Wright County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 42°43′59″N93°44′08″W / 42.7331°N 93.7356°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Iowa |
Founded | January 15, 1851 |
Named for | Silas Wright |
Seat | Clarion |
Largest city | Eagle Grove |
Area | |
• Total | 582 sq mi (1,510 km2) |
• Land | 580 sq mi (1,500 km2) |
• Water | 1.8 sq mi (5 km2) 0.3% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,943 |
• Density | 22/sq mi (8.6/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 4th |
Website | wrightcounty |
Wright County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,943. [1] The county seat is Clarion. [2] The county organization became effective in January 1851, and is believed to be named either after Silas Wright, a governor of New York, or Joseph Albert Wright, a governor of Indiana. [3]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is covered by water. [4] The terrain is generally undulating. The county is intersected by the Boone and Iowa Rivers [5]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 2,392 | — | |
1880 | 5,062 | 111.6% | |
1890 | 12,057 | 138.2% | |
1900 | 18,227 | 51.2% | |
1910 | 17,951 | −1.5% | |
1920 | 20,348 | 13.4% | |
1930 | 20,216 | −0.6% | |
1940 | 20,038 | −0.9% | |
1950 | 19,652 | −1.9% | |
1960 | 19,447 | −1.0% | |
1970 | 17,294 | −11.1% | |
1980 | 16,319 | −5.6% | |
1990 | 14,269 | −12.6% | |
2000 | 14,334 | 0.5% | |
2010 | 13,229 | −7.7% | |
2020 | 12,943 | −2.2% | |
2023 (est.) | 12,656 | [6] | −2.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790-1960 [8] 1900-1990 [9] 1990-2000 [10] 2010-2018 [11] |
The 2020 census recorded a population of 12,943 in the county, with a population density of 22.2002/sq mi (8.5715/km2). 93.48% of the population reported being of one race. There were 6,260 housing units, of which 5,404 were occupied. [1]
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 10,107 | 78.1% |
Black or African American (NH) | 73 | 0.6% |
Native American (NH) | 15 | 0.12% |
Asian (NH) | 67 | 0.52% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 8 | 0.06% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 279 | 2.2% |
Hispanic or Latino | 2,394 | 18.5% |
The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,229 in the county, with a population density of 22.7803/sq mi (8.7955/km2). There were 6,529 housing units, of which 5,625 were occupied. [13]
As of the census [14] of 2000, there were 14,334 people, 5,940 households, and 3,938 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9.7 people/km2). There were 6,559 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.93% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.90% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 4.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,940 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,197, and the median income for a family was $44,043. Males had a median income of $29,398 versus $21,222 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,247. About 4.20% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
School districts include: [15]
Former school districts: [16]
These three school districts in Wright County have or had high schools in the county: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District K-12 Enrollment 954 Eagle Grove Community School District K-12 Enrollment 836 Belmond-Klemme Community School District K-12 Enrollment 793
Iowa State University maintains an extension office in Clarion. Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, and Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls are all within driving distance of Wright County. Iowa Central Community College began offering ICN Polycom classes in Clarion and Eagle Grove in 2015.
Wright County has, like many counties in Iowa, been a swing state for the majority of its history. The county has voted for the winning candidate in 21 out of the 25 presidential elections in the 20th Century. However, in 2000, the county was won by Republican George W. Bush and has voted for the party in all presidential elections since.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 3,853 | 67.32% | 1,770 | 30.93% | 100 | 1.75% |
2020 | 4,136 | 66.13% | 1,996 | 31.92% | 122 | 1.95% |
2016 | 3,800 | 63.06% | 1,896 | 31.46% | 330 | 5.48% |
2012 | 3,349 | 53.35% | 2,836 | 45.17% | 93 | 1.48% |
2008 | 3,198 | 50.01% | 3,102 | 48.51% | 95 | 1.49% |
2004 | 3,631 | 54.99% | 2,930 | 44.37% | 42 | 0.64% |
2000 | 3,384 | 53.41% | 2,796 | 44.13% | 156 | 2.46% |
1996 | 2,473 | 41.50% | 2,912 | 48.87% | 574 | 9.63% |
1992 | 2,708 | 40.63% | 2,776 | 41.65% | 1,181 | 17.72% |
1988 | 2,658 | 43.90% | 3,353 | 55.38% | 43 | 0.71% |
1984 | 3,675 | 54.81% | 2,980 | 44.44% | 50 | 0.75% |
1980 | 3,936 | 55.07% | 2,645 | 37.01% | 566 | 7.92% |
1976 | 3,544 | 48.67% | 3,637 | 49.95% | 101 | 1.39% |
1972 | 4,278 | 59.73% | 2,780 | 38.82% | 104 | 1.45% |
1968 | 4,299 | 56.95% | 2,969 | 39.33% | 281 | 3.72% |
1964 | 2,831 | 36.13% | 4,998 | 63.78% | 7 | 0.09% |
1960 | 5,386 | 56.34% | 4,159 | 43.50% | 15 | 0.16% |
1956 | 5,512 | 58.70% | 3,865 | 41.16% | 13 | 0.14% |
1952 | 6,566 | 67.12% | 3,186 | 32.57% | 31 | 0.32% |
1948 | 3,810 | 48.85% | 3,866 | 49.56% | 124 | 1.59% |
1944 | 3,916 | 47.86% | 4,232 | 51.72% | 35 | 0.43% |
1940 | 4,443 | 47.52% | 4,871 | 52.10% | 36 | 0.39% |
1936 | 3,311 | 38.01% | 5,177 | 59.44% | 222 | 2.55% |
1932 | 3,262 | 39.14% | 4,922 | 59.06% | 150 | 1.80% |
1928 | 5,020 | 65.79% | 2,547 | 33.38% | 63 | 0.83% |
1924 | 4,323 | 57.40% | 501 | 6.65% | 2,707 | 35.94% |
1920 | 5,739 | 81.04% | 1,205 | 17.01% | 138 | 1.95% |
1916 | 2,599 | 68.22% | 1,135 | 29.79% | 76 | 1.99% |
1912 | 805 | 22.64% | 765 | 21.52% | 1,985 | 55.84% |
1908 | 2,498 | 72.34% | 866 | 25.08% | 89 | 2.58% |
1904 | 2,795 | 77.38% | 695 | 19.24% | 122 | 3.38% |
1900 | 2,990 | 75.07% | 891 | 22.37% | 102 | 2.56% |
1896 | 2,992 | 71.39% | 1,138 | 27.15% | 61 | 1.46% |
Several small newspapers are published in Wright County, including the Wright County Monitor, serving Clarion and Dows, the Eagle Grove Eagle, and the Belmond Independent.
The first Wright County Fair was held in Clarion. The old fairgrounds were located where Clarion's USA Healthcare Center stands today. the Clarion Fair ran until 1924; it was held in Goldfield in 1925, and moved to its present location in Eagle Grove in 1926; it was later retitled as the Wright County District Junior Fair. Entries are open to children in Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster, Hardin, Franklin, and Wright Counties. [19]
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Wright County. [1]
†county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Eagle Grove | City | 3,601 |
2 | † Clarion | City | 2,810 |
3 | Belmond | City | 2,463 |
4 | Goldfield | City | 634 |
5 | Dows (partially in Franklin County ) | City | 521 |
6 | Woolstock | City | 144 |
7 | Rowan | City | 123 |
8 | Galt | City | 26 |
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,597. The county seat is Dakota City. The county was created in 1857 and named in honor of Alexander von Humboldt.
Hancock County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,795. The county seat is Garner. The county was founded on January 15, 1851, and named in honor of John Hancock, a leader of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,039. The county seat is Webster City. The county was named to honor William W. Hamilton, a President of the Iowa State Senate.
Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,525. Its county seat is Denison. The county was named for William Harris Crawford, U.S. senator from Georgia and United States Secretary of the Treasury.
Klemme is a city in Hancock County, Iowa, United States. The population was 441 at the time of the 2020 census.
Thor is a town in Norway Township, Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. The population was 181 at the time of the 2020 census.
Belmond is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. It is located along U.S. Route 69, 14 miles (23 km) by road from Clarion, the county seat. The population was 2,463 in the 2020 census, a decline from 2,560 in 2000.
Clarion is a city in and the county seat of Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,810 at the time of the 2020 census.
Eagle Grove is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,601 at the time of the 2020 census. Eagle Grove is the largest city in Wright County.
Galt is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26 at the time of the 2020 census.
Goldfield is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 634 at the time of the 2020 census.
Rowan is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 123 at the time of the 2020 census.
Woolstock is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 144 at the time of the 2020 census.
Dows is a city in Franklin and Wright counties of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 521 at the time of the 2020 census. The town was incorporated on May 3, 1892.
Cornelia is an unincorporated community in Grant Township, Wright County, Iowa, United States. Cornelia is located along County Highway C25, 4.8 miles (7.7 km) north-northeast of Clarion. Lake Cornelia State Park is in the community.
Holmes is an unincorporated community in Lake Township, Wright County, Iowa, United States. Holmes is located along County Highway R33, 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Clarion.
Clarion–Goldfield Community School District was a school district headquartered in Clarion, Iowa. It covered 254 square miles (660 km2) of area, mostly in Wright County with some portions in the counties in Hancock and Humboldt. In its service area were Clarion, Galt, and Goldfield, as well as the unincorporated communities of Cornelia and Holmes.
Dows Community School District was a school district headquartered in Dows, Iowa. It covered 101 square miles (260 km2) of area.
Blaine Township is a township in Wright County, Iowa, United States.
The Eagle Grove Community School District is a rural public school district headquartered in Eagle Grove, Iowa.