Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

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Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Map of Iowa highlighting Cerro Gordo County
Location in the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded 1851
Named for Battle of Cerro Gordo
Seat Mason City
Largest city Mason City
Area
 • Total 575 sq mi (1,489 km2)
 • Land 568 sq mi (1,471 km2)
 • Water 6.8 sq mi (18 km2), 1.2%
Population
 • (2010) 44,151
 • Density 78/sq mi (30/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us

Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,151.[1] Its county seat is Mason City.[2] The county is named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo, which took place during the Mexican-American War.

Cerro Gordo County is part of the Mason City, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Cerro Gordo County was formed in 1851 and takes its name from the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican–American War, where General Winfield Scott defeated the Mexican General Santa Anna on April 18, 1847.

In 1851 the first white settlers came into the area of the present county and settled on Clear Lake. Four years later, on August 7, 1855, the first elections were held and the first legal proceedings occurred in 1857. In the summer of the same year, Livonia was chosen as the new county seat. In 1858, the seat was returned to Mason City. In 1866, the first courthouse was erected from stone at the cost of $600, which was used until 1900. The courthouse still used today was opened on November 17, 1960.

Cerro Gordo County was the site of the airplane crash north of the city of Clear Lake, in which rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with their pilot Roger A. Peterson, were killed on February 3, 1959. The site is located in Grant Township, in the northwestern part of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 568 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 6.8 square miles (18 km2) (1.2%) is water.[3]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 940 —
1870 4,722 402.3%
1880 11,461 142.7%
1890 14,864 29.7%
1900 20,672 39.1%
1910 25,011 21.0%
1920 34,675 38.6%
1930 38,476 11.0%
1940 43,845 14.0%
1950 46,053 5.0%
1960 49,894 8.3%
1970 49,223 −1.3%
1980 48,458 −1.6%
1990 46,733 −3.6%
2000 46,447 −0.6%
2010 44,151 −4.9%
Est. 2014 43,254 [4] −2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 44,151 in the county, with a population density of 77.73/sq mi (30.012/km2). There were 22,163 housing units, of which 19,350 were occupied.[9]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Cerro Gordo County

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 46,447 people, 19,374 households, and 12,399 families residing in the county. The population density was 82 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 21,488 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 2.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,374 households out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.90% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 30.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,867, and the median income for a family was $46,099. Males had a median income of $31,790 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,184. About 5.90% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

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Townships

Cerro Gordo County is divided into sixteen townships:

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Unincorporated communities

See also

References

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External links

 Worth County Mitchell County
Hancock County Floyd County
  Cerro Gordo County, Iowa  
Franklin County

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