Lucas County, Iowa

Lucas County, Iowa
County
The Lucas County Courthouse in Chariton
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 41°01′34″N 93°19′42″W / 41.026111111111°N 93.328333333333°W / 41.026111111111; -93.328333333333
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1846
Named afterRobert Lucas
SeatChariton
Largest cityChariton
Area
 • Total
434 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land431 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water3.8 sq mi (9.8 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
8,634
 • Estimate 
(2024)
8,758
 • Density20.0/sq mi (7.73/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
  • Iowa county number 59[1]

Lucas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,634.[2] The county seat is Chariton.[3] The county was formed in 1846[4] and was named for Robert Lucas, a Governor of the Territory.[5]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 434 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 431 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 3.8 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850471—
18605,7661,124.2%
187010,38880.2%
188014,53039.9%
189014,5630.2%
190016,12610.7%
191013,462−16.5%
192015,68616.5%
193015,114−3.6%
194014,571−3.6%
195012,069−17.2%
196010,923−9.5%
197010,163−7.0%
198010,3131.5%
19909,070−12.1%
20009,4223.9%
20108,898−5.6%
20208,634−3.0%
2024 (est.)8,758[7] 1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[12]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,634 and a population density of 20.0/sq mi (7.7/km2). The census counted 96.75% of residents as belonging to a single race—92.76% were non-Hispanic White, 0.27% were Black, 0.08% were Native American, 0.34% were Asian, 0.00% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 4.26% identified with some other race or more than one race.[13]

The racial makeup of the county was 95.1% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 3.3% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.3% of the population.[13]

The median age was 43.4 years, 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.9% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.3 males.[14]

There were 3,608 households in the county, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them; 52.5% of households were married-couple households, 20.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

There were 4,058 housing units, of which 3,608 were occupied, leaving 11.1% vacant; among occupied units, 77.3% were owner-occupied and 22.7% were renter-occupied, with a homeowner vacancy rate of 2.0% and a rental vacancy rate of 11.4%.[14]

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,898 in the county, with a population density of 20.7/sq mi (8.0/km2). There were 4,238 housing units, of which 3,689 were occupied.[16]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 9,422 people, 3,811 households, and 2,560 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 4,239 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.44% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,811 households, out of which 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.30% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,876, and the median income for a family was $38,352. Males had a median income of $31,243 versus $21,293 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,341. About 8.40% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Unincorporated areas

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Chariton City 4,193
2 Russell City 472
3 Lucas City 172
4 Williamson City 120
5 Derby City 90

Education

School districts include:[17]

Former school districts:

Notable people

Politics

United States presidential election results for Lucas County, Iowa[20][21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 1,859 52.43% 1,621 45.71% 66 1.86%
1900 2,225 57.58% 1,488 38.51% 151 3.91%
1904 2,259 65.73% 878 25.55% 300 8.73%
1908 1,757 55.41% 1,267 39.96% 147 4.64%
1912 939 32.11% 968 33.11% 1,017 34.78%
1916 1,672 47.91% 1,536 44.01% 282 8.08%
1920 3,775 68.56% 1,463 26.57% 268 4.87%
1924 3,288 52.64% 824 13.19% 2,134 34.17%
1928 3,811 66.01% 1,888 32.70% 74 1.28%
1932 2,381 39.84% 3,434 57.46% 161 2.69%
1936 3,414 46.25% 3,773 51.11% 195 2.64%
1940 3,806 53.24% 3,255 45.53% 88 1.23%
1944 3,139 54.94% 2,526 44.21% 48 0.84%
1948 2,656 48.51% 2,697 49.26% 122 2.23%
1952 3,921 63.09% 2,217 35.67% 77 1.24%
1956 3,397 58.25% 2,431 41.68% 4 0.07%
1960 3,512 59.88% 2,344 39.97% 9 0.15%
1964 1,935 36.79% 3,310 62.93% 15 0.29%
1968 2,543 53.18% 1,942 40.61% 297 6.21%
1972 2,851 60.79% 1,759 37.51% 80 1.71%
1976 2,071 42.32% 2,733 55.84% 90 1.84%
1980 2,593 52.61% 1,989 40.35% 347 7.04%
1984 2,630 51.72% 2,422 47.63% 33 0.65%
1988 1,776 41.86% 2,454 57.84% 13 0.31%
1992 1,734 37.10% 2,072 44.33% 868 18.57%
1996 1,586 37.68% 2,168 51.51% 455 10.81%
2000 2,262 52.57% 1,934 44.95% 107 2.49%
2004 2,543 55.63% 1,987 43.47% 41 0.90%
2008 2,330 52.06% 2,029 45.33% 117 2.61%
2012 2,254 52.14% 1,987 45.96% 82 1.90%
2016 2,877 66.08% 1,239 28.46% 238 5.47%
2020 3,287 70.99% 1,284 27.73% 59 1.27%
2024 3,400 73.18% 1,169 25.16% 77 1.66%

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 8, 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 February 8, 2026.
  4. ^ Lucas County (archived)
  5. ^ Stuart, Theodore M. (1913). Past and Present of Lucas and Wayne Counties, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Volume 1. S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 10.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lucas County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
  13. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lucas County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list
  18. ^ Geography Division (November 30, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Lucas County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list - Even though the map was published as of the 2010 U.S. Census, the Russell district dissolved and was broken up on January 1, 2008.
  19. ^ "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  21. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 855 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 110 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 52 votes.

Further reading

  • Franklin D. Mitchell. Locale and Universe: The Shared Story of the Heartland's Lucas County, Iowa, and the American Nation, 1846-2012 (Self-published, 2016). 480 pp online review
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