Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Cerro Gordo County (/ˈsɛroʊ ˈɡɔːrdoʊ/; Spanish: [ˈsero ˈɣoɾðo]) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,151.[1] Its county seat is Mason City.[2] The county is named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo, which took place during the Mexican–American War.

Cerro Gordo County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°04′46″N 93°16′01″W
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named forBattle of Cerro Gordo
SeatMason City
Largest cityMason City
Area
 • Total575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land568 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water6.8 sq mi (18 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total44,151
 • Estimate 
(2018)
42,647
 • Density77/sq mi (30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.cgcounty.org

Cerro Gordo County is part of the Mason City, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Cerro Gordo County was formed in 1851 and takes its name from the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican–American War, where General Winfield Scott defeated the Mexican General Santa Anna on April 18, 1847.

In 1851 the first white settlers came into the area of the present county and settled on Clear Lake. Four years later, on August 7, 1855, the first elections were held and the first legal proceedings occurred in 1857. In the summer of the same year, Livonia was chosen as the new county seat. In 1858, the seat was returned to Mason City. In 1866, the first courthouse was erected, which was used until 1900. The courthouse still used today opened on November 17, 1960.

Cerro Gordo County was the site of the airplane crash north of the city of Clear Lake, in which rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with their pilot Roger A. Peterson, were killed on February 3, 1959. The site is in Grant Township, in the northwestern part of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 568 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 6.8 square miles (18 km2) (1.2%) is water.[3]

Law enforcement

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office is headed by Sheriff Kevin Pals. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement, performs investigations, executes legal processes such as writs, and is responsible for operating the county jail and for inmates in custody.

The Sheriff's Office is at 17262 Lark Ave, Mason City, IA 50401.[4]

Major highways

Airport

The county also has a municipal airport, Mason City Municipal Airport, (MCW) with commercial service by Air Choice One.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1860940—
18704,722402.3%
188011,461142.7%
189014,86429.7%
190020,67239.1%
191025,01121.0%
192034,67538.6%
193038,47611.0%
194043,84514.0%
195046,0535.0%
196049,8948.3%
197049,223−1.3%
198048,458−1.6%
199046,733−3.6%
200046,447−0.6%
201044,151−4.9%
2018 (est.)42,647[5]−3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 44,151 in the county, with a population density of 77.73/sq mi (30.012/km2). There were 22,163 housing units, of which 19,350 were occupied.[10]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Cerro Gordo County

At the 2000 census there were 46,447 people, 19,374 households, and 12,399 families in the county. The population density was 82 people per square mile (32/km2). There were 21,488 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 2.78%.[11] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 19,374 households 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.90% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 30.90% of households were one person and 13.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median household income was $35,867 and the median family income was $46,099. Males had a median income of $31,790 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,184. About 5.90% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Cerro Gordo County is divided into sixteen townships:

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Cerro Gordo County.[12]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Mason City City 28,079
2 Clear Lake City 7,777
3 Nora Springs (mostly in Floyd County) City 1,431
4 Rockwell City 1,039
5 Ventura City 717
6 Thornton City 422
7 Plymouth City 382
8 Meservey City 256
9 Swaledale City 165
10 Rock Falls City 155
11 Dougherty City 58
12 Burchinal CDP 40
13 Portland CDP 35

Economy

In September 2016 Cerro Gordo County supervisors voted to appeal the Iowa Department of Natural Resources's decision to approve construction of a hog confinement facility near Ventura, Iowa.[13]

Politics
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 52.3% 12,442 46.0% 10,941 1.8% 418
2016 50.6% 11,621 42.9% 9,862 6.5% 1,482
2012 42.5% 10,128 55.9% 13,316 1.6% 380
2008 38.8% 9,375 59.7% 14,405 1.5% 363
2004 44.7% 10,960 54.5% 13,372 0.8% 184
2000 42.4% 9,397 55.0% 12,185 2.6% 580
1996 35.0% 7,427 56.3% 11,943 8.8% 1,857
1992 34.0% 8,250 47.0% 11,415 19.1% 4,628
1988 41.8% 9,358 57.5% 12,857 0.7% 150
1984 48.9% 11,214 50.4% 11,570 0.7% 166
1980 49.0% 11,189 41.0% 9,363 10.0% 2,276
1976 47.8% 10,604 50.4% 11,189 1.8% 403
1972 54.7% 11,856 43.6% 9,460 1.7% 377
1968 52.5% 10,661 42.1% 8,554 5.4% 1,095
1964 37.4% 7,884 62.4% 13,156 0.2% 31
1960 56.1% 12,830 43.9% 10,044 0.1% 15
1956 57.0% 12,449 42.9% 9,362 0.1% 30
1952 61.1% 13,207 38.7% 8,354 0.2% 47
1948 44.3% 7,840 54.0% 9,544 1.7% 298
1944 47.6% 8,311 52.1% 9,088 0.3% 60
1940 47.2% 9,728 52.6% 10,839 0.2% 45
1936 42.7% 7,599 54.5% 9,694 2.8% 501
1932 45.1% 7,317 54.0% 8,752 0.9% 149
1928 65.8% 9,582 33.7% 4,908 0.5% 77
1924 58.9% 8,410 9.4% 1,345 31.7% 4,536
1920 75.7% 8,293 21.0% 2,302 3.3% 356
1916 59.3% 3,556 38.2% 2,289 2.6% 154
1912 25.6% 1,334 33.5% 1,742 40.9% 2,126
1908 64.1% 2,990 32.6% 1,520 3.4% 158
1904 74.6% 3,108 20.1% 836 5.4% 225
1900 69.5% 3,345 27.4% 1,320 3.0% 146
1896 66.7% 3,048 30.8% 1,408 2.5% 112

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. "Cerro Gordo County Sheriff". Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  10. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "Archived copy". Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  13. JOHN SKIPPER (September 6, 2016). "Supervisors appeal DNR decision to approve hog confinement facility". Mason City: Globe Gazette. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

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