Clarke County, Iowa

Clarke County
County
Clarke County Courthouse in Osceola
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°01′22″N93°47′11″W / 41.022777777778°N 93.786388888889°W / 41.022777777778; -93.786388888889
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	January 13, 1846
Named for	James Clarke
Seat	Osceola
Largest city	Osceola
Area
• Total	432 sq mi (1,120 km2)
• Land	431 sq mi (1,120 km2)
• Water	0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,748
• Density	23/sq mi (8.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	clarkecounty.iowa.gov

Clarke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,748. ^[1] The county seat is Osceola. ^[2] The county was formed in January 1846, one of twelve counties established by legislative action in a comprehensive act. ^{[3] [4]} It was named for James Clarke, a Governor of the Iowa Territory. ^[5]

History

The first courthouse for Clarke County was a wood frame two–story structure in Osceola. In 1883 it was replaced with a brick structure on former park area in the town square. By the 1950s this building was insufficient, and the present modern structure was completed in 1956. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. ^[6]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 432 square miles (1,120 km²), of which 431 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (0.1%) is water. ^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Decatur County (south)
• Lucas County (east)
• Madison County (northwest)
• Union County (west)
• Warren County (northeast)

Highways

• Interstate 35 - runs north–south through central Clarke County, passing Osceola
• U.S. Highway 34 - runs east–west through central Clarke County, passing Osceola
• U.S. Highway 69 - enters northeastern Clarke County, runs southwest to Osceola, then south to south line of county

Transit

• Osceola station
• List of intercity bus stops in Iowa

Communities

Cities

• Murray
• Osceola
• Weldon
• Woodburn

Unincorporated communities

• Hopeville
• Jamison
• Lacelle
• Liberty
• Ottawa ^[8]
• Smyrna

Townships

• Doyle
• Franklin
• Fremont
• Green Bay
• Jackson
• Knox
• Liberty
• Madison
• Osceola
• Troy
• Ward
• Washington

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	79		—
1860	5,427		6,769.6%
1870	8,735		61.0%
1880	11,513		31.8%
1890	11,332		−1.6%
1900	12,440		9.8%
1910	10,736		−13.7%
1920	10,506		−2.1%
1930	10,384		−1.2%
1940	10,233		−1.5%
1950	9,369		−8.4%
1960	8,222		−12.2%
1970	7,581		−7.8%
1980	8,612		13.6%
1990	8,287		−3.8%
2000	9,133		10.2%
2010	9,286		1.7%
2020	9,748		5.0%
2023 (est.)	9,588	[9]	−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2010-2018 [14]

Population of Clarke County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 9,748 in the county, with a population density of 22.5422/sq mi (8.7036/km²). 93.18% of the population reported being of one race. There were 4,268 housing units of which 3,871 were occupied. ^[1]

Clarke County Racial Composition ^[15]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	7,837	80.4%
Black or African American (NH)	43	0.4%
Native American (NH)	7	0.07%
Asian (NH)	81	0.83%
Pacific Islander (NH)	40	0.41%
Other/Mixed (NH)	206	2.11%
Hispanic or Latino	1,534	15.73%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,286 in the county, with a population density of 21.545/sq mi (8.319/km²). There were 4,086 housing units, of which 3,701 were occupied. ^[16]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Clarke County

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 9,133 people, 3,584 households, and 2,498 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile (8.1 people/km²). There were 3,934 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.64% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.96% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 4.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,584 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,474, and the median income for a family was $42,171. Males had a median income of $29,648 versus $20,522 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,409. About 6.20% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Clarke County. ^[1]

†county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Osceola	City	5,415
2	Murray	City	684
3	Woodburn	City	146
4	Weldon (mostly in Decatur County )	City	136

Politics

Prior to 1988, Clarke County was a Republican-leaning swing county, only failing to back the national winner four times between 1896 & 1984. The county was reliably Democratic from 1988 to 2012, but made a 29.5 point swing to back Donald Trump in 2016. ^[18]

United States presidential election results for Clarke County, Iowa ^[19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	3,144	67.32%	1,466	31.39%	60	1.28%
2016	2,713	60.91%	1,465	32.89%	276	6.20%
2012	2,124	47.95%	2,189	49.41%	117	2.64%
2008	2,118	47.65%	2,218	49.90%	109	2.45%
2004	2,200	48.18%	2,323	50.88%	43	0.94%
2000	1,984	47.51%	2,081	49.83%	111	2.66%
1996	1,401	35.71%	2,053	52.33%	469	11.96%
1992	1,417	33.26%	1,921	45.09%	922	21.64%
1988	1,631	41.46%	2,262	57.50%	41	1.04%
1984	2,262	52.35%	2,030	46.98%	29	0.67%
1980	2,417	54.88%	1,614	36.65%	373	8.47%
1976	1,737	41.87%	2,333	56.23%	79	1.90%
1972	2,214	56.75%	1,590	40.76%	97	2.49%
1968	2,059	51.48%	1,655	41.38%	286	7.15%
1964	1,546	36.70%	2,659	63.13%	7	0.17%
1960	2,631	57.82%	1,906	41.89%	13	0.29%
1956	2,462	55.99%	1,929	43.87%	6	0.14%
1952	3,215	65.69%	1,653	33.78%	26	0.53%
1948	2,195	50.13%	2,101	47.98%	83	1.90%
1944	2,603	56.78%	1,946	42.45%	35	0.76%
1940	2,962	53.76%	2,513	45.61%	35	0.64%
1936	2,571	48.85%	2,613	49.65%	79	1.50%
1932	1,608	39.90%	2,342	58.11%	80	1.99%
1928	2,780	61.92%	1,642	36.57%	68	1.51%
1924	2,554	52.48%	743	15.27%	1,570	32.26%
1920	3,150	70.79%	1,257	28.25%	43	0.97%
1916	1,507	55.10%	1,175	42.96%	53	1.94%
1912	882	35.44%	910	36.56%	697	28.00%
1908	1,624	58.00%	1,134	40.50%	42	1.50%
1904	1,799	64.57%	896	32.16%	91	3.27%
1900	1,800	56.69%	1,322	41.64%	53	1.67%
1896	1,646	51.53%	1,517	47.50%	31	0.97%

See also

• Iowa portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Clarke County, Iowa
• Clarke County website

References

1. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Pratt, LeRoy G. (1977). The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa. Mason City, Iowa: Klipto Printing and Office Supply Co.
4. The other Iowa counties established on January 13, 1843 are Boone, Dallas, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Warren, and Wayne.
5. Clarke County Archived July 3, 2007, at archive.today
6. "Downtown Osceola added to National Register of Historic Places". Osceola Sentinel-Tribune. Osceola. February 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. Clarke County IA Google Maps (accessed August 15, 2018)
9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
14. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clarke County, Iowa".
16. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State – County". US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Retrieved March 9, 2011.^{[ dead link ]}
17. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "Here's a map of the US counties that flipped to Trump from Democrats". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

41°01′22″N93°47′11″W / 41.02278°N 93.78639°W / 41.02278; -93.78639