Muscatine County, Iowa

Muscatine County
County
Muscatine County Courthouse in Muscatine
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°28′52″N91°07′11″W / 41.481111111111°N 91.119722222222°W / 41.481111111111; -91.119722222222
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	December 7, 1836
Named for	Mascouten tribe
Seat	Muscatine
Largest city	Muscatine
Area
• Total	449 sq mi (1,160 km2)
• Land	437 sq mi (1,130 km2)
• Water	12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.6%
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,235
• Estimate  (2023)	42,218
• Density	96/sq mi (37/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	www.muscatinecountyiowa.gov

Muscatine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,235. ^[1] The county seat is Muscatine. ^[2] The southeastern border is formed by the Mississippi River. Muscatine County comprises the Muscatine, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Davenport-Moline, IA-IL Combined Statistical Area.

History

Muscatine County was formed in December 1836 as a part of Wisconsin Territory, partitioned from Des Moines County, which had been organized two years previously. ^[3] One history suggests that the county was named for Muscatine Island in the Mississippi River. The island lies opposite Muscatine County and was believed to be named after the Mascouten tribe, Algonquian-speaking Native Americans who lived in the area before being driven west by settler encroachment and other tribes. ^[4]

Colonel George Davenport of Illinois sent three representatives into the territory in 1833 to establish a trade post. They were the first European Americans to settle there. In the same year, James W. Casey and John Vanatta came to the area. They opened a supply depot for steamboats on June 1, 1833, and named it Casey's Woodpile (since steamboats used wood as fuel). Muscatine County became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838, when it was established by partitioning the area from Wisconsin Territory. ^[3] The first public land sale was held in November 1838. One year later, officials began construction of the first courthouse and associated jail. A second jail, known as the "Old Jail", was built in 1857. ^[5]

The first courthouse was destroyed by fire on December 23, 1864. By 1866 a replacement stood on the same site. The present courthouse opened on September 26, 1907. ^[6]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 449 square miles (1,160 km²), of which 437 square miles (1,130 km²) is land and 12 square miles (31 km²) (2.6%) is water. ^[7]

Adjacent counties

• Cedar County (north)
• Johnson County (northwest)
• Louisa County (south, southwest)
• Rock Island County, Illinois (east), across the Mississippi River
• Scott County (northeast)

Transportation

Transit

• MuscaBus

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 6 – enters from Cedar County, west of Wilton, runs south two miles, then continues west and west-northwest to the northwest corner of the county, exiting into Johnson County.
• U.S. Highway 61 – enters from Louisa County, southwest of Fruitland. Runs northeast through the county, passing Muscatine, before turning east to enter Scott County at Blue Grass.
• Iowa Highway 22 – begins at an intersection with Iowa 70, three miles east of Nichols. Runs east and southeast to an intersection with US 61, west of Muscatine.
• Iowa Highway 38 – begins at an intersection with US 6, three miles south of Wilton. Runs south to an intersection with US 61, north of Muscatine.
• Iowa Highway 70 – enters from Louisa County at the southwest corner of Muscatine County. Runs north, northeast and east to Cedar County, passing Nichols and West Liberty.
• Iowa Highway 92 - enters Muscatine County (and state of Iowa), running northwest across the historic Norbert F. Beckey Bridge into central Muscatine. Runs southwest along the Mississippi River to intersection with US 61, southwest of Muscatine. ^[8]

Other roadway designations

• Great River Road - system of roadways marking north–south routes across the conterminous US, and generally passing through Iowa.

County highways

• County Highway F58 (formerly Hwy 927)
• County Highway F62
• County Highway F65
• County Highway F70 (155th St)
• County Highway G14 (180th St)
• County Highway G28 (230th/231st Sts)
• County Highway G34 (275th St)
• County Highway G38 (Fruitland Rd)
• County Highway X34 (Davis Ave)
• County Highway X40 (Garfield Ave)
• County Highway X46 (Kelly Ave/170th St)
• County Highway X61 (Stewart Rd)
• County Highway Y14 (Taylor Ave)
• County Highway Y26 (Vail Ave)
• County Highway Y30 (Western Ave)
• County Highway Y36 (Zachary Ave)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	5,731		—
1860	16,444		186.9%
1870	21,688		31.9%
1880	23,170		6.8%
1890	24,504		5.8%
1900	28,242		15.3%
1910	29,505		4.5%
1920	29,042		−1.6%
1930	29,385		1.2%
1940	31,296		6.5%
1950	32,148		2.7%
1960	33,840		5.3%
1970	37,181		9.9%
1980	40,436		8.8%
1990	39,907		−1.3%
2000	41,722		4.5%
2010	42,745		2.5%
2020	43,235		1.1%
2023 (est.)	42,218	[9]	−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2010-2018 [14]

Population of Muscatine County from US census data

2020 census

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

The 2020 census recorded a population of 43,235 in the county, with a population density of 96.5329/sq mi (37.2716/km²). 92.12% of the population reported being of one race. There were 18,366 housing units, of which 16,908 were occupied. ^[1]

Muscatine County Racial Composition ^[15]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	27,438	75.5%
Black or African American (NH)	1,086	2.5%
Native American (NH)	58	0.13%
Asian (NH)	404	0.93%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0%
Other/Mixed (NH)	1,285	3%
Hispanic or Latino	7,769	18%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 42,745 in the county, with a population density of 99.7154/sq mi (38.5003/km²). There were 17,910 housing units, of which 16,412 were occupied. ^[16]

2000 census

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 41,722 people, 15,847 households, and 11,283 families residing in the county. The population density was 95 inhabitants per square mile (37/km²). There were 16,786 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.72% White, 0.70% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 6.05% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 11.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 15,847 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,803, and the median income for a family was $48,373. Males had a median income of $36,329 versus $24,793 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,625. About 6.30% of families and 8.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

C.S. Barclay farm illustration in 1875

Communities

Cities

• Atalissa
• Blue Grass (part)
• Conesville
• Durant (part)
• Fruitland
• Muscatine
• Nichols
• Stockton
• Walcott (part)
• West Liberty
• Wilton

Census-designated places

• Fairport
• Kent Estates
• Montpelier
• Moscow

Other unincorporated communities

• Ardon
• Cranston
• Hinkeyville
• Midway Beach
• Petersburg
• Port Allen

Townships

• Bloomington
• Cedar
• Fruitland
• Fulton
• Goshen
• Lake
• Montpelier
• Moscow
• Orono
• Pike
• Seventy-Six
• Sweetland
• Wapsinonoc
• Wilton

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Muscatine	City	23,797
2	West Liberty	City	3,858
3	Wilton (partially in Cedar County )	City	2,924
4	Durant (mostly in Scott and Cedar Counties)	City	1,871
5	Blue Grass (mostly in Scott County)	City	1,666
6	Walcott (partially in Scott County)	City	1,551
7	Fruitland	City	963
8	Conesville	City	352
9	Nichols	City	340
10	Atalissa	City	296
11	Stockton	City	176

Politics

United States presidential election results for Muscatine County, Iowa ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	11,152	56.46%	8,212	41.58%	388	1.96%
2020	10,823	52.36%	9,372	45.34%	476	2.30%
2016	9,584	49.32%	8,368	43.06%	1,482	7.63%
2012	8,168	41.12%	11,323	57.00%	374	1.88%
2008	7,929	41.47%	10,920	57.11%	271	1.42%
2004	9,020	48.19%	9,542	50.98%	155	0.83%
2000	7,483	46.55%	8,058	50.12%	535	3.33%
1996	5,858	38.07%	7,674	49.88%	1,854	12.05%
1992	6,087	36.09%	7,089	42.04%	3,688	21.87%
1988	6,904	48.96%	7,059	50.06%	139	0.99%
1984	9,069	59.79%	5,986	39.46%	113	0.74%
1980	7,829	51.69%	5,597	36.96%	1,719	11.35%
1976	7,697	53.10%	6,567	45.30%	232	1.60%
1972	8,436	61.84%	4,917	36.04%	289	2.12%
1968	7,361	57.18%	4,726	36.71%	787	6.11%
1964	5,547	40.86%	8,020	59.07%	10	0.07%
1960	8,555	58.21%	6,135	41.74%	8	0.05%
1956	8,552	59.81%	5,718	39.99%	28	0.20%
1952	9,361	61.60%	5,772	37.98%	63	0.41%
1948	6,003	51.68%	5,466	47.06%	146	1.26%
1944	7,104	59.38%	4,801	40.13%	58	0.48%
1940	8,543	59.24%	5,825	40.39%	53	0.37%
1936	6,332	47.56%	6,593	49.52%	388	2.91%
1932	6,160	47.69%	6,423	49.73%	334	2.59%
1928	8,604	67.45%	4,055	31.79%	98	0.77%
1924	7,731	64.87%	1,963	16.47%	2,223	18.65%
1920	8,115	70.30%	2,293	19.86%	1,136	9.84%
1916	3,929	54.25%	2,694	37.20%	619	8.55%
1912	789	11.10%	2,679	37.68%	3,642	51.22%
1908	3,525	49.43%	3,038	42.60%	568	7.97%
1904	4,036	57.04%	2,555	36.11%	485	6.85%
1900	3,905	54.92%	3,021	42.49%	184	2.59%
1896	3,627	55.02%	2,863	43.43%	102	1.55%

See also

• Iowa portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Muscatine 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. "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
4. History of Muscatine County Iowa - History Section, 1879 , retrieved May 11, 2009
5. "Local Sights". Muscatine County Sheriff. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
6. History Archived July 28, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. Muscatine County Google Maps (accessed 17 August 2018)
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. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 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 20, 2014.
14. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
15. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Muscatine County, Iowa".
16. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
17. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

External links

• Muscatine County website

41°28′52″N91°07′11″W / 41.48111°N 91.11972°W / 41.48111; -91.11972