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Hardin County, Iowa

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County in Iowa, United States

County in Iowa
Hardin County
County
Hardin County CourthouseHardin County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Hardin CountyLocation within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting IowaIowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°22′26″N 93°14′41″W / 42.373888888889°N 93.244722222222°W / 42.373888888889; -93.244722222222
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named forJohn J. Hardin
SeatEldora
Largest cityIowa Falls
Area
 • Total570 sq mi (1,500 km)
 • Land569 sq mi (1,470 km)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km)  0.1%
Population
 • Total16,878
 • Estimate 16,463 Decrease
 • Density30/sq mi (11/km)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.hardincountyia.gov

Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,878. The county seat is Eldora. The county was named in honor of Col. John J. Hardin, of Illinois, who was killed in the Mexican–American War.

History

Hardin County was formed in 1851. It was named after Colonel John J. Hardin, who died in the Mexican–American War.

In its history the county has had three courthouses. The first was a small wood-framed building, which burned down in the 1850s. The second courthouse was a two-story building and stood on the site of the current office of the county sheriff. The third and present courthouse was constructed in 1892 and opened on September 19, 1893. The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Hardin County, along with Story County, was also a primary filming location for the 1996 movie Twister, starring Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 570 square miles (1,500 km), of which 569 square miles (1,470 km) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km) (0.1%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18605,440—
187013,684151.5%
188017,80730.1%
189019,0036.7%
190022,79419.9%
191020,921−8.2%
192023,33711.5%
193022,947−1.7%
194022,530−1.8%
195022,218−1.4%
196022,5331.4%
197022,248−1.3%
198021,776−2.1%
199019,094−12.3%
200018,812−1.5%
201017,534−6.8%
202016,878−3.7%
2023 (est.)16,463−2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018
Population of Hardin County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Hardin County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 16,878 in the county, with a population density of 29.1426/sq mi (11.2520/km). 95.71% of the population reported being of one race. There were 8,032 housing units, of which 7,070 were occupied.

Hardin County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 15,292 90.6%
Black or African American (NH) 144 0.9%
Native American (NH) 25 0.15%
Asian (NH) 86 0.51%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 .01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 511 3.03%
Hispanic or Latino 818 5%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,534 in the county, with a population density of 30.8014/sq mi (11.8925/km). There were 8,224 housing units, of which 7,296 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,812 people, 7,628 households, and 5,087 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km). There were 8,318 housing units at an average density of 15 units per square mile (5.8 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 97.14% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 2.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,628 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.10% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 29.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,429, and the median income for a family was $41,891. Males had a median income of $30,515 versus $21,068 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,537. About 5.50% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Hardin County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Iowa Falls City 5,106
2 † Eldora City 2,663
3 Ackley (partially in Franklin County) City 1,599
4 Hubbard City 860
5 Alden City 763
6 Radcliffe City 555
7 Union City 399
8 Steamboat Rock City 264
9 New Providence City 236
10 Whitten City 100
11 Garden City CDP 100
12 Buckeye City 86
13 Owasa City 34

Politics

For most of its history, Hardin County has primarily supported the Republican Party in presidential elections, with only five of the party's candidates failing to win the county in the period from 1880 to 1984. The only Democrat since 1996 to win the county has been Barack Obama in 2008, winning by only 78 votes.

United States presidential election results for Hardin County, Iowa
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,790 68.44% 2,553 30.18% 117 1.38%
2020 5,850 65.08% 2,976 33.11% 163 1.81%
2016 5,254 61.57% 2,787 32.66% 492 5.77%
2012 4,670 52.48% 4,075 45.80% 153 1.72%
2008 4,315 48.70% 4,393 49.58% 153 1.73%
2004 4,875 54.48% 4,015 44.87% 59 0.66%
2000 4,486 53.18% 3,734 44.27% 215 2.55%
1996 3,505 42.11% 4,053 48.69% 766 9.20%
1992 3,590 39.98% 3,792 42.23% 1,597 17.79%
1988 3,856 42.84% 5,088 56.53% 57 0.63%
1984 5,195 53.38% 4,477 46.00% 60 0.62%
1980 5,329 53.72% 3,757 37.87% 834 8.41%
1976 4,682 50.19% 4,479 48.02% 167 1.79%
1972 5,869 61.42% 3,516 36.79% 171 1.79%
1968 5,308 58.11% 3,227 35.33% 599 6.56%
1964 3,828 41.14% 5,459 58.67% 17 0.18%
1960 6,438 62.32% 3,888 37.64% 4 0.04%
1956 6,642 63.67% 3,775 36.19% 15 0.14%
1952 7,880 70.79% 3,205 28.79% 47 0.42%
1948 4,553 51.42% 4,023 45.44% 278 3.14%
1944 5,059 55.63% 3,975 43.71% 60 0.66%
1940 5,692 54.26% 4,764 45.41% 35 0.33%
1936 4,306 43.35% 5,429 54.66% 198 1.99%
1932 3,523 38.10% 5,022 54.32% 701 7.58%
1928 5,731 70.32% 2,373 29.12% 46 0.56%
1924 4,714 59.51% 634 8.00% 2,573 32.48%
1920 6,646 83.97% 1,076 13.59% 193 2.44%
1916 3,335 67.72% 1,481 30.07% 109 2.21%
1912 732 16.43% 1,072 24.07% 2,650 59.50%
1908 3,123 69.76% 1,187 26.51% 167 3.73%
1904 3,643 78.94% 749 16.23% 223 4.83%
1900 3,741 72.63% 1,268 24.62% 142 2.76%
1896 3,575 68.46% 1,568 30.03% 79 1.51%

See also

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. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 149.
  4. Hardin County, Iowa Archived February 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 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 17, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  12. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hardin County, Iowa".
  13. "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. 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 26, 2018.

External links

Places adjacent to Hardin County, Iowa
Franklin County Butler County
Hamilton County Hardin County Grundy County
Story County Marshall County
Municipalities and communities of Hardin County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Eldora
Cities
Map of Iowa highlighting Hardin County
Townships
CDP
Other
unincorporated
communities
Ghost towns
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
State of Iowa
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42°22′26″N 93°14′41″W / 42.37389°N 93.24472°W / 42.37389; -93.24472

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