Wright County, Iowa

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Wright County
County
Wright County Courthouse.JPG
Wright County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Wright County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa in United States.svg
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°43′59″N93°44′08″W / 42.7331°N 93.7356°W / 42.7331; -93.7356
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Iowa.svg  Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named for Silas Wright
Seat Clarion
Largest city Eagle Grove
Area
 • Total582 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Land580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,943
 • Density22/sq mi (8.6/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 4th
Website wrightcounty.iowa.gov

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]

Contents

Geography

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]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870 2,392—
1880 5,062111.6%
1890 12,057138.2%
1900 18,22751.2%
1910 17,951−1.5%
1920 20,34813.4%
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 14,3340.5%
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]
Population of Wright County from US census data WrightCountyIowaPop2020.png
Population of Wright County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 12,943 in the county, with a population density of

Wright County Racial Composition [12]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (NH)10,10778.1%
Black or African American (NH)730.6%
Native American (NH)150.12%
Asian (NH)670.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)80.06%
Other/Mixed (NH)2792.2%
Hispanic or Latino 2,39418.5%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,229 in the county, with a population density of

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Wright County USA Wright County, Iowa age pyramid.svg
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Wright County

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.

Education

Primary and secondary

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

Tertiary

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.

Politics

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.

United States presidential election results for Wright County, Iowa [17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 4,13666.13%1,99631.92%1221.95%
2016 3,80063.06%1,89631.46%3305.48%
2012 3,34953.35%2,83645.17%931.48%
2008 3,19850.01%3,10248.51%951.49%
2004 3,63154.99%2,93044.37%420.64%
2000 3,38453.41%2,79644.13%1562.46%
1996 2,47341.50%2,91248.87%5749.63%
1992 2,70840.63%2,77641.65%1,18117.72%
1988 2,65843.90%3,35355.38%430.71%
1984 3,67554.81%2,98044.44%500.75%
1980 3,93655.07%2,64537.01%5667.92%
1976 3,54448.67%3,63749.95%1011.39%
1972 4,27859.73%2,78038.82%1041.45%
1968 4,29956.95%2,96939.33%2813.72%
1964 2,83136.13%4,99863.78%70.09%
1960 5,38656.34%4,15943.50%150.16%
1956 5,51258.70%3,86541.16%130.14%
1952 6,56667.12%3,18632.57%310.32%
1948 3,81048.85%3,86649.56%1241.59%
1944 3,91647.86%4,23251.72%350.43%
1940 4,44347.52%4,87152.10%360.39%
1936 3,31138.01%5,17759.44%2222.55%
1932 3,26239.14%4,92259.06%1501.80%
1928 5,02065.79%2,54733.38%630.83%
1924 4,32357.40%5016.65%2,70735.94%
1920 5,73981.04%1,20517.01%1381.95%
1916 2,59968.22%1,13529.79%761.99%
1912 80522.64%76521.52%1,98555.84%
1908 2,49872.34%86625.08%892.58%
1904 2,79577.38%69519.24%1223.38%
1900 2,99075.07%89122.37%1022.56%
1896 2,99271.39%1,13827.15%611.46%

Media

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.

Wright County Fair

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. [18]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

†county seat

RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation (2020 Census)
1 Eagle Grove City3,601
2† Clarion City2,810
3 Belmond City2,463
4 Goldfield City634
5 Dows (partially in Franklin County )City521
6 Woolstock City144
7 Rowan City123
8 Galt City26

See also

Related Research Articles

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Klemme is a city in Hancock County, Iowa, United States. The population was 441 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thor, Iowa</span> Town in Iowa, United States

Thor is a town in Norway Township, Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. The population was 181 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belmond, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarion, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagle Grove, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galt, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

Galt is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goldfield, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

Goldfield is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 634 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rowan, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

Rowan is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 123 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woolstock, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

Woolstock is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 144 at the time of the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dows, Iowa</span> City in Iowa, United States

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.

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, USA.

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. ↑ Wright County Archived 2007-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wright. II. A N. central county of Iowa"  . The American Cyclopædia .
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wright County, Iowa".
  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. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wright County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  16. ↑ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Wright County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  17. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ Wright County District Junior Fair

42°43′59″N93°44′08″W / 42.73306°N 93.73556°W / 42.73306; -93.73556

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