Ida County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 7,005, making it the state's eighth-least populous county.[1] The county seat is Ida Grove.[2] The county was authorized by the Iowa Legislature in January 1851 as a packet of projected counties in unorganized territory of western Iowa. It was named after Ida Smith, the first child of European immigrants to be born in this region.[3]

Ida County
Ida County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Ida 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°23′12″N 95°30′52″W / 42.386666666667°N 95.514444444444°W / 42.386666666667; -95.514444444444
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
SeatIda Grove
Largest cityIda Grove
Area
 • Total
432 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land432 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water0.5 sq mi (1 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,005
 • Density16/sq mi (6.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteidacounty.iowa.gov

History

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The Iowa Legislature authorized the formation of 49 counties in previously–unregulated western Iowa on January 15, 1851.[4] This date is usually cited as the date of formation of Ida County; however, as there were no inhabitants of that area, no action was taken to form a county government.

On January 12, 1853, the Legislature authorized creation of Woodbury County, and included the proviso that the area of Ida County be included with Woodbury for revenue, election, and judicial purposes. In 1853 there were still no settlers in Ida County's lands.[3]

The county's first permanent settlers (Comstock and Moorehead) arrived in 1856. In 1858 the county government was organized, with John Moorehead appointed County Judge. There were about 40 county residents at that time.[3]

The county's only postoffice, as well as the first courthouse, was operated from Judge Moorehead's house.[5]

The county's first dedicated school building was raised in 1861.[3]

The county's first newspaper, Ida County Pioneer, was started in 1872. The first bank opened in 1876. Railroads arrived in Ida County in 1877, when the Maple Valley branch of the Chicago & North Western Railway was built. This resulted in a flood of settlers, and within five years, nearly all the available land had been purchased.[3]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 432 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 432 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (0.1%) is water.[6]

Major highways

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  •   U.S. Highway 20 – runs east–west through the northern part of the county, passing Holstein.
  •   U.S. Highway 59 – runs generally north–south through the center of the county, passing Ida Grove. Its exit at south county line is five miles east of its entry point on north county line.
  •   Iowa Highway 31 – cuts across the northwestern tip of Ida County, running southwest from Cherokee County to Woodbury County.
  •   Iowa Highway 175 – runs east–west through the southern part of the county, passing Ida Grove.

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
186043
1870226425.6%
18804,3821,838.9%
189010,705144.3%
190012,32715.2%
191011,296−8.4%
192011,6893.5%
193011,9332.1%
194011,047−7.4%
195010,697−3.2%
196010,269−4.0%
19709,283−9.6%
19808,908−4.0%
19908,365−6.1%
20007,837−6.3%
20107,089−9.5%
20207,005−1.2%
2023 (est.)6,833[7]−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[12] [13] 2020-2022[12]
 
Population of Ida County from US census data

2020 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Ida County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 7,005 in the county, with a population density of 16.1990/sq mi (6.2545/km2). 97.32% of the population reported being of one race. 91.46% were non-Hispanic White, 0.44% were Black, 3.64% were Hispanic, 0.06% were Native American, 0.31% were Asian, 0.16% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.93% were some other race or more than one race. There were 3,352 housing units, of which 2,940 were occupied.[1]

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 7,089 in the county, with a population density of 16.4207/sq mi (6.3401/km2). There were 3,426 housing units, of which 3,052 were occupied.[14]

2000 census

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As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 7,837 people, 3,213 households, and 2,184 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 3,506 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.02% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.47% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,213 households, out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 29.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 21.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,805, and the median income for a family was $43,179. Males had a median income of $29,002 versus $19,417 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,675. About 5.70% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Ida Grove City 2,051
2 Holstein City 1,501
3 Battle Creek City 700
4 Galva City 435
5 Arthur City 222

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Ida County, Iowa[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,771 75.81% 826 22.60% 58 1.59%
2020 2,880 74.82% 917 23.82% 52 1.35%
2016 2,655 73.50% 792 21.93% 165 4.57%
2012 2,286 62.41% 1,321 36.06% 56 1.53%
2008 2,036 57.40% 1,454 40.99% 57 1.61%
2004 2,342 62.06% 1,415 37.49% 17 0.45%
2000 1,968 56.37% 1,411 40.42% 112 3.21%
1996 1,684 45.12% 1,589 42.58% 459 12.30%
1992 1,714 40.43% 1,449 34.18% 1,076 25.38%
1988 1,951 51.63% 1,787 47.29% 41 1.08%
1984 2,618 62.30% 1,559 37.10% 25 0.59%
1980 2,825 64.88% 1,235 28.36% 294 6.75%
1976 2,590 56.86% 1,868 41.01% 97 2.13%
1972 2,819 64.67% 1,490 34.18% 50 1.15%
1968 2,753 62.21% 1,463 33.06% 209 4.72%
1964 1,977 40.48% 2,905 59.48% 2 0.04%
1960 3,290 62.77% 1,949 37.19% 2 0.04%
1956 3,226 60.75% 2,083 39.23% 1 0.02%
1952 3,800 70.14% 1,603 29.59% 15 0.28%
1948 2,257 48.04% 2,365 50.34% 76 1.62%
1944 2,640 57.38% 1,943 42.23% 18 0.39%
1940 3,166 57.70% 2,306 42.03% 15 0.27%
1936 1,834 34.39% 3,397 63.70% 102 1.91%
1932 1,452 27.99% 3,661 70.58% 74 1.43%
1928 2,486 52.77% 2,172 46.10% 53 1.13%
1924 2,033 43.46% 685 14.64% 1,960 41.90%
1920 3,547 75.73% 1,090 23.27% 47 1.00%
1916 1,412 51.12% 1,244 45.04% 106 3.84%
1912 530 18.98% 1,087 38.93% 1,175 42.08%
1908 1,367 52.98% 1,181 45.78% 32 1.24%
1904 1,565 60.66% 940 36.43% 75 2.91%
1900 1,599 54.22% 1,304 44.22% 46 1.56%
1896 1,475 50.36% 1,421 48.51% 33 1.13%

Education

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School districts include:[17]

Former school districts:[18]

See also

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References

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  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. ^ a b c d e "Ida County History". Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  4. ^ IOWA - Consolidated Chronology of State and County Government. 50 counties were affected: 49 new counties were created, and Pottawattamie County was enlarged with a portion of Non-County Area 3 that had been attached to Mahaska County. See Iowa Acts 1850-51, chapter 9. Section 26 delineates the new Ida County.
  5. ^ John Moorehead was named Postmaster of Ida PO on July 21, 1857. See Ida County History.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  13. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/keyapahacountynebraska/PST045222. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ida County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  18. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Ida County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
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42°23′12″N 95°30′52″W / 42.38667°N 95.51444°W / 42.38667; -95.51444