Carver County, Minnesota, USA

Carver County lies southwest of Minneapolis in the outer Twin Cities metropolitan area, with Chaska as its county seat. The Minnesota River forms much of its southern edge, while lakes, rolling farmland and remnants of the Big Woods distinguish a landscape that becomes increasingly suburban toward the east. Organized in 1855 and named for explorer Jonathan Carver, the county developed through logging, brickmaking, dairy farming and other agriculture. Carver County had about 114,400 residents in 2025. Advanced manufacturing, food production, health care, retail and professional work now share the economy with farming, wineries and recreation around Lake Waconia and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.