Mahaska County, Iowa

Last updated

Mahaska County
County
Mahaska County, Iowa Courthouse.jpg
The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
Map of Iowa highlighting Mahaska County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa in United States.svg
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
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
FoundedFebruary 17, 1843
Named for Chief Mahaska
Seat Oskaloosa
Largest cityOskaloosa
Area
 • Total573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,190
 • Density39/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]

Contents

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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]

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

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

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850 5,989—
1860 14,816147.4%
1870 22,50851.9%
1880 25,20212.0%
1890 28,80514.3%
1900 34,27319.0%
1910 29,860−12.9%
1920 26,270−12.0%
1930 25,804−1.8%
1940 26,4852.6%
1950 24,672−6.8%
1960 23,602−4.3%
1970 22,177−6.0%
1980 22,8673.1%
1990 21,532−5.8%
2000 22,3353.7%
2010 22,3810.2%
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 MahaskaCountyIowaPop2020.png
Population of Mahaska County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Mahaska County from ACS 5-year estimates MahaskaCountyIA2022PopPyr.png
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

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of

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

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1† Oskaloosa City11,558
2 New Sharon City1,262
3 Eddyville (partially in Monroe and Wapello Counties )City970
4 Fremont City708
5 University Park City487
6 Beacon City445
7 Leighton City158
8 Rose Hill City157
9 Barnes City (partially in Poweshiek County )City156
10 Keomah Village City110

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(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,29772.76%2,89425.38%2131.87%
2016 7,43269.90%2,61924.63%5815.46%
2012 6,44859.25%4,21338.71%2222.04%
2008 6,27157.35%4,46440.83%1991.82%
2004 6,85863.93%3,79035.33%800.75%
2000 5,97162.57%3,37035.31%2022.12%
1996 4,47350.03%3,73741.80%7318.18%
1992 4,95348.34%3,71436.24%1,58015.42%
1988 4,79851.48%4,45147.76%710.76%
1984 6,08659.13%4,10739.90%1000.97%
1980 5,65054.52%3,96838.29%7457.19%
1976 5,26751.38%4,83847.20%1461.42%
1972 6,37463.82%3,38233.86%2322.32%
1968 5,67056.87%3,72137.32%5795.81%
1964 3,78737.11%6,39662.68%220.22%
1960 7,12965.40%3,74634.36%260.24%
1956 6,86462.21%3,96535.93%2051.86%
1952 7,36963.95%3,74532.50%4093.55%
1948 4,23846.93%4,32747.92%4655.15%
1944 5,12350.86%4,65246.19%2972.95%
1940 6,12351.12%5,75748.07%970.81%
1936 5,27044.94%6,09451.97%3623.09%
1932 4,65543.45%5,58652.14%4724.41%
1928 7,36869.09%3,20030.00%970.91%
1924 5,81055.11%1,67315.87%3,06029.02%
1920 6,73964.55%3,33931.98%3623.47%
1916 3,14348.14%3,15148.26%2353.60%
1912 1,68226.09%2,57639.95%2,19033.96%
1908 3,32648.51%3,03544.27%4957.22%
1904 4,09159.57%2,28733.30%4897.12%
1900 4,48053.90%3,59643.26%2362.84%
1896 4,25650.69%3,97447.33%1661.98%

See also

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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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 1 2 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.

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

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