Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′05″N 91°43′11″W / 41.334722222222°N 91.719722222222°W / 41.334722222222; -91.719722222222
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 18, 1838
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatWashington
Largest cityWashington
Area
 • Total571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,565
 • Density40/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewashingtoncounty.iowa.gov

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,565.[1] The county seat is Washington.[2]

Washington County is included in the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area.[3]

History

Washington County was originally formed in 1838 as Slaughter County in honor of William B. Slaughter, the secretary of Wisconsin Territory.[4] The county, still named Slaughter County, became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838, when it was organized. To honor George Washington, the county opted to change its name on January 25, 1839.[5][6] The first settlers arrived in Washington County in 1835. The homesteads did not start until 1836. A town, Astoria, was built in the present township of Oregon; it became the first county seat and housed the first court house. The county seat was moved to the city of Washington in 1839.[7]

The first religious society, organized by Reverend J.L. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist minister was created in 1839.[7] The first newspaper was established in 1853; it was published for two years. In 1856 another newspaper started up; it has continued to the present.[8] The major waterways through Washington County are the Skunk and English Rivers, and Crooked Creek. Timber is found in abundance around these waterways, which has allowed a timber industry to grow up.[7] In 1855 Washington hosted the county's first bank. The county population swelled after 1858, when a railway line belonging to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad was laid there.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 569 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18504,957—
186014,235187.2%
187018,95233.1%
188020,3747.5%
189018,468−9.4%
190020,71812.2%
191019,925−3.8%
192020,4212.5%
193019,822−2.9%
194020,0551.2%
195019,557−2.5%
196019,406−0.8%
197018,967−2.3%
198020,1416.2%
199019,612−2.6%
200020,6705.4%
201021,7045.0%
202022,5654.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[14]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Washington County
Population of Washington County from US census data

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 20,670 people, 8,056 households, and 5,631 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 inhabitants per square mile (14/km2). There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.04% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. 2.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,056 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,103, and the median income for a family was $45,636. Males had a median income of $29,592 versus $22,818 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,221. About 5.10% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,704 in the county, with a population density of 38.1636/sq mi (14.7350/km2). There were 9,516 housing units, of which 8,741 were occupied.[16]

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,565 in the county, with a population density of 39.4886/sq mi (15.2466/km2). 95.31% of the population reported being of one race. 83.15% were non-Hispanic White, 0.83% were Black, 7.14% were Hispanic, 0.31% were Native American, 0.51% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 8.04% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,573 housing units, of which 8,916 were occupied.[1]

Education

The county is served by 3 school districts[17]

Highland Community School District includes:[18]

  • Highland Elementary School
  • Highland Middle School
  • Highland High School

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Washington City 7,352
2 Kalona City 2,630
3 Wellman City 1,524
4 Riverside City 1,060
5 Brighton City 600
6 Ainsworth City 511
7 Crawfordsville City 277
8 West Chester City 144
9 Coppock (partially in Henry and Jefferson Counties) City 36

Politics

United States presidential election results for Washington County, Iowa[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,971 59.25% 4,561 38.77% 233 1.98%
2016 6,173 56.48% 3,943 36.08% 813 7.44%
2012 5,562 50.55% 5,115 46.48% 327 2.97%
2008 5,247 49.36% 5,170 48.64% 212 1.99%
2004 5,977 55.92% 4,595 42.99% 116 1.09%
2000 4,827 53.08% 3,932 43.24% 335 3.68%
1996 3,600 44.05% 3,828 46.84% 745 9.12%
1992 3,576 39.65% 3,384 37.52% 2,058 22.82%
1988 3,741 49.12% 3,776 49.58% 99 1.30%
1984 4,613 59.37% 3,079 39.63% 78 1.00%
1980 3,967 52.01% 2,877 37.72% 783 10.27%
1976 4,218 54.03% 3,448 44.17% 141 1.81%
1972 5,187 64.12% 2,784 34.42% 118 1.46%
1968 4,899 61.68% 2,679 33.73% 365 4.60%
1964 3,315 41.86% 4,587 57.92% 17 0.21%
1960 5,861 64.48% 3,222 35.45% 6 0.07%
1956 5,844 65.84% 3,022 34.05% 10 0.11%
1952 6,946 72.47% 2,604 27.17% 35 0.37%
1948 4,680 56.76% 3,485 42.27% 80 0.97%
1944 5,308 60.57% 3,423 39.06% 32 0.37%
1940 5,649 58.11% 4,030 41.46% 42 0.43%
1936 4,619 50.66% 4,379 48.03% 120 1.32%
1932 3,889 45.25% 4,554 52.98% 152 1.77%
1928 5,948 68.04% 2,754 31.50% 40 0.46%
1924 5,053 60.31% 1,868 22.30% 1,457 17.39%
1920 5,813 71.09% 2,257 27.60% 107 1.31%
1916 2,745 55.31% 2,139 43.10% 79 1.59%
1912 1,264 26.35% 2,003 41.76% 1,530 31.89%
1908 2,631 53.81% 2,119 43.34% 139 2.84%
1904 2,875 59.24% 1,772 36.51% 206 4.24%
1900 2,844 54.26% 2,234 42.63% 163 3.11%
1896 2,882 54.42% 2,292 43.28% 122 2.30%

See also

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. ↑ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "Washington County, Iowa Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki". familysearch.org. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Washington County – History". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 "Washington County, Iowa". Past 2 Present. Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  8. 1 2 An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875. Archive.org. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ Education, Iowa Department of (September 2008). "Web Report Engine - Address". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Highland Community School District". Highland Community School District. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  19. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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