Webster County, Iowa

Webster County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,999.[1] The county seat is Fort Dodge.[2] The county was established in January 1851, one of 43 counties established by a legislative package. This county was named after Daniel Webster, an American statesman noted for his moving oratory.

For other uses, see Webster County.
Not to be confused with Webster, Iowa.

Webster County
County
The courthouse in Fort Dodge is on the NRHP.
The courthouse in Fort Dodge is on the NRHP.
Map of Iowa highlighting Webster 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°25′34″N 94°11′19″W
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named forDaniel Webster
SeatFort Dodge
Largest cityFort Dodge
Area
 • Total718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land716 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total36,999
 • Density52/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.webstercountyia.gov

Webster County comprises the Fort Dodge, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 716 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.4%) is water.[3]

Major highways
  • U.S. Highway 20 – runs east–west across central Webster County, through Moorland and Coalville.
  • U.S. Highway 169 – enters northern Webster County at mid-county and runs south to Harcourt. It runs four miles east, then turns south to exit the county.
  • Iowa Highway 7 – enters western Webster County running east from Manson. It runs east to its terminus at US Highway 169 at Fort Dodge.
  • Iowa Highway 175 – enters southeastern Webster County, running west from Stratford. It runs west and south–north to its connection to US Highway 169, four miles east of Harcourt.
  • Iowa Highway 144 – enters southern Webster County near its midpoint. It runs north to its connection to Iowa Highway 175, three miles west of Harcourt.[4]

Transit

Airport

The Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) is located just north of Fort Dodge. It is primarily a general aviation airport. Daily direct flights are operated to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, with connecting service through Mason City to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,504—
187010,484318.7%
188015,95152.1%
189021,58235.3%
190031,75747.1%
191034,6299.0%
192037,6118.6%
193040,4257.5%
194041,5212.7%
195044,2416.6%
196047,8108.1%
197048,3911.2%
198045,953−5.0%
199040,342−12.2%
200040,235−0.3%
201038,013−5.5%
202036,999−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2018[9]
Population of Webster County from 1860 to 2010

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 36,999 in the county, with a population density of 51.5199/sq mi (19.89195/km2). 94.86% of the population reported being of one race. There were 16,937 housing units, of which 15,046 were occupied.[1]

Webster County Racial Composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 31,372 84.8%
Black or African American (NH) 1,773 4.8%
Native American (NH) 112 0.3%
Asian (NH) 295 0.8%
Pacific Islander (NH) 16 0.04%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,368 3.7%
Hispanic or Latino 2,063 5.6%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 38,013 in the county, with a population density of 53.1479/sq mi (20.5205/km2). There were 17,035 housing units, of which 15,580 were occupied.[11]

2000 census
2000 census age pyramid for Webster County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 40,235 people, 15,878 households, and 10,304 families in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 16,969 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.39% White, 3.39% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 2.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 15,878 households 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.80% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.30% of households were one person and 13.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 24.50% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median household income was $35,334 and the median family income was $43,772. Males had a median income of $31,047 versus $23,042 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,857. About 6.70% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Fort Dodge City 24,871
2 Gowrie City 952
3 Dayton City 772
4 Coalville CDP 651
5 Badger City 522
6 Otho City 429
7 Lehigh City 395
8 Duncombe City 381
9 Callender City 368
10 Harcourt City 264
11 Barnum City 175
12 Moorland City 168
13 Clare City 136
14 Vincent City 130
15 Stratford (mostly in Hamilton County) City 22 (707 total)
16 Farnhamville (mostly in Calhoun County) City 0 (383 total)

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Townships include:[13]

Notable people

Politics

In every U.S. presidential election from 1984 to 2012, the Democratic candidate has won a majority in Webster County, but in 2016 the county voted for Republican Donald Trump by a wide margin, a nearly 27 point swing from 2012.[14] In 2020, Trump received a larger percentage of the county's vote (over 61%) than any presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Webster County, Iowa[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,938 61.37% 6,613 37.11% 271 1.52%
2016 10,056 57.69% 6,305 36.17% 1,069 6.13%
2012 8,469 46.30% 9,537 52.14% 286 1.56%
2008 8,337 44.93% 9,917 53.44% 302 1.63%
2004 8,959 48.09% 9,561 51.32% 111 0.60%
2000 8,172 47.94% 8,479 49.74% 397 2.33%
1996 6,275 38.43% 8,380 51.32% 1,673 10.25%
1992 6,992 36.95% 8,562 45.25% 3,367 17.80%
1988 6,926 39.82% 10,267 59.03% 200 1.15%
1984 9,619 48.58% 9,930 50.15% 253 1.28%
1980 10,438 49.63% 9,001 42.80% 1,591 7.57%
1976 9,068 45.35% 10,543 52.73% 384 1.92%
1972 11,133 55.96% 8,358 42.01% 402 2.02%
1968 9,349 48.96% 8,572 44.89% 1,176 6.16%
1964 6,576 33.49% 13,005 66.23% 54 0.28%
1960 10,741 50.11% 10,680 49.83% 14 0.07%
1956 11,097 52.72% 9,901 47.04% 51 0.24%
1952 12,336 57.69% 8,681 40.59% 368 1.72%
1948 6,951 40.73% 9,508 55.71% 607 3.56%
1944 6,935 42.11% 9,477 57.55% 56 0.34%
1940 7,583 41.29% 10,731 58.43% 52 0.28%
1936 6,494 37.81% 9,885 57.56% 795 4.63%
1932 5,243 34.68% 8,957 59.25% 917 6.07%
1928 8,525 56.39% 6,497 42.97% 97 0.64%
1924 6,641 46.00% 2,076 14.38% 5,721 39.62%
1920 8,312 64.00% 2,804 21.59% 1,872 14.41%
1916 3,917 53.50% 3,196 43.66% 208 2.84%
1912 2,123 29.79% 2,370 33.25% 2,634 36.96%
1908 3,658 56.52% 2,374 36.68% 440 6.80%
1904 4,358 66.87% 1,714 26.30% 445 6.83%
1900 4,221 63.31% 2,266 33.99% 180 2.70%
1896 3,691 58.08% 2,557 40.24% 107 1.68%

See also

Notes

    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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
    4. Webster County Google Maps (accessed 16 August 2018)
    5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
    6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
    7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 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 20, 2014.
    9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
    10. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Webster County, Iowa".
    11. "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.
    12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
    13. "Standard atlas of Webster County, Iowa, 1909 2 Township maps". Retrieved August 6, 2021.
    14. "Here's a map of the US counties that flipped to Trump from Democrats". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
    15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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