Dickinson County, Iowa

Coordinates: 43°22′33″N 95°08′59″W / 43.37583°N 95.14972°W / 43.37583; -95.14972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dickinson County
Dickinson County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Dickinson County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°22′33″N 95°08′59″W / 43.375833333333°N 95.149722222222°W / 43.375833333333; -95.149722222222
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1857
Named forDaniel S. Dickinson
SeatSpirit Lake
Largest citySpirit Lake
Area
 • Total404 sq mi (1,050 km2)
 • Land381 sq mi (990 km2)
 • Water23 sq mi (60 km2)  5.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total17,703
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitedickinsoncountyiowa.gov

Dickinson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,703.[1] The county seat is Spirit Lake.[2] The county was organized in 1857 and is named in honor of Daniel S. Dickinson,[3] a U.S. Senator for New York.

Dickinson County comprises the Spirit Lake, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 square miles (1,050 km2), of which 381 square miles (990 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (5.8%) is water.[4] It is the smallest county by land area in Iowa, and the fifth-smallest by total area.

A region known as the Iowa Great Lakes is in Dickinson County, making it a popular vacation destination for Iowans, and explaining the recent high population growth in the area. The lakes include West Okoboji Lake, East Okoboji Lake, and Spirit Lake.

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860180
18701,389671.7%
18801,90136.9%
18904,328127.7%
19007,99584.7%
19108,1371.8%
192010,24125.9%
193010,9827.2%
194012,18511.0%
195012,7564.7%
196012,574−1.4%
197012,565−0.1%
198015,62924.4%
199014,909−4.6%
200016,42410.2%
201016,6671.5%
202017,7036.2%
2023 (est.)18,056[5]2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]

2020 census[edit]

Population of Dickinson County from US census data

The 2020 census recorded a population of 17,703 in the county, with a population density of 43.6672/sq mi (16.8600/km2). 96.84% of the population reported being of one race. 92.71% were non-Hispanic White, 0.45% were Black, 2.29% were Hispanic, 0.12% were Native American, 0.46% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 3.96% were some other race or more than one race. There were 13,691 housing units of which 7,976 were occupied.[1]

2010 census[edit]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 16,667 in the county, with a population density of 43.7385/sq mi (16.8875/km2). There were 12,849 housing units, of which 7,554 were occupied.[11]

2000 census[edit]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Dickinson County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 16,424 people, 7,103 households, and 4,759 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 inhabitants per square mile (17/km2). There were 11,375 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.90% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,103 households, out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 20.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,020, and the median income for a family was $47,739. Males had a median income of $30,523 versus $22,131 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,929. 6.00% of the population and 4.20% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty 5.90% of those under the age of 18 and 7.00% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

A picture postcard postmarked Okoboji Iowa Aug 1, 1907

Unincorporated community[edit]

Townships[edit]

Dickinson County is divided into twelve townships:

Population ranking[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Dickinson County.[1] county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Spirit Lake City 5,439
2 Milford City 3,321
3 Lake Park City 1,167
4 Arnolds Park City 1,110
5 Okoboji City 768
6 Orleans City 521
7 Wahpeton City 345
8 Terril City 334
9 West Okoboji City 308
10 Superior City 132

Politics[edit]

United States presidential election results for Dickinson County, Iowa[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 7,438 66.15% 3,661 32.56% 145 1.29%
2016 6,753 65.22% 3,056 29.52% 545 5.26%
2012 5,912 58.19% 4,095 40.31% 152 1.50%
2008 5,162 52.10% 4,625 46.68% 120 1.21%
2004 5,337 55.87% 4,140 43.34% 76 0.80%
2000 4,225 52.03% 3,660 45.07% 236 2.91%
1996 3,129 40.92% 3,562 46.59% 955 12.49%
1992 3,196 38.49% 3,106 37.40% 2,002 24.11%
1988 3,678 51.80% 3,342 47.06% 81 1.14%
1984 4,064 56.68% 3,025 42.19% 81 1.13%
1980 4,028 54.13% 2,620 35.21% 794 10.67%
1976 3,795 54.14% 3,074 43.85% 141 2.01%
1972 3,739 58.60% 2,373 37.19% 269 4.22%
1968 3,472 56.45% 2,286 37.16% 393 6.39%
1964 2,443 41.14% 3,490 58.77% 5 0.08%
1960 3,575 56.99% 2,696 42.98% 2 0.03%
1956 3,641 59.14% 2,498 40.57% 18 0.29%
1952 4,401 71.05% 1,748 28.22% 45 0.73%
1948 2,304 48.34% 2,324 48.76% 138 2.90%
1944 2,133 46.10% 2,473 53.45% 21 0.45%
1940 2,736 47.65% 2,985 51.99% 21 0.37%
1936 2,322 40.10% 3,399 58.69% 70 1.21%
1932 2,074 44.07% 2,500 53.12% 132 2.80%
1928 3,045 70.57% 1,251 28.99% 19 0.44%
1924 2,967 66.18% 435 9.70% 1,081 24.11%
1920 3,298 80.42% 760 18.53% 43 1.05%
1916 1,249 57.24% 893 40.93% 40 1.83%
1912 457 24.54% 502 26.96% 903 48.50%
1908 1,109 66.57% 503 30.19% 54 3.24%
1904 1,320 78.01% 312 18.44% 60 3.55%
1900 1,352 73.16% 445 24.08% 51 2.76%
1896 1,131 67.36% 517 30.79% 31 1.85%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 106.
  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 16, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 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 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

43°22′33″N 95°08′59″W / 43.37583°N 95.14972°W / 43.37583; -95.14972