Henry County, Iowa

Henry County, Iowa
County
The Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 40°59′12″N 91°32′31″W / 40.986666666667°N 91.541944444444°W / 40.986666666667; -91.541944444444
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedDecember 7, 1836
Named afterHenry Dodge
SeatMount Pleasant
Largest cityMount Pleasant
Area
 • Total
437 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land434 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (5.7 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
20,482
 • Estimate 
(2024)
19,361
 • Density47.2/sq mi (18.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitehenrycounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 44[1]

Henry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,482.[2] The county seat is Mount Pleasant.[3] The county was named for General Henry Dodge, governor of Wisconsin Territory.

History

Henry County was formed on December 7, 1836, under the jurisdiction of Wisconsin Territory, and became a part of Iowa Territory when it was formed on July 4, 1838.[4] It was named for General Henry Dodge.[5]

The county's first courthouse was built in 1839–1840. A larger courthouse was built in 1871, and the present courthouse was raised in the 20th century, being placed into service on August 4, 1914.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) are covered by water.[7]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18508,707—
186018,701114.8%
187021,46314.8%
188020,986−2.2%
189018,895−10.0%
190020,0226.0%
191018,640−6.9%
192018,298−1.8%
193017,660−3.5%
194017,9941.9%
195018,7084.0%
196018,187−2.8%
197018,114−0.4%
198018,8904.3%
199019,2261.8%
200020,3365.8%
201020,145−0.9%
202020,4821.7%
2024 (est.)19,361[8] −5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[13]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,482 and a population density of 46.9/sq mi (18.1/km2); 95.23% of the population reported being of one race.[14][15]

The median age was 40.8 years, 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 108.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.8 males age 18 and over.[14]

45.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.7% lived in rural areas.[16]

There were 7,746 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.3% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

There were 8,398 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.8% were owner-occupied and 27.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.[14]

The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.3% from some other race, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.3% of the population.[15]

Henry County Racial Composition[17]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 17,643 86.14%
Black or African American (NH) 501 2.44%
Native American (NH) 60 0.3%
Asian (NH) 451 2.2%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.04%
Other or multiracial (NH) 736 3.6%
Hispanic or Latino 1,083 5.3%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,145 in the county, with a population density of 47.5/sq mi (18.3/km2). The county had 8,280 housing units, of which 7,666 were occupied.[18]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[19] 20,336 people, 7,626 households, and 5,269 families resided in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). The 8,246 housing units had an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.78% White, 1.49% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.88% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. About 1.26% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 7,626 households, 32.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were not families. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.7% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males; for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,087, and for a family was $46,985. Males had a median income of $31,801 versus $23,075 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,192. About 6.70% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Henry County.[2]

Rank City/town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Mount Pleasant City 9,274
2 New London City 1,910
3 Winfield City 1,033
4 Wayland City 964
5 Salem City 394
6 Olds City 192
7 Hillsboro City 163
8 Mount Union CDP 120
9 Rome City 114
10 Westwood City 101
11 Coppock (partially in Jefferson and Washington Counties) City 36

† county seat

Politics

Henry County is one of the most Republican counties in Iowa. It has backed Democratic Party candidates in only five elections for president from 1880 to the present.

United States presidential election results for Henry County, Iowa[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,774 55.83% 2,092 42.10% 103 2.07%
1900 2,794 57.64% 1,907 39.34% 146 3.01%
1904 2,647 64.47% 1,259 30.66% 200 4.87%
1908 2,653 60.90% 1,606 36.87% 97 2.23%
1912 1,663 39.12% 1,580 37.17% 1,008 23.71%
1916 2,470 57.99% 1,728 40.57% 61 1.43%
1920 5,254 71.91% 1,939 26.54% 113 1.55%
1924 4,536 62.17% 1,344 18.42% 1,416 19.41%
1928 5,160 70.90% 2,053 28.21% 65 0.89%
1932 3,398 42.09% 4,518 55.96% 158 1.96%
1936 4,480 54.17% 3,542 42.82% 249 3.01%
1940 5,893 67.36% 2,837 32.43% 19 0.22%
1944 5,208 65.12% 2,741 34.27% 49 0.61%
1948 4,620 59.19% 3,042 38.98% 143 1.83%
1952 6,424 71.93% 2,438 27.30% 69 0.77%
1956 5,818 68.49% 2,667 31.39% 10 0.12%
1960 5,531 66.03% 2,839 33.89% 7 0.08%
1964 3,247 43.40% 4,223 56.44% 12 0.16%
1968 4,613 60.23% 2,532 33.06% 514 6.71%
1972 5,066 64.26% 2,721 34.51% 97 1.23%
1976 3,848 48.79% 3,882 49.22% 157 1.99%
1980 4,430 52.35% 3,317 39.20% 715 8.45%
1984 4,516 56.77% 3,377 42.45% 62 0.78%
1988 3,951 50.93% 3,754 48.39% 53 0.68%
1992 3,435 39.81% 3,544 41.08% 1,649 19.11%
1996 3,478 42.03% 3,798 45.90% 999 12.07%
2000 4,476 51.62% 3,907 45.06% 288 3.32%
2004 5,220 55.20% 4,127 43.64% 110 1.16%
2008 4,822 51.41% 4,349 46.36% 209 2.23%
2012 5,035 51.92% 4,460 45.99% 202 2.08%
2016 5,779 61.45% 2,904 30.88% 721 7.67%
2020 6,507 65.19% 3,275 32.81% 200 2.00%
2024 6,439 67.07% 2,995 31.20% 166 1.73%

Education

School districts in the county include:[21]

Former school district:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  4. ^ "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 155.
  6. ^ Henry County, Iowa History
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Henry County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Henry County, Iowa".
  18. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau - American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Henry County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  22. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Henry County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Henry County, Iowa.

40°59′12″N 91°32′31″W / 40.98667°N 91.54194°W / 40.98667; -91.54194

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.