Union County, Iowa

Union County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 12,534.[1] The county seat is Creston.[2] Organized at a time of tensions before the Civil War, the county was named in 1853 for the union that people wanted to preserve. The rural county's peak of population was in 1930. Its economy is based on agriculture and related industries. Creston and the county are still served by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF), the largest network in the nation.

Not to be confused with Union, Iowa.
Union County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°01′33″N 94°14′29″W
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1853
SeatCreston
Largest cityCreston
Area
 • Total426 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total12,534
 • Estimate 
(2018)
12,359
 • Density29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.unioncountyiowa.org

History

The first permanent European-American settlers came in 1849 and 1850. Mormons had earlier established Mt. Pisgah in the eastern part of the county as a way station as they traveled west, but had left this area by 1848. Settlers used Pisgah as a base to establish farms along the Grand and Platte rivers that run through the county. They found a market for their produce with the emigrants traveling overland to California to take part in the Gold Rush. Travelers often sought shelter with the settlers along the way. In 1851 one settler counted 2,600 teams driven by emigrants to California; they often drove herds of sheep and cattle, trying to get animals to the gold fields to feed the miners, but many died along the way.[3]

The first village was Petersville, founded in 1853, the same year that the county was organized. The county was named for the union which many people wanted to preserve, at a time of rising tensions between the North and the South.[4]

After the American Civil War, railroad construction linked the areas of the county, giving rise to new towns, and gave access to other markets. In 1868 the railroad reached Afton, Iowa, and the next year Creston, the county seat, was made a division point. The railroad built service facilities there, a roundhouse and related structures. The railroad brought immigrants and migrants to the area, who were attracted to the fertile soil as farmland. Immigrants came from across central and eastern Europe, as well as from eastern states of the US. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) continues to be important in the area, serving as the chief network for hauling grain and coal. Over the years, it drew workers from industrial cities such as Chicago to Creston.

The county has a fair each year. In the late 19th century, southwestern Iowa claimed the title of Bluegrass Capital, having cultivated bluegrass throughout the area. In 1889 the Bluegrass Association was founded, made up of representatives of the 18 counties in this region. They built a Bluegrass Palace on the Union County Fairgrounds. It was designed by Louis Syberkro, an artist, and constructed by J. C. Woodruff, both of Creston. Made of sod and baled hay on a wood frame, the building was 100 feet square, with corner turrets and a central tower 92 feet high. It held exhibits of farm products and resource commodities from counties of the association, including wood, coal, sandstone, and marble. The palace was such a success that the Bluegrass Association commissioned a larger one the following year, which supplied about three times as much space. In a separate wing was an auditorium large enough to hold 2,000 people.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 426 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 424 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18602,012—
18705,986197.5%
188014,980150.3%
189016,90012.8%
190019,92817.9%
191016,616−16.6%
192017,2683.9%
193017,4351.0%
194016,280−6.6%
195015,651−3.9%
196013,712−12.4%
197013,557−1.1%
198013,8582.2%
199012,750−8.0%
200012,309−3.5%
201012,5341.8%
2018 (est.)12,359[7]−1.4%
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 12,534 in the county, with a population density of 29.5342/sq mi (11.4032/km2). There were 5,937 housing units, of which 5,271 were occupied.[12]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Union County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 12,309 people, 5,242 households, and 3,354 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11/km2). There were 5,657 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 1.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,242 households, out of which 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 31.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,905, and the median income for a family was $41,453. Males had a median income of $27,700 versus $20,760 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,690. About 7.40% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships
  • Dodge
  • Douglas
  • Grant
  • Highland
  • Jones
  • Lincoln
  • New Hope
  • Platte
  • Pleasant
  • Sand Creek
  • Spaulding
  • Union

Census-designated place

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Creston City 7,834
2 Afton City 845
3 Lorimor City 360
4 Cromwell City 107
5 Arispe City 100
6 Shannon City (partially in Ringgold County) City 85 (90 total)
7 Kent CDP 61
8 Thayer City 59

Politics
Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 60.4% 3,525 33.0% 1,922 6.6% 385
2012 47.2% 2,813 51.1% 3,043 1.7% 101
2008 47.0% 2,781 50.7% 3,000 2.3% 133
2004 52.9% 3,165 46.0% 2,747 1.1% 66
2000 52.3% 3,003 44.3% 2,540 3.4% 197
1996 38.1% 2,156 49.3% 2,787 12.6% 714
1992 36.5% 2,224 42.0% 2,565 21.5% 1,313
1988 45.5% 2,751 53.6% 3,236 0.9% 54
1984 54.5% 3,583 43.7% 2,875 1.8% 118
1980 56.4% 3,372 36.5% 2,182 7.1% 425
1976 48.3% 2,873 49.7% 2,955 2.0% 120
1972 62.5% 3,734 35.3% 2,112 2.2% 131
1968 57.1% 3,365 36.2% 2,137 6.7% 396
1964 40.0% 2,502 59.9% 3,751 0.2% 10
1960 61.9% 4,417 38.1% 2,720 0.1% 5
1956 62.2% 4,666 37.7% 2,828 0.1% 7
1952 68.9% 5,742 30.8% 2,566 0.3% 24
1948 55.8% 4,138 43.4% 3,218 0.8% 58
1944 61.3% 4,566 38.4% 2,861 0.3% 23
1940 62.5% 5,421 37.3% 3,229 0.2% 18
1936 53.4% 4,647 45.3% 3,938 1.3% 114
1932 43.0% 3,043 56.0% 3,967 1.0% 73
1928 66.7% 5,432 32.6% 2,651 0.7% 60
1924 54.2% 4,250 14.9% 1,166 31.0% 2,432
1920 65.6% 4,466 32.7% 2,228 1.6% 111
1916 50.0% 2,050 48.4% 1,985 1.7% 69
1912 28.2% 1,096 39.3% 1,528 32.6% 1,269
1908 52.4% 2,207 43.7% 1,843 3.9% 165
1904 62.2% 2,674 30.7% 1,322 7.1% 306
1900 50.9% 2,462 45.8% 2,218 3.3% 161
1896 46.8% 2,196 51.7% 2,425 1.5% 68

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Petersville and other early settlements", Union County Early Settlers and the Mormons, 2012-2014, Iowa GenWeb
  4. "Union County History", 2012-2014, Iowa GenWeb
  5. Adapted from original article from The Goldfinch 6, No. 1 (October 1984). Iowa City: State Historical Society of Iowa
  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 27, 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 June 3, 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 28, 2018.


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