Winneshiek County, Iowa

Infobox U.S. County
county = Winneshiek County
state = Iowa


seallink =


map size = 250
founded =
seat = Decorah
largest city =
area_total_sq_mi = 690
area_total_km2 = 1787
area_land_sq_mi = 690
area_land_km2 = 1786
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_km2 = 1
area percentage = 0.04%
census yr = 2000
pop = 21310
density_sq_mi = 31
density_km2 = 12
time zone = Central
UTC offset = -6
DST offset= -5
footnotes =
web = |

Winneshiek County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 21,310. Its county seat is Decorah.GR|6

History

A largely rural and agricultural county, Winneshiek County has a rich cultural history from Czech, Slovak, English, Irish, German, Swiss, and Norwegian immigrants that have settled within its boundaries.

The county was originally settled in 1848 in present day Bloomfield Township (near Castalia, Iowa) and in Washington Township (near Fort Atkinson, Iowa). It was organized in 1847, and named after a chief of the Winnebago tribe.

In 1980, Winneshiek County reported a population of 21,842. Like much of Iowa during the 1980s it witnessed a population loss, plummeting to 20,847 according to the 1990 Unites States Census. However during the 1990s the county experienced some mild growth and was able to rise above the 21,000 mark once again.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 690 square miles (1,787 km²), of which, 690 square miles (1,786 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.04%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Fillmore County, Minnesota (northwest)
*Houston County, Minnesota (northeast)
*Allamakee County (east)
*Fayette County (south)
*Chickasaw County (southwest)
*Howard County (west)
*Clayton County (southeast)

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 23731
1910= 21729
1920= 22091
1930= 21630
1940= 22263
1950= 21639
1960= 21651
1970= 21758
1980= 21876
1990= 20847
2000= 21310
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt IA Counties 1900-1990] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 21,310 people, 7,734 households, and 5,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 8,208 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.85% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.3% were of German, 31.7% Norwegian, 5.5% Irish and 5.1% Czech ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 7,734 households out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.00% under the age of 18, 16.70% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,908, and the median income for a family was $45,966. Males had a median income of $29,278 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,047. About 5.10% of families and 8.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.50% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Localities

Cities

Townships

Other communities

*Burr Oak
*Highlandville

References

External links

* [http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/historical/winneshiek/win_contents.htm 1913 History of Winneshiek County]
* [http://www.winneshiekcountyfair.com/ Winneshiek County Fair]