Washington County, Iowa

Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′05″N91°43′11″W / 41.334722222222°N 91.719722222222°W / 41.334722222222; -91.719722222222
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	January 18, 1838
Named for	George Washington
Seat	Washington
Largest city	Washington
Area
• Total	571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Land	569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Water	2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	22,565
• Estimate  (2023)	22,560
• Density	40/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	washingtoncounty.iowa.gov

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,565. ^[1] The county seat is Washington. ^[2] Washington County is included in the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area. ^[3]

History

Washington County was originally formed in 1838 as Slaughter County in honor of William B. Slaughter, the secretary of Wisconsin Territory. ^[4] The county, still named Slaughter County, became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838, when it was organized. To honor George Washington, the county opted to change its name on January 25, 1839. ^{[5] [6]} The first White American colonizers arrived in Washington County in 1835, and began establishing individual domiciles in 1836. A settlement, Astoria, was built in the present township of Oregon; it became the first county seat and housed the first court house. The county seat was moved to the city of Washington in 1839. ^[7]

The first religious society, organized by Reverend J.L. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist minister was created in 1839. ^[7] The first newspaper was established in 1853; it was published for two years. In 1856 another newspaper started up; it has continued to the present. ^[8] The major waterways through Washington County are the Skunk and English Rivers, and Crooked Creek. Timber is found in abundance around these waterways, which has allowed a timber industry to grow up. ^[7] In 1855 Washington hosted the county's first bank. The county population swelled after 1858, when a railway line belonging to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad was laid there. ^[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571 square miles (1,480 km²), of which 569 square miles (1,470 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (0.4%) is water. ^[9]

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 218
• Iowa Highway 1
• Iowa Highway 22
• Iowa Highway 27
• Iowa Highway 78
• Iowa Highway 92

Adjacent counties

• Iowa County (northwest)
• Johnson County (northeast)
• Louisa County (east)
• Henry County (southeast)
• Jefferson County (southwest)
• Keokuk County (west)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	4,957		—
1860	14,235		187.2%
1870	18,952		33.1%
1880	20,374		7.5%
1890	18,468		−9.4%
1900	20,718		12.2%
1910	19,925		−3.8%
1920	20,421		2.5%
1930	19,822		−2.9%
1940	20,055		1.2%
1950	19,557		−2.5%
1960	19,406		−0.8%
1970	18,967		−2.3%
1980	20,141		6.2%
1990	19,612		−2.6%
2000	20,670		5.4%
2010	21,704		5.0%
2020	22,565		4.0%
2023 (est.)	22,560	[10]	0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790-1960 [12] 1900-1990 [13] 1990-2000 [14] 2010-2018 [15]

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

2000 census

Population of Washington County from US census data

As of the census ^[16] of 2000, there were 20,670 people, 8,056 households, and 5,631 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 inhabitants per square mile (14/km²). There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.04% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 2.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,056 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,103, and the median income for a family was $45,636. Males had a median income of $29,592 versus $22,818 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,221. About 5.10% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,704 in the county, with a population density of 38.1636/sq mi (14.7350/km²). There were 9,516 housing units, of which 8,741 were occupied. ^[17]

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,565 in the county, with a population density of 39.4886/sq mi (15.2466/km²). 95.31% of the population reported being of one race. 83.15% were non-Hispanic White, 0.83% were Black, 7.14% were Hispanic, 0.31% were Native American, 0.51% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 8.04% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,573 housing units, of which 8,916 were occupied. ^[1]

Education

The county is served by 3 school districts ^[18]

• Highland Community School District
• Mid-Prairie Community School District
• Washington Community School District.

Highland Community School District includes: ^[19]

• Highland Elementary School
• Highland Middle School
• Highland High School

Communities

Cities

• Ainsworth
• Brighton
• Coppock
• Crawfordsville
• Kalona
• Riverside
• Washington
• Wellman
• West Chester

Unincorporated communities

• Noble
• Rubio
• Haskins

Townships

• Brighton
• Cedar
• Clay
• Crawford
• Dutch Creek
• English River
• Franklin
• Highland
• Iowa
• Jackson
• Lime Creek
• Marion
• Oregon
• Seventy-Six
• Washington

Population ranking

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

†county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Washington	City	7,352
2	Kalona	City	2,630
3	Wellman	City	1,524
4	Riverside	City	1,060
5	Brighton	City	600
6	Ainsworth	City	511
7	Crawfordsville	City	277
8	West Chester	City	144
9	Coppock (partially in Henry and Jefferson Counties )	City	36

Politics

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Iowa ^[20]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	6,971	59.25%	4,561	38.77%	233	1.98%
2016	6,173	56.48%	3,943	36.08%	813	7.44%
2012	5,562	50.55%	5,115	46.48%	327	2.97%
2008	5,247	49.36%	5,170	48.64%	212	1.99%
2004	5,977	55.92%	4,595	42.99%	116	1.09%
2000	4,827	53.08%	3,932	43.24%	335	3.68%
1996	3,600	44.05%	3,828	46.84%	745	9.12%
1992	3,576	39.65%	3,384	37.52%	2,058	22.82%
1988	3,741	49.12%	3,776	49.58%	99	1.30%
1984	4,613	59.37%	3,079	39.63%	78	1.00%
1980	3,967	52.01%	2,877	37.72%	783	10.27%
1976	4,218	54.03%	3,448	44.17%	141	1.81%
1972	5,187	64.12%	2,784	34.42%	118	1.46%
1968	4,899	61.68%	2,679	33.73%	365	4.60%
1964	3,315	41.86%	4,587	57.92%	17	0.21%
1960	5,861	64.48%	3,222	35.45%	6	0.07%
1956	5,844	65.84%	3,022	34.05%	10	0.11%
1952	6,946	72.47%	2,604	27.17%	35	0.37%
1948	4,680	56.76%	3,485	42.27%	80	0.97%
1944	5,308	60.57%	3,423	39.06%	32	0.37%
1940	5,649	58.11%	4,030	41.46%	42	0.43%
1936	4,619	50.66%	4,379	48.03%	120	1.32%
1932	3,889	45.25%	4,554	52.98%	152	1.77%
1928	5,948	68.04%	2,754	31.50%	40	0.46%
1924	5,053	60.31%	1,868	22.30%	1,457	17.39%
1920	5,813	71.09%	2,257	27.60%	107	1.31%
1916	2,745	55.31%	2,139	43.10%	79	1.59%
1912	1,264	26.35%	2,003	41.76%	1,530	31.89%
1908	2,631	53.81%	2,119	43.34%	139	2.84%
1904	2,875	59.24%	1,772	36.51%	206	4.24%
1900	2,844	54.26%	2,234	42.63%	163	3.11%
1896	2,882	54.42%	2,292	43.28%	122	2.30%

See also

• Iowa portal

• Washington County Courthouse
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington 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. 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.
4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
5. "Washington County, Iowa Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki". familysearch.org. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
6. "Washington County – History". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
7. "Washington County, Iowa". Past 2 Present. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
8. An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875. Archive.org. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
14. "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.
15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. "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.
18. Education, Iowa Department of (September 2008). "Web Report Engine - Address". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
19. "Highland Community School District". Highland Community School District. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.

External links

• Washington County government's website

41°20′05″N91°43′11″W / 41.33472°N 91.71972°W / 41.33472; -91.71972