Woodbury County, Iowa

Woodbury County, Iowa
County
The Woodbury County Courthouse in Sioux City
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°23′36″N 96°03′12″W / 42.393220°N 96.053296°W / 42.393220; -96.053296
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851 (created)
March 7, 1853 (organized)
Named afterLevi Woodbury[1]
SeatSioux City
Largest citySioux City
Area
 • Total
877.836 sq mi (2,273.58 km2)
 • Land872.896 sq mi (2,260.79 km2)
 • Water4.940 sq mi (12.79 km2)  0.56%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
105,941
 • Estimate 
(2024)
107,257
 • Density121.367/sq mi (46.8602/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code712
Congressional district4th
Websitewoodburycountyiowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 97[2]

Woodbury County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 105,941,[3] and was estimated to be 107,257 in 2024,[4] making it the seventh-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat and the largest city is Sioux City.[5]

Woodbury County is included in the Sioux City metropolitan area.

History

Originally established in 1851 as Wahkaw County,[6] the Iowa Legislature in 1853 changed the name to Woodbury County in honor of Levi Woodbury (1789–1851), a senator and governor of New Hampshire who served as a Supreme Court justice from 1844 until his death.

The first county seat of Wahkaw County was the now-extinct village of Thompsonville; when the Legislature changed the county name to Woodbury, the new county seat became Sergeant's Bluff (now Sergeant Bluff). The county seat was moved to Sioux City in 1856.

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (Ho-Chunk) owns reservation land in Woodbury County.

Geography

The county is on the western edge of Iowa, with its western border being the Missouri River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 877.836 square miles (2,273.58 km2), of which 872.896 square miles (2,260.79 km2) is land and 4.940 square miles (12.79 km2) (0.56%) is water.[7] It is the third-largest county in Iowa by total area.[8]

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18601,119—
18706,172451.6%
188014,996143.0%
189055,632271.0%
190054,610−1.8%
191067,61623.8%
192092,17136.3%
1930101,66910.3%
1940103,6271.9%
1950103,9170.3%
1960107,8493.8%
1970103,052−4.4%
1980100,884−2.1%
199098,276−2.6%
2000103,8775.7%
2010102,172−1.6%
2020105,9413.7%
2024 (est.)107,257[9] 1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Woodbury County was $201,273.[14]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 40,764 estimated households in Woodbury County with an average of 2.56 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $78,923. Approximately 13.7% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Woodbury County has an estimated 66.0% employment rate, with 27.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 87.8% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 43,701 housing units at an average density of 50.06 per square mile (19.3/km2).

The median age in the county was 35.2 years.

Woodbury 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[15] Pop. 1990[16] Pop. 2000[17] Pop. 2010[18] Pop. 2020[19]
White alone (NH) 97,036
(96.19%)		 90,943
(92.54%)		 86,821
(83.58%)		 79,282
(77.60%)		 72,237
(68.19%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 1,106
(1.10%)		 1,836
(1.87%)		 2,013
(1.94%)		 2,384
(2.33%)		 5,076
(4.79%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,169
(1.16%)		 1,478
(1.50%)		 1,529
(1.47%)		 1,789
(1.75%)		 1,893
(1.79%)
Asian alone (NH) 314
(0.31%)		 1,236
(1.26%)		 2,490
(2.40%)		 2,395
(2.34%)		 2,957
(2.79%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 30
(0.03%)		 102
(0.10%)		 651
(0.61%)
Other race alone (NH) 114
(0.11%)		 71
(0.07%)		 72
(0.07%)		 60
(0.06%)		 358
(0.34%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 1,454
(1.40%)		 2,167
(2.12%)		 4,023
(3.80%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,145
(1.13%)		 2,712
(2.76%)		 9,468
(9.11%)		 13,993
(13.70%)		 18,746
(17.69%)
Total 100,884
(100.00%)		 98,276
(100.00%)		 103,877
(100.00%)		 102,172
(100.00%)		 105,941
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 107,257 people, 40,764 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 122.87 inhabitants per square mile (47.4/km2). There were 43,701 housing units at an average density of 50.06 per square mile (19.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.3% White (65.8% NH White), 6.1% African American, 3.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 1.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 20.5% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 105,941 people, 39,904 households, and 25,784 families residing in the county.[20] The population density was 121.37 inhabitants per square mile (46.9/km2). There were 42,701 housing units at an average density of 48.92 per square mile (18.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 72.49% White, 4.91% African American, 2.37% Native American, 2.84% Asian, 0.62% Pacific Islander, 7.70% from some other races and 9.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were % of the population.[21]

The median age was 35.8 years; 26.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.5 males age 18 and over.[22]

83.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 16.1% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 39,904 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.7% were married-couple households, 20.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[22]

Among the 42,701 housing units, 6.6% were vacant. Of the occupied units, 64.9% were owner-occupied and 35.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.6%.[22]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 102,172 people, 39,052 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 117.05 inhabitants per square mile (45.2/km2). There were 41,484 housing units at an average density of 47.52 per square mile (18.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.57% White, 2.40% African American, 2.21% Native American, 2.37% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 6.11% from some other races and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were % of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 103,877 people, 39,151 households, and 26,426 families residing in the county. The population density was 119.00 inhabitants per square mile (45.9/km2). There were 41,394 housing units at an average density of 47.42 per square mile (18.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.48% White, 2.02% African American, 1.69% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.37% from some other races and 1.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.11% of the population.

There were 39,151 households, 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.90% were married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.50% were non-families. 26.60% of households were one person and 11.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 27.30% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 20.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median household income was $38,509 and the median family income was $46,499. Males had a median income of $31,664 versus $22,599 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,771. About 7.20% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

For much of the second half of the 20th century, Woodbury County tilted Republican, albeit not as overwhelmingly as most of western Iowa. Between 1988 and 2012 Woodbury County was the quintessential swing county in Iowa. No candidate won it by more than 3.5% over that quarter-century. This was the only county in Iowa that Barack Obama won in 2012 that he failed to carry in 2008. However, in 2016, Woodbury County, like Iowa as a whole, swung over dramatically to Donald Trump, who carried it by a 19 percent margin, the largest margin of victory since Lyndon Johnson's landslide election in 1964.

United States presidential election results for Woodbury County, Iowa[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 1,453 56.25% 995 38.52% 135 5.23%
1884 2,789 53.78% 2,380 45.89% 17 0.33%
1888 4,169 52.87% 3,588 45.50% 129 1.64%
1892 4,620 47.07% 4,156 42.34% 1,040 10.59%
1896 6,204 54.86% 4,876 43.12% 229 2.02%
1900 7,045 57.54% 4,796 39.17% 402 3.28%
1904 7,597 66.85% 2,809 24.72% 958 8.43%
1908 6,587 53.52% 5,222 42.43% 498 4.05%
1912 2,441 18.66% 4,564 34.89% 6,077 46.45%
1916 5,735 38.61% 8,819 59.38% 299 2.01%
1920 17,603 62.07% 9,815 34.61% 944 3.33%
1924 16,639 47.38% 5,676 16.16% 12,804 36.46%
1928 20,587 54.78% 16,831 44.78% 166 0.44%
1932 12,764 31.97% 26,397 66.12% 761 1.91%
1936 14,157 32.92% 26,847 62.43% 1,998 4.65%
1940 22,832 48.19% 24,457 51.62% 89 0.19%
1944 18,544 47.43% 20,448 52.30% 104 0.27%
1948 16,655 42.61% 22,056 56.43% 373 0.95%
1952 27,518 58.36% 19,474 41.30% 159 0.34%
1956 25,399 55.89% 19,997 44.00% 49 0.11%
1960 26,832 55.05% 21,906 44.94% 6 0.01%
1964 17,347 39.23% 26,841 60.70% 30 0.07%
1968 21,159 50.62% 18,281 43.73% 2,363 5.65%
1972 23,757 57.34% 16,974 40.97% 699 1.69%
1976 22,853 52.79% 19,664 45.43% 770 1.78%
1980 23,553 54.43% 15,930 36.81% 3,792 8.76%
1984 23,002 54.31% 18,951 44.75% 397 0.94%
1988 18,790 47.90% 20,153 51.38% 282 0.72%
1992 18,148 42.34% 17,398 40.59% 7,318 17.07%
1996 16,368 43.69% 17,224 45.97% 3,872 10.34%
2000 18,864 49.78% 17,691 46.68% 1,341 3.54%
2004 22,451 50.80% 21,455 48.55% 289 0.65%
2008 22,219 49.58% 21,983 49.05% 613 1.37%
2012 21,841 48.52% 22,302 49.54% 876 1.95%
2016 24,727 56.56% 16,210 37.08% 2,781 6.36%
2020 25,736 56.73% 18,704 41.23% 922 2.03%
2024 25,969 60.50% 16,145 37.62% 807 1.88%

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2020 Census) 		Population
(2024 Estimate)
1 † Sioux City (partially in Plymouth County) City 85,791 (85,797 total) 86,869 (86,875 total)
2 Sergeant Bluff City 5,015 5,335
3 Moville City 1,687 1,707
4 Sloan City 1,042 1,078
5 Lawton City 943 949
6 Correctionville City 766 759
7 Anthon City 545 534
8 Pierson City 337 335
9 Danbury City 320 315
10 Salix City 295 303
11 Bronson City 294 294
12 Hornick City 255 255
13 Cushing City 230 225
14 Smithland City 181 184
15 Oto City 72 71
16 Climbing Hill CDP 97 70

Education

School districts include:[26]

Former school districts include:[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ 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. 165.
  2. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Woodbury County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  6. ^ "Iowa: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  7. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Woodbury County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  9. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  15. ^ "Woodbury County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  16. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Iowa" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  17. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Woodbury County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  18. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Woodbury County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Woodbury County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  21. ^ "How many people live in Woodbury County, Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  22. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  23. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  25. ^ Owego - google maps
  26. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Woodbury County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2026. - Text list
  27. ^ "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  28. ^ Geography Division (November 30, 2010). 2010 Census - School District Reference Map: Woodbury County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 10, 2025. - Text list

Further reading

  • Lensch, R.A. (2006). Soil survey of Woodbury County, Iowa. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service
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