Washington County, Iowa

Last updated

Washington County
Washington County Courthouse, Iowa.jpg
Washington County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Washington 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′05″N91°43′11″W / 41.334722222222°N 91.719722222222°W / 41.334722222222; -91.719722222222
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
FoundedJanuary 18, 1838
Named for George Washington
Seat Washington
Largest cityWashington
Area
  Total571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
  Land569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
  Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
  Total22,565
  Estimate 
(2023)
22,560 Decrease2.svg
  Density40/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]

Contents

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

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850 4,957
1860 14,235187.2%
1870 18,95233.1%
1880 20,3747.5%
1890 18,468−9.4%
1900 20,71812.2%
1910 19,925−3.8%
1920 20,4212.5%
1930 19,822−2.9%
1940 20,0551.2%
1950 19,557−2.5%
1960 19,406−0.8%
1970 18,967−2.3%
1980 20,1416.2%
1990 19,612−2.6%
2000 20,6705.4%
2010 21,7045.0%
2020 22,5654.0%
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 WashingtonCountyIA2022PopPyr.png
2022 US Census population pyramid for Washington County from ACS 5-year estimates

2000 census

Population of Washington County from US census data WashingtonCountyIowaPop2020.png
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

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,565 in the county, with a population density of

Education

The county is served by 3 school districts [18]

Highland Community School District includes: [19]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1 Washington City7,352
2 Kalona City2,630
3 Wellman City1,524
4 Riverside City1,060
5 Brighton City600
6 Ainsworth City511
7 Crawfordsville City277
8 West Chester City144
9 Coppock (partially in Henry and Jefferson Counties )City36

Politics

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Iowa [20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2020 6,97159.25%4,56138.77%2331.98%
2016 6,17356.48%3,94336.08%8137.44%
2012 5,56250.55%5,11546.48%3272.97%
2008 5,24749.36%5,17048.64%2121.99%
2004 5,97755.92%4,59542.99%1161.09%
2000 4,82753.08%3,93243.24%3353.68%
1996 3,60044.05%3,82846.84%7459.12%
1992 3,57639.65%3,38437.52%2,05822.82%
1988 3,74149.12%3,77649.58%991.30%
1984 4,61359.37%3,07939.63%781.00%
1980 3,96752.01%2,87737.72%78310.27%
1976 4,21854.03%3,44844.17%1411.81%
1972 5,18764.12%2,78434.42%1181.46%
1968 4,89961.68%2,67933.73%3654.60%
1964 3,31541.86%4,58757.92%170.21%
1960 5,86164.48%3,22235.45%60.07%
1956 5,84465.84%3,02234.05%100.11%
1952 6,94672.47%2,60427.17%350.37%
1948 4,68056.76%3,48542.27%800.97%
1944 5,30860.57%3,42339.06%320.37%
1940 5,64958.11%4,03041.46%420.43%
1936 4,61950.66%4,37948.03%1201.32%
1932 3,88945.25%4,55452.98%1521.77%
1928 5,94868.04%2,75431.50%400.46%
1924 5,05360.31%1,86822.30%1,45717.39%
1920 5,81371.09%2,25727.60%1071.31%
1916 2,74555.31%2,13943.10%791.59%
1912 1,26426.35%2,00341.76%1,53031.89%
1908 2,63153.81%2,11943.34%1392.84%
1904 2,87559.24%1,77236.51%2064.24%
1900 2,84454.26%2,23442.63%1633.11%
1896 2,88254.42%2,29243.28%1222.30%

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. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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. 1 2 3 "Washington County, Iowa". Past 2 Present. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  8. 1 2 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.

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