Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,896,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Bedford.[2] The county was formed in 1847 and named after General and President Zachary Taylor.[3]

Taylor County
Taylor County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Taylor County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°44′09″N 94°41′33″W / 40.735833333333°N 94.6925°W / 40.735833333333; -94.6925
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1847
Named forZachary Taylor
SeatBedford
Largest cityBedford
Area
 • Total
535 sq mi (1,390 km2)
 • Land532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
 • Water2.8 sq mi (7 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,896
 • Estimate 
(2023)
5,924 Increase
 • Density11/sq mi (4.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitetaylorcounty.iowa.gov

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 535 square miles (1,390 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

A portion of Taylor County at one time was part of Missouri.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850204
18603,5901,659.8%
18706,98994.7%
188015,635123.7%
189016,3844.8%
190018,78414.6%
191016,312−13.2%
192015,514−4.9%
193014,859−4.2%
194014,258−4.0%
195012,420−12.9%
196010,288−17.2%
19708,790−14.6%
19808,353−5.0%
19907,114−14.8%
20006,958−2.2%
20106,317−9.2%
20205,896−6.7%
2023 (est.)5,924[5]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
 
Population of Taylor County from US census data

2020 census

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

The 2020 census recorded a population of 5,896 in the county, with a population density of 10.9860/sq mi (4.2417/km2). 95.76% of the population reported being of one race. There were 2,885 housing units, of which 2,506 were occupied.[1]

Taylor County Racial Composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 5,304 90%
Black or African American (NH) 1 0.02%
Native American (NH) 13 0.22%
Asian (NH) 15 0.25%
Pacific Islander (NH) 1 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 163 2.76%
Hispanic or Latino 399 6.76%

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,317 in the county, with a population density of 11.8307/sq mi (4.5679/km2). There were 3,107 housing units, of which 2,679 were occupied.[12]

 
Taylor County courthouse

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 6,958 people, 2,824 households, and 1,911 families in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 3,199 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.71% White, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.81%[13] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 2,824 households 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.00% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 27.80% of households were one person and 16.10% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 23.90% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 22.40% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median household income was $31,297 and the median family income was $37,194. Males had a median income of $26,631 versus $19,162 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,082. About 8.50% of families and 12.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated place

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Townships

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Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Bedford City 1,508
2 Lenox (partially in Adams County) City 1,339 (1,339 total)
3 New Market City 385
4 Clearfield (partially in Ringgold County) City 272 (278 total)
5 Gravity City 154
6 Blockton City 125
7 Sharpsburg City 72
8 Conway City 17
9 Athelstan CDP 6

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Taylor County, Iowa[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,463 75.81% 746 22.96% 40 1.23%
2016 2,111 69.69% 758 25.02% 160 5.28%
2012 1,683 56.19% 1,262 42.14% 50 1.67%
2008 1,607 53.11% 1,347 44.51% 72 2.38%
2004 1,908 59.81% 1,252 39.25% 30 0.94%
2000 1,770 57.17% 1,247 40.28% 79 2.55%
1996 1,419 43.32% 1,458 44.51% 399 12.18%
1992 1,200 33.79% 1,430 40.27% 921 25.94%
1988 1,647 49.43% 1,671 50.15% 14 0.42%
1984 2,496 62.06% 1,499 37.27% 27 0.67%
1980 2,715 64.44% 1,226 29.10% 272 6.46%
1976 2,059 50.79% 1,947 48.03% 48 1.18%
1972 3,042 70.16% 1,247 28.76% 47 1.08%
1968 2,765 59.64% 1,501 32.38% 370 7.98%
1964 2,162 43.75% 2,780 56.25% 0 0.00%
1960 3,452 61.85% 2,126 38.09% 3 0.05%
1956 3,533 59.10% 2,436 40.75% 9 0.15%
1952 4,608 71.74% 1,784 27.78% 31 0.48%
1948 3,244 56.93% 2,402 42.16% 52 0.91%
1944 3,804 61.35% 2,376 38.32% 20 0.32%
1940 4,420 59.56% 2,976 40.10% 25 0.34%
1936 4,145 54.94% 3,337 44.23% 63 0.83%
1932 2,670 45.07% 3,159 53.33% 95 1.60%
1928 4,700 68.68% 2,074 30.31% 69 1.01%
1924 4,254 60.95% 1,138 16.30% 1,588 22.75%
1920 4,997 72.41% 1,757 25.46% 147 2.13%
1916 2,219 54.70% 1,775 43.75% 63 1.55%
1912 1,364 35.40% 1,372 35.61% 1,117 28.99%
1908 2,460 58.77% 1,585 37.86% 141 3.37%
1904 2,650 65.90% 1,060 26.36% 311 7.73%
1900 2,792 57.25% 1,984 40.68% 101 2.07%
1896 2,468 51.55% 2,293 47.89% 27 0.56%

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. ^ "Taylor County". www.iowacounties.org. Archived from the original on April 25, 2007.
  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 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "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 July 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Taylor County, Iowa".
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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40°44′09″N 94°41′33″W / 40.73583°N 94.69250°W / 40.73583; -94.69250