Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County
County
The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′02″N92°38′44″W / 41.333888888889°N 92.645555555556°W / 41.333888888889; -92.645555555556
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	February 17, 1843
Named for	Chief Mahaska
Seat	Oskaloosa
Largest city	Oskaloosa
Area
• Total	573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Land	571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Water	2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	22,190
• Density	39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.mahaskacountyia.gov

Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,190. ^[1] The county seat is Oskaloosa. ^[2]

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Mahaska, from Fulton's Red Men of Iowa (1882)

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace. ^[3]

The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. ^[4] On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864. ^[3]

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. ^[5] During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km²), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km²) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²) (0.4%) is water. ^[6]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 63
• Iowa Highway 23
• Iowa Highway 92
• Iowa Highway 163
• Iowa Highway 146
• Iowa Highway 149

Transit

• List of intercity bus stops in Iowa

Adjacent counties

• Jasper County (northwest)
• Poweshiek County (north)
• Keokuk County (east)
• Wapello County (southeast)
• Monroe County (southwest)
• Marion County (west)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	5,989		—
1860	14,816		147.4%
1870	22,508		51.9%
1880	25,202		12.0%
1890	28,805		14.3%
1900	34,273		19.0%
1910	29,860		−12.9%
1920	26,270		−12.0%
1930	25,804		−1.8%
1940	26,485		2.6%
1950	24,672		−6.8%
1960	23,602		−4.3%
1970	22,177		−6.0%
1980	22,867		3.1%
1990	21,532		−5.8%
2000	22,335		3.7%
2010	22,381		0.2%
2020	22,190		−0.9%
2023 (est.)	21,874	[7]	−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2018 [12]

Population of Mahaska County from US census data

2020 census

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

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,190 in the county, with a population density of 38.832/sq mi (14.993/km²). 96.02% of the population reported being of one race. 90.01% were non-Hispanic White, 1.78% were Black, 2.16% were Hispanic, 0.18% were Native American, 1.14% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.66% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,680 housing units, of which 8,799 were occupied. ^[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km²). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied. ^[13]

2000 census

As of the census ^[14] of 2000, there were 22,335 people, 8,880 households, and 6,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km²). There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.20% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,880 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% 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 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,314, and the median income for a family was $43,557. Males had a median income of $32,618 versus $23,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,232. About 7.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Barnes City
• Beacon
• Eddyville
• Fremont
• Keomah Village
• Leighton
• New Sharon
• Oskaloosa
• Rose Hill
• University Park

Unincorporated communities

• Cedar
• Hopewell
• Indianapolis
• Lacey
• Lakonta

Townships

• Adams
• Black Oak
• Cedar
• East Des Moines
• Garfield
• Harrison
• Jefferson
• Lincoln
• Madison
• Monroe
• Pleasant Grove
• Prairie
• Richland
• Scott
• Spring Creek
• Union
• West Des Moines
• White Oak

Population ranking

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

†county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Oskaloosa	City	11,558
2	New Sharon	City	1,262
3	Eddyville (partially in Monroe and Wapello Counties )	City	970
4	Fremont	City	708
5	University Park	City	487
6	Beacon	City	445
7	Leighton	City	158
8	Rose Hill	City	157
9	Barnes City (partially in Poweshiek County )	City	156
10	Keomah Village	City	110

Politics

Mahaska County is a strongly Republican county. Only six Republican Party presidential candidates from 1880 to the present day have failed to win the county, most recently Barry Goldwater in 1964 in his landslide loss statewide & nationally to Lyndon B. Johnson.

United States presidential election results for Mahaska County, Iowa ^[15]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	8,297	72.76%	2,894	25.38%	213	1.87%
2016	7,432	69.90%	2,619	24.63%	581	5.46%
2012	6,448	59.25%	4,213	38.71%	222	2.04%
2008	6,271	57.35%	4,464	40.83%	199	1.82%
2004	6,858	63.93%	3,790	35.33%	80	0.75%
2000	5,971	62.57%	3,370	35.31%	202	2.12%
1996	4,473	50.03%	3,737	41.80%	731	8.18%
1992	4,953	48.34%	3,714	36.24%	1,580	15.42%
1988	4,798	51.48%	4,451	47.76%	71	0.76%
1984	6,086	59.13%	4,107	39.90%	100	0.97%
1980	5,650	54.52%	3,968	38.29%	745	7.19%
1976	5,267	51.38%	4,838	47.20%	146	1.42%
1972	6,374	63.82%	3,382	33.86%	232	2.32%
1968	5,670	56.87%	3,721	37.32%	579	5.81%
1964	3,787	37.11%	6,396	62.68%	22	0.22%
1960	7,129	65.40%	3,746	34.36%	26	0.24%
1956	6,864	62.21%	3,965	35.93%	205	1.86%
1952	7,369	63.95%	3,745	32.50%	409	3.55%
1948	4,238	46.93%	4,327	47.92%	465	5.15%
1944	5,123	50.86%	4,652	46.19%	297	2.95%
1940	6,123	51.12%	5,757	48.07%	97	0.81%
1936	5,270	44.94%	6,094	51.97%	362	3.09%
1932	4,655	43.45%	5,586	52.14%	472	4.41%
1928	7,368	69.09%	3,200	30.00%	97	0.91%
1924	5,810	55.11%	1,673	15.87%	3,060	29.02%
1920	6,739	64.55%	3,339	31.98%	362	3.47%
1916	3,143	48.14%	3,151	48.26%	235	3.60%
1912	1,682	26.09%	2,576	39.95%	2,190	33.96%
1908	3,326	48.51%	3,035	44.27%	495	7.22%
1904	4,091	59.57%	2,287	33.30%	489	7.12%
1900	4,480	53.90%	3,596	43.26%	236	2.84%
1896	4,256	50.69%	3,974	47.33%	166	1.98%

See also

• Iowa portal

• Mahaska County Courthouse
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Mahaska County, Iowa

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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Mahaska County Archived July 3, 2007, at archive.today
4. "About Mahaska". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
5. Map of Historic Coal Mines in Mahaska County ^{[ permanent dead link ]}, Mahaska 4-H Tech Team, May 2006.
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 20, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
11. "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.
12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
13. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

External links

• Mahaska County website

41°20′02″N92°38′44″W / 41.33389°N 92.64556°W / 41.33389; -92.64556