Mahaska County
County
The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
Map of Iowa highlighting Mahaska County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′02″N 92°38′44″W / 41.333888888889°N 92.645555555556°W / 41.333888888889; -92.645555555556
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedFebruary 17, 1843
Named forChief Mahaska
SeatOskaloosa
Largest cityOskaloosa
Area
 • Total573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water2.5 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,190
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.mahaskacountyia.gov

Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,190.[1] The county seat is Oskaloosa.[2]

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Mahaska, from Fulton's Red Men of Iowa (1882)

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.[3]

The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846.[4] On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.[3]

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County.[5] During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,989—
186014,816147.4%
187022,50851.9%
188025,20212.0%
189028,80514.3%
190034,27319.0%
191029,860−12.9%
192026,270−12.0%
193025,804−1.8%
194026,4852.6%
195024,672−6.8%
196023,602−4.3%
197022,177−6.0%
198022,8673.1%
199021,532−5.8%
200022,3353.7%
201022,3810.2%
202022,190−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[11]
Population of Mahaska County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,190 in the county, with a population density of 38.832/sq mi (14.993/km2). 96.02% of the population reported being of one race. 90.01% were non-Hispanic White, 1.78% were Black, 2.16% were Hispanic, 0.18% were Native American, 1.14% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.66% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,680 housing units, of which 8,799 were occupied.[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km2). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.[12]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Mahaska County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 22,335 people, 8,880 households, and 6,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of 17 units per square mile (6.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.20% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,880 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,314, and the median income for a family was $43,557. Males had a median income of $32,618 versus $23,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,232. About 7.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Oskaloosa City 11,558
2 New Sharon City 1,262
3 Eddyville (partially in Monroe and Wapello Counties) City 970
4 Fremont City 708
5 University Park City 487
6 Beacon City 445
7 Leighton City 158
8 Rose Hill City 157
9 Barnes City (partially in Poweshiek County) City 156
10 Keomah Village City 110

Politics

Mahaska County is a strongly Republican county. Only six Republican Party presidential candidates from 1880 to the present day have failed to win the county, most recently Barry Goldwater in 1964 in his landslide loss statewide & nationally to Lyndon B. Johnson.

United States presidential election results for Mahaska County, Iowa[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 8,297 72.76% 2,894 25.38% 213 1.87%
2016 7,432 69.90% 2,619 24.63% 581 5.46%
2012 6,448 59.25% 4,213 38.71% 222 2.04%
2008 6,271 57.35% 4,464 40.83% 199 1.82%
2004 6,858 63.93% 3,790 35.33% 80 0.75%
2000 5,971 62.57% 3,370 35.31% 202 2.12%
1996 4,473 50.03% 3,737 41.80% 731 8.18%
1992 4,953 48.34% 3,714 36.24% 1,580 15.42%
1988 4,798 51.48% 4,451 47.76% 71 0.76%
1984 6,086 59.13% 4,107 39.90% 100 0.97%
1980 5,650 54.52% 3,968 38.29% 745 7.19%
1976 5,267 51.38% 4,838 47.20% 146 1.42%
1972 6,374 63.82% 3,382 33.86% 232 2.32%
1968 5,670 56.87% 3,721 37.32% 579 5.81%
1964 3,787 37.11% 6,396 62.68% 22 0.22%
1960 7,129 65.40% 3,746 34.36% 26 0.24%
1956 6,864 62.21% 3,965 35.93% 205 1.86%
1952 7,369 63.95% 3,745 32.50% 409 3.55%
1948 4,238 46.93% 4,327 47.92% 465 5.15%
1944 5,123 50.86% 4,652 46.19% 297 2.95%
1940 6,123 51.12% 5,757 48.07% 97 0.81%
1936 5,270 44.94% 6,094 51.97% 362 3.09%
1932 4,655 43.45% 5,586 52.14% 472 4.41%
1928 7,368 69.09% 3,200 30.00% 97 0.91%
1924 5,810 55.11% 1,673 15.87% 3,060 29.02%
1920 6,739 64.55% 3,339 31.98% 362 3.47%
1916 3,143 48.14% 3,151 48.26% 235 3.60%
1912 1,682 26.09% 2,576 39.95% 2,190 33.96%
1908 3,326 48.51% 3,035 44.27% 495 7.22%
1904 4,091 59.57% 2,287 33.30% 489 7.12%
1900 4,480 53.90% 3,596 43.26% 236 2.84%
1896 4,256 50.69% 3,974 47.33% 166 1.98%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 Mahaska County Archived July 3, 2007, at archive.today
  4. ↑ "About Mahaska". Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  5. ↑ Map of Historic Coal Mines in Mahaska County, Mahaska 4-H Tech Team, May 2006.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  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. ↑ "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. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
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