Dubuque County, Iowa

Dubuque County, Iowa
The Dubuque County Courthouse. This particular courthouse is an example of Beaux-Arts architecture.
Seal
Location in the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded	1834
Named for	Julien Dubuque
Seat	Dubuque
Largest city	Dubuque
Area
• Total	617 sq mi (1,598 km2)
• Land	608 sq mi (1,575 km2)
• Water	8.3 sq mi (21 km2), 1.4%
Population (est.)
• (2015)	97,125
• Density	154/sq mi (59/km²)
Congressional district	1st
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.dubuquecounty.org

Dubuque County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 93,653.^[1] The county seat is Dubuque.^[2] The county is named for Julien Dubuque, the first European settler of Iowa.

Dubuque County comprises the Dubuque, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area,^[3] and is the seventh largest county by population in the state.

History

Early history

Dubuque County is named for French trader Julien Dubuque,^[4] the first European settler of Iowa, and an early lead mining pioneer in what is now Dubuque County. Dubuque was French Canadian, and had (by most accounts) a friendly relationship with the local Fox tribe of Native Americans. He and other early pioneers established a lucrative mining and trading industry in the area. When lead deposits began becoming exhausted, the pioneers developed boat building, lumber yards, milling, brewing, and machinery manufacturing to take its place.

The establishment of the City of Dubuque in 1833 led to large-scale settlement of the surrounding area. This was greatly encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church, which sent priests, bishops, and nuns to establish churches in the unpopulated countryside. Primarily, Irish and German (many of whom were Catholic) immigrants came to the region.

At an extra session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Michigan Territory held in September, 1834, the Iowa District was divided into two counties by running a line due west from the lower end of Rock Island in the Mississippi River. The territory north of this line (which started just south of the present-day Davenport) was named Dubuque County, and all south of it was Demoine County [sic]. Thus, at that time Dubuque County nominally included not only much of what is now the state of Minnesota but portions of what are now North Dakota and South Dakota.

Dubuque County became part of Wisconsin Territory once it was split off from Michigan Territory on July 3, 1836. A massive reorganization and reduction of the county's size was executed on December 21, 1837, when its original area was separated into 13 named new counties and a "non-county area". The land in present day Minnesota and the Dakotas was transferred to the newly created Fayette County in this action. Dubuque County became a part of Iowa Territory upon its creation on July 4, 1838.^[5]

In 1858, Saint Francis Catholic Church was established in Dubuque County.

Middle history

In the 1980s, the farm crisis set in, and devastated large sections of the Midwest, including Dubuque County. Since the area was heavily dependent on agriculture-related industries like Deere and Company and the Dubuque Packing Company, unemployment soared. In one month of 1982, Dubuque County had 23% unemployment, the highest in the nation. The county experienced huge population losses during this time, as workers left the area. It would not fully recover from this until the late 1990s, when the economy diversified, shifting away from manufacturing, and toward various service-related establishments.

Modern history

Since the 1990s, the area has become much more prosperous. Today, the county boasts record employment levels and a growing population. The surging economy can especially be seen in the West Side of the City of Dubuque, and in neighboring Peosta and Asbury. These areas have expanded so much that concerns now lie with trying to manage the growth, a sharp change from just 20 years ago.

It is one of Iowa's two original counties along with Des Moines County; both were organized by the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1834.

The city of Dubuque was chartered in 1833 as the first city in Iowa.

Law and government

Dubuque County is governed by a 3-member Board of Supervisors elected at large. Current supervisors include Wayne Demmer (chairman), Eric Manternach, and Daryl Klein. They meet on alternate Mondays at 9:00 AM or 7:00 PM in the Dubuque County Courthouse.

The County Sheriff's Department is responsible for law enforcement in all areas of the county, especially those without their own police departments. The current county sheriff is Don Vrotsos. The Sheriff's Dept. is located at the Dubuque City/County Law Enforcement Center.

The current county attorney is Ralph Potter, who succeeds the long-serving Fred McCaw, who died while on vacation in 2006.

Geography

Geographic features

The county borders on Illinois and Wisconsin, and is bounded on the northeast by the Mississippi River.^[6] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 617 square miles (1,600 km²), of which 608 square miles (1,570 km²) is land and 8.3 square miles (21 km²) (1.4%) is water.^[7] The county is drained by north and south forks of the Maquoketa River.^[6]

The county seat is Dubuque, Iowa, which is located along the Mississippi River in the east-central portion of the county. Eastern Dubuque County is markedly different from the western portion in that its topography is very uneven. The city of Dubuque and surrounding areas adjacent to the Mississippi River have many steep hills, bluffs, and ravines. Also, the eastern portion is more heavily wooded than the west, which is mostly rolling farmland.

Dubuque County is widely known for its impressive bluffs along the Mississippi River, which run along the entire length of the county's riverbanks. These form part of Iowa's Coulee Region, otherwise known as the Driftless Area. During the last ice age, much of the Mississippi Valley near Dubuque County was bypassed by glacial flows, which flattened the surrounding land in eastern Illinois, Wisconsin, and western Iowa, leaving the Driftless Area unusually rugged.

Major parks

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources administers 3 park and preserve areas in the county:

• Little Maquoketa River Mounds State Preserve
• Mines of Spain State Recreation Area/E. B. Lyons Nature Center
• White Pine Hollow State Forest

The Dubuque County Conservation Board administers 11 park and recreation areas in the county:

The City of Dubuque and other towns in the county also operate public park systems of their own. (see Parks in Dubuque, Iowa)

Major highways

Adjacent counties

• Clayton County (north)
• Grant County, Wisconsin (northeast)
• Jo Daviess County, Illinois (east)
• Jackson County (southeast)
• Jones County (southwest)
• Delaware County (west)

National protected areas

• Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	10,841		—
1860	31,164		187.5%
1870	38,969		25.0%
1880	42,996		10.3%
1890	49,848		15.9%
1900	56,403		13.1%
1910	57,450		1.9%
1920	58,262		1.4%
1930	61,214		5.1%
1940	63,768		4.2%
1950	71,337		11.9%
1960	80,048		12.2%
1970	90,609		13.2%
1980	93,745		3.5%
1990	86,403		−7.8%
2000	89,143		3.2%
2010	93,653		5.1%
Est. 2016	97,003	[8]	3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 93,653 in the county, with a population density of 153.9940/sq mi (59.4574/km²). There were 38,951 housing units, of which 36,815 were occupied.^[13]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[14] there were 89,143 people, 33,690 households and 23,111 families residing in the county. The population density was 147 per square mile (57/km²). There were 35,505 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile (23/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.07% White, 0.86% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2005 estimates by the census indicated that Dubuque had a population that identified itself as being 95.5% non-Hispanic white, 1.3% African American, 0.7% Asian and 1.5% Latino.^[15]

There were 33,690 households of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.07.

25.60% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median household income was $39,582 and the median family income was $48,742. Males had a median income of $31,977 versus $22,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,600. About 4.90% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Historically, Dubuque County's economy was driven by heavy industry, including, among others, Deere and Company, and the now-defunct Dubuque Packing Company. However, within the last 15 years, and especially within the last 5 years, the economy has diversified a great deal. Now, alongside manufacturing, which still employs thousands of workers, many county residents work in the tourism/gaming, health care, education, publishing, and financial service sectors.

The county's economy is largely centered around business and industry within the City of Dubuque. With the exception of industrial areas in Cascade, Dyersville, and Peosta, almost all of the rest of the county is rural and agriculturally driven. Some of the key industries in Dubuque County include: Deere and Company, Eagle Window & Door Co., Flexsteel Industries, Mi-T-M Corp., A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co., Klauer Mfg., Georgia-Pacific, and Swiss Valley Farms, among others. Besides industry, large numbers of people work for the Dubuque Community School District, Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque, Medical Associates, Finley Hospital, Prudential Financial, the City of Dubuque, and Cottingham & Butler.

Growth

Dubuque County has, in recent years, enjoyed job growth, low unemployment, and the rapid expansion of business and commerce. Alongside these positives, the county is beginning to see a growing population, as well. Up from a recent low of 86,403 in 1990, the population is now about 92,000 and growing. This can be seen especially in the West Side of the City of Dubuque, and in nearby Asbury and Peosta. This fact is especially significant, considering that all of the counties surrounding Dubuque County have fewer people now than they did in 1900, with the exception of Grant County, Wisconsin.

Politics

Presidential Elections Results^[16]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2016	47.2% 23,460	46.0% 22,850	6.9% 3,411
2012	41.8% 21,280	56.5% 28,768	1.7% 846
2008	38.9% 18,651	59.7% 28,611	1.5% 701
2004	42.7% 20,100	56.5% 26,561	0.8% 382
2000	40.8% 16,462	55.4% 22,341	3.8% 1,520
1996	35.2% 13,391	54.8% 20,839	10.0% 3,821
1992	32.6% 14,007	47.8% 20,539	19.6% 8,422
1988	37.7% 14,530	61.7% 23,797	0.6% 220
1984	46.4% 19,239	52.7% 21,876	0.9% 376
1980	44.9% 18,649	45.0% 18,689	10.1% 4,201
1976	44.7% 17,459	52.6% 20,548	2.7% 1,042
1972	47.3% 17,272	50.4% 18,417	2.3% 832
1968	40.7% 14,197	53.5% 18,664	5.7% 2,002
1964	29.9% 10,104	70.1% 23,695	0.1% 24
1960	36.6% 12,740	63.3% 22,007	0.1% 19
1956	57.4% 17,923	42.2% 13,174	0.5% 150
1952	55.0% 18,075	44.3% 14,542	0.7% 228
1948	39.0% 10,111	59.9% 15,521	1.1% 281
1944	49.1% 12,502	50.5% 12,867	0.4% 89
1940	51.3% 14,590	48.5% 13,805	0.2% 46
1936	30.2% 8,275	59.5% 16,291	10.3% 2,812
1932	25.0% 6,747	71.2% 19,210	3.9% 1,042
1928	33.3% 9,744	66.4% 19,437	0.3% 81
1924	32.8% 8,280	22.6% 5,718	44.6% 11,269
1920	59.2% 12,436	36.4% 7,636	4.4% 928
1916	47.2% 5,772	49.6% 6,063	3.2% 388
1912	13.8% 1,620	53.2% 6,237	33.0% 3,867
1908	39.7% 4,708	56.1% 6,645	4.2% 502
1904	48.3% 5,485	43.3% 4,913	8.4% 955
1900	41.1% 4,752	57.6% 6,655	1.4% 157
1896	43.7% 5,203	54.7% 6,510	1.6% 185

The county is historically Democratic. It has supported the Democratic Party's Presidential candidate from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, with President Obama winning the county by slightly over 20 points in 2008.^[17] With that stated, in 2016, it was narrowly won by Donald Trump, who became the first Republican to win the county since President Eisenhower in 1956.^[18] As part of Iowa's 1st congressional district, it is represented by Republican Rod Blum.

Education

• Capri Cosmetology College
• Clarke University
• Divine Word College
• Emmaus Bible College
• Loras College
• Northeast Iowa Community College
• University of Dubuque
• Wartburg Theological Seminary

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

• Fillmore
• Key West
• Placid
• Washington Mills

Townships

Dubuque County is divided into seventeen townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Dubuque County.^[19]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	† Dubuque	City	57,637
2	Asbury	City	4,170
3	Dyersville (partially in Delaware County)	City	4,058
4	Cascade (partially in Jones County)	City	2,159
5	Epworth	City	1,860
6	Farley	City	1,537
7	Peosta	City	1,377
8	New Vienna	City	407
9	Worthington	City	401
10	Holy Cross	City	374
11	Luxemburg	City	240
12	Rickardsville	City	182
13	Sherrill	City	177
14	Centralia	City	134
15	Sageville	City	122
16	Bernard	City	112
17	Zwingle (partially in Jackson County)	City	91
18	Balltown	City	68
19	Bankston	City	25
20	Durango	City	22

See also

• List of counties in Iowa
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dubuque County, Iowa

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dubuque County, Iowa.

• Dubuque County Government website

Adjacent places of Dubuque County, Iowa
		Clayton County	Grant County, Wisconsin
	Delaware County		Jo Daviess County, Illinois
		Dubuque County, Iowa
	Jones County		Jackson County

Coordinates: 42°28′15″N 90°52′42″W / 42.47083°N 90.87833°W / 42.47083; -90.87833