Osceola County, Iowa
Osceola County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
The Osceola County Courthouse in Sibley in July 2014 | |
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 43°22′43″N 95°38′02″W / 43.378542°N 95.633788°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| Founded | January 15, 1851 (created) January 1, 1872 (organized) |
| Named after | Osceola |
| Seat | Sibley |
| Largest city | Sibley |
| Area | |
• Total | 399.396 sq mi (1,034.43 km2) |
| • Land | 398.687 sq mi (1,032.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.709 sq mi (1.84 km2) 0.18% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,192 |
• Estimate (2024) | 6,036 |
| • Density | 15.53/sq mi (5.997/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 712 |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | osceolacountyia.gov |
| |
Osceola County (/ˌɒsiˈoʊlə/ OSS-ee-OH-lə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 6,192,[2] and was estimated to be 6,036 in 2024,[3] making it the fifth-least populous county in Iowa. It is named for Seminole war chief Osceola. The county seat and the largest city is Sibley, named for H. H. Sibley of Minnesota.[4]
History
Osceola County was created on January 15, 1851 and organized on January 1, 1872.[5] It was named after the eponymous chief of the Seminole.[6] It is the smallest and most recent county in Iowa. In the same year the first settler arrived, Captain Eldred Huff, and laid his claim. On January 1, 1872, the county government conferred for the first time. The first courthouse, constructed of wood, was built in November of the following year and simultaneously served as the conference chamber, school and church. In September 1903, the second courthouse was finished and was wired for electricity in October 1915.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 399.396 square miles (1,034.43 km2), of which 398.687 square miles (1,032.59 km2) is land and 0.709 square miles (1.84 km2) (0.18%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in Iowa by total area.[8] The highest natural point in Iowa, Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (510 m), is located in Osceola County.[9]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Nobles County, Minnesota (northwest)
- Jackson County, Minnesota (northeast)
- Dickinson County (east)
- O'Brien County (south)
- Lyon County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 2,219 | — | |
| 1890 | 5,574 | 151.2% | |
| 1900 | 8,725 | 56.5% | |
| 1910 | 8,956 | 2.6% | |
| 1920 | 10,223 | 14.1% | |
| 1930 | 10,182 | −0.4% | |
| 1940 | 10,607 | 4.2% | |
| 1950 | 10,181 | −4.0% | |
| 1960 | 10,064 | −1.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,555 | −15.0% | |
| 1980 | 8,371 | −2.2% | |
| 1990 | 7,267 | −13.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,003 | −3.6% | |
| 2010 | 6,462 | −7.7% | |
| 2020 | 6,192 | −4.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 6,036 | [10] | −2.5% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13] 1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[3] | |||
As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Osceola County was $139,287.[15]
As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 2,634 estimated households in Osceola County with an average of 2.27 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $69,239. Approximately 16.0% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Osceola County has an estimated 63.0% employment rate, with 16.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 87.4% holding a high school diploma.[3] There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 7.19 per square mile (2.8/km2).
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (89.8%), Spanish (9.2%), Indo-European (0.4%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.6%), and Other (0.0%).
The median age in the county was 43.1 years.
| Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[16] | Pop. 1990[17] | Pop. 2000[18] | Pop. 2010[19] | Pop. 2020[20] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,314 (99.32%) |
7,220 (99.35%) |
6,812 (97.27%) |
5,937 (91.88%) |
5,341 (86.26%) |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10 (0.12%) |
3 (0.04%) |
8 (0.11%) |
15 (0.23%) |
28 (0.45%) |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 12 (0.14%) |
9 (0.12%) |
18 (0.26%) |
19 (0.29%) |
18 (0.29%) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 6 (0.07%) |
16 (0.22%) |
14 (0.20%) |
19 (0.29%) |
21 (0.34%) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | — | 0 (0.00%) |
1 (0.02%) |
36 (0.58%) |
| Other race alone (NH) | 7 (0.08%) |
3 (0.04%) |
0 (0.00%) |
3 (0.05%) |
11 (0.18%) |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | — | 26 (0.37%) |
38 (0.59%) |
134 (2.16%) |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 22 (0.26%) |
16 (0.22%) |
125 (1.78%) |
430 (6.65%) |
603 (9.74%) |
| Total | 8,371 (100.00%) |
7,267 (100.00%) |
7,003 (100.00%) |
6,462 (100.00%) |
6,192 (100.00%) |
2024 estimate
As of the 2024 estimate, there were 6,036 people, 2,634 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 15.14 inhabitants per square mile (5.8/km2). There were 2,868 housing units at an average density of 7.19 per square mile (2.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.4% White (83.7% NH White), 1.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.5% of the population.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 6,192 people, 2,599 households, and 1,680 families residing in the county.[21][22] The population density was 15.53 inhabitants per square mile (6.0/km2). There were 2,878 housing units at an average density of 7.22 per square mile (2.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.58% White, 0.48% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.58% Pacific Islander, 4.44% from some other races and 5.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.74% of the population.[23]
The median age was 43.1 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.7 males age 18 and over.[24]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[25]
There were 2,599 households in the county, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22]
Of the housing units, 9.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.1% were owner-occupied and 22.9% were renter-occupied; the homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.0%.[22]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 6,462 people, 2,682 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 16.21 inhabitants per square mile (6.3/km2). There were 2,990 housing units at an average density of 7.50 per square mile (2.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.16% White, 0.28% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 3.10% from some other races and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.65% of the population.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,003 people, 2,778 households, and 1,941 families residing in the county. The population density was 17.57 inhabitants per square mile (6.8/km2). There were 3,012 housing units at an average density of 7.55 per square mile (2.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.04% White, 0.11% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from some other races and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.78% of the population.
There were 2,778 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,274, and the median income for a family was $41,977. Males had a median income of $29,624 versus $20,522 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,463. About 6.00% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Townships
Unincorporated communities
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Osceola County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
Population (2024 Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Sibley | City | 2,860 | 2,787 |
| 2 | Ocheyedan | City | 439 | 424 |
| 3 | Ashton | City | 436 | 434 |
| 4 | Melvin | City | 199 | 196 |
| 5 | Harris | City | 151 | 145 |
Politics
In presidential elections, Osceola County voters have cast their lot chiefly with Republican candidates for office, with the last Democrat to win the county being Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 1,094 | 57.91% | 767 | 40.60% | 28 | 1.48% |
| 1900 | 1,106 | 56.89% | 799 | 41.10% | 39 | 2.01% |
| 1904 | 1,179 | 67.37% | 554 | 31.66% | 17 | 0.97% |
| 1908 | 1,000 | 55.34% | 777 | 43.00% | 30 | 1.66% |
| 1912 | 520 | 26.56% | 786 | 40.14% | 652 | 33.30% |
| 1916 | 1,258 | 58.05% | 874 | 40.33% | 35 | 1.62% |
| 1920 | 2,717 | 76.73% | 754 | 21.29% | 70 | 1.98% |
| 1924 | 1,876 | 50.42% | 386 | 10.37% | 1,459 | 39.21% |
| 1928 | 2,085 | 56.69% | 1,567 | 42.60% | 26 | 0.71% |
| 1932 | 1,190 | 31.08% | 2,590 | 67.64% | 49 | 1.28% |
| 1936 | 1,539 | 34.56% | 2,812 | 63.15% | 102 | 2.29% |
| 1940 | 2,425 | 51.14% | 2,288 | 48.25% | 29 | 0.61% |
| 1944 | 2,100 | 55.29% | 1,689 | 44.47% | 9 | 0.24% |
| 1948 | 1,772 | 44.99% | 2,123 | 53.90% | 44 | 1.12% |
| 1952 | 3,573 | 71.73% | 1,396 | 28.03% | 12 | 0.24% |
| 1956 | 2,986 | 62.57% | 1,779 | 37.28% | 7 | 0.15% |
| 1960 | 2,965 | 62.00% | 1,814 | 37.93% | 3 | 0.06% |
| 1964 | 1,798 | 41.80% | 2,498 | 58.08% | 5 | 0.12% |
| 1968 | 2,516 | 61.34% | 1,420 | 34.62% | 166 | 4.05% |
| 1972 | 2,262 | 62.56% | 1,317 | 36.42% | 37 | 1.02% |
| 1976 | 1,955 | 58.52% | 1,309 | 39.18% | 77 | 2.30% |
| 1980 | 2,177 | 62.45% | 1,051 | 30.15% | 258 | 7.40% |
| 1984 | 2,285 | 65.98% | 1,146 | 33.09% | 32 | 0.92% |
| 1988 | 1,951 | 59.77% | 1,277 | 39.12% | 36 | 1.10% |
| 1992 | 1,756 | 48.78% | 990 | 27.50% | 854 | 23.72% |
| 1996 | 1,736 | 56.90% | 1,010 | 33.10% | 305 | 10.00% |
| 2000 | 2,064 | 67.38% | 913 | 29.81% | 86 | 2.81% |
| 2004 | 2,295 | 70.27% | 934 | 28.60% | 37 | 1.13% |
| 2008 | 2,027 | 64.78% | 1,037 | 33.14% | 65 | 2.08% |
| 2012 | 2,230 | 69.82% | 912 | 28.55% | 52 | 1.63% |
| 2016 | 2,531 | 78.77% | 552 | 17.18% | 130 | 4.05% |
| 2020 | 2,690 | 80.83% | 601 | 18.06% | 37 | 1.11% |
| 2024 | 2,623 | 81.23% | 555 | 17.19% | 51 | 1.58% |
Education
School districts include:[27]
- Sibley–Ocheyedan Community School District, Sibley
- George–Little Rock Community School District, George
- Hartley–Melvin–Sanborn Community School District, Hartley
- Harris–Lake Park Community School District, Lake Park
- Sheldon Community School District, Sheldon
See also
References
- ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Osceola County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Iowa: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
- ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Osceola County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Iowa trivia". 50states. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Osceola County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Iowa" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Osceola County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osceola County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osceola County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "How many people live in Osceola County, Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Osceola County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2026. - Text list
External links
- County of Osceola – official website and Economic Developmen Commission
- . The American Cyclopædia. 1879.