The Minnesota River flows southeast along the county's northeastern border.

The county terrain consists of rolling hills, carved with drainages and sprinkled with lakes.

[4] The largely rural area is devoted to commodity crops of corn and soybeans.

The terrain slopes to the east, with its highest point in the southwest corner at 1,450 ft (440 m) ASL.

28.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

In only one national election since 1948 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, and even then, the margin of victory was under 2%.