A River City With Dakota Roots

641.641 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.

Start with Recycling, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.

Start with Current Job Opportunities at Winona County!, linked from the government source used for this county. Check that page for current details before visiting or submitting a request.

Start with these official Minnesota resources: Locations; Disability parking certificates; Renew my tabs. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.

Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.

The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.

Winona County was formed in 1854 from parts of Fillmore and Wabasha counties. The area includes the history of the Dakota community of Keoxa, followed by the growth of the later city of Winona. The county historical society explains the Dakota origin of the Winona name and preserves materials that help connect different periods of local life. A careful introduction recognizes those distinct layers rather than presenting county formation as the beginning of the area’s human history.

Start with the county historical society for context before exploring Winona’s river setting. The history of Keoxa and the meaning of the city’s name add depth to a visit that might otherwise focus only on buildings and scenery. Use local interpretive resources to follow those stories accurately. The Mississippi provides a geographic thread, while the historical collections help identify the people and communities whose experiences shaped the county over time.

The 2020 Census geography figures record 626.177 square miles of land and 15.464 square miles of water in Winona County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.

In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Winona County had an estimated 49,656 residents on July 1, 2020, and 50,523 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 867 residents, or about 1.7%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.