Johnson County, Iowa

Last updated

Johnson County
County
Johnson county courhouse iowa.jpg
Johnson County Courthouse
Johnson County IA logo.jpg
Seal
Map of Iowa highlighting Johnson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa in United States.svg
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°40′00″N91°35′00″W / 41.666666666667°N 91.583333333333°W / 41.666666666667; -91.583333333333
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
FoundedDecember 21, 1837
Named after Richard Mentor Johnson (1837–2020)
Lulu Johnson (since 2020)
Seat Iowa City
Largest cityIowa City
Area
 • Total
623 sq mi (1,610 km2)
 • Land614 sq mi (1,590 km2)
 • Water9.1 sq mi (24 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
152,854
 • Estimate 
(2024) [1]
160,080 Increase2.svg
 • Density250/sq mi (100/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov

Johnson County is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,854, [2] making it the fourth-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Iowa City, [3] home of the University of Iowa. Johnson County is included in the Iowa City metropolitan area, which is also included in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor Combined Statistical Area. [4]

Contents

History

Johnson County was established in December 1837 by the legislature of the Wisconsin Territory, one of thirteen counties established by that body in a comprehensive act. [5] The county's area was partitioned from Dubuque County, and was not initially provided with a civil government, instead being governed by Cedar County officials. It was originally named for the US Vice President Richard M. Johnson (1780–1850). [6] In 2020, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to change the county's namesake to be Lulu Merle Johnson (1907–1995), the first black woman in the state to earn a doctorate; Vice President Johnson was a slaveowner who had sexual relations with several of his slaves. [7]

The first courthouse in the county was a two-story log cabin structure, built in 1838 in the settlement of Napoleon, [8] about two miles south of the current courthouse. [9] The building stood across from what later would become the James McCollister Farmstead on land later owned by Philip Clark.

Old Johnson County Courthouse, Iowa City, 1857-1899 Old Johnson Cty Courthouse.JPG
Old Johnson County Courthouse, Iowa City, 1857-1899

After Iowa City was established by fiat as the new territorial capitol of Iowa, the county seat was removed there. [10] The second Johnson County Courthouse, the first in Iowa City, was built on Lot 8 Block 8 of the County Seat Addition to Iowa City in 1842 for $3,690. [9] This location was in the southeast corner of the intersection of Harrison and Clinton Streets. The building was 56 x 28 feet and two stories tall. [11] It was built by James Trimble, who had previously built the first jail. [9]

A third courthouse was built in 1857 in the courthouse square on Clinton Street between Court and Harrison Streets. It was used until 1901, after cracks appeared in its south wall in 1899. [12] The building was apparently built of brick with stone and wood ornamentation. [13]

The Richardsonian Romanesque style courthouse in use today was designed by the firm of Rush, Bowman and Rush of Grand Rapids, Michigan. [14] It was bid at a cost of $111,000 and built by the firm Rowson & Son of Johnson County. [15] The cornerstone was laid in December 1899. [16] The building's tower was based on Henry Hobson Richardson's design for the spire of Trinity Church in Boston. [17] The building was dedicated on June 8, 1901. [18] The currently unused jail that stands to the west of the courthouse was designed by C.L. Wundt of Burlington, Iowa on behalf of the Stewart Iron Works in Cleveland and bid for $14,000. [19]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 614 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 9.1 square miles (24 km2) (1.5%) is water. [20]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 4,472—
1860 17,573293.0%
1870 24,89841.7%
1880 25,4292.1%
1890 23,082−9.2%
1900 24,8177.5%
1910 25,9144.4%
1920 26,4622.1%
1930 30,27614.4%
1940 33,1919.6%
1950 45,75637.9%
1960 53,66317.3%
1970 72,12734.4%
1980 81,71713.3%
1990 96,11917.6%
2000 111,00615.5%
2010 130,88217.9%
2020 152,85416.8%
2024 (est.)160,080 [21] 4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [22]
1790–1960 [23] 1900–1990 [24]
1990–2000 [25] 2010–2019 [26]
Population of Johnson County from US census data JohnsonCountyIowaPop2020.png
Population of Johnson County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Johnson County from ACS 5-year estimates JohnsonCountyIA2022PopPyr.png
2022 US Census population pyramid for Johnson County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 152,854 in the county, with a population density of

Johnson County Racial Composition [27]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)114,49174.9%
Black or African American (NH)12,6438.3%
Native American (NH)1930.12%
Asian (NH)8,5555.6%
Pacific Islander (NH)410.03%
Other/Mixed (NH)6,7334.4%
Hispanic or Latino 10,1986.7%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 130,882 in the county, with a population density of

2000 census

As of the census [29] of 2000, there were 111,006 people, 44,080 households, and 23,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 inhabitants per square mile (70/km2). There were 45,831 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.13% White, 2.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 4.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 44,080 households, out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.90% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.50% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 20.10% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,060, and the median income for a family was $60,112. Males had a median income of $36,279 versus $29,793 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,220. About 5.20% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Largely due to the presence of the University of Iowa, Johnson County is considered the most liberal county in Iowa and a stronghold of the Democratic Party, and has always been among Iowa's most Democratic counties since the Civil War. It has been the strongest Democratic county in the state since 1984. This trend predates the recent swing toward the Democrats in counties influenced by college towns. The last Republican to win the county in a presidential election was Richard Nixon in 1960, and the last Republican to even get 40 percent of the county's vote was Ronald Reagan in 1984. The last time the GOP won the county in a gubernatorial election was the 1978 Iowa gubernatorial election. As a measure of how strongly Democratic the county has been, Democrats easily carried it even in the national Republican landslides of 1972, 1984 and 1988, and the county was the only county in Iowa to vote for Democrat Alton B. Parker over Republican Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. In 2020, Joe Biden received the highest percentage of the vote received by any Democrat in the county's history; indeed, by any candidate of any party. [30] In 2024, it was the only county to not vote for Donald Trump in the state's Republican presidential caucuses. Nikki Haley won the county by a single vote. [31] [32] [33]

Johnson County's Democratic bent is just as pronounced at the state level. It was the lone county to vote Democratic in statewide Republican landslides, such as Senator Chuck Grassley's re-elections in 2010 and 2016 or Governor Terry Branstad's re-election in 2014.

United States presidential election results for Johnson County, Iowa [34]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 26,08730.11%58,84667.92%1,7111.97%
2020 22,92527.34%59,17770.57%1,7492.09%
2016 21,04427.35%50,20065.25%5,6967.40%
2012 23,69831.19%50,66666.69%1,6132.12%
2008 20,73228.40%51,02769.91%1,2301.69%
2004 22,71534.75%41,84764.01%8111.24%
2000 17,89933.92%31,17459.08%3,6967.00%
1996 13,40229.31%27,88860.98%4,4429.71%
1992 14,04127.12%28,65655.35%9,07717.53%
1988 15,45334.61%28,75964.41%4350.97%
1984 18,67741.46%26,00057.72%3670.81%
1980 13,64231.73%20,12246.80%9,23321.47%
1976 16,09041.57%20,20852.20%2,4126.23%
1972 14,82340.91%20,92257.74%4911.36%
1968 11,38443.88%13,54152.19%1,0193.93%
1964 6,86031.73%14,71768.08%410.19%
1960 10,92750.80%10,56349.11%180.08%
1956 11,29856.28%8,76743.67%110.05%
1952 11,23158.04%8,06741.69%520.27%
1948 7,13943.79%8,61152.82%5533.39%
1944 6,39642.93%8,43456.62%670.45%
1940 7,20644.27%9,01755.39%550.34%
1936 5,62938.18%8,79459.65%3202.17%
1932 5,48437.87%8,76460.51%2351.62%
1928 7,28850.27%7,18149.53%290.20%
1924 5,74144.53%4,57035.45%2,58020.01%
1920 5,69652.15%5,03246.07%1951.79%
1916 2,70442.23%3,65057.00%490.77%
1912 1,64527.95%3,32756.52%91415.53%
1908 2,75844.84%3,31453.88%791.28%
1904 2,96348.27%3,08550.25%911.48%
1900 3,01048.10%3,18250.85%661.05%
1896 2,91047.06%3,17051.26%1041.68%
1892 2,17939.35%3,22758.28%1312.37%
1888 2,05140.15%3,03859.48%190.37%
1884 2,01938.71%3,15160.41%460.88%
1880 2,40044.89%2,76651.74%1803.37%

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Johnson County. [2]

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1† Iowa City City74,828
2 Coralville City22,318
3 North Liberty City20,479
4 Tiffin City4,512
5 Solon City3,018
6 West Branch (mostly in Cedar County )City2,509
7 Lone Tree City1,357
8 University Heights City1,228
9 Swisher City914
10 Hills City863
11 Shueyville City731
12 Oxford City722
13 Frytown CDP193

See also

References

  1. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ↑ The other counties created on December 21, 1837: Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, Jackson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, and Scott.
  6. ↑ History of Johnson County, Iowa 1836-1882 (1883). Reproduction by Unigraphic Inc. pp. 165-6.
  7. ↑ Sherman, Cymphanie (September 24, 2020). "Johnson County votes unanimously to change namesake". KGAN. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. ↑ This no longer exists as a separate settlement but as part of Iowa City. Its former existence is recognized by the present Napoleon Park, accessed via Napoleon Lane (41.63350N, 91.53147W). Napoleon Lane Google Maps (accessed 18 August 2018)
  9. 1 2 3 Aurner, p. 492.
  10. ↑ Aurner, pp. 47, 72.
  11. ↑ Aurner, pp. 21, 492.
  12. ↑ Aurner, p. 494.
  13. ↑ Aurner, p. 65.
  14. ↑ Daily Iowa State Press, April 1, 1899, p. 5
  15. ↑ Aurner, pp. 496-7.
  16. ↑ Aurner, p. 496.
  17. ↑ "The Johnson County Courthouse". Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
  18. ↑ Aurner, p. 496
  19. ↑ Aurner, p. 497.
  20. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  21. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  22. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  26. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  27. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Johnson County, Iowa".
  28. ↑ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  29. ↑ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  30. ↑ "Presidential election of 1848 - Map by counties". geoelections.free.fr. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Iowa Caucus Results". The New York Times. January 15, 2024. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Iowa Caucus 2024 Live Election Results". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  33. ↑ Hansen, Ryan (January 16, 2024). "Iowa Caucus: Nikki Haley narrowly defeats Trump in Johnson County". press-citizen.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  34. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.

41°40′N91°35′W / 41.667°N 91.583°W / 41.667; -91.583

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