Mahaska County, Iowa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mahaska County, Iowa | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Iowa |
|
 Iowa's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | information needed |
|---|---|
| Seat | Oskaloosa |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
573 sq mi (1,485 km²) 571 sq mi (1,479 km²) 3 sq mi (7 km²), 0.44% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
22,335 39/sq mi (15/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website: www.mahaskacounty.org | |
Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 22,335. Its county seat is Oskaloosa[1].
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,485 km²), of which, 571 square miles (1,479 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7 km²) of it (0.44%) is water.
[edit] Major highways
U.S. Highway 63
Iowa Highway 23
Iowa Highway 92
Iowa Highway 163
Iowa Highway 146
Iowa Highway 149
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Jasper County (northwest)
- Poweshiek County (north)
- Keokuk County (east)
- Wapello County (southeast)
- Monroe County (southwest)
- Marion County (west)
[edit] History
Mahaska County was formed on February 17, 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after a chief of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.[2]
The first courthouse was completed in January, 1846. The second structure was put into use 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.[3] On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). In 1864, the first tracks were laid through the county of the Des Moines Valley Railroad.[4]
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 34,273 |
|
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| 1910 | 29,860 | -12.9% | |
| 1920 | 26,270 | -12.0% | |
| 1930 | 25,804 | -1.8% | |
| 1940 | 26,485 | 2.6% | |
| 1950 | 24,672 | -6.8% | |
| 1960 | 23,602 | -4.3% | |
| 1970 | 22,177 | -6.0% | |
| 1980 | 22,867 | 3.1% | |
| 1990 | 21,522 | -5.9% | |
| 2000 | 22,335 | 3.8% | |
| IA Counties 1900-1990 | |||
As of the census[5] 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/km²). There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/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.
[edit] Cities and towns
- Barnes City
- Beacon
- Eddyville
- Fremont
- Keomah Village
- Leighton
- New Sharon
- Oskaloosa
- Rose Hill
- University Park
[edit] Notes
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Mahaska County
- ^ About Mahaska
- ^ Mahaska County
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
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