4] The area of Forest City was first settled in the 1850s, and the village was named the county seat in 1856.

In 1856 the first settlers moved into the future Litchfield; the resulting settlement was named Ness.

[7] The Dakota attacked Forest City shortly thereafter, and numerous monuments to people killed in the conflict can be found in the county.

[8] Meeker County's terrain consists of low rolling hills, lightly wooded and heavily dotted with lakes and ponds.

[9] The terrain slopes to the south and east,[10] with its highest point just southwest of Lake Hope, 7.9 miles (12.7 km) west-southwest of Litchfield, at 1,261 ft (384 m) ASL.

24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

In 78% of national elections since 1980 the county selected the Republican Party candidate (as of 2020).