Clayton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,043.[1] Its county seat is Elkader.[2] The county was established in 1837 and was named in honor of John M. Clayton,[3] United States Senator from Delaware and later Secretary of State under President Zachary Taylor.

Clayton County
Winter scene near Elkader
Winter scene near Elkader
Map of Iowa highlighting Clayton 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°50′37″N 91°20′36″W / 42.843611111111°N 91.343333333333°W / 42.843611111111; -91.343333333333
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1837
Named forJohn M. Clayton
SeatElkader
Largest cityGuttenberg
Area
 • Total793 sq mi (2,050 km2)
 • Land779 sq mi (2,020 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,043
 • Density21/sq mi (8.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.claytoncountyia.gov

Geography edit

 
Route W68 shield

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 793 square miles (2,050 km2), of which 779 square miles (2,020 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.8%) is water.[4] It is the fifth-largest county in Iowa by area.

Adjacent counties edit

Major highways edit

National protected areas edit

Geology edit

Clayton County is part of the Driftless Area, a region that completely missed being ice-covered during the last ice age. Streams have deeply carved valleys, while the Mississippi River has spectacular bluffs.

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18503,873
186020,728435.2%
187027,77134.0%
188028,8293.8%
189026,733−7.3%
190027,7503.8%
191025,576−7.8%
192025,032−2.1%
193024,559−1.9%
194024,334−0.9%
195022,522−7.4%
196021,962−2.5%
197020,606−6.2%
198021,0982.4%
199019,054−9.7%
200018,678−2.0%
201018,129−2.9%
202017,043−6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2018[9]
 
Population of Clayton County from US census data

2020 census edit

The 2020 census recorded a population of 17,043 in the county, with a population density of 21.5323/sq mi (8.31366/km2). 97.51% of the population reported being of one race. 93.21% were non-Hispanic White, 0.93% were Black, 2.01% were Hispanic, 0.25% were Native American, 0.28% were Asian, 0.04% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.29% were some other race or more than one race. There were 8,758 housing units, of which 7,315 were occupied.[1]

2010 census edit

The 2010 census recorded a population of 18,130 in the county, with a population density of 23.272/sq mi (8.985/km2). There were 8,999 housing units, of which 7,599 were occupied.[10]

2000 census edit

 
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Clayton County

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 18,678 people, about 7,500 households, and 1 family residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9.3 people/km2). There were 8,620 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.93% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,375 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples living together, 6.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.30% 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 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,068, and the median income for a family was $40,199. Males had a median income of $27,165 versus $19,644 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,930. About 5.70% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities edit

Cities edit

Unincorporated communities edit

Townships edit

Clayton County is divided into these townships:

Population ranking edit

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Population (2020 Census)
1 Postville (partially in Allamakee County) 2,503
2 Guttenberg 1,817
3 Monona 1,471
4 Elkader 1,209
5 Strawberry Point 1,155
6 Edgewood (partially in Delaware County) 909
7 Garnavillo 763
8 McGregor 742
9 Marquette 429
10 Luana 301
11 Farmersburg 271
12 Volga 203
13 North Buena Vista 109
14 St. Olaf 106
15 Garber 76
16 Clayton 45
17 Osterdock 43
18 Elkport 29

Politics edit

United States presidential election results for Clayton County, Iowa[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,106 63.64% 3,340 34.81% 148 1.54%
2016 5,317 58.24% 3,237 35.46% 575 6.30%
2012 4,164 45.57% 4,806 52.59% 168 1.84%
2008 3,651 40.61% 5,195 57.79% 144 1.60%
2004 4,312 47.03% 4,736 51.66% 120 1.31%
2000 4,034 47.07% 4,238 49.45% 299 3.49%
1996 2,944 35.93% 4,284 52.28% 966 11.79%
1992 3,044 33.12% 3,742 40.72% 2,404 26.16%
1988 3,839 46.58% 4,320 52.41% 83 1.01%
1984 5,029 58.80% 3,446 40.29% 78 0.91%
1980 5,115 55.56% 3,297 35.81% 794 8.62%
1976 4,826 54.80% 3,804 43.19% 177 2.01%
1972 5,447 60.20% 3,366 37.20% 235 2.60%
1968 5,132 57.81% 3,168 35.68% 578 6.51%
1964 3,923 41.08% 5,624 58.89% 3 0.03%
1960 6,441 58.25% 4,612 41.71% 4 0.04%
1956 6,529 59.76% 4,384 40.12% 13 0.12%
1952 7,669 67.22% 3,730 32.70% 9 0.08%
1948 5,151 50.94% 4,857 48.04% 103 1.02%
1944 5,855 57.61% 4,259 41.91% 49 0.48%
1940 7,443 59.86% 4,973 40.00% 18 0.14%
1936 5,017 41.00% 6,731 55.01% 488 3.99%
1932 3,725 33.46% 7,347 65.99% 62 0.56%
1928 6,774 61.28% 4,231 38.28% 49 0.44%
1924 4,168 41.48% 1,556 15.48% 4,325 43.04%
1920 6,747 77.50% 1,808 20.77% 151 1.73%
1916 3,347 57.54% 2,379 40.90% 91 1.56%
1912 1,239 21.14% 2,919 49.80% 1,703 29.06%
1908 2,773 47.04% 3,026 51.33% 96 1.63%
1904 3,339 54.59% 2,628 42.96% 150 2.45%
1900 3,366 53.07% 2,884 45.47% 92 1.45%
1896 3,302 52.16% 2,910 45.96% 119 1.88%

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. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 84.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "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 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State – County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2011.[dead link]
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

External links edit

42°50′37″N 91°20′36″W / 42.84361°N 91.34333°W / 42.84361; -91.34333