Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,039.[1] The county seat is Webster City.[2] The county was named to honor William W. Hamilton, a President of the Iowa State Senate.[3]

Hamilton County
Hamilton County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°22′55″N 93°42′39″W / 42.381944444444°N 93.710833333333°W / 42.381944444444; -93.710833333333
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1856
Named forWilliam W. Hamilton
SeatWebster City
Largest cityWebster City
Area
 • Total
578 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land577 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water0.8 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
15,039
 • Estimate 
(2023)
14,729 Decrease
 • Density26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.hamiltoncounty.iowa.gov

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 578 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 577 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (0.1%) is water.[4] The largest body of water is Little Wall Lake.

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18601,699
18706,055256.4%
188011,25285.8%
189015,31936.1%
190019,51427.4%
191019,242−1.4%
192019,5311.5%
193020,9787.4%
194019,922−5.0%
195019,660−1.3%
196020,0321.9%
197018,383−8.2%
198017,862−2.8%
199016,071−10.0%
200016,4382.3%
201015,673−4.7%
202015,039−4.0%
2023 (est.)14,729[5]−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
 
Population of Hamilton County from US census data

2020 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Hamilton County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 15,039 in the county, with a population density of 25.9672/sq mi (10.0260/km2). 94.75% of the population reported being of one race. There were 7,037 housing units, of which 6,283 were occupied.[1]

Hamilton County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 12,702 84.46%
Black or African American (NH) 88 0.6%
Native American (NH) 25 0.16%
Asian (NH) 314 2.1%
Pacific Islander (NH) 0 0%
Other/Mixed (NH) 445 3%
Hispanic or Latino 1,465 9.74%

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,673 in the county, with a population density of 27.1780/sq mi (10.4935/km2). There were 7,219 housing units, of which 6,540 were occupied.[12]

2000 census

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As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 16,438 people, 6,692 households, and 4,597 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 7,082 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.71% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 1.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,692 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,658, and the median income for a family was $45,771. Males had a median income of $30,579 versus $23,595 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,801. About 4.30% of families and 6.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.70% of those under age 18 and 5.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Source:[15]

Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Webster City City 7,825
2 Jewell Junction City 1,216
3 Stratford (partially in Webster County) City 707
4 Ellsworth City 508
5 Stanhope City 364
6 Williams City 307
7 Kamrar City 179
8 Blairsburg City 176
9 Randall City 154

Politics

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Hamilton County has been a swing county for most of its history. In the last 100 years, it has backed the losing candidate nationally only four times in the 1960, 1988, 2012 and 2020 presidential elections.

United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Iowa[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,956 62.39% 2,843 35.79% 144 1.81%
2016 4,463 58.01% 2,726 35.43% 505 6.56%
2012 3,991 50.35% 3,782 47.71% 154 1.94%
2008 3,913 48.42% 4,018 49.72% 150 1.86%
2004 4,367 52.39% 3,895 46.73% 73 0.88%
2000 3,968 52.39% 3,407 44.98% 199 2.63%
1996 3,109 42.72% 3,455 47.48% 713 9.80%
1992 3,031 39.46% 3,262 42.47% 1,388 18.07%
1988 3,277 43.73% 4,156 55.46% 61 0.81%
1984 4,279 55.61% 3,330 43.27% 86 1.12%
1980 4,745 57.40% 2,741 33.16% 780 9.44%
1976 3,932 49.00% 3,953 49.26% 140 1.74%
1972 4,803 60.87% 2,913 36.92% 174 2.21%
1968 4,607 57.58% 3,058 38.22% 336 4.20%
1964 3,127 37.53% 5,195 62.35% 10 0.12%
1960 5,265 57.39% 3,905 42.57% 4 0.04%
1956 5,667 59.56% 3,829 40.25% 18 0.19%
1952 7,006 71.29% 2,788 28.37% 34 0.35%
1948 3,535 48.13% 3,613 49.19% 197 2.68%
1944 3,837 46.91% 4,302 52.59% 41 0.50%
1940 4,183 44.03% 5,279 55.56% 39 0.41%
1936 3,174 36.24% 5,432 62.02% 152 1.74%
1932 2,330 30.56% 5,191 68.09% 103 1.35%
1928 4,171 58.01% 2,975 41.38% 44 0.61%
1924 4,401 60.74% 490 6.76% 2,355 32.50%
1920 5,924 82.88% 1,126 15.75% 98 1.37%
1916 3,037 70.94% 1,125 26.28% 119 2.78%
1912 831 19.37% 1,041 24.27% 2,418 56.36%
1908 2,765 68.17% 1,145 28.23% 146 3.60%
1904 3,118 77.08% 746 18.44% 181 4.47%
1900 3,259 73.15% 1,134 25.45% 62 1.39%
1896 3,074 69.25% 1,300 29.29% 65 1.46%

Education

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School districts include:[17]

Former school districts:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ 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. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 148.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hamilton County, Iowa".
  12. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau - American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ "Homer - Hamilton County History". Hamilton County History.
  15. ^ "Plat book of Hamilton County, Iowa". Iowa Digital Library. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hamilton County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  18. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Hamilton County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
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42°22′55″N 93°42′39″W / 42.38194°N 93.71083°W / 42.38194; -93.71083