Wright County, Iowa

Wright County, Iowa
County
The Wright County Courthouse in Clarion
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°43′59″N 93°44′08″W / 42.7331°N 93.7356°W / 42.7331; -93.7356
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named afterSilas Wright
SeatClarion
Largest cityEagle Grove
Area
 • Total
582 sq mi (1,510 km2)
 • Land580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
12,943
 • Estimate 
(2024)
12,729
 • Density22/sq mi (8.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewrightcounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 99[1]

Wright County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,943.[2] The county seat is Clarion.[3] The county organization became effective in January 1851, and is believed to be named either after Silas Wright, a governor of New York, or Joseph Albert Wright, a governor of Indiana.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is covered by water.[5] The terrain is generally undulating. The county is intersected by the Boone and Iowa Rivers[6]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18702,392—
18805,062111.6%
189012,057138.2%
190018,22751.2%
191017,951−1.5%
192020,34813.4%
193020,216−0.6%
194020,038−0.9%
195019,652−1.9%
196019,447−1.0%
197017,294−11.1%
198016,319−5.6%
199014,269−12.6%
200014,3340.5%
201013,229−7.7%
202012,943−2.2%
2024 (est.)12,729[7] −1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[12]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,943, giving a population density of 22.2/sq mi (8.6/km2).[13][14]

The median age was 41.0 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.[13]

The racial makeup of the county was 81.4% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 10.2% from some other race, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 18.5% of the population. Approximately 93.5% of residents reported being of one race.[14]

Wright County Racial Composition[15]
Race Number Percent
White (NH) 10,107 78.1%
Black or African American (NH) 73 0.6%
Native American (NH) 15 0.12%
Asian (NH) 67 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.06%
Other/Mixed (NH) 279 2.2%
Hispanic or Latino 2,394 18.5%

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16]

There were 5,404 households in the county, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.6% were married-couple households, 20.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Of the 6,260 housing units, 5,404 were occupied and 13.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.4% were owner-occupied and 28.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.9%.[13]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 13,229 in the county, with a population density of 22.8/sq mi (8.8/km2). There were 6,529 housing units, of which 5,625 were occupied.[17]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,334 people, 5,940 households, and 3,938 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9.7 people/km2). There were 6,559 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.93% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.90% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 4.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,940 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,197, and the median income for a family was $44,043. Males had a median income of $29,398 versus $21,222 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,247. About 4.20% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Primary and secondary

School districts include:[18]

Former school districts:[20]

These three school districts in Wright County have or had high schools in the county:

Tertiary

Iowa State University maintains an extension office in Clarion. Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, and Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls are all within driving distance of Wright County. Iowa Central Community College began offering ICN Polycom classes in Clarion and Eagle Grove in 2015.

Politics

Wright County has, like many counties in Iowa, been a swing county for the majority of its history. The county has voted for the winning candidate in 21 out of the 25 presidential elections in the 20th Century. However, in 2000, the county was won by Republican George W. Bush and has voted for the party in all presidential elections since.

United States presidential election results for Wright County, Iowa[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,992 71.39% 1,138 27.15% 61 1.46%
1900 2,990 75.07% 891 22.37% 102 2.56%
1904 2,795 77.38% 695 19.24% 122 3.38%
1908 2,498 72.34% 866 25.08% 89 2.58%
1912 805 22.64% 765 21.52% 1,985 55.84%
1916 2,599 68.22% 1,135 29.79% 76 1.99%
1920 5,739 81.04% 1,205 17.01% 138 1.95%
1924 4,323 57.40% 501 6.65% 2,707 35.94%
1928 5,020 65.79% 2,547 33.38% 63 0.83%
1932 3,262 39.14% 4,922 59.06% 150 1.80%
1936 3,311 38.01% 5,177 59.44% 222 2.55%
1940 4,443 47.52% 4,871 52.10% 36 0.39%
1944 3,916 47.86% 4,232 51.72% 35 0.43%
1948 3,810 48.85% 3,866 49.56% 124 1.59%
1952 6,566 67.12% 3,186 32.57% 31 0.32%
1956 5,512 58.70% 3,865 41.16% 13 0.14%
1960 5,386 56.34% 4,159 43.50% 15 0.16%
1964 2,831 36.13% 4,998 63.78% 7 0.09%
1968 4,299 56.95% 2,969 39.33% 281 3.72%
1972 4,278 59.73% 2,780 38.82% 104 1.45%
1976 3,544 48.67% 3,637 49.95% 101 1.39%
1980 3,936 55.07% 2,645 37.01% 566 7.92%
1984 3,675 54.81% 2,980 44.44% 50 0.75%
1988 2,658 43.90% 3,353 55.38% 43 0.71%
1992 2,708 40.63% 2,776 41.65% 1,181 17.72%
1996 2,473 41.50% 2,912 48.87% 574 9.63%
2000 3,384 53.41% 2,796 44.13% 156 2.46%
2004 3,631 54.99% 2,930 44.37% 42 0.64%
2008 3,198 50.01% 3,102 48.51% 95 1.49%
2012 3,349 53.35% 2,836 45.17% 93 1.48%
2016 3,800 63.06% 1,896 31.46% 330 5.48%
2020 4,136 66.13% 1,996 31.92% 122 1.95%
2024 3,853 67.32% 1,770 30.93% 100 1.75%

Media

Several small newspapers are published in Wright County, including the Wright County Monitor, serving Clarion and Dows, the Eagle Grove Eagle, and the Belmond Independent.

Wright County Fair

The first Wright County Fair was held in Clarion. The old fairgrounds were located where Clarion's USA Healthcare Center stands today. the Clarion Fair ran until 1924; it was held in Goldfield in 1925, and moved to its present location in Eagle Grove in 1926; it was later retitled as the Wright County District Junior Fair. Entries are open to children in Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster, Hardin, Franklin, and Wright Counties.[22]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Eagle Grove City 3,601
2 † Clarion City 2,810
3 Belmond City 2,463
4 Goldfield City 634
5 Dows (partially in Franklin County) City 521
6 Woolstock City 144
7 Rowan City 123
8 Galt City 26

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 19, 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 19, 2026.
  4. ^ Wright County Archived 2007-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wright. II. A N. central county of Iowa" . The American Cyclopædia.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wright County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wright County, Iowa".
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Geography Division. 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wright County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  19. ^ a b c d e f g "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  20. ^ Geography Division (November 28, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Wright County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  22. ^ Wright County District Junior Fair website. Accessed October 1, 2025.
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