Decatur County, Iowa

Decatur County (/dɪˈkeɪtər/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,645.[1] The county seat is Leon.[2] This county is named for Stephen Decatur Jr., a hero in the War of 1812.[3]

Decatur County
County
Decatur County Courthouse
Decatur County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Decatur County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°44′29″N 93°46′51″W
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1846
Named forStephen Decatur Jr.
SeatLeon
Largest cityLamoni
Area
 • Total533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Land532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,645
 • Density14/sq mi (5.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.decaturcountyiowa.org

History

Decatur County was organized in 1850 and named for Stephen Decatur, a naval hero of the War of 1812. The current courthouse was dedicated in 1908.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Soils of Decatur County

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850965—
18608,677799.2%
187012,01838.5%
188015,33627.6%
189015,6432.0%
190018,11515.8%
191016,347−9.8%
192016,5661.3%
193014,903−10.0%
194014,012−6.0%
195012,601−10.1%
196010,539−16.4%
19709,737−7.6%
19809,7940.6%
19908,338−14.9%
20008,6894.2%
20108,457−2.7%
20207,645−9.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
Population of Decatur County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 7,645 in the county, with a population density of 14.3482/sq mi (5.5399/km2). 96.44% of the population reported being of one race. There were 3,653 housing units of which 2,986 were occupied.[1]

Decatur County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 7,010 91.7%
Black or African American (NH) 97 1.26%
Native American (NH) 17 0.22%
Asian (NH) 39 0.51%
Pacific Islander (NH) 21 0.27%
Other/Mixed (NH) 250 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino 211 2.8%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,457 in the county, with a population density of 15.897/sq mi (6.138/km2). There were 3,834 housing units, of which 3,223 were occupied.[12]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Decatur County

At the 2000 census,[13] there were 8,689 people, 3,337 households and 2,149 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 per square mile (6.2/km2). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,337 households, of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.30% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median household income was $27,343 and the median family income was $34,831. Males had a median income of $25,569 compared with $19,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,209. About 10.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Decatur County is considered to be the poorest in Iowa, reporting that almost 20% of its residents live in poverty.[14]

County officials

Supervisors
Steve Fulkerson
Samuel Wengryn
Ward Graham

Treasurer
Janet Pierson

Attorney
Alan Wilson

Auditor
Charlene Hoover

Recorder
Erica Cook

Sheriff Chris Lane

Assessor
Justin Cornett

Engineer
Vacant

Clerk of Court
Traci Tharp

Public Health Administrator
Shelley Bickel

Veterans Affairs Administrator
Samantha Schaff

Conservation Director
Kayla Clausen

Mental Health Director
Kathy Lerma

Communities
Ancient Map of Decatur County, Iowa (1894)

Cities

Townships

Decatur County is divided into these townships:

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Lamoni City 1,969
2 † Leon City 1,822
3 Grand River City 196
4 Davis City City 179
5 Van Wert City 178
6 Decatur City City 175
7 Garden Grove City 174
8 Weldon (partially in Clarke County) City 136
9 Pleasanton City 32
10 Le Roy City 11

Politics
United States presidential election results for Decatur County, Iowa[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,615 68.74% 1,120 29.44% 69 1.81%
2016 2,296 61.49% 1,201 32.16% 237 6.35%
2012 1,947 50.80% 1,791 46.73% 95 2.48%
2008 2,020 49.20% 1,986 48.37% 100 2.44%
2004 2,088 52.06% 1,859 46.35% 64 1.60%
2000 1,903 51.31% 1,674 45.13% 132 3.56%
1996 1,287 35.52% 1,846 50.95% 490 13.52%
1992 1,316 33.02% 1,866 46.81% 804 20.17%
1988 1,406 38.76% 2,192 60.44% 29 0.80%
1984 2,104 49.60% 2,098 49.46% 40 0.94%
1980 2,212 47.67% 2,048 44.14% 380 8.19%
1976 1,932 41.05% 2,698 57.32% 77 1.64%
1972 2,638 57.44% 1,880 40.93% 75 1.63%
1968 2,261 49.28% 2,057 44.83% 270 5.88%
1964 1,542 31.57% 3,331 68.19% 12 0.25%
1960 3,039 55.69% 2,411 44.18% 7 0.13%
1956 2,912 50.86% 2,806 49.01% 7 0.12%
1952 3,621 58.71% 2,521 40.87% 26 0.42%
1948 2,547 43.89% 3,172 54.66% 84 1.45%
1944 2,934 46.81% 3,316 52.90% 18 0.29%
1940 3,494 46.91% 3,938 52.87% 16 0.21%
1936 3,327 44.40% 4,131 55.12% 36 0.48%
1932 2,148 36.84% 3,591 61.60% 91 1.56%
1928 3,942 59.06% 2,675 40.07% 58 0.87%
1924 3,221 47.13% 1,693 24.77% 1,921 28.11%
1920 4,187 61.17% 2,592 37.87% 66 0.96%
1916 1,962 47.45% 2,111 51.05% 62 1.50%
1912 1,351 34.39% 1,659 42.24% 918 23.37%
1908 2,149 52.53% 1,809 44.22% 133 3.25%
1904 2,430 58.44% 1,548 37.23% 180 4.33%
1900 2,415 53.21% 2,058 45.34% 66 1.45%
1896 2,268 48.46% 2,362 50.47% 50 1.07%

See also

References
  1. "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. p. 102.
  4. "County History". Dacatur County. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  9. "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 16, 2014.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Decatur County, Iowa".
  12. "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.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. Mike Kilen, "Headline: Who will win in Iowa's poorest county?", Des Moines Register, 6 June 2004 (subscription required)
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
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