Osceola County, Iowa

Coordinates: 43°22′40″N 95°37′40″W / 43.37778°N 95.62778°W / 43.37778; -95.62778
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Osceola County
Osceola County Courthouse, July 2014
Osceola County Courthouse, July 2014
Map of Iowa highlighting Osceola County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°22′40″N 95°37′40″W / 43.377777777778°N 95.627777777778°W / 43.377777777778; -95.627777777778
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1871
Named forOsceola
SeatSibley
Largest citySibley
Area
 • Total399 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Land399 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,192
 • Density16/sq mi (6.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websiteosceolacountyia.gov

Osceola County (/ˌɒsiˈlə/ AH-see-OH-lə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 6,192, making it the state's fifth-least populous county.[1] It is named for Seminole war chief Osceola. The county seat is Sibley, named for H. H. Sibley of Minnesota.[2]

History[edit]

Osceola County was formed in 1871. It was named after the eponymous chief of the Seminole.[3] It is the smallest and most recent county in Iowa. In the same year the first settler arrived, Captain Eldred Huff, and laid his claim. On January 1, 1872, the county government conferred for the first time. The first courthouse, constructed of wood, was built in November of the following year and simultaneously served as the conference chamber, school and church. In September 1903, the second courthouse was finished and was wired for electricity in October, 1915.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 399 square miles (1,030 km2), of which 399 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4] It is the third-smallest county in Iowa by land area and smallest by total area. The highest natural point in Iowa, Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (510 m), is located in Osceola County.[5]

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18802,219
18905,574151.2%
19008,72556.5%
19108,9562.6%
192010,22314.1%
193010,182−0.4%
194010,6074.2%
195010,181−4.0%
196010,064−1.1%
19708,555−15.0%
19808,371−2.2%
19907,267−13.2%
20007,003−3.6%
20106,462−7.7%
20206,192−4.2%
2023 (est.)5,978[6]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]
Population of Osceola County from US census data

2020 census[edit]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 6,192 in the county, with a population density of 15.5701/sq mi (6.0117/km2). 94.95% of the population reported being of one race. There were 2,878 housing units, of which 2,599 were occupied.[1]

Osceola County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 5,341 86.3%
Black or African American (NH) 28 0.5%
Native American (NH) 18 0.3%
Asian (NH) 21 0.34%
Pacific Islander (NH) 36 0.6%
Other/Mixed (NH) 145 2.34%
Hispanic or Latino 603 9.74%

2010 census[edit]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,462 in the county, with a population density of 16.2048/sq mi (6.2567/km2). There were 2,990 housing units, of which 2,682 were occupied.[13]

2000 census[edit]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Osceola County

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 7,003 people, 2,778 households, and 1,941 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 3,012 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.04% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,778 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,274, and the median income for a family was $41,977. Males had a median income of $29,624 versus $20,522 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,463. About 6.00% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Townships[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Population ranking[edit]

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Sibley City 2,860
2 Ocheyedan City 439
3 Ashton City 436
4 Melvin City 199
5 Harris City 151

Politics[edit]

In presidential elections, Osceola County voters have cast their lot chiefly with Republican candidates for office, with the last Democrat to win the county being Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Osceola County, Iowa[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,690 80.83% 601 18.06% 37 1.11%
2016 2,531 78.77% 552 17.18% 130 4.05%
2012 2,230 69.82% 912 28.55% 52 1.63%
2008 2,027 64.78% 1,037 33.14% 65 2.08%
2004 2,295 70.27% 934 28.60% 37 1.13%
2000 2,064 67.38% 913 29.81% 86 2.81%
1996 1,736 56.90% 1,010 33.10% 305 10.00%
1992 1,756 48.78% 990 27.50% 854 23.72%
1988 1,951 59.77% 1,277 39.12% 36 1.10%
1984 2,285 65.98% 1,146 33.09% 32 0.92%
1980 2,177 62.45% 1,051 30.15% 258 7.40%
1976 1,955 58.52% 1,309 39.18% 77 2.30%
1972 2,262 62.56% 1,317 36.42% 37 1.02%
1968 2,516 61.34% 1,420 34.62% 166 4.05%
1964 1,798 41.80% 2,498 58.08% 5 0.12%
1960 2,965 62.00% 1,814 37.93% 3 0.06%
1956 2,986 62.57% 1,779 37.28% 7 0.15%
1952 3,573 71.73% 1,396 28.03% 12 0.24%
1948 1,772 44.99% 2,123 53.90% 44 1.12%
1944 2,100 55.29% 1,689 44.47% 9 0.24%
1940 2,425 51.14% 2,288 48.25% 29 0.61%
1936 1,539 34.56% 2,812 63.15% 102 2.29%
1932 1,190 31.08% 2,590 67.64% 49 1.28%
1928 2,085 56.69% 1,567 42.60% 26 0.71%
1924 1,876 50.42% 386 10.37% 1,459 39.21%
1920 2,717 76.73% 754 21.29% 70 1.98%
1916 1,258 58.05% 874 40.33% 35 1.62%
1912 520 26.56% 786 40.14% 652 33.30%
1908 1,000 55.34% 777 43.00% 30 1.66%
1904 1,179 67.37% 554 31.66% 17 0.97%
1900 1,106 56.89% 799 41.10% 39 2.01%
1896 1,094 57.91% 767 40.60% 28 1.48%

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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Iowa trivia". 50states. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osceola County, Iowa".
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

External links[edit]

43°22′40″N 95°37′40″W / 43.37778°N 95.62778°W / 43.37778; -95.62778