Keokuk County, Iowa

Keokuk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,033,^[2] and was estimated to be 9,855 in 2024,^[3] The county seat and the largest city is Sigourney.^[4]

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.^[5]

Keokuk County is unusual in that it has two county fairs. The Keokuk County Fair is held in What Cheer^[6] and immediately followed by the Keokuk County Expo^[7] which is held 8.9 miles east-southeast 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.^[8]

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.^[9] The South Branch of the Skunk River drains the topography, flowing eastward through the lower portion of the county.^[10]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,033, with a population density of 17.3/sq mi (6.7/km²). 96.81% of the population reported being of one race.^[16][17]

The median age was 43.5 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.^[16]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.^[17]

There were 4,174 households in the county, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.4% were married-couple households, 20.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[16]

There were 4,654 housing units, of which 10.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.1% were owner-occupied and 20.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.3%.^[16]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[18]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 10,511 in the county, with a population density of 18.1/sq mi (7.0/km²). There were 4,931 housing units, of which 4,408 were occupied.^[19]

As of the 2000 census, 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.

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.

• Atwood^[10]
• Coal Creek^[10]
• Hinkletown
• Pekin (partial)^[10]
• Talleyrand^[10]
• Tilton

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

† county seat

School districts include:^[21]

Former school districts:

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Keokuk County, Iowa

• Keokuk County government's website