Keokuk County, Iowa

Coordinates: 41°20′10″N 92°10′47″W / 41.33611°N 92.17972°W / 41.33611; -92.17972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keokuk County
Courthouse in Sigourney is on the NRHP
Courthouse in Sigourney is on the NRHP
Map of Iowa highlighting Keokuk County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′10″N 92°10′47″W / 41.33611°N 92.17972°W / 41.33611; -92.17972
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedFebruary 17, 1843
Named forKeokuk (Sauk leader)
SeatSigourney
Largest citySigourney
Area
 • Total580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land579 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total10,033
 • Density17/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.keokukcountyia.com

Keokuk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 10,033.[1] The county seat is Sigourney.[2]

History[edit]

Keokuk (Sauk chief) by George Catlin

Keokuk County was formed in 1837. It was named for Keokuk, the leader of the Sauk tribe, who advocated peace with the white settlers. In May 1843, the county opened for public settlement, with its judicial and regulatory duties assigned to the existing Washington County. Its governing structure was created in 1844, although the seat was not decided (for Sigourney) until 1856.[3]

Keokuk County is unusual in that it has two county fairs. The Keokuk County Fair is held in What Cheer[4] and immediately followed by the Keokuk County Expo[5] which is held in Sigourney.

The Keokuk County Courthouse was built in 1911, in Sigourney's Public Square Historic District. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.[6]

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 579 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[7] The South Branch of the Skunk River drains the topography, flowing eastward through the lower portion of the county.[8]

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18504,822
186013,271175.2%
187019,43446.4%
188021,2589.4%
189023,86212.2%
190024,9794.7%
191021,160−15.3%
192020,983−0.8%
193019,148−8.7%
194018,406−3.9%
195016,797−8.7%
196015,492−7.8%
197013,943−10.0%
198012,921−7.3%
199011,624−10.0%
200011,400−1.9%
201010,511−7.8%
202010,033−4.5%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[13]
Population of Keokuk County from US census data

2020 census[edit]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 10,033 in the county, with a population density of 17.3236/sq mi (6.6887/km2). 96.81% of the population reported being of one race. 93.01% were non-Hispanic White, 0.51% were Black, 2.14% were Hispanic, 0.15% were Native American, 0.16% were Asian, 0.00% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.03% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,654 housing units, of which 4,174 were occupied.[1]

2010 census[edit]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,511 in the county, with a population density of 18.1478/sq mi (7.0069/km2). There were 4,931 housing units, of which 4,408 were occupied.[14]

2000 census[edit]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Keokuk County

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 11,400 people, 4,586 households, and 3,155 families in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 5,013 housing units at an average density of 9 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.00% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,586 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.80% 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 2.99.

The county population contained 25.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,025, and the median income for a family was $41,818. Males had a median income of $28,306 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,120. About 7.50% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[edit]

For most of its history, Keokuk County has backed Republican Party candidates in presidential elections, with Democratic Party candidates only winning the county in eight presidential elections from 1896 on. Bill Clinton is the most recent Democratic presidential candidate to win the county (1996), while in 2016 his wife, Hillary Clinton, had the worst performance by a Democrat since 1924, only winning 26.9 percent of the vote. 2016 Republican candidate Donald Trump made a significant gain compared to his party's 2012 candidate Mitt Romney.

United States presidential election results for Keokuk County, Iowa[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,797 71.60% 1,414 26.66% 92 1.73%
2016 3,390 68.00% 1,342 26.92% 253 5.08%
2012 2,843 53.99% 2,303 43.73% 120 2.28%
2008 2,712 50.58% 2,518 46.96% 132 2.46%
2004 3,119 56.92% 2,294 41.86% 67 1.22%
2000 2,571 51.97% 2,181 44.09% 195 3.94%
1996 2,080 40.78% 2,545 49.89% 476 9.33%
1992 1,981 35.52% 2,329 41.76% 1,267 22.72%
1988 2,278 43.56% 2,899 55.43% 53 1.01%
1984 2,913 51.50% 2,649 46.84% 94 1.66%
1980 3,145 52.64% 2,390 40.00% 440 7.36%
1976 2,920 44.90% 3,482 53.54% 102 1.57%
1972 3,831 58.35% 2,619 39.89% 115 1.75%
1968 3,588 53.26% 2,807 41.67% 342 5.08%
1964 2,597 35.08% 4,790 64.69% 17 0.23%
1960 4,697 57.88% 3,408 42.00% 10 0.12%
1956 4,680 56.13% 3,649 43.76% 9 0.11%
1952 5,712 64.20% 3,135 35.24% 50 0.56%
1948 4,201 49.57% 4,118 48.59% 156 1.84%
1944 4,644 53.96% 3,900 45.32% 62 0.72%
1940 5,394 54.00% 4,552 45.57% 42 0.42%
1936 4,491 45.46% 5,162 52.26% 225 2.28%
1932 3,442 36.74% 5,839 62.32% 88 0.94%
1928 5,304 58.23% 3,772 41.41% 32 0.35%
1924 4,795 51.36% 2,568 27.51% 1,973 21.13%
1920 6,207 67.95% 2,800 30.65% 128 1.40%
1916 2,822 52.18% 2,486 45.97% 100 1.85%
1912 1,361 26.07% 2,434 46.63% 1,425 27.30%
1908 2,728 50.71% 2,459 45.71% 193 3.59%
1904 3,079 55.82% 2,172 39.38% 265 4.80%
1900 3,339 54.32% 2,669 43.42% 139 2.26%
1896 3,166 50.72% 2,891 46.32% 185 2.96%

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Townships[edit]

Population ranking[edit]

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Sigourney City 2,004
2 North English (mostly in Iowa County) City 1,065
3 Keota City 897
4 Hedrick City 728
5 What Cheer City 607
6 Richland City 542
7 Keswick City 242
8 South English City 202
9 Ollie City 201
10 Harper City 118
11 Martinsburg City 110
12 Webster City 94
13 Kinross City 80
14 Thornburg City 45
15 Hayesville City 41

Education[edit]

School districts include:[17]

Former school districts:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. US 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. ^ "Keokuk County History". www.beforetime.net.
  4. ^ "Keokuk County Fair - What Cheer, IA | JULY 9-12, 2015". keokukcountyfair.com.
  5. ^ "Keokuk County Expo". expokeokukco.com.
  6. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Keokuk County, IA". Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Google Maps.
  9. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Keokuk County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list
  18. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Keokuk County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list

External links[edit]