Fort Towson

Cedar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,505.[1] Its county seat is Tipton.[2] The county is named for the Cedar River, which runs through the county.

Cedar County is located between the Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities and Iowa City metropolitan areas, areas also known as the "Tri-Metro" county. It is the only Iowa county which shares the name of a tree. Cedar County was the focus of the Iowa Cow War of 1931.

History

Cedar County was formed on December 21, 1837, from sections of Dubuque County. It was named for the Cedar River.

In 1840, the City of Tipton, the current county seat, was established.

Before the Civil War, the area around West Branch was an active focal point of the Underground Railroad, a network for the freeing of slaves from the southern states.

The former US President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) was born in West Branch in Cedar County.[3]

The Cedar County Sheriff's House and Jail is believed to be the last jail and residence combination still in use when it closed in 2001.[4] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 579 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.[5] Rock Creek flows through Cedar County.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18503,941
186012,949228.6%
187019,73152.4%
188018,936−4.0%
189018,253−3.6%
190019,3716.1%
191017,765−8.3%
192017,560−1.2%
193016,760−4.6%
194016,8840.7%
195016,9100.2%
196017,7915.2%
197017,655−0.8%
198018,6355.6%
199017,444−6.4%
200018,1874.3%
201018,4991.7%
202018,5050.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
Population of Cedar County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 18,505 in the county, with a population density of 31.7402/sq mi (12.2550/km2). 96.29% of the population reported being of one race. 91.92% were non-Hispanic White, 0.45% were Black, 2.50% were Hispanic, 0.28% were Native American, 0.34% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.51% were some other race or more than one race. There were 8,190 housing units of which 7,594 were occupied.[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,956 in the county, with a population density of 31.89/sq mi (12.31/km2). There were 8,064 housing units, of which 7,511 were occupied.[11]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Cedar County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 18,187 people, 7,147 households, and 5,138 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 7,570 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.47% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,147 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,198, and the median income for a family was $48,850. Males had a median income of $32,008 versus $23,260 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,200. About 4.00% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Cedar County is divided into seventeen townships:

Population ranking

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

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Tipton City 3,149
2 Wilton (mostly in Muscatine County) City 2,924
3 West Branch (partially in Johnson County) City 2,509
4 Durant (partially in Muscatine and Scott Counties) City 1,871
5 Clarence City 1,039
6 Mechanicsville City 1,020
7 Lowden City 807
8 Stanwood City 637
9 Bennett City 347
10 Rochester CDP 142

Notable people

Politics

Cedar County, like nearby Louisa County, is a reliable bellwether for the state of Iowa, having voted for the statewide winner in every presidential election since 1952.

United States presidential election results for Cedar County, Iowa[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,161 57.56% 4,337 40.52% 205 1.92%
2016 5,295 55.50% 3,599 37.72% 647 6.78%
2012 4,529 46.94% 4,972 51.53% 148 1.53%
2008 4,289 44.38% 5,221 54.02% 155 1.60%
2004 4,869 50.23% 4,747 48.97% 78 0.80%
2000 4,031 48.31% 4,033 48.33% 280 3.36%
1996 2,966 38.64% 3,856 50.23% 854 11.13%
1992 2,965 35.98% 3,296 40.00% 1,979 24.02%
1988 3,373 45.10% 4,032 53.91% 74 0.99%
1984 4,617 59.59% 3,086 39.83% 45 0.58%
1980 4,398 56.41% 2,589 33.21% 810 10.39%
1976 4,308 55.08% 3,354 42.88% 160 2.05%
1972 4,452 63.39% 2,465 35.10% 106 1.51%
1968 4,494 59.02% 2,675 35.13% 445 5.84%
1964 3,106 40.16% 4,617 59.69% 12 0.16%
1960 5,217 61.92% 3,203 38.02% 5 0.06%
1956 5,344 64.71% 2,912 35.26% 2 0.02%
1952 6,176 71.48% 2,447 28.32% 17 0.20%
1948 3,957 56.40% 2,958 42.16% 101 1.44%
1944 4,673 63.95% 2,610 35.72% 24 0.33%
1940 5,521 62.45% 3,293 37.25% 26 0.29%
1936 3,686 44.76% 4,385 53.25% 164 1.99%
1932 3,277 40.62% 4,718 58.48% 73 0.90%
1928 4,856 65.49% 2,517 33.94% 42 0.57%
1924 4,625 60.74% 1,478 19.41% 1,512 19.86%
1920 5,697 77.88% 1,420 19.41% 198 2.71%
1916 2,862 63.56% 1,595 35.42% 46 1.02%
1912 1,036 23.44% 1,938 43.85% 1,446 32.71%
1908 2,455 54.17% 1,986 43.82% 91 2.01%
1904 2,691 56.94% 1,926 40.75% 109 2.31%
1900 2,740 55.19% 2,131 42.92% 94 1.89%
1896 2,717 54.50% 2,128 42.69% 140 2.81%

See also

References

  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. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Burner, David (1996). Herbert Hoover: A Public Life. Easton Press.
  4. ^ Oltrogge, Sarah. "Properties Listed on National Register of Historic Places Earn Recognition". State Historical Society of Iowa. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 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 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 – State – County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2011.[dead link]
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

External links

41°46′N 91°08′W / 41.767°N 91.133°W / 41.767; -91.133