Taylor County, Iowa
Taylor County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
The Taylor County Courthouse in Bedford | |
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 40°44′09″N 94°41′33″W / 40.735833333333°N 94.6925°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Named after | Zachary Taylor |
| Seat | Bedford |
| Largest city | Bedford |
| Area | |
• Total | 535 sq mi (1,390 km2) |
| • Land | 532 sq mi (1,380 km2) |
| • Water | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,896 |
• Estimate (2024) | 5,825 |
| • Density | 11.1/sq mi (4.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | taylorcounty |
| |
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,896,[2] making it the fourth-least populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Bedford.[3] The county was formed in 1847 and named after General and President Zachary Taylor.[4]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 535 square miles (1,390 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[5]
A portion of Taylor County at one time was part of Missouri.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Adams County (north)
- Ringgold County (east)
- Worth County, Missouri (southeast)
- Nodaway County, Missouri (southwest)
- Page County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 204 | — | |
| 1860 | 3,590 | 1,659.8% | |
| 1870 | 6,989 | 94.7% | |
| 1880 | 15,635 | 123.7% | |
| 1890 | 16,384 | 4.8% | |
| 1900 | 18,784 | 14.6% | |
| 1910 | 16,312 | −13.2% | |
| 1920 | 15,514 | −4.9% | |
| 1930 | 14,859 | −4.2% | |
| 1940 | 14,258 | −4.0% | |
| 1950 | 12,420 | −12.9% | |
| 1960 | 10,288 | −17.2% | |
| 1970 | 8,790 | −14.6% | |
| 1980 | 8,353 | −5.0% | |
| 1990 | 7,114 | −14.8% | |
| 2000 | 6,958 | −2.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,317 | −9.2% | |
| 2020 | 5,896 | −6.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 5,825 | [6] | −1.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[11] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,896 and a population density of 10.986029521276/sq mi (?/km?Unknown unit?). 95.76% of the population reported being of one race.[12]
The median age was 43.5 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.3 males age 18 and over.[13]
There were 2,506 households in the county, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.8% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 2,885 housing units, of which 13.1% were vacant, leaving 2,506 occupied units; among the occupied units, 77.4% were owner-occupied and 22.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.[13]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[14]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.8% White, <0.1% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.3% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 6.8% of the population.[12]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 5,304 | 90% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1 | 0.02% |
| Native American (NH) | 13 | 0.22% |
| Asian (NH) | 15 | 0.25% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 1 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 163 | 2.76% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 399 | 6.76% |
2010 census
As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 6,317 in the county, with a population density of 11.8/sq mi (4.6/km2). There were 3,107 housing units, of which 2,679 were occupied.[16]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 6,958 people, 2,824 households, and 1,911 families in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 3,199 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.71% White, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.81%[17] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,824 households 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 16.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.
The age distribution was 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 22.40% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.
The median household income was $31,297 and the median family income was $37,194. Males had a median income of $26,631 versus $19,162 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,082. About 8.50% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
- Bedford
- Blockton
- Clearfield (partially)
- Conway
- Gravity
- Lenox (partially)
- New Market
- Sharpsburg
Census-designated place
Townships
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Taylor County.[2]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Bedford | City | 1,508 |
| 2 | Lenox (partially in Adams County) | City | 1,339 (1,339 total) |
| 3 | New Market | City | 385 |
| 4 | Clearfield (partially in Ringgold County) | City | 272 (278 total) |
| 5 | Gravity | City | 154 |
| 6 | Blockton | City | 125 |
| 7 | Sharpsburg | City | 72 |
| 8 | Conway | City | 17 |
| 9 | Athelstan | CDP | 6 |
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 2,468 | 51.55% | 2,293 | 47.89% | 27 | 0.56% |
| 1900 | 2,792 | 57.25% | 1,984 | 40.68% | 101 | 2.07% |
| 1904 | 2,650 | 65.90% | 1,060 | 26.36% | 311 | 7.73% |
| 1908 | 2,460 | 58.77% | 1,585 | 37.86% | 141 | 3.37% |
| 1912 | 1,364 | 35.40% | 1,372 | 35.61% | 1,117 | 28.99% |
| 1916 | 2,219 | 54.70% | 1,775 | 43.75% | 63 | 1.55% |
| 1920 | 4,997 | 72.41% | 1,757 | 25.46% | 147 | 2.13% |
| 1924 | 4,254 | 60.95% | 1,138 | 16.30% | 1,588 | 22.75% |
| 1928 | 4,700 | 68.68% | 2,074 | 30.31% | 69 | 1.01% |
| 1932 | 2,670 | 45.07% | 3,159 | 53.33% | 95 | 1.60% |
| 1936 | 4,145 | 54.94% | 3,337 | 44.23% | 63 | 0.83% |
| 1940 | 4,420 | 59.56% | 2,976 | 40.10% | 25 | 0.34% |
| 1944 | 3,804 | 61.35% | 2,376 | 38.32% | 20 | 0.32% |
| 1948 | 3,244 | 56.93% | 2,402 | 42.16% | 52 | 0.91% |
| 1952 | 4,608 | 71.74% | 1,784 | 27.78% | 31 | 0.48% |
| 1956 | 3,533 | 59.10% | 2,436 | 40.75% | 9 | 0.15% |
| 1960 | 3,452 | 61.85% | 2,126 | 38.09% | 3 | 0.05% |
| 1964 | 2,162 | 43.75% | 2,780 | 56.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,765 | 59.64% | 1,501 | 32.38% | 370 | 7.98% |
| 1972 | 3,042 | 70.16% | 1,247 | 28.76% | 47 | 1.08% |
| 1976 | 2,059 | 50.79% | 1,947 | 48.03% | 48 | 1.18% |
| 1980 | 2,715 | 64.44% | 1,226 | 29.10% | 272 | 6.46% |
| 1984 | 2,496 | 62.06% | 1,499 | 37.27% | 27 | 0.67% |
| 1988 | 1,647 | 49.43% | 1,671 | 50.15% | 14 | 0.42% |
| 1992 | 1,200 | 33.79% | 1,430 | 40.27% | 921 | 25.94% |
| 1996 | 1,419 | 43.32% | 1,458 | 44.51% | 399 | 12.18% |
| 2000 | 1,770 | 57.17% | 1,247 | 40.28% | 79 | 2.55% |
| 2004 | 1,908 | 59.81% | 1,252 | 39.25% | 30 | 0.94% |
| 2008 | 1,607 | 53.11% | 1,347 | 44.51% | 72 | 2.38% |
| 2012 | 1,683 | 56.19% | 1,262 | 42.14% | 50 | 1.67% |
| 2016 | 2,111 | 69.69% | 758 | 25.02% | 160 | 5.28% |
| 2020 | 2,463 | 75.81% | 746 | 22.96% | 40 | 1.23% |
| 2024 | 2,381 | 77.28% | 666 | 21.62% | 34 | 1.10% |
Education
School districts include:[19]
Former school districts:[20]
- Clearfield Community School District - Dissolved on July 1, 2014.[21]
- New Market Community School District - Dissolved on July 1, 2008.[21]
See also
References
- ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Taylor County". www.iowacounties.org. Archived from the original on April 25, 2007.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Taylor County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". 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.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Taylor County, Iowa".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
- ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Taylor County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 27, 2024. - Text list
- ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Taylor County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. November 30, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2024. - Text list - The map was published with the 2010 U.S. census but it shows school district boundaries prior to July 1, 2008, as it shows the boundary of the New Market school district.
- ^ a b "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66 Archived June 19, 2018, at the Wayback Machine." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.