Calhoun County, Iowa

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,670.[1] Its county seat is Rockwell City.[2]

Calhoun County
U.S. county
Clockwise from top: Calhoun County Courthouse in Rockwell City, the former Lake City Public Library, a grain elevator in the small town of Somers rises from a field at sunset, and the historic Central School in Lake City
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°23′10″N 94°38′50″W
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1855
Named forJohn C. Calhoun
SeatRockwell City
Largest cityLake City
Area
 • Total572 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Land570 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total9,670
 • Estimate 
(2018)
9,699
 • Density17/sq mi (6.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.calhouncountyiowa.com

History

Calhoun County was formed on January 15, 1851 from open land originally named Fox County. It was renamed in 1853 after the seventh US Vice President secessionist John C. Calhoun. When the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were laid through the county in 1870, the county seat was moved from Lake City to Rockwell City. The first train reached Rockwell City on August 7, 1882 and the population count doubled in the same year. The first courthouse, built of wood, burned to the ground in 1884 and the county government moved into a nearby hotel. In 1913, the current courthouse was built.

On July 6, 1893, Pomeroy was struck by a tornado that measured F5 on the Fujita scale. With a damage path 500 yards (460 m) wide and 55 miles (89 km) long, the tornado destroyed about 80% of the homes in Pomeroy. The tornado killed 71 people and injured 200.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 572 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 570 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.[3]

Ecology

Calhoun County is located entirely within the Des Moines Lobe of the Western Corn Belt Plains ecoregion, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the flattest regions in Iowa, the Des Moines Lobe ecoregion is a distinctive area naturally defined by Wisconsin glaciation but modified by humans for extensive agriculture. In general, the land is level to gently rolling with some areas of relief defined by glacial features like moraines, hummocky knobs, and kettles, and outwash deposits. The lobe does not have any loess deposits like the Loess Hills to the west.

The stream network is poorly developed and widely spaced, with major rivers carving valleys that are relatively deep and steep-sided. Almost all of the natural lakes of Iowa are found in the northern part of this region (the Iowa Great Lakes). Most of the region has been converted from wet prairie to agricultural use with substantial surface water drainage. Only a small fraction of the wetlands remain, and many natural lakes have been drained as a result of agricultural drainage projects via drainage tiles or ditches.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1860147—
18701,602989.8%
18805,595249.3%
189013,107134.3%
190018,56941.7%
191017,090−8.0%
192017,7834.1%
193017,605−1.0%
194017,584−0.1%
195016,925−3.7%
196015,923−5.9%
197014,287−10.3%
198013,542−5.2%
199011,508−15.0%
200011,115−3.4%
20109,670−13.0%
2018 (est.)9,699[5]0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,670 in the county, with a population density of 16.96/sq mi (6.55/km2). There were 5,108 housing units, of which 4,242 were occupied.[10]

2000 census
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Calhoun County

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 11,115 people, 4,513 households, and 3,014 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (8/km2). There were 5,219 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.06% White, 0.69% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,513 households, out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 30.50% 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 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,286, and the median income for a family was $41,583. Males had a median income of $28,787 versus $20,095 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,498. 10.10% of the population and 7.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.50% of those under the age of 18 and 8.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Calhoun County is divided into sixteen townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Calhoun County.[12]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Lake City City 1,727
2 † Rockwell City City 1,709
3 Manson City 1,690
4 Pomeroy City 662
5 Farnhamville (partially in Webster County) City 371 (371 total)
6 Lohrville City 368
7 Twin Lakes CDP 334
9 Somers City 113
10 Knierim City 60
11 Rinard City 52
8 Lytton (mostly in Sac County) City 43 (315 total)
12 Jolley City 41
13 Yetter City 34

Politics

Politically, Calhoun County has favoured the Republicans since 1896, usually only voting Democrat when the party won national victories. It first voted for the Democrats in 1932 when Franklin D. Roosevelt won in a landslide victory against Herbert Hoover. In 2000, Calhoun County voted for George W. Bush and has voted for the Republicans ever since. In 2016 Donald Trump won 67.7% percent of the vote in Calhoun County, the highest vote share since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s victory in 1952.

Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 70.2% 3,689 28.0% 1,470 1.9% 99
2016 67.2% 3,468 27.1% 1,398 5.7% 293
2012 55.3% 2,891 42.8% 2,238 1.9% 101
2008 52.8% 2,741 45.1% 2,341 2.2% 113
2004 58.7% 3,255 40.5% 2,243 0.8% 44
2000 55.1% 2,776 42.3% 2,132 2.6% 133
1996 43.5% 2,077 45.9% 2,193 10.7% 509
1992 41.1% 2,169 40.6% 2,140 18.3% 965
1988 44.9% 2,474 54.3% 2,990 0.7% 41
1984 56.1% 3,311 43.1% 2,541 0.8% 46
1980 57.4% 3,633 34.0% 2,150 8.6% 545
1976 51.0% 3,215 47.6% 3,001 1.3% 84
1972 60.0% 3,821 38.4% 2,446 1.6% 101
1968 57.5% 3,715 36.6% 2,361 5.9% 382
1964 35.4% 2,422 64.5% 4,407 0.1% 8
1960 58.9% 4,485 41.0% 3,123 0.1% 7
1956 57.5% 4,409 38.8% 2,972 3.8% 288
1952 67.7% 5,391 30.3% 2,411 2.1% 164
1948 48.2% 3,083 49.5% 3,164 2.4% 151
1944 48.6% 3,375 51.0% 3,544 0.4% 27
1940 46.5% 3,792 53.2% 4,344 0.3% 25
1936 39.3% 3,027 59.0% 4,544 1.7% 128
1932 34.5% 2,404 62.6% 4,368 2.9% 205
1928 60.2% 4,136 39.1% 2,681 0.7% 49
1924 53.2% 3,529 10.8% 714 36.0% 2,389
1920 77.0% 5,277 21.6% 1,479 1.5% 102
1916 58.3% 2,276 38.8% 1,515 2.8% 110
1912 26.6% 963 32.7% 1,182 40.7% 1,474
1908 63.0% 2,353 30.9% 1,152 6.1% 228
1904 67.4% 2,479 23.7% 870 8.9% 327
1900 69.6% 2,973 28.7% 1,224 1.7% 74
1896 67.3% 2,698 31.9% 1,280 0.9% 34

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4.  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document: Chapman, S.S., Omernik, J.M., Griffith, G.E.; et al. "Ecoregions of Iowa and Missouri" (PDF).CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs)
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  10. "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State -- County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "Archived copy". Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

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