Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,335.[1] The county seat is Oskaloosa.[2]

Mahaska County
U.S. county
The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′02″N 92°38′44″W
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedFebruary 17, 1843
Named forChief Mahaska
SeatOskaloosa
Largest cityOskaloosa
Area
 • Total573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total22,335
 • Estimate 
(2018)
22,000
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.mahaskacounty.org

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Mahaska, from Futon's Red Men of Iowa (1882)

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.[3]

The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846.[4] On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.[3]

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County.[5] During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18505,989—
186014,816147.4%
187022,50851.9%
188025,20212.0%
189028,80514.3%
190034,27319.0%
191029,860−12.9%
192026,270−12.0%
193025,804−1.8%
194026,4852.6%
195024,672−6.8%
196023,602−4.3%
197022,177−6.0%
198022,8673.1%
199021,532−5.8%
200022,3353.7%
201022,3810.2%
2018 (est.)22,000[7]−1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km2). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.[12]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Mahaska County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 22,335 people, 8,880 households, and 6,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km2). There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.20% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,880 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,314, and the median income for a family was $43,557. Males had a median income of $32,618 versus $23,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,232. About 7.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Oskaloosa City 11,463
2 New Sharon City 1,293
3 Eddyville (partially in Monroe and Wapello Counties) City 1,024
4 Fremont City 743
5 Beacon City 494
6 University Park City 487
7 Barnes City (partially in Poweshiek County) City 176
8 Rose Hill City 168
9 Leighton City 162
10 Keomah Village City 84

Politics

Mahaska County is a strongly Republican county. Only six Republican Party presidential candidates from 1896 to the present day have failed to win the county, most recently Barry Goldwater in 1964 in his landslide loss statewide & nationally to Lyndon B. Johnson.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 69.9% 7,432 24.6% 2,619 5.5% 581
2012 59.3% 6,448 38.7% 4,213 2.0% 222
2008 57.4% 6,271 40.8% 4,464 1.8% 199
2004 63.9% 6,858 35.3% 3,790 0.8% 80
2000 62.6% 5,971 35.3% 3,370 2.1% 202
1996 50.0% 4,473 41.8% 3,737 8.2% 731
1992 48.3% 4,953 36.2% 3,714 15.4% 1,580
1988 51.5% 4,798 47.8% 4,451 0.8% 71
1984 59.1% 6,086 39.9% 4,107 1.0% 100
1980 54.5% 5,650 38.3% 3,968 7.2% 745
1976 51.4% 5,267 47.2% 4,838 1.4% 146
1972 63.8% 6,374 33.9% 3,382 2.3% 232
1968 56.9% 5,670 37.3% 3,721 5.8% 579
1964 37.1% 3,787 62.7% 6,396 0.2% 22
1960 65.4% 7,129 34.4% 3,746 0.2% 26
1956 62.2% 6,864 35.9% 3,965 1.9% 205
1952 64.0% 7,369 32.5% 3,745 3.6% 409
1948 46.9% 4,238 47.9% 4,327 5.2% 465
1944 50.9% 5,123 46.2% 4,652 3.0% 297
1940 51.1% 6,123 48.1% 5,757 0.8% 97
1936 44.9% 5,270 52.0% 6,094 3.1% 362
1932 43.5% 4,655 52.1% 5,586 4.4% 472
1928 69.1% 7,368 30.0% 3,200 0.9% 97
1924 55.1% 5,810 15.9% 1,673 29.0% 3,060
1920 64.6% 6,739 32.0% 3,339 3.5% 362
1916 48.1% 3,143 48.3% 3,151 3.6% 235
1912 26.1% 1,682 40.0% 2,576 34.0% 2,190
1908 48.5% 3,326 44.3% 3,035 7.2% 495
1904 59.6% 4,091 33.3% 2,287 7.1% 489
1900 53.9% 4,480 43.3% 3,596 2.8% 236
1896 50.7% 4,256 47.3% 3,974 2.0% 166

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Mahaska County Archived July 3, 2007, at Archive.today
  4. About Mahaska
  5. Map of Historic Coal Mines in Mahaska County, Mahaska 4-H Tech Team, May 2006.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. 2010 Census
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

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