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Pocahontas County, Iowa

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County in Iowa, United States

County in Iowa
Pocahontas County
County
County CourthouseCounty Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Pocahontas CountyLocation within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting IowaIowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°44′04″N 94°40′39″W / 42.734444444444°N 94.6775°W / 42.734444444444; -94.6775
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named forPocahontas
SeatPocahontas
Largest cityPocahontas
Area
 • Total579 sq mi (1,500 km)
 • Land577 sq mi (1,490 km)
 • Water1.4 sq mi (4 km)  0.2%
Population
 • Total7,078
 • Density12/sq mi (4.7/km)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitepocahontascounty.iowa.gov

Pocahontas County is a county located in Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 7,078, making it the state's ninth-least populous county. The county seat is Pocahontas. The county was formed in 1851.

The county is named in honor of Pocahontas, the famous Native American woman from Jamestown, Virginia. A colossal statue of her stands in the city of Pocahontas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 579 square miles (1,500 km), of which 577 square miles (1,490 km) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km) (0.2%) is water.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860103—
18701,4461,303.9%
18803,713156.8%
18909,553157.3%
190015,33960.6%
191014,808−3.5%
192015,6025.4%
193015,6870.5%
194016,2663.7%
195015,496−4.7%
196014,234−8.1%
197012,729−10.6%
198011,369−10.7%
19909,525−16.2%
20008,662−9.1%
20107,310−15.6%
20207,078−3.2%
2023 (est.)6,976−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018
Population of Pocahontas County from US census data

2020 census

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

The 2020 census recorded a population of 7,078 in the county, with a population density of 12.2213/sq mi (4.7187/km). 95.79% of the population reported being of one race. There were 3,666 housing units, of which 3,090 were occupied.

Pocahontas County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 6,383 90.2%
Black or African American (NH) 66 0.9%
Native American (NH) 10 0.14%
Asian (NH) 29 0.41%
Pacific Islander (NH) 23 0.32%
Other/Mixed (NH) 213 3%
Hispanic or Latino 354 5%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 7,310 in the county, with a population density of 12.654/sq mi (4.886/km). There were 3,794 housing units, of which 3,233 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,662 people, 3,617 households, and 2,430 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km). There were 3,988 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,617 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.80% 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 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,362, and the median income for a family was $40,568. Males had a median income of $27,929 versus $20,515 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,006. About 6.60% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 6.50% 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 Pocahontas County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Pocahontas City 1,867
2 Laurens City 1,264
3 Fonda City 636
4 Rolfe City 509
5 Gilmore City (partially in Humboldt County) City 217 (487 total)
6 Palmer City 138
7 Havelock City 130
8 Varina City 68
9 Plover City 50

Politics

Between 1928 and 2004, Pocahontas County was a reliable bellwether county, backing the nationwide winner in every election except for 1960 (by only 37 votes) and 1988. The county has taken a rightward turn in the 21st century. After backing George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, John McCain in 2008, and Mitt Romney in 2012 by sizable but not huge margins, Pocahontas County swung even further right in 2016. Donald Trump took nearly 70% of the vote share in the county and won the county by an astounding 45% margin. Trump further increased these numbers in 2020, winning almost 74% of the county's vote and increasing his margin of victory to just under 50%, and did even better in 2024, earning more than 76% of the vote and winning by nearly 54%, both records for Pocahontas County for any candidate since the beginning of the 20th century.

United States presidential election results for Pocahontas County, Iowa
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 2,727 76.13% 796 22.22% 59 1.65%
2020 2,826 73.92% 933 24.40% 64 1.67%
2016 2,702 69.91% 963 24.92% 200 5.17%
2012 2,396 59.42% 1,523 37.77% 113 2.80%
2008 2,138 53.29% 1,800 44.87% 74 1.84%
2004 2,441 56.60% 1,822 42.24% 50 1.16%
2000 2,242 54.14% 1,736 41.92% 163 3.94%
1996 1,707 40.50% 1,981 47.00% 527 12.50%
1992 1,743 37.33% 1,919 41.10% 1,007 21.57%
1988 1,871 40.22% 2,722 58.51% 59 1.27%
1984 2,627 50.64% 2,481 47.82% 80 1.54%
1980 3,194 56.17% 1,959 34.45% 533 9.37%
1976 2,700 45.85% 3,055 51.88% 134 2.28%
1972 3,138 57.19% 2,241 40.84% 108 1.97%
1968 2,940 52.56% 2,364 42.26% 290 5.18%
1964 2,079 34.24% 3,988 65.68% 5 0.08%
1960 3,445 50.23% 3,408 49.69% 6 0.09%
1956 3,606 52.89% 3,201 46.95% 11 0.16%
1952 4,472 61.73% 2,517 34.74% 256 3.53%
1948 2,397 39.61% 3,500 57.84% 154 2.55%
1944 2,600 41.94% 3,577 57.70% 22 0.35%
1940 2,985 41.92% 4,118 57.83% 18 0.25%
1936 2,277 33.39% 4,357 63.89% 185 2.71%
1932 1,800 28.48% 4,245 67.16% 276 4.37%
1928 3,322 53.75% 2,824 45.70% 34 0.55%
1924 2,537 39.65% 819 12.80% 3,042 47.55%
1920 4,046 70.07% 1,639 28.39% 89 1.54%
1916 1,808 51.29% 1,658 47.04% 59 1.67%
1912 760 22.95% 1,176 35.52% 1,375 41.53%
1908 1,857 57.42% 1,315 40.66% 62 1.92%
1904 2,175 66.09% 976 29.66% 140 4.25%
1900 2,176 61.84% 1,287 36.57% 56 1.59%
1896 1,866 56.82% 1,377 41.93% 41 1.25%

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. ^ History Archived October 21, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, Pocahontas County Economic Development.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. "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.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pocahontas County, Iowa".
  12. "Iowa:2010 Population & Housing Occupancy Status" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 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 August 15, 2022.

External links

Places adjacent to Pocahontas County, Iowa
Palo Alto County
Buena Vista County Pocahontas County, Iowa Humboldt County
Calhoun County Webster County
Municipalities and communities of Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Pocahontas
Cities
Map of Iowa highlighting Pocahontas County
Townships
Unincorporated
community
Ghost town
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
State of Iowa
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42°44′04″N 94°40′39″W / 42.73444°N 94.67750°W / 42.73444; -94.67750

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