General Info
Koochiching County’s name was derived from the Ojibwe Indian word “Koochiching” meaning “at the place of inlets,” referring to the neighboring Rainy Lake and River. Many of the first settlers arrived to the area in the 1880s and were fur traders and loggers looking for places to set up camps. With the arrival of the railroad, businesses and industry thrived and allowed for transportation so new residents could enter the area. The county was officially established in 1906 after it broke off from Itasca County. By 1920 Koochiching County had a population of 13,520 people. Koochiching County has become a popular tourist destination offering a variety of recreational activities year round. Today Koochiching County is home to approximately 13,128 people.
