Plymouth County, Iowa

Plymouth County, Iowa
County
The Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°44′15″N 96°12′58″W / 42.737615°N 96.215973°W / 42.737615; -96.215973
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851 (created)
October 27, 1858 (organized)
Named afterPlymouth, Massachusetts
SeatLe Mars
Largest cityLe Mars
Area
 • Total
863.668 sq mi (2,236.89 km2)
 • Land862.828 sq mi (2,234.71 km2)
 • Water0.840 sq mi (2.18 km2)  0.10%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
25,698
 • Estimate 
(2024)
25,825
 • Density29.783/sq mi (11.499/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code712
Congressional district4th
Websiteplymouthcountyiowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 75[1]

Plymouth County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,698,[2] and was estimated to be 25,825 in 2024.[3] The county seat and the largest city is Le Mars.[4] Plymouth County was named after Plymouth, Massachusetts.[5]

Plymouth County is part of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Plymouth County was formed on January 15, 1851.[6] Settlement began in the county in 1856. In October 1859, the first courthouse was built in Melbourne, formerly located in the southeast quarter of section 34, Plymouth Township, about five to six miles due south of Merrill.[7] The first public school opened its doors there with 32 pupils. In 1872 the county seat was moved to Le Mars and a courthouse and jail were built there in 1873. The present Plymouth County Courthouse was built in 1900 of red sandstone.[8]

During the Great Depression, farmers in the county organized the Farmers Holiday Group, to keep farm products off the market until the desired price was met. A radical group among them abducted Judge Bradley from his court chamber and threatened to hang him in the front of the courthouse. Bradley was freed, but the governor ordered the national guard to Plymouth County and declared a state of emergency, which effectively ended the group.[8][9]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 863.668 square miles (2,236.89 km2), of which 862.828 square miles (2,234.71 km2) is land and 0.840 square miles (2.18 km2) (0.10%) is water.[10] It is the fourth-largest county in Iowa by total area.[11]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Airport

Le Mars Municipal Airport is located in Plymouth County, two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of the central business district of Le Mars.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860148—
18702,1991,385.8%
18808,566289.5%
189019,568128.4%
190022,20913.5%
191023,1294.1%
192023,5842.0%
193024,1592.4%
194023,502−2.7%
195023,252−1.1%
196023,9062.8%
197024,3221.7%
198024,7431.7%
199023,388−5.5%
200024,8496.2%
201024,9860.6%
202025,6982.8%
2024 (est.)25,825[12] 0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790–1960[14] 1900–1990[15]
1990–2000[16] 2010–2020[3]

As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Plymouth County was $245,947.[17]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 10,313 estimated households in Plymouth County with an average of 2.46 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $83,251. Approximately 6.9% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Plymouth County has an estimated 67.1% employment rate, with 21.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.8% holding a high school diploma.[3] There were 10,891 housing units at an average density of 12.62 per square mile (4.9/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 (93.1%), Spanish (4.3%), Indo-European (0.5%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.7%), and Other (1.5%).

The median age in the county was 41.3 years.

Plymouth County, Iowa – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[18] Pop. 1990[19] Pop. 2000[20] Pop. 2010[21] Pop. 2020[22]
White alone (NH) 24,532
(99.15%)		 23,215
(99.26%)		 24,215
(97.45%)		 23,782
(95.18%)		 22,941
(89.27%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 46
(0.19%)		 47
(0.20%)		 67
(0.27%)		 73
(0.29%)		 354
(1.38%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 24
(0.10%)		 14
(0.06%)		 35
(0.14%)		 51
(0.20%)		 48
(0.19%)
Asian alone (NH) 42
(0.17%)		 49
(0.21%)		 65
(0.26%)		 115
(0.46%)		 111
(0.43%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 13
(0.05%)		 16
(0.06%)		 117
(0.46%)
Other race alone (NH) 21
(0.08%)		 5
(0.02%)		 12
(0.05%)		 5
(0.02%)		 54
(0.21%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 114
(0.46%)		 202
(0.81%)		 577
(2.25%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 78
(0.32%)		 58
(0.25%)		 328
(1.32%)		 742
(2.97%)		 1,496
(5.82%)
Total 24,743
(100.00%)		 23,388
(100.00%)		 24,849
(100.00%)		 24,986
(100.00%)		 25,698
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 25,825 people, 10,313 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 11.95 inhabitants per square mile (4.6/km2). There were 10,891 housing units at an average density of 12.62 per square mile (4.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.2% White (87.1% NH White), 2.6% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.1% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 25,698 people, 10,171 households, and 7,048 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 29.78 inhabitants per square mile (11.5/km2). There were 10,818 housing units at an average density of 12.54 per square mile (4.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.63% White, 1.39% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.46% Pacific Islander, 2.55% from some other races and 4.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.82% of the population.[24]

The median age was 40.6 years; 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 and over there were 98.4 males age 18 and over.[25][26]

39.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 60.5% lived in rural areas.[27]

There were 10,171 households in the county, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 56.4% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]

There were 10,818 housing units, of which 6.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.0% were owner-occupied and 23.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.[25]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 24,986 people, 10,171 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 28.96 inhabitants per square mile (11.2/km2). There were 10,550 housing units at an average density of 12.23 per square mile (4.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White, 0.30% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.48% from some other races and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.97% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 24,849 people, 9,372 households, and 6,804 families residing in the county. The population density was 28.80 inhabitants per square mile (11.1/km2). There were 9,880 housing units at an average density of 11.45 per square mile (4.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White, 0.29% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from some other races and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 9,372 households 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of households were one person and 12.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median household income was $41,638 and the median family income was $50,009. Males had a median income of $33,566 versus $22,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,442. About 4.40% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

The Pappas Telecasting Tower,[28] with a height of 603.5 metres (1,980 ft), is one of the tallest masts in the world.

Notable people

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

  • Adaville
  • Brookdale
  • Crathorne
  • Ellendale
  • James
  • Mammen
  • Melbourne
  • Millnerville
  • Neptune
  • O'Leary
  • Potosia
  • Ruble
  • Seney
  • Union Center
  • West Le Mars
  • Wren
  • Yeomans

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2020 Census) 		Population
(2024 Estimate)
1 † Le Mars City 10,571 10,674
2 Remsen City 1,678 1,681
3 Akron City 1,558 1,545
4 Kingsley City 1,396 1,394
5 Hinton City 935 959
6 Merrill City 717 713
7 Brunsville City 129 128
8 Westfield City 123 121
9 Oyens City 92 88
10 Craig City 79 78
11 Struble City 67 72
12 Sioux City (almost entirely in Woodbury County) City 6 (85,797 total) 6 (86,875 total)

Politics

Like most of Northwest Iowa, Plymouth County is a Republican Party stronghold. Lyndon B. Johnson is the last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election, and in elections from 1896 on it has only been won by a Democrat nationally four other times.

United States presidential election results for Plymouth County, Iowa[30][31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,623 51.40% 2,392 46.87% 88 1.72%
1900 2,712 53.03% 2,307 45.11% 95 1.86%
1904 2,905 61.47% 1,663 35.19% 158 3.34%
1908 2,622 53.18% 2,168 43.98% 140 2.84%
1912 825 16.69% 2,038 41.24% 2,079 42.07%
1916 2,666 53.14% 2,258 45.01% 93 1.85%
1920 6,090 76.16% 1,801 22.52% 105 1.31%
1924 3,803 42.09% 1,605 17.76% 3,628 40.15%
1928 4,848 48.98% 5,015 50.67% 34 0.34%
1932 2,888 27.34% 7,565 71.62% 110 1.04%
1936 4,133 36.11% 5,994 52.37% 1,318 11.52%
1940 7,725 66.72% 3,831 33.09% 23 0.20%
1944 6,085 67.04% 2,970 32.72% 21 0.23%
1948 5,002 53.12% 4,339 46.08% 75 0.80%
1952 8,140 74.29% 2,768 25.26% 49 0.45%
1956 7,246 67.42% 3,502 32.58% 0 0.00%
1960 6,432 57.93% 4,671 42.07% 0 0.00%
1964 4,920 46.36% 5,691 53.62% 2 0.02%
1968 6,236 62.13% 3,234 32.22% 567 5.65%
1972 6,339 60.57% 4,033 38.53% 94 0.90%
1976 5,590 55.81% 4,284 42.77% 142 1.42%
1980 6,515 62.97% 2,965 28.66% 866 8.37%
1984 6,482 64.65% 3,464 34.55% 81 0.81%
1988 5,316 55.33% 4,220 43.93% 71 0.74%
1992 5,196 49.56% 3,171 30.25% 2,117 20.19%
1996 5,117 51.40% 3,745 37.62% 1,094 10.99%
2000 6,189 61.17% 3,499 34.58% 430 4.25%
2004 7,810 63.90% 4,278 35.00% 134 1.10%
2008 7,765 62.05% 4,629 36.99% 121 0.97%
2012 8,597 66.39% 4,164 32.15% 189 1.46%
2016 9,680 73.39% 2,885 21.87% 625 4.74%
2020 10,492 73.95% 3,494 24.63% 202 1.42%
2024 10,661 76.31% 3,104 22.22% 206 1.47%

Political Subdivisions

Education

School districts include:[32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  2. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Plymouth County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Iowa: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  7. ^ History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa. Chicago, Illinois: A. Warner & Co. 1890. p. 434.
  8. ^ a b "Historical Facts About Plymouth County". Co.plymouth.ia.us. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  9. ^ "Martial Law at Le Mars". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. April 28, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  10. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Plymouth County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  12. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  18. ^ "Plymouth County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  19. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Iowa" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  20. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Plymouth County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  21. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Plymouth County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  22. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Plymouth County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  24. ^ "How many people live in Plymouth County, Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
  25. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  28. ^ "ASR Registration 1058291". Wireless2.fcc.gov. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "Johnny Niggeling Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  31. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,005 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 46 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 28 votes.
  32. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Plymouth County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2026. - Text list
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