Johnson County, Iowa

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


map size = 225
founded = 1838
seat = Iowa City | area_total_sq_mi =623
area_land_sq_mi =614
area_water_sq_mi =9
area percentage = 1.42%
census estimate yr = 2007
pop = 125,692
density_km2 =78
web = www.johnson-county.com
|

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population is 111,006. The 2007 estimate is 125,692. [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/CountyAll/coestpop20002007.pdf] Its county seat is Iowa City,GR|6 also home of the University of Iowa. Johnson County is one of the two counties that make up the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. [cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf|title=Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses|accessdate=2006-07-21|author=United States Office of Management and Budget|pages=5, 36.|format=PDF] It is named for Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth vice president of the United States.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,614 km²), of which, 614 square miles (1,592 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23 km²) of it is water. The total area is 1.42% water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Linn County (north)
*Cedar County (northeast)
*Muscatine County & Louisa County (southeast)
*Washington County (southwest)
*Iowa County (west)
*Benton County (northwest)

History

Johnson County was created on December 21, 1837 by the legislature of the Wisconsin Territory. The county was carved out of territory formerly in Dubuque County, and was not initially provided with a civil government, instead being governed by Cedar County officials. It was named for the US Vice President Richard M. Johnson. [(1883) "History of Johnson County, Iowa 1836-1882" reproduction by Unigraphic Inc. p 165-166.]

The first courthouse in the county was a two story log cabin structure, built in 1838 in the town of Napoleon, two miles south of Iowa City. Napoleon, was located in a flood plain, however, and the second courthouse in the county was built on the hills north of Napoleon in the area that became Iowa City.

A third courthouse, built in Iowa City, was destroyed by fire on election night in 1856, while officials were busily counting votes. A third brick structure was built in 1857 and used until it was declared structurally unsafe in 1899.

The Richardsonian Romanesque style courthouse in use today was designed and built in 1900 by the Chicago architecture firm of A.W. Rush at a cost of $111,000. The building's tower was based on Richardson's design for the spire of Trinity Church in Boston. The building was dedicated on June 8, 1901. [cite web|url=http://www.johnson-county.com/johnsoncounty/courthouse.shtml|title=The Johnson County Courthouse|accessdate=2008-07-14|]

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 24817
1910= 25914
1920= 26462
1930= 30276
1940= 33191
1950= 45756
1960= 53663
1970= 72127
1980= 81717
1990= 96119
2000= 111006
estyear= 2007
estimate= 125692
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt IA Counties 1900-1990] [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/CountyAll/coestpop20002007.pdf] As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 111,006 people, 44,080 households, and 23,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 45,831 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.13% White, 2.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 4.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 44,080 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.90% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.50% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.10% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,060, and the median income for a family was $60,112. Males had a median income of $36,279 versus $29,793 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,220. About 5.20% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.

Notable natives

*John T. Struble (1831-1916) early builder and farmer.

Localities

Cities

References

External links

* [http://www.johnson-county.com/ Johnson County Government]
* [http://www.johnsoncountycrisiscenter.org/ Johnson County Crisis Center]