Allamakee County, Iowa

Allamakee County (/ˈæləməˌki/) is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,061.[1] Its county seat is Waukon.[2]

Allamakee County
Allamakee County Court House in Waukon, Iowa
Map of Iowa highlighting Allamakee County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°17′12″N 91°22′27″W / 43.286666666667°N 91.374166666667°W / 43.286666666667; -91.374166666667
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1847
SeatWaukon
Largest cityWaukon
Area
 • Total659 sq mi (1,710 km2)
 • Land639 sq mi (1,660 km2)
 • Water20 sq mi (50 km2)  3.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,061
 • Density21/sq mi (8.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteallamakeecounty.iowa.gov

History edit

Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847. The derivation of the name is debated, some believing it was the name of an Indian chief, others think it was named for Allen Magee, an early historic trader.[3] The first Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon, built in 1861, now serves as the Allamakee County Historical Museum. The present Allamakee County Court House was built in 1940. Both courthouse buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

Geography edit

 
Soils of Allamakee County
 
Soils of private land in Allamakee County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 659 square miles (1,710 km2), of which 639 square miles (1,660 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.0%) is water.[5]

In the northern part of the county is the Upper Iowa River. In the southern part is the Yellow River. The eastern boundary is the Mississippi River. All offer scenic and recreational opportunities, particularly in Yellow River State Forest.

French Creek flows north of Waukon, outside the city limits. Paint Creek, named after Paint Rock Bluff, flows out of the south of Waukon. Norfolk creek originates in the western outskirts of Waukon and is effluent to the Yellow River. Clear Creek flows into Lansing. Village Creek flows through essentially rural terrain. All are tributary to the Mississippi River.

The landforms encountered in the county are very unlike those found in most of Iowa, which is mostly absent Glacial Drift. As part of the Driftless Area, the county was ice free during the last ice age, and as one progresses to the Mississippi River, the streams and rivers display high-walled canyons carved of Silurian period bedrock. This Driftless Area also includes parts of Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek, Howard, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties.[6]

Major highways edit

Adjacent counties edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850777
186012,2371,474.9%
187017,86846.0%
188019,79110.8%
189017,907−9.5%
190018,7114.5%
191017,328−7.4%
192017,285−0.2%
193016,328−5.5%
194017,1845.2%
195016,351−4.8%
196015,982−2.3%
197014,968−6.3%
198015,1080.9%
199013,855−8.3%
200014,6755.9%
201014,330−2.4%
202014,061−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]
 
Population of Allamakee County from US census data

2020 census edit

The 2020 census recorded a population of 14,061 in the county, with a population density of 21.2970/sq mi (8.22281/km2). 96.88% of the population reported being of one race. 81.08% were non-Hispanic White, 1.10% were Black, 8.68% were Hispanic, 0.65% were Native American, 0.29% were Asian, 0.04% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 8.17% were some other race or more than one race. There were 7,668 housing units of which 5,797 were occupied.[1]

2010 census edit

The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of 22.39/sq mi (8.65/km2). There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.[12]

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Allamakee County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 14,675 people, 5,722 households, and 3,931 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 7,142 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.88% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,722 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,967, and the median income for a family was $40,589. Males had a median income of $26,122 versus $19,098 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,599. About 6.40% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Notable sites edit

 
View of the Mississippi from Effigy Mounds National Monument

Media edit

Communities edit

Cities edit

Townships edit

Allamakee County is divided into eighteen townships:

Unincorporated communities edit

Ghost towns edit

Population ranking edit

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Waukon City 3,827
2 Postville (partially in Clayton County) City 2,228 (2503 total)
3 Lansing City 968
4 New Albin City 432
5 Harpers Ferry City 262
6 Waterville City 109

Politics edit

United States presidential election results for Allamakee County, Iowa[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,735 63.80% 2,576 34.71% 111 1.50%
2016 4,093 59.12% 2,421 34.97% 409 5.91%
2012 3,264 47.07% 3,553 51.24% 117 1.69%
2008 2,965 41.99% 3,971 56.23% 126 1.78%
2004 3,530 49.99% 3,449 48.84% 83 1.18%
2000 3,277 50.71% 2,883 44.61% 302 4.67%
1996 2,457 42.50% 2,551 44.13% 773 13.37%
1992 2,627 39.33% 2,362 35.36% 1,690 25.30%
1988 3,186 53.14% 2,768 46.17% 41 0.68%
1984 3,997 62.91% 2,282 35.91% 75 1.18%
1980 4,000 60.73% 2,170 32.95% 416 6.32%
1976 3,648 57.88% 2,568 40.74% 87 1.38%
1972 4,150 63.24% 2,271 34.61% 141 2.15%
1968 4,449 62.57% 2,245 31.58% 416 5.85%
1964 3,691 51.26% 3,504 48.67% 5 0.07%
1960 4,970 62.78% 2,933 37.05% 13 0.16%
1956 5,182 66.23% 2,622 33.51% 20 0.26%
1952 6,087 72.14% 2,341 27.74% 10 0.12%
1948 4,474 57.91% 3,172 41.06% 80 1.04%
1944 5,017 63.27% 2,893 36.49% 19 0.24%
1940 5,840 64.02% 3,258 35.72% 24 0.26%
1936 4,053 46.25% 4,327 49.38% 383 4.37%
1932 3,009 38.34% 4,783 60.95% 56 0.71%
1928 4,785 59.43% 3,227 40.08% 39 0.48%
1924 2,755 38.40% 1,289 17.97% 3,131 43.64%
1920 5,192 73.23% 1,833 25.85% 65 0.92%
1916 2,411 57.97% 1,714 41.21% 34 0.82%
1912 1,269 29.10% 1,767 40.52% 1,325 30.38%
1908 2,521 58.67% 1,725 40.14% 51 1.19%
1904 2,609 61.77% 1,571 37.19% 44 1.04%
1900 2,659 58.44% 1,850 40.66% 41 0.90%
1896 2,471 55.16% 1,897 42.34% 112 2.50%

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Alexander, W. E. (1882). History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa. Western Publishing Company. p. 326.
  4. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ Iowa DNR site on Yellow River State Forest Archived July 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 13, 2014.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State – County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2011.[dead link]
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

Further reading edit

External links edit

43°17′12″N 91°22′27″W / 43.28667°N 91.37417°W / 43.28667; -91.37417