Van Buren County, Iowa

Van Buren County, Iowa
County
The Van Buren County Courthouse in Keosauqua
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 40°45′00″N 91°57′06″W / 40.75°N 91.951666666667°W / 40.75; -91.951666666667
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedDecember 7, 1836
Named afterMartin Van Buren
SeatKeosauqua
Largest cityKeosauqua
Area
 • Total
491 sq mi (1,270 km2)
 • Land485 sq mi (1,260 km2)
 • Water5.7 sq mi (15 km2)  1.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,203
 • Estimate 
(2024)
7,217
 • Density14.9/sq mi (5.73/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.vanburencounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 89[1]

Van Buren County (/væn ˈbjʊərən/ van BURE-ən) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 7,203, making it the state's tenth-least populous county.[2] The county seat is Keosauqua,[3] which contains the oldest continuously operational courthouse in Iowa, and second-oldest in the United States.

History

Van Buren County was formed on December 7, 1836, as a part of Wisconsin Territory, and was split off from Des Moines County. It was named for President Martin Van Buren. It became a part of Iowa Territory (later the state of Iowa) when that territory was organized on July 4, 1838.[4]

The county's courthouse was built in September 1843 in the Greek Revival style, and stands as Iowa's oldest, and the nation's second-oldest, courthouse in operation.[5]

"The Honey War" refers to a colorful episode in Van Buren County's history when the State of Missouri and Wisconsin Territory border came into dispute. Missouri attempted to collect taxes from residents north of the disputed Sullivan Line of 1816, which residents said was not rightfully theirs to tax. The sheriff of Van Buren County subsequently arrested and jailed the sheriff from Kahoka, Missouri, and Missourians were charged with "stealing honey from bee trees" in what is now Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. Each governor sent troops to resolve the problem, but no bloodshed resulted. The matter was turned over to the U.S. Congress for arbitration.[6] The dispute, however, was not resolved until 1846, when Iowa became a state. Congress ruled "in favor of Iowa, allowing the original Sullivan line of 1816 to remain intact".[7]

Van Buren County is also home to Iowa's oldest community theater group still in operation, the Van Buren Players, founded in 1963.[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 491 square miles (1,270 km2), of which 5.7 sq mi (15 km2) (1.2%) are covered by water.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185012,270—
186017,08139.2%
187017,6723.5%
188017,043−3.6%
189016,253−4.6%
190017,3546.8%
191015,020−13.4%
192014,060−6.4%
193012,603−10.4%
194012,053−4.4%
195011,007−8.7%
19609,778−11.2%
19708,643−11.6%
19808,626−0.2%
19907,676−11.0%
20007,8091.7%
20107,570−3.1%
20207,203−4.8%
2024 (est.)7,217[10] 0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[15]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,203, a population density of 14.7/sq mi (5.7/km2), and 3,500 housing units.[16]

The median age was 44.4 years, 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18, and 23.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.0 males age 18 and over.[16]

The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population.[17]

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

Of the 3,500 housing units, 2,984 were occupied, leaving a vacancy rate of 14.7%. There were 2,984 households in the county, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.7% were married-couple households, 19.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Among occupied housing units, 80.3% were owner-occupied and 19.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.8%.[16]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,570 people, 3,108 households, and 2,058 families residing in the county. The population density was 15.614/sq mi (6.029/km2) people per square mile. There were 3,670 housing units at an average density of 7.570/sq mi (2.923/km2) per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 98.3% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. 1.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,108 households out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 33.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18 and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.3 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there are 7,809 people, 3,181 households, and 2,163 families residing in the county. The population density is 6/km2 (16/mi2). There are 3,581 housing units at an average density of 3/km2 (7/mi2). The racial makeup of the county is 98.62% White, 0.06% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population are Hispanic or Latino people of any race.

There are 3,181 households out of which 28.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% are married couples living together, 6.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% are non-families. 28.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 15.70% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the county the population is spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.10% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $31,094, and the median income for a family is $36,420. Males have a median income of $27,379 versus $20,925 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,748. 12.70% of the population and 8.70% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 14.00% are under the age of 18 and 15.60% are 65 or older.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

According to the 1850 US Census Records.

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Keosauqua City 936
2 Farmington City 579
3 Milton City 380
4 Birmingham City 367
5 Bonaparte City 359
6 Stockport City 272
7 Cantril City 224
8 Douds CDP 156
9 Leando CDP 121
10 Mount Sterling CDP 33

Politics

Van Buren County has been predominantly Republican throughout its history, voting for the Democratic candidate only six times in presidential elections from 1896 onward. However, the county was a national bellwether between 1964 and 2004, but voted Republican by wide margins in years the nation went Republican. Aside from Lyndon B. Johnson's landslide victory in 1964, the margins of victory Democrats won the county by in this 40-year period were incredibly narrow, with the difference being less than one hundred votes when Jimmy Carter (being a mere 3 vote margin) & Bill Clinton won the county. From 2000 on, the county has trended strongly Republican, particularly in 2016 where Hillary Clinton received the lowest percentage by a Democratic candidate in 60 years. Clinton also failed to win even 1,000 votes, a feat which every major party candidate prior to 2016 had been able to accomplish in the county.

United States presidential election results for Van Buren County, Iowa[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,478 53.54% 2,076 44.86% 74 1.60%
1900 2,547 56.40% 1,893 41.92% 76 1.68%
1904 2,469 61.51% 1,416 35.28% 129 3.21%
1908 2,133 53.86% 1,730 43.69% 97 2.45%
1912 1,483 39.36% 1,495 39.68% 790 20.97%
1916 1,994 52.52% 1,735 45.69% 68 1.79%
1920 4,321 71.00% 1,682 27.64% 83 1.36%
1924 3,623 60.69% 1,209 20.25% 1,138 19.06%
1928 3,904 66.45% 1,944 33.09% 27 0.46%
1932 2,375 42.56% 3,135 56.17% 71 1.27%
1936 3,535 55.05% 2,804 43.66% 83 1.29%
1940 4,108 62.72% 2,416 36.89% 26 0.40%
1944 3,095 60.43% 1,997 38.99% 30 0.59%
1948 2,702 57.64% 1,917 40.89% 69 1.47%
1952 3,870 70.62% 1,577 28.78% 33 0.60%
1956 3,233 63.79% 1,833 36.17% 2 0.04%
1960 3,129 63.94% 1,760 35.96% 5 0.10%
1964 1,700 39.93% 2,555 60.02% 2 0.05%
1968 2,294 59.29% 1,331 34.40% 244 6.31%
1972 2,272 63.18% 1,268 35.26% 56 1.56%
1976 1,804 49.14% 1,807 49.22% 60 1.63%
1980 2,142 58.21% 1,311 35.63% 227 6.17%
1984 2,138 56.73% 1,606 42.61% 25 0.66%
1988 1,692 50.75% 1,612 48.35% 30 0.90%
1992 1,418 38.22% 1,464 39.46% 828 22.32%
1996 1,460 43.26% 1,536 45.51% 379 11.23%
2000 2,016 56.61% 1,440 40.44% 105 2.95%
2004 2,211 57.64% 1,568 40.88% 57 1.49%
2008 1,986 54.98% 1,546 42.80% 80 2.21%
2012 2,064 57.83% 1,402 39.28% 103 2.89%
2016 2,527 70.96% 845 23.73% 189 5.31%
2020 2,859 75.42% 875 23.08% 57 1.50%
2024 2,785 76.83% 778 21.46% 62 1.71%

Education

School districts include:[20]

Former school districts:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 18, 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 18, 2026.
  4. ^ "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  5. ^ Van Buren County Archived October 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Van Buren County, Iowa, a Pictorial History. Villages of Van Buren. 2007. p. 46.
  7. ^ Van Buren County, Iowa, a Pictorial History. Villages of Van Buren. 2007. p. 46.
  8. ^ Ovrum, Mary, ed. (1999). The Van Buren Players. The Van Buren Players.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Van Buren County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  16. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  20. ^ "2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Van Buren County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  21. ^ "2010 Census - School District Reference Map: Van Buren County, IA" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Van Buren County, Iowa.

40°45′00″N 91°57′06″W / 40.75000°N 91.95167°W / 40.75000; -91.95167

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.