Guide to Isabella Minnesota

Located on the Laurentian Divide midway between Lake Superior and Ely, MN., this logging community is in the midst of the Superior National Forest at the edge of the BWCA Wilderness Area. Location and geography have combined to make the Isabella area unique. Not only is Isabella Minnesota's "highest" community (it straddles the Laurentian Divide and is 2,000 feet above sea level), it is probably one of Minnesota's most independent communities. If you were to travel north "as the crow flies," you would discover only two paved highways and two railroads (all Canadian) before reaching the North Pole. The closest community is Finland, 20 miles to the southeast; Silver Bay is another 10 miles beyond that. Ely is 40 miles to the northwest and Two Harbors is 60 miles to the west and south.

The independent lifestyle in a beautiful forested setting dotted by lakes laced with streams appeals to many. With the large wildlife population to photograph and hunt, the many excellent lakes and streams for fishing, the numerous snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, coupled with the US Forest Service campgrounds and resort businesses, the area is a natural for sports and nature loving people.

View of Isabella Minnesota, 2007
LakesnWoods.com Photo - click to enlarge

Stony River Township

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2000-2010 Change

Actual

Percent

Population

219

179

173

-6

-3.35

Land Area (sq. mile)

0.00

547.75

547.70

0.00

Density (persons per sq. mile)

0.40

0.33

0.32

-0.01

-3.35

Housing Units

283

338

345

+2.07

Households

+2.30

Persons Per Household

2.35

2.06

1.94

-0.12

-5.83

Isabella is an unincorporated community in Lake County, Minnesota. The community is located north of Silver Bay and southeast of Ely on Minnesota Highway 1. Isabella is located within the Superior National Forest. The local unit of government for Isabella is Stony River Township. The community is located 27 miles north of Silver Bay, and 40 miles southeast of Ely; at the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 1 and Forest Road 172 (Wanless Road).

According to the United States Census Bureau, Stony River Township has a total area of 578.9 square miles (1,499.3 km²), of which 547.7 square miles (1,418.5 km²) is land and 31.2 square miles (80.7 km² or 5.38%) is water. It is the largest township in land area in Minnesota, although Fall Lake Township (also in Lake County) and Angle Township (in Lake of the Woods County) both have a larger total area because they have more water area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 179 people, 87 households, and 56 families residing in the township. The population density was 0.3 people per square mile (0.1/km²). There were 338 housing units at an average density of 0.6/sq mi (0.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 92.74% White, 5.59% Native American, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 87 households out of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.52.

In the township the population was spread out with 12.8% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 42.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,563, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $29,821 versus $30,417 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,558. None of the families and 3.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 21.1% of those over 64.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

ISABELLA, the "highest" community in the state, being located in section 4 of T. 59N, R. 8W (Stony River Township) on the Laurentian Divide 200 feet above sea level; an isolated community begun about 1906, its post office opened in 1912, becoming a rural branch in 1965.