Kossuth County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 43°12′18″N 94°12′20″W / 43.205°N 94.205555555556°W / 43.205; -94.205555555556 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| Founded | January 15, 1851 |
| Named after | Lajos Kossuth |
| Seat | Algona |
| Largest city | Algona |
| Area | |
• Total | 974.3 sq mi (2,523 km2) |
| • Land | 973 sq mi (2,520 km2) |
| • Water | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2) 0.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 14,828  |
• Estimate (2024) | 14,408 |
| • Density | 15/sq mi (5.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
| Website | kossuthcounty.iowa.gov |
Kossuth County (/kəˈsuːθ/) is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,828.[1] The county seat is Algona.[2]
History
Kossuth County was founded on January 15, 1851. It was named after Lajos Kossuth, Regent-President of Hungary who went into exile to America following the war of independence of Hungary from the Habsburg Dynasty.[3] The county was enlarged northward in 1857 by the inclusion of the former Bancroft County. Crocker County was another county created out of the same area of Kossuth County as Bancroft County but was reverted due to not being larger than 432 square miles (112,000 ha).[citation needed] Another attempt to create a new county called Larrabee County failed in 1914.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 974 square miles (2,520 km2), of which 973 square miles (2,520 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4] It is Iowa's largest county by area.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Martin County, Minnesota (north)
- Faribault County, Minnesota (north)
- Winnebago County (northeast)
- Hancock County (southeast)
- Humboldt County (south)
- Palo Alto County (southwest)
- Emmet County (northwest)
National protected area
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 416 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,351 | 705.5% | |
| 1880 | 6,178 | 84.4% | |
| 1890 | 13,120 | 112.4% | |
| 1900 | 22,720 | 73.2% | |
| 1910 | 21,971 | −3.3% | |
| 1920 | 25,082 | 14.2% | |
| 1930 | 25,452 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 26,630 | 4.6% | |
| 1950 | 26,241 | −1.5% | |
| 1960 | 25,314 | −3.5% | |
| 1970 | 22,937 | −9.4% | |
| 1980 | 21,891 | −4.6% | |
| 1990 | 18,591 | −15.1% | |
| 2000 | 17,163 | −7.7% | |
| 2010 | 15,543 | −9.4% | |
| 2020 | 14,828 | −4.6% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 14,408 | [5] | −2.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,828, a population density of 15.2/sq mi (5.9/km2), and 96.53% of the population reported being of one race. The median age was 46.3 years, 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 102.7 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.[11]
The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.1% of the population.[12]
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 13,758 | 92.8% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 71 | 0.47% |
| Native American (NH) | 9 | 0.06% |
| Asian (NH) | 71 | 0.47% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 3 | 0.02% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 313 | 2.11% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 603 | 4.1% |
36.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 63.3% lived in rural areas.[14]
There were 6,438 households in the county, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.3% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]
Of the 7,216 housing units, 6,438 were occupied, leaving 10.8% vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.8% were owner-occupied and 22.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.3%.[11]
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,543 in the county, with a population density of 16.0/sq mi (6.2/km2). There were 7,486 housing units, of which 6,697 were occupied.[15]
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 17,163 people, 6,974 households, and 4,791 families in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 7,605 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.76% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.81%.[16] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 6,974 households, 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 28.70% of households were one person and 15.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.
The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.10% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.
The median household income was $34,562 and the median family income was $41,159. Males had a median income of $30,191 versus $20,184 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,598. About 7.50% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated places
For use by the United States Census Bureau in population analysis, some of the rural population of Kossuth County has been grouped together as a Census-designated place.
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Kossuth County.[1]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Algona | City | 5,487 |
| 2 | Bancroft | City | 699 |
| 3 | Swea City | City | 566 |
| 4 | Titonka | City | 511 |
| 5 | Whittemore | City | 497 |
| 6 | Burt | City | 418 |
| 7 | Wesley | City | 391 |
| 8 | Fenton | City | 271 |
| 9 | Lakota | City | 267 |
| 10 | Lu Verne (partially in Humboldt County) | City | 228 (258 total) |
| 11 | Lone Rock | City | 146 |
| 12 | Ledyard | City | 121 |
| 13 | St. Joseph | CDP | 51 |
| 14 | Sexton | CDP | 46 |
| 15 | Irvington | CDP | 36 |
| 16 | St. Benedict | CDP | 31 |
| 17 | West Bend (mostly in Palo Alto County) | City | 19 (791 total) |
Communities
Cities
Villages and Hamlets
Government
Townships
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| № | % | № | % | № | % | |
| 1896 | 2,930 | 60.30% | 1,861 | 38.30% | 68 | 1.40% |
| 1900 | 3,122 | 63.06% | 1,777 | 35.89% | 52 | 1.05% |
| 1904 | 3,001 | 68.02% | 1,352 | 30.64% | 59 | 1.34% |
| 1908 | 2,612 | 58.28% | 1,826 | 40.74% | 44 | 0.98% |
| 1912 | 857 | 18.69% | 1,813 | 39.53% | 1,916 | 41.78% |
| 1916 | 2,647 | 59.63% | 1,748 | 39.38% | 44 | 0.99% |
| 1920 | 6,018 | 77.46% | 1,682 | 21.65% | 69 | 0.89% |
| 1924 | 3,806 | 43.51% | 1,369 | 15.65% | 3,572 | 40.84% |
| 1928 | 4,878 | 50.36% | 4,736 | 48.90% | 72 | 0.74% |
| 1932 | 3,075 | 30.30% | 6,925 | 68.24% | 148 | 1.46% |
| 1936 | 3,569 | 30.09% | 8,071 | 68.04% | 223 | 1.88% |
| 1940 | 5,639 | 46.35% | 6,502 | 53.45% | 24 | 0.20% |
| 1944 | 4,918 | 47.14% | 5,488 | 52.60% | 27 | 0.26% |
| 1948 | 4,186 | 40.43% | 6,039 | 58.33% | 128 | 1.24% |
| 1952 | 7,765 | 64.15% | 4,330 | 35.77% | 10 | 0.08% |
| 1956 | 6,680 | 54.74% | 5,514 | 45.18% | 10 | 0.08% |
| 1960 | 6,278 | 51.95% | 5,806 | 48.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,776 | 35.38% | 6,893 | 64.58% | 5 | 0.05% |
| 1968 | 5,350 | 53.03% | 4,392 | 43.53% | 347 | 3.44% |
| 1972 | 5,841 | 56.39% | 4,393 | 42.41% | 124 | 1.20% |
| 1976 | 4,653 | 46.32% | 5,190 | 51.66% | 203 | 2.02% |
| 1980 | 5,568 | 54.26% | 3,810 | 37.13% | 884 | 8.61% |
| 1984 | 4,872 | 49.64% | 4,838 | 49.30% | 104 | 1.06% |
| 1988 | 3,938 | 43.24% | 5,088 | 55.87% | 81 | 0.89% |
| 1992 | 3,464 | 38.24% | 3,660 | 40.40% | 1,935 | 21.36% |
| 1996 | 3,477 | 40.88% | 4,031 | 47.40% | 997 | 11.72% |
| 2000 | 4,612 | 51.95% | 3,960 | 44.60% | 306 | 3.45% |
| 2004 | 5,042 | 54.46% | 4,132 | 44.63% | 84 | 0.91% |
| 2008 | 4,329 | 47.57% | 4,625 | 50.82% | 146 | 1.60% |
| 2012 | 4,937 | 55.33% | 3,850 | 43.15% | 136 | 1.52% |
| 2016 | 5,653 | 65.68% | 2,543 | 29.55% | 411 | 4.78% |
| 2020 | 6,275 | 69.03% | 2,696 | 29.66% | 119 | 1.31% |
| 2024 | 5,983 | 71.25% | 2,284 | 27.20% | 130 | 1.55% |
Education
School districts include:[18]
Former school districts:
- Corwith-Wesley Community School District,[20] dissolved on July 1, 2015.[19]
- Lu Verne Community School District,[18] consolidated into Algona CSD on July 1, 2023.[19]
- Sentral Community School District,[20] consolidated into North Union CSD on July 1, 2014.[19]
- Titonka Consolidated School District,[20] consolidated into Algona CSD on July 1, 2014.[19]
See also
References
- ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 177.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ "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 18, 2014.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kossuth County, Iowa".
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kossuth County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
- ^ a b c d e "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Geography Division (November 30, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Kossuth County, IA (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
External links
- County website Archived May 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
43°12′18″N 94°12′20″W / 43.20500°N 94.20556°W / 43.20500; -94.20556
