Bremer County(/ˈbrmər/[1]) is a county in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 24,988.[2] Its county seat is Waverly.[3] The county was named for Fredrika Bremer, a Swedish feminist writer.[4]

Bremer County
Bremer County Court House
Map of Iowa highlighting Bremer County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°46′27″N 92°19′01″W / 42.774166666667°N 92.316944444444°W / 42.774166666667; -92.316944444444
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851; 173 years ago (1851)
Named forFredrika Bremer
SeatWaverly
Largest cityWaverly
Area
 • Total439 sq mi (1,140 km2)
 • Land435 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water3.9 sq mi (10 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total24,988
 • Density57/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.bremercounty.iowa.gov
Waverly

Bremer County is included in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[5]

Geography edit

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 439 square miles (1,140 km2), of which 435 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6] It is intersected by the Cedar and Wapsipinicon rivers.[7]

Major highways edit

Adjacent counties edit

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18604,915
187012,528154.9%
188014,08112.4%
189014,6303.9%
190016,30511.4%
191015,843−2.8%
192016,7285.6%
193017,0461.9%
194017,9325.2%
195018,8845.3%
196021,10811.8%
197022,7377.7%
198024,8209.2%
199022,813−8.1%
200023,3252.2%
201024,2764.1%
202024,9882.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018
 
Population of Bremer County from US census data

2020 census edit

The 2020 census recorded a population of 24,988 in the county, with a population density of 56.7708/sq mi (21.9193/km2). 97.01% of the population reported being of one race. 92.39% were non-Hispanic White, 0.96% were Black, 2.04% were Hispanic, 0.18% were Native American, 0.78% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.63% were some other race or more than one race. There were 10,484 housing units of which 9,646 were occupied.[2]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Bremer County.[2] county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Waverly City 10,394
2 Sumner (partially in Fayette County) City 2,030
3 Denver City 1,919
4 Tripoli City 1,191
5 Janesville (partially in Black Hawk County) City 1,034
6 Readlyn City 845
7 Plainfield City 393
8 Frederika City 204

2010 census edit

The 2010 census recorded a population of 24,276 in the county, with a population density of 55.42/sq mi (21.400/km2). There were 9,915 housing units, of which 9,385 were occupied.[12]

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Bremer County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 23,325 people, 8,860 households, and 6,326 families residing in the county. The population density was 53 inhabitants per square mile (20/km2). There were 9,337 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.22% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,860 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,826, and the median income for a family was $50,299. Males had a median income of $34,212 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,199. About 2.90% of families and 5.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.20% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.

Education edit

Wartburg College is located in Waverly.

Waverly-Shell Rock School District

Denver School District

  • High school
  • Middle school
  • Elementary School
  • Discoveries Preschool

Janesville Consolidated School District

Sumner School District

  • S-F High School
  • S-F Middle School
  • Fredericksburg Elementary
  • Durant Elementary
  • Fredericksburg Preschool
  • Sumner Preschool

Tripoli School District

Attractions edit

The Bremer County Fair is held at the county fairgrounds in Waverly every year in early August. It celebrated its 135th year in August 2010. Attractions include livestock and craft exhibitions, truck and tractor pulls, commercial and local exhibits, and various contests, performances, and concerts.

The Bremer County Court House, which opened in 1937, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[14]

The Bremer County Historical Society and Museum was originally built in 1862 as a stagecoach stop and hotel. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Communities edit

Cities edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Government edit

Townships edit

Bremer County is divided into fourteen townships:

Politics edit

Between 1964 and 2016, Bremer County voted for the nationwide winner in each election except for 1976. Elections were particularly close in the county from 1988 to 2012. In 2016, Donald Trump became the first candidate of any party to win the county by more than 10% since the 1984 landslide reelection of Ronald Reagan, a feat he repeated in 2020 with an increased vote share and margin of victory as well.

United States presidential election results for Bremer County, Iowa[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,294 57.02% 5,958 40.96% 294 2.02%
2016 7,208 53.24% 5,356 39.56% 974 7.19%
2012 6,405 47.99% 6,763 50.67% 178 1.33%
2008 5,741 44.60% 6,940 53.92% 191 1.48%
2004 6,665 52.16% 6,025 47.15% 89 0.70%
2000 5,675 50.78% 5,169 46.26% 331 2.96%
1996 4,213 41.42% 5,023 49.38% 936 9.20%
1992 4,482 38.26% 4,774 40.75% 2,458 20.98%
1988 5,079 50.29% 4,961 49.12% 59 0.58%
1984 6,895 62.37% 4,084 36.94% 76 0.69%
1980 6,706 59.25% 3,527 31.16% 1,085 9.59%
1976 6,252 58.51% 4,203 39.34% 230 2.15%
1972 6,333 65.89% 3,122 32.48% 156 1.62%
1968 5,604 65.75% 2,481 29.11% 438 5.14%
1964 3,880 43.41% 5,045 56.44% 14 0.16%
1960 6,504 66.76% 3,234 33.20% 4 0.04%
1956 5,930 67.15% 2,892 32.75% 9 0.10%
1952 6,806 74.12% 2,363 25.73% 14 0.15%
1948 3,837 51.62% 3,502 47.11% 94 1.26%
1944 4,861 63.61% 2,764 36.17% 17 0.22%
1940 5,374 63.26% 3,103 36.53% 18 0.21%
1936 3,220 38.02% 5,058 59.72% 192 2.27%
1932 2,520 31.52% 5,411 67.69% 63 0.79%
1928 3,879 55.08% 3,146 44.67% 18 0.26%
1924 3,532 48.32% 911 12.46% 2,867 39.22%
1920 6,287 86.49% 902 12.41% 80 1.10%
1916 2,684 69.77% 1,132 29.43% 31 0.81%
1912 1,013 26.91% 1,944 51.65% 807 21.44%
1908 1,656 45.30% 1,925 52.65% 75 2.05%
1904 1,927 50.82% 1,783 47.02% 82 2.16%
1900 2,178 52.46% 1,929 46.46% 45 1.08%
1896 2,116 54.02% 1,704 43.50% 97 2.48%

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Sherman, Barney (September 14, 2017). "Iowa Place Names: A-E". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Bremer County History". Bremer County, Iowa. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Bremer" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  11. ^ "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.
  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 8, 2011.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Svendsen, Marlvs A. "PWA-Era County Courthouses of IA MPS". National Park Service. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 13, 2018.

External links edit

42°46′27″N 92°19′01″W / 42.77417°N 92.31694°W / 42.77417; -92.31694