Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County
Palo Alto County
U.S. county
	Palo Alto County Courthouse
	Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
	Iowa's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 43°04′48″N 94°40′51″W / 43.08°N 94.680833333333°W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	January 15, 1851
Named for	Battle of Palo Alto
Seat	Emmetsburg
Largest city	Emmetsburg
Area
• Total	569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Land	564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Water	5.6 sq mi (15 km2) 1.0%
Population (2020)
• Total	8,996
• Density	16/sq mi (6.1/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th
Website	paloaltocountyiowa.com

Palo Alto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,996.^[1] The county seat is Emmetsburg.^[2] It is named after the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the Mexican–American War.^[3]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 square miles (1,470 km²), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km²) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km²) (1.0%) is water.^[4]

Major highways[]

U.S. Highway 18
Iowa Highway 4
Iowa Highway 15

Adjacent counties[]

Emmet County (north)
Kossuth County (east)
Pocahontas County (south)
Clay County (west)

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	132	—
1870	1,336	912.1%
1880	4,131	209.2%
1890	9,618	132.8%
1900	14,354	49.2%
1910	13,845	−3.5%
1920	15,486	11.9%
1930	15,398	−0.6%
1940	16,170	5.0%
1950	15,891	−1.7%
1960	14,736	−7.3%
1970	13,289	−9.8%
1980	12,721	−4.3%
1990	10,669	−16.1%
2000	10,147	−4.9%
2010	9,421	−7.2%
2020	8,996	−4.5%
U.S. Decennial Census^[5] 1790-1960^[6] 1900-1990^[7] 1990-2000^[8] 2010-2018^[9]

Population of Palo Alto County from US census data

2020 census[]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 8,996 in the county, with a population density of 15.8500/sq mi (6.1197/km²). 96.59% of the population reported being of one race. 91.05% were non-Hispanic White, 0.58% were Black, 3.05% were Hispanic, 0.26% were Native American, 0.43% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.57% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,516 housing units, of which 3,831 were occupied.^[1]

2010 census[]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,421 in the county, with a population density of 16.7089/sq mi (6.4514/km²). There were 4,628 housing units, of which 3,994 were occupied.^[10]

2000 census[]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Palo Alto County

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,119 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,409, and the median income for a family was $41,808. Males had a median income of $28,344 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,733. About 6.60% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Townships[]

Population ranking[]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Palo Alto County.^[1]

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Emmetsburg	City	3,706
2	Graettinger	City	832
3	West Bend (partially in Kossuth County)	City	772 (791 total)
4	Ruthven	City	725
5	Mallard	City	257
6	Ayrshire	City	133
7	Cylinder	City	87
8	Curlew	City	37
9	Rodman	City	31

Politics[]

show

Presidential Elections Results

References[]

^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ McCarty, Dwight Gaylord (1910). History of Palo Alto County, Iowa. Torch Press. p. 63.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau - American FactFinder. Retrieved May 31, 2011.^{[dead link]}
^ "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 27, 2018.

External links[]

Coordinates: 43°04′48″N 94°40′51″W / 43.08000°N 94.68083°W / 43.08000; -94.68083

[cen2020-1] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.

[2] "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

[3] McCarty, Dwight Gaylord (1910). History of Palo Alto County, Iowa. Torch Press. p. 63.

[4] "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.

[5] "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.

[6] "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.

[7] "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.

[8] "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.

[QF-9] "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.

[10] "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau - American FactFinder. Retrieved May 31, 2011.^{[dead link]}

[11] "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.

[12] Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

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[12]

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2020	68.0% 3,370	30.6% 1,519	1.4% 69
2016	65.5% 3,081	29.7% 1,398	4.8% 224
2012	54.4% 2,660	43.8% 2,139	1.8% 88
2008	47.7% 2,294	50.5% 2,428	1.8% 86
2004	51.5% 2,674	47.8% 2,482	0.7% 35
2000	48.5% 2,341	48.2% 2,326	3.2% 156
1996	38.6% 1,817	50.4% 2,371	11.0% 515
1992	33.3% 1,789	44.1% 2,374	22.6% 1,216
1988	37.4% 2,041	61.8% 3,377	0.8% 45
1984	46.7% 2,715	51.9% 3,018	1.3% 77
1980	50.7% 3,025	41.3% 2,463	8.0% 480
1976	44.4% 2,623	53.9% 3,182	1.7% 99
1972	51.8% 3,141	46.9% 2,845	1.3% 80
1968	50.0% 3,114	46.2% 2,874	3.8% 235
1964	33.2% 2,206	66.8% 4,441	0.0% 0
1960	49.0% 3,551	51.0% 3,695	0.0% 3
1956	51.1% 3,795	48.8% 3,624	0.0% 2
1952	60.5% 4,595	39.4% 2,993	0.1% 9
1948	39.3% 2,594	58.5% 3,858	2.3% 149
1944	42.4% 2,772	57.0% 3,726	0.5% 35
1940	42.5% 3,322	57.3% 4,482	0.2% 18
1936	35.6% 2,613	61.6% 4,515	2.8% 205
1932	36.2% 2,378	62.3% 4,094	1.5% 96
1928	54.5% 3,463	44.7% 2,843	0.8% 49
1924	49.5% 2,943	10.0% 593	40.5% 2,411
1920	71.4% 3,904	26.8% 1,467	1.7% 95
1916	48.5% 1,594	49.6% 1,630	1.9% 63
1912	30.3% 953	40.5% 1,274	29.2% 918
1908	52.8% 1,639	43.2% 1,340	4.0% 124
1904	63.3% 1,999	34.2% 1,081	2.4% 77
1900	55.5% 1,908	42.9% 1,477	1.6% 55
1896	50.0% 1,595	48.5% 1,547	1.5% 48

show v t Municipalities and communities of Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Emmetsburg
Cities	Ayrshire Curlew Cylinder Emmetsburg Graettinger Mallard Rodman Ruthven West Bend‡
Unincorporated communities	Depew Fairville Osgood
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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