Clinton County, Iowa

Last updated

Clinton County
The Clinton County Courthouse.jpg
Map of Iowa highlighting Clinton County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa in United States.svg
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°53′34″N90°31′39″W / 41.892777777778°N 90.5275°W / 41.892777777778; -90.5275
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
Founded1837
Named for DeWitt Clinton
Seat Clinton
Largest cityClinton
Area
  Total
710 sq mi (1,800 km2)
  Land695 sq mi (1,800 km2)
  Water15 sq mi (40 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
46,460
  Estimate 
(2023)
46,158 Decrease2.svg
  Density65/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website www.clintoncounty-ia.gov

Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 46,460. [1] Its county seat is Clinton. [2] Its name is in honor of the seventh Governor of New York State, DeWitt Clinton. Clinton County comprises the Clinton, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Davenport–Moline–Clinton, Muscatine, Iowa–Illinois Combined Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Clinton County was formed on December 21, 1837. It was named for DeWitt Clinton, [3] a Governor of New York and most ardent advocate for the construction of the Erie Canal. The cities of DeWitt and Clinton were also named after him.

In 1835, Elijah Buell built a log cabin for himself and his family and was thus the first settler of the region. In 1854, the first newspaper was issued. In 1858, the Lyons Female College for girls opened its doors; the tuition was set at US$175 per student. [4]

The county has used three courthouses in its history. The structure currently in use was constructed in Romanesque style and opened in 1897. [5]

Early settlement

Clinton county was first settled in 1836, by Mr. Bourne, who located upon Sec. 1, T. 80, R. 4, East. The county was surveyed in 1837, by the Messrs. Burtz. The Surveyor General's office was then at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1840, the county was organized by Sheriff Bourne. In 1841, R. R. Bed ford and others formed a little settlement at De Witt, and during the same year Messrs. Wheeler and Evans erected a log court-house. In stepping from the past to the present, we quote the language of one of the "oldest inhabitants." He says: "Clinton County was originally settled by the poorest class of people on God's earth; and it is with great pleasure that I have witnessed their progress, slow but sure, and now find the most of them very comfortably situated."

The population of this County in 1840, was 821; in 1850, 2822; in 1854, 7000; and in 1856, 11,000. The population of Lyons in 1850, was 453. In 1856 the population increased to 2700.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 710 square miles (1,800 km2), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (2.1%) is water. [6] It includes the easternmost point in the state of Iowa, on the Mississippi River in Elk River township in the northeast section of the county.

Transit

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1840 821
1850 2,822243.7%
1860 18,938571.1%
1870 35,35786.7%
1880 36,7634.0%
1890 41,19912.1%
1900 43,8326.4%
1910 45,3943.6%
1920 43,371−4.5%
1930 44,3772.3%
1940 44,7220.8%
1950 49,66411.1%
1960 55,06010.9%
1970 56,7493.1%
1980 57,1220.7%
1990 51,040−10.6%
2000 50,149−1.7%
2010 49,116−2.1%
2020 46,460−5.4%
2023 (est.)46,158 [7] −0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]
1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10]
1990-2000 [11] 2010-2018 [12]
Population of Clinton County from US census data ClintonCountyIowaPop2020.png
Population of Clinton County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Clinton County from ACS 5-year estimates ClintonCountyIA2022PopPyr.png
2022 US Census population pyramid for Clinton County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 46,460 in the county, with a population density of

Clinton County Racial Composition [13]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)41,22688.73%
Black or African American (NH)1,3923%
Native American (NH)1030.22%
Asian (NH)2520.54%
Pacific Islander (NH)100.02%
Other/Mixed (NH)1,9384.2%
Hispanic or Latino 1,5393.31%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of

2000 census

As of the census [15] of 2000, there were 50,149 people, 20,105 households, and 13,671 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile (28 people/km2). There were 21,585 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.87% White, 1.89% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,105 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.60% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,423, and the median income for a family was $46,450. Males had a median income of $35,049 versus $21,333 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,724. About 7.70% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Clinton County is divided into these townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 United States census of Clinton County. [1] county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1 Clinton City24,469
2 DeWitt City5,514
3 Camanche City4,570
4 Wheatland City775
5 Grand Mound City615
6 Delmar City542
7 Lost Nation City434
8 Charlotte City389
9 Calamus City356
10 Low Moor City250
11 Goose Lake City239
12 Welton City121
13 Andover City109
14 Toronto City102

Politics

Similar to many other counties in Iowa, Clinton County was reliably Democratic from Michael Dukakis's win in 1988 until 2016, when Donald Trump flipped many counties in Iowa. He improved on his results in 2020 and improved even more in 2024. Despite this, at the local level Clinton County voters are more divided, supporting Democrat Mike Zimmer over Republican Katie Whittington in the 2025 state senate election.

United States presidential election results for Clinton County, Iowa [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 13,96458.48%9,47239.67%4421.85%
2020 13,36154.12%10,81243.80%5142.08%
2016 11,27648.88%10,09543.76%1,6967.35%
2012 9,43237.73%15,14160.56%4271.71%
2008 9,32437.72%15,01860.75%3801.54%
2004 10,66643.21%13,81355.96%2050.83%
2000 9,22941.61%12,27655.35%6753.04%
1996 7,62435.30%11,48153.17%2,49011.53%
1992 8,74635.04%11,68346.81%4,53118.15%
1988 10,24344.53%12,54954.56%2100.91%
1984 13,91454.77%11,24044.25%2500.98%
1980 13,02551.66%9,69838.47%2,4889.87%
1976 12,40150.55%11,74647.88%3871.58%
1972 12,76855.60%9,89543.09%3011.31%
1968 11,51351.92%9,51542.91%1,1475.17%
1964 8,21936.48%14,26763.32%470.21%
1960 13,79756.71%10,50843.19%250.10%
1956 14,76563.62%8,39436.17%490.21%
1952 15,37265.73%7,97534.10%380.16%
1948 9,85952.82%8,53445.72%2721.46%
1944 11,53358.77%8,02840.91%630.32%
1940 12,17754.17%10,25145.60%500.22%
1936 10,01643.47%12,26953.25%7573.29%
1932 9,08541.52%12,58757.53%2080.95%
1928 12,29558.57%8,64341.17%540.26%
1924 10,35952.68%3,81119.38%5,49527.94%
1920 11,74666.98%3,15317.98%2,63715.04%
1916 5,57656.61%3,90339.62%3713.77%
1912 1,89020.58%3,63339.55%3,66239.87%
1908 4,83648.68%4,82148.53%2772.79%
1904 5,26553.23%4,07441.19%5525.58%
1900 5,34451.19%4,75845.58%3373.23%
1896 5,58454.02%4,59044.40%1631.58%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  85.
  4. "Looking Back at the history of Clinton County Iowa". Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  5. "History of Clinton County Iowa". Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on December 28, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  13. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clinton County, Iowa".
  14. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved March 12, 2011.[ dead link ]
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

41°53′34″N90°31′39″W / 41.89278°N 90.52750°W / 41.89278; -90.52750