Winneshiek County, Iowa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Winneshiek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 21,310. Its county seat is Decorah6.
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[edit] History
A largely rural and agricultural county, Winneshiek County has a rich cultural history from the English, Irish, German, Swiss, and Norwegian immigrants that have settled within its boundaries.
The county was originally settled in 1848 in present day Bloomfield Township (near Castalia, Iowa) and in Washington Township (near Fort Atkinson, Iowa). It was organized in 1847.
In 1980, Winneshiek County reported a population of 21,842. Like much of Iowa during the 1980s it witnessed a population loss, plummeting to 20,847 according to the 1990 Unites States Census. However during the 1990s the county experienced some mild growth and was able to rise above the 21,000 mark once again.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,787 km² (690 mi²). 1,786 km² (690 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.04%) is water.
[edit] Major Highways
U.S. Highway 52
Iowa Highway 9
Iowa Highway 24
Iowa Highway 139
Iowa Highway 150
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Fillmore County, Minnesota (northwest)
- Houston County, Minnesota (northeast)
- Allamakee County (east)
- Fayette County (south)
- Chickasaw County (southwest)
- Howard County (west)
- Clayton County (southeast)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 21,310 people, 7,734 households, and 5,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 12/km² (31/mi²). There were 8,208 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (12/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,734 households out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 16.70% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,908, and the median income for a family was $45,966. Males had a median income of $29,278 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,047. About 5.10% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.50% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
Named townships in the county are: Bloomfield, Bluffton, Burr Oak, Calmar, Canoe, Decorah, Frankville, Freemont, Glenwood, Hesper, Highland, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Military, Orleans, Pleasant, Springfield, Sumner, and Washington Townships.
[edit] External links
- 1913 History of Winneshiek County
- South Winneshiek School District
- Turkey Valley School District
- North Winneshiek Community School District
- List of towns in Winneshiek County
- Winneshiek County Fair
