Mahaska County, Iowa

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Mahaska County, Iowa
240px
The courthouse in Oskaloosa is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch in 1886
Map of Iowa highlighting Mahaska County
Location in the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded 1843
Named for Mahaska
Seat Oskaloosa
Largest city Oskaloosa
Area
 • Total 573 sq mi (1,484 km2)
 • Land 571 sq mi (1,479 km2)
 • Water 2.5 sq mi (6 km2), 0.4%
Population
 • (2010) 22,381
 • Density 39/sq mi (15/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.mahaskacounty.org

Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,335.[1] The county seat is Oskaloosa.[2]

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

File:Mahaska.jpg
Mahaska, from Futon's Red Men of Iowa 1882.

Mahaska County was formed on February 17, 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.[3]

The first courthouse was completed in January, 1846. The second structure was put into use on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846.[4] On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). In 1864, the first tracks were laid through the county of the Des Moines Valley Railroad.[3]

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County.[5] In the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 5,989 —
1860 14,816 147.4%
1870 22,508 51.9%
1880 25,202 12.0%
1890 28,805 14.3%
1900 34,273 19.0%
1910 29,860 −12.9%
1920 26,270 −12.0%
1930 25,804 −1.8%
1940 26,485 2.6%
1950 24,672 −6.8%
1960 23,602 −4.3%
1970 22,177 −6.0%
1980 22,867 3.1%
1990 21,532 −5.8%
2000 22,335 3.7%
2010 22,381 0.2%
Est. 2014 22,370 [7] 0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km2). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.[12]

2000 census

File:USA Mahaska County, Iowa age pyramid.svg
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Mahaska County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 22,335 people, 8,880 households, and 6,144 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.20% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,880 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,314, and the median income for a family was $43,557. Males had a median income of $32,618 versus $23,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,232. About 7.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

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Unincorporated communities

See also

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mahaska County
  4. ↑ About Mahaska
  5. ↑ Map of Historic Coal Mines in Mahaska County, Mahaska 4-H Tech Team, May 2006.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

 Jasper County Poweshiek County
Marion County Keokuk County
  Mahaska County, Iowa  
Monroe County Wapello County

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