Crawford County, Iowa

Crawford County, Iowa
County
The Crawford County Courthouse in Denison
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°02′35″N 95°23′21″W / 42.043119°N 95.389090°W / 42.043119; -95.389090
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851 (created)
September 3, 1855 (organized)
Named afterWilliam Harris Crawford
SeatDenison
Largest cityDenison
Area
 • Total
715.037 sq mi (1,851.94 km2)
 • Land714.198 sq mi (1,849.76 km2)
 • Water0.839 sq mi (2.17 km2)  0.12%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
16,525
 • Estimate 
(2024)
16,378
 • Density23.138/sq mi (8.9336/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code712
Congressional district4th
Websitecrawfordcounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 24[1]

Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,525,[2] and was estimated to be 16,378 in 2024.[3] The county seat is Denison.[4] The county was named for William Harris Crawford,[5] U.S. senator from Georgia and United States Secretary of the Treasury.

History

On January 15, 1851, the Iowa Legislature authorized the creation of 50 additional counties in the state. Due to its lack of inhabitants, the designated Crawford County area was attached to Shelby County for purposes of revenue, taxation, and judicial matters.

In 1855 there were sufficient settlers, who petitioned for separation from Shelby. This was granted, and a county governing structure was established.[6] The county as then designated did not include its present western townships.

In 1865, four eastern townships of Monona County were separated from that county and incorporated into Crawford County's boundary.[6]

After several adjustments and reorganizations, the present arrangement of Crawford County townships was completed in June 1872.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 715.037 square miles (1,851.94 km2), of which 714.198 square miles (1,849.76 km2) is land and 0.839 square miles (2.17 km2) (0.12%) is water.[7] It is the 13rd largest county in Iowa by total area.[8]

Major highways

  • U.S. Highway 30 – runs ENE across bottom of county. Enters at Dunlap, exits to Carroll County at Westside.
  • U.S. Highway 59 – runs generally north–south through center of county, passing Schleswig and Denison. Its exit into Shelby County is five miles east of its entry from Ida County.
  • Iowa Highway 37 – cuts the SW corner of county, running SE from Monona County to Harrison County.
  • Iowa Highway 39 – runs north and ENE from Denison to Kiron, then into Ida and Sac Counties.
  • Iowa Highway 141 – enters SE part of county at Aspinwall, runs west to intersection with US Highway 59, two miles above the county's south line.[9]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860383—
18702,530560.6%
188012,413390.6%
189018,89452.2%
190021,68514.8%
191020,041−7.6%
192020,6142.9%
193021,0282.0%
194020,538−2.3%
195019,741−3.9%
196018,569−5.9%
197019,1162.9%
198018,935−0.9%
199016,775−11.4%
200016,9421.0%
201017,0960.9%
202016,525−3.3%
2024 (est.)16,378[10] −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[3]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,525, a population density of 23.1/sq mi (8.9/km2), and 89.34% of residents reported being of one race. There were 6,855 housing units, of which 6,255 were occupied.[15]

The median age was 37.8 years, with 26.8% of residents under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.4 males age 18 and over.[15]

The racial makeup of the county was 68.2% White, 2.4% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.9% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 15.9% from some other race, and 10.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 29.7% of the population.[16]

Crawford County Racial Composition[17]
Race Number Percent
White (NH) 10,625 64.3%
Black or African American (NH) 383 2.32%
Native American (NH) 31 0.2%
Asian (NH) 303 1.83%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 267 1.62%
Hispanic or Latino 4,912 29.72%

49.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 50.7% lived in rural areas.[18]

There were 6,255 households in the county, of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.9% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 6,855 housing units, of which 8.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.6% were owner-occupied and 27.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.9%.[15]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 17,096 in the county, with a population density of 23.9/sq mi (9.2/km2). There were 6,943 housing units, of which 6,413 were occupied.[19]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 16,942 people, 6,441 households, and 4,489 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 inhabitants per square mile (9.3/km2). There were 6,958 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (3.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.10% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.59% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.75% of the population.

There were 6,441 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,922, and the median income for a family was $40,231. Males had a median income of $28,696 versus $19,798 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,851. About 6.90% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 5.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Former cities

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Crawford County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Denison City 8,373
2 Schleswig City 830
3 Manilla City 775
4 Charter Oak City 535
5 Dow City City 485
6 Vail City 396
7 Westside City 285
8 Kiron City 267
9 Deloit City 250
10 Ricketts City 109
11 Arion City 97
12 Buck Grove City 34
13 Aspinwall City 33
14 Dunlap (mostly in Harrison County) City 0 (1,038 total)

Politics

Like most of western Iowa, Crawford County leans toward the Republican Party. However, although it gave two-thirds of its vote to Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, it supported Democrat Barack Obama in 2008.

United States presidential election results for {{{place}}}
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,189 46.98% 2,396 51.43% 74 1.59%
1900 2,268 45.72% 2,578 51.97% 115 2.32%
1904 2,530 54.08% 2,004 42.84% 144 3.08%
1908 2,169 47.28% 2,322 50.61% 97 2.11%
1912 1,169 25.03% 2,193 46.96% 1,308 28.01%
1916 2,756 58.27% 1,919 40.57% 55 1.16%
1920 5,473 68.65% 2,151 26.98% 348 4.37%
1924 2,882 36.26% 1,255 15.79% 3,812 47.96%
1928 3,436 43.05% 4,495 56.32% 50 0.63%
1932 2,334 26.10% 6,084 68.04% 524 5.86%
1936 3,514 36.98% 5,720 60.20% 268 2.82%
1940 5,284 55.92% 4,130 43.71% 35 0.37%
1944 4,242 56.49% 3,218 42.86% 49 0.65%
1948 3,267 43.65% 3,983 53.21% 235 3.14%
1952 5,646 63.67% 3,107 35.04% 115 1.30%
1956 4,608 55.03% 3,749 44.77% 17 0.20%
1960 4,791 56.25% 3,720 43.67% 7 0.08%
1964 2,999 37.31% 5,024 62.51% 14 0.17%
1968 4,287 55.36% 2,851 36.82% 606 7.83%
1972 4,493 58.60% 3,018 39.36% 156 2.03%
1976 3,879 48.80% 3,903 49.11% 166 2.09%
1980 4,883 61.02% 2,500 31.24% 619 7.74%
1984 4,552 56.53% 3,396 42.17% 105 1.30%
1988 3,375 46.16% 3,868 52.91% 68 0.93%
1992 2,693 35.10% 3,004 39.16% 1,975 25.74%
1996 2,686 40.00% 3,140 46.76% 889 13.24%
2000 3,482 53.12% 2,838 43.30% 235 3.59%
2004 3,955 54.61% 3,220 44.46% 67 0.93%
2008 3,345 46.52% 3,715 51.66% 131 1.82%
2012 3,595 53.24% 3,066 45.41% 91 1.35%
2016 4,617 66.58% 1,991 28.71% 327 4.72%
2020 4,854 67.85% 2,220 31.03% 80 1.12%
2024 4,651 71.06% 1,812 27.69% 82 1.25%

Education

School districts include:[22]

Former school districts:[23]

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crawford County, Iowa.
  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Crawford County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 95.
  6. ^ a b c Crawford County, Iowa – Establishment of Townships
  7. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Crawford County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  9. ^ Crawford County IA Google Maps (accessed August 27, 2018)
  10. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "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 January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Crawford County, Iowa".
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  19. ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 - State – County". US Census Bureau − American FactFinder. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  20. ^ Astor
  21. ^ Kenwood
  22. ^ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Crawford County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  23. ^ "2010 Census - School District Reference Map: Crawford County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 24, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
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