Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur County (/dɪˈkeɪtər/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 8,457.[1] The county seat is Leon.[2] This county is named for Stephen Decatur, Jr., a hero in the War of 1812.[3]

Decatur County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°44′29″N 93°46′51″W
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1846
Named forStephen Decatur, Jr.
SeatLeon
Largest cityLamoni
Area
 • Total533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,457
 • Estimate 
(2018)
7,890
 • Density16/sq mi (6.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.decaturcountyiowa.org

History

Decatur County was organized in 1850 and named for Stephen Decatur, a naval hero of the War of 1812. The current courthouse was dedicated in 1908. [4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Soils of Decatur County

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1850965—
18608,677799.2%
187012,01838.5%
188015,33627.6%
189015,6432.0%
190018,11515.8%
191016,347−9.8%
192016,5661.3%
193014,903−10.0%
194014,012−6.0%
195012,601−10.1%
196010,539−16.4%
19709,737−7.6%
19809,7940.6%
19908,338−14.9%
20008,6894.2%
20108,457−2.7%
2018 (est.)7,890[6]−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,457 in the county, with a population density of 15.897/sq mi (6.138/km2). There were 3,834 housing units, of which 3,223 were occupied.[11]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Decatur County

At the 2000 census,[12] there were 8,689 people, 3,337 households and 2,149 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 per square mile (6/km2). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,337 households, of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.30% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median household income was $27,343 and the median family income was $34,831. Males had a median income of $25,569 compared with $19,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,209. About 10.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Decatur County is considered to be the poorest in Iowa, reporting that almost 20% of its residents live in poverty.[13]

County Officials

Supervisors
Bob Bell
Dan Christiansen
Jimmy Fulton

Treasurer
Kathy Martin

Attorney
Lisa Hynden-Jeanes

Auditor
Stephanie Daughton

Recorder
Gale Norman

Sheriff

Ben Boswell

Assesor
Justin Cornett

Engineer
Vacant

Clerk of Court
Traci Tharp

Public Health Administrator
Shelley Bickel

Veterans Affairs Administrator
Samantha Schaff

Conservation Director
Rich Erke

Mental Health Director
Kathy Lerma

Communities
Ancient Map of Decatur County, Iowa (1894)

Cities

Townships

Decatur County is divided into these townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Decatur County.[14]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Lamoni City 2,324
2 † Leon City 1,977
3 Grand River City 236
4 Van Wert City 230
5 Garden Grove City 211
6 Davis City City 204
7 Decatur City City 197
8 Weldon (partially in Clarke County) City 125
9 Pleasanton City 49
10 Le Roy City 15

Politics
Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 61.5% 2,296 32.2% 1,201 6.3% 237
2012 50.8% 1,947 46.7% 1,791 2.5% 95
2008 49.2% 2,020 48.4% 1,986 2.4% 100
2004 52.1% 2,088 46.4% 1,859 1.6% 64
2000 51.3% 1,903 45.1% 1,674 3.6% 132
1996 35.5% 1,287 51.0% 1,846 13.5% 490
1992 33.0% 1,316 46.8% 1,866 20.2% 804
1988 38.8% 1,406 60.4% 2,192 0.8% 29
1984 49.6% 2,104 49.5% 2,098 0.9% 40
1980 47.7% 2,212 44.1% 2,048 8.2% 380
1976 41.1% 1,932 57.3% 2,698 1.6% 77
1972 57.4% 2,638 40.9% 1,880 1.6% 75
1968 49.3% 2,261 44.8% 2,057 5.9% 270
1964 31.6% 1,542 68.2% 3,331 0.3% 12
1960 55.7% 3,039 44.2% 2,411 0.1% 7
1956 50.9% 2,912 49.0% 2,806 0.1% 7
1952 58.7% 3,621 40.9% 2,521 0.4% 26
1948 43.9% 2,547 54.7% 3,172 1.5% 84
1944 46.8% 2,934 52.9% 3,316 0.3% 18
1940 46.9% 3,494 52.9% 3,938 0.2% 16
1936 44.4% 3,327 55.1% 4,131 0.5% 36
1932 36.8% 2,148 61.6% 3,591 1.6% 91
1928 59.1% 3,942 40.1% 2,675 0.9% 58
1924 47.1% 3,221 24.8% 1,693 28.1% 1,921
1920 61.2% 4,187 37.9% 2,592 1.0% 66
1916 47.5% 1,962 51.1% 2,111 1.5% 62
1912 34.4% 1,351 42.2% 1,659 23.4% 918
1908 52.5% 2,149 44.2% 1,809 3.3% 133
1904 58.4% 2,430 37.2% 1,548 4.3% 180
1900 53.2% 2,415 45.3% 2,058 1.5% 66
1896 48.5% 2,268 50.5% 2,362 1.1% 50

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 102.
  4. "County History". Dacatur County. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  11. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. Mike Kilen, "Headline: Who will win in Iowa's poorest county?", Des Moines Register, 6 June 2004 (subscription required)
  14. "Archived copy". Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

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