Keokuk County, Iowa

For the city in Lee County, see Keokuk, Iowa.

Keokuk County
County
Courthouse in Sigourney is on the NRHP
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′10″N92°10′47″W / 41.33611°N 92.17972°W / 41.33611; -92.17972
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	February 17, 1843
Named for	Keokuk (Sauk leader)
Seat	Sigourney
Largest city	Sigourney
Area
• Total	580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Land	579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water	0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	10,033
• Estimate  (2023)	9,914
• Density	17/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.keokukcountyia.com

Keokuk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 10,033. ^[1] The county seat is Sigourney. ^[2]

History

Keokuk (Sauk chief) by George Catlin

Keokuk County was formed in 1837. It was named for Keokuk, the leader of the Sauk tribe, who advocated peace with the white settlers. In May 1843, the county opened for public settlement, with its judicial and regulatory duties assigned to the existing Washington County. Its governing structure was created in 1844, although the seat was not decided (for Sigourney) until 1856. ^[3]

Keokuk County is unusual in that it has two county fairs. The Keokuk County Fair is held in What Cheer ^[4] and immediately followed by the Keokuk County Expo ^[5] which is held in Sigourney.

The Keokuk County Courthouse was built in 1911, in Sigourney's Public Square Historic District. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. ^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,500 km²), of which 579 square miles (1,500 km²) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) (0.1%) is water. ^[7] The South Branch of the Skunk River drains the topography, flowing eastward through the lower portion of the county. ^[8]

Major highways

• Iowa Highway 1
• Iowa Highway 21
• Iowa Highway 22
• Iowa Highway 78
• Iowa Highway 92
• Iowa Highway 149

Adjacent counties

• Poweshiek County − northwest
• Iowa County − north
• Washington County − east
• Jefferson County − southeast
• Wapello County − southwest
• Mahaska County − west

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	4,822		—
1860	13,271		175.2%
1870	19,434		46.4%
1880	21,258		9.4%
1890	23,862		12.2%
1900	24,979		4.7%
1910	21,160		−15.3%
1920	20,983		−0.8%
1930	19,148		−8.7%
1940	18,406		−3.9%
1950	16,797		−8.7%
1960	15,492		−7.8%
1970	13,943		−10.0%
1980	12,921		−7.3%
1990	11,624		−10.0%
2000	11,400		−1.9%
2010	10,511		−7.8%
2020	10,033		−4.5%
2023 (est.)	9,914	[9]	−1.2%
US Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2010-2018 [14]

Population of Keokuk County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Keokuk County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 10,033 in the county, with a population density of 17.3236/sq mi (6.6887/km²). 96.81% of the population reported being of one race. 93.01% were non-Hispanic White, 0.51% were Black, 2.14% were Hispanic, 0.15% were Native American, 0.16% were Asian, 0.00% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.03% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,654 housing units, of which 4,174 were occupied. ^[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,511 in the county, with a population density of 18.1478/sq mi (7.0069/km²). There were 4,931 housing units, of which 4,408 were occupied. ^[15]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[16] there were 11,400 people, 4,586 households, and 3,155 families in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km²). There were 5,013 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.00% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,586 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.99.

The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,025, and the median income for a family was $41,818. Males had a median income of $28,306 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,120. About 7.50% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

For most of its history, Keokuk County has backed Republican Party candidates in presidential elections, with Democratic Party candidates only winning the county in eight presidential elections from 1896 on. Bill Clinton is the most recent Democratic presidential candidate to win the county (1996), while in 2016 his wife, Hillary Clinton, had the worst performance by a Democrat since 1924, only winning 26.9 percent of the vote. 2016 Republican candidate Donald Trump made a significant gain compared to his party's 2012 candidate Mitt Romney.

United States presidential election results for Keokuk County, Iowa ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	3,869	75.13%	1,219	23.67%	62	1.20%
2020	3,797	71.60%	1,414	26.66%	92	1.73%
2016	3,390	68.00%	1,342	26.92%	253	5.08%
2012	2,843	53.99%	2,303	43.73%	120	2.28%
2008	2,712	50.58%	2,518	46.96%	132	2.46%
2004	3,119	56.92%	2,294	41.86%	67	1.22%
2000	2,571	51.97%	2,181	44.09%	195	3.94%
1996	2,080	40.78%	2,545	49.89%	476	9.33%
1992	1,981	35.52%	2,329	41.76%	1,267	22.72%
1988	2,278	43.56%	2,899	55.43%	53	1.01%
1984	2,913	51.50%	2,649	46.84%	94	1.66%
1980	3,145	52.64%	2,390	40.00%	440	7.36%
1976	2,920	44.90%	3,482	53.54%	102	1.57%
1972	3,831	58.35%	2,619	39.89%	115	1.75%
1968	3,588	53.26%	2,807	41.67%	342	5.08%
1964	2,597	35.08%	4,790	64.69%	17	0.23%
1960	4,697	57.88%	3,408	42.00%	10	0.12%
1956	4,680	56.13%	3,649	43.76%	9	0.11%
1952	5,712	64.20%	3,135	35.24%	50	0.56%
1948	4,201	49.57%	4,118	48.59%	156	1.84%
1944	4,644	53.96%	3,900	45.32%	62	0.72%
1940	5,394	54.00%	4,552	45.57%	42	0.42%
1936	4,491	45.46%	5,162	52.26%	225	2.28%
1932	3,442	36.74%	5,839	62.32%	88	0.94%
1928	5,304	58.23%	3,772	41.41%	32	0.35%
1924	4,795	51.36%	2,568	27.51%	1,973	21.13%
1920	6,207	67.95%	2,800	30.65%	128	1.40%
1916	2,822	52.18%	2,486	45.97%	100	1.85%
1912	1,361	26.07%	2,434	46.63%	1,425	27.30%
1908	2,728	50.71%	2,459	45.71%	193	3.59%
1904	3,079	55.82%	2,172	39.38%	265	4.80%
1900	3,339	54.32%	2,669	43.42%	139	2.26%
1896	3,166	50.72%	2,891	46.32%	185	2.96%

Communities

Cities

• Delta
• Gibson
• Harper
• Hayesville
• Hedrick
• Keota
• Keswick
• Kinross
• Martinsburg
• North English (partial) ^[8]
• Ollie
• Richland
• Sigourney
• South English
• Thornburg
• Webster
• What Cheer

Unincorporated communities

• Atwood ^[8]
• Coal Creek ^[8]
• Pekin (partial) ^[8]
• Talleyrand ^[8]

Townships

• Adams
• Benton
• Clear Creek
• East Lancaster
• English River
• Jackson
• Lafayette
• Liberty
• Plank
• Prairie
• Richland
• Sigourney
• Steady Run
• Van Buren
• Warren
• Washington
• West Lancaster

Population ranking

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

†county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Sigourney	City	2,004
2	North English (mostly in Iowa County )	City	1,065
3	Keota	City	897
4	Hedrick	City	728
5	What Cheer	City	607
6	Richland	City	542
7	Keswick	City	242
8	South English	City	202
9	Ollie	City	201
10	Harper	City	118
11	Martinsburg	City	110
12	Webster	City	94
13	Kinross	City	80
14	Thornburg	City	45
15	Hayesville	City	41

Education

School districts include: ^[18]

• Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District
• English Valleys Community School District
• Keota Community School District
• Pekin Community School District
• Sigourney Community School District
• Tri-County Community School District

Former school districts:

• Eddyville–Blakesburg Community School District
• Fremont Community School District ^[19]
• Hedrick Community School District

See also

• Iowa portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Keokuk County, Iowa

References

1. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. US 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. "Keokuk County History". www.beforetime.net.
4. "Keokuk County Fair - What Cheer, IA | JULY 9-12, 2015". keokukcountyfair.com.
5. "Keokuk County Expo". expokeokukco.com.
6. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. "Keokuk County, IA" . Retrieved October 17, 2021– via Google Maps.
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. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
13. "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.
14. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
15. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
16. "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
18. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Keokuk County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list
19. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Keokuk County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list

External links

• Keokuk County government's website