Louisa County, Iowa

Louisa County
U.S. county
Louisa County Courthouse in Wapello
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°13′05″N 91°15′36″W / 41.218055555556°N 91.26°W / 41.218055555556; -91.26
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	1836
Seat	Wapello
Largest city	Wapello
Area
• Total	418 sq mi (1,080 km2)
• Land	402 sq mi (1,040 km2)
• Water	16 sq mi (40 km2)  3.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	10,837
• Density	26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.louisacountyiowa.org

Louisa County (/luˈaɪzə/ loo-EYE-zə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,837.^[1] The county seat is Wapello.^[2]

Louisa County is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

Louisa County was formed on December 7, 1836 as a part of Wisconsin Territory.^[3] Two theories have been offered for the origins of its name: one is that it was named after ,^[4] who was very well known in the area at the time because she avenged the murder of her brother when she shot the party responsible; the other is that it was named after Louisa County, Virginia.^[5] Louisa County became a part of Iowa Territory upon its formation on July 4, 1838. Zach Odle and Zach Grimm both hail from Wapello. ^[3]

The first courthouse was a simple wood-framed building. In 1840, a second courthouse, measuring 40' x 20' (about 12 x 6 m), was constructed of stone. In 1854, a third structure was built. The courthouse used today was erected in 1928.^[6]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 418 square miles (1,080 km²), of which 402 square miles (1,040 km²) is land and 16 square miles (41 km²) (3.8%) is water.^[7] Its eastern border is adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Major highways[]

• U.S. Route 61
• Iowa Highway 70
• Iowa Highway 78
• Iowa Highway 92

Adjacent counties[]

• Johnson County (northwest)
• Muscatine County (north)
• Rock Island County, Illinois (northeast)
• Mercer County, Illinois (east)
• Des Moines County (south)
• Henry County (southwest)
• Washington County (west)

National protected area[]

• Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	4,939		—
1860	10,370		110.0%
1870	12,877		24.2%
1880	13,142		2.1%
1890	11,873		−9.7%
1900	13,516		13.8%
1910	12,855		−4.9%
1920	12,179		−5.3%
1930	11,575		−5.0%
1940	11,384		−1.7%
1950	11,101		−2.5%
1960	10,290		−7.3%
1970	10,682		3.8%
1980	12,055		12.9%
1990	11,592		−3.8%
2000	12,183		5.1%
2010	11,387		−6.5%
2020	10,837		−4.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[12]

2020 census[]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 10,837 in the county, with a population density of 25.9886/sq mi (10.0343/km²). 92.94% of the population reported being of one race. 65.57% were non-Hispanic White, 0.72% were Black, 15.95% were Hispanic, 0.50% were Native American, 2.49% were Asian, 0.00% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 14.77% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,712 housing units, of which 4,180 were occupied.^[1]

2010 census[]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of 28.3315/sq mi (10.9389/km²). There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.^[13]

2000 census[]

As of the census^[14] of 2000, there were 12,183 people, 4,519 households, and 3,316 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 5,133 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.56% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 12.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,519 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,086, and the median income for a family was $43,972. Males had a median income of $31,293 versus $22,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,644. About 7.00% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

Unincorporated community[]

• Toolesboro

Townships[]

Population ranking[]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Louisa County.^[1]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Wapello	City	2,084
2	Columbus Junction	City	1,830
3	Morning Sun	City	752
4	Grandview	City	437
5	Columbus City	City	392
6	Letts	City	363
7	Fredonia	City	222
8	Oakville	City	200
9	Cotter	City	39

Politics[]

See also[]

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Louisa County, Iowa

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Louisa County, Iowa.

• Louisa County

Coordinates: 41°13′05″N 91°15′36″W / 41.21806°N 91.26000°W / 41.21806; -91.26000