Decatur County, Iowa

County in Iowa, United States

U.S. county in Iowa

Decatur County

U.S. county

Decatur County Courthouse

Decatur County Courthouse

Map of Iowa highlighting Decatur County

Location within the U.S. state of Iowa

Iowa's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Iowa
Founded| 1846
Named for| Stephen Decatur Jr.
Seat| Leon
Largest city| Lamoni
Area

• Total| 533 sq mi (1,380 km2)
• Land| 532 sq mi (1,380 km2)
• Water| 1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 7,645
• Density| 14/sq mi (5.5/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| www.decaturcountyiowa.org

Decatur County (/dɪˈkeɪtər/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,645.[1] The county seat is Leon.[2] This county is named for Stephen Decatur Jr., a hero in the War of 1812.[3]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Major highways
* 2.2 Transit
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 2020 census
* 3.2 2010 census
* 3.3 2000 census
* 4 County officials
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 Cities
* 5.2 Townships
* 5.3 Population ranking
* 6 Politics
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## History

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Decatur County was organized in 1850 and named for Stephen Decatur, a naval hero of the War of 1812. The current courthouse was dedicated in 1908.[4]

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 533 square miles (1,380 km2), of which 532 square miles (1,380 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

File:Decatur Co IA Pie Chart No Text Version.pdfSoils of Decatur County

### Major highways

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* Interstate 35
* U.S. Highway 69
* Iowa Highway 2

### Transit

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* List of intercity bus stops in Iowa

### Adjacent counties

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* Clarke County (north)
* Wayne County (east)
* Mercer County, Missouri (southeast)
* Harrison County, Missouri (southwest)
* Ringgold County (west)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 965| | —
1860| 8,677| | 799.2%
1870| 12,018| | 38.5%
1880| 15,336| | 27.6%
1890| 15,643| | 2.0%
1900| 18,115| | 15.8%
1910| 16,347| | −9.8%
1920| 16,566| | 1.3%
1930| 14,903| | −10.0%
1940| 14,012| | −6.0%
1950| 12,601| | −10.1%
1960| 10,539| | −16.4%
1970| 9,737| | −7.6%
1980| 9,794| | 0.6%
1990| 8,338| | −14.9%
2000| 8,689| | 4.2%
2010| 8,457| | −2.7%
2020| 7,645| | −9.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
File:DecaturCountyIowaPop2020.pngPopulation of Decatur County from US census data

### 2020 census

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The 2020 census recorded a population of 7,645 in the county, with a population density of 14.3482/sq mi (5.5399/km2). 96.44% of the population reported being of one race. There were 3,653 housing units of which 2,986 were occupied.[1]

Decatur County Racial Composition[11] Race  | Num.  | Perc.

|
|

White (NH)  | 7,010  | 91.7%
Black or African American (NH)  | 97  | 1.26%
Native American (NH)  | 17  | 0.22%
Asian (NH)  | 39  | 0.51%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 21  | 0.27%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 250  | 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino | 211  | 2.8%

### 2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,457 in the county, with a population density of 15.897/sq mi (6.138/km2). There were 3,834 housing units, of which 3,223 were occupied.[12]

### 2000 census

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File:USA Decatur County, Iowa age pyramid.svg2000 Census Age Pyramid for Decatur County

At the 2000 census,[13] there were 8,689 people, 3,337 households and 2,149 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 per square mile (6/km2). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 0.98% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,337 households, of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.60% were non-families. 30.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 16.30% from 18 to 24, 21.60% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median household income was $27,343 and the median family income was $34,831. Males had a median income of $25,569 compared with $19,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,209. About 10.90% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Decatur County is considered to be the poorest in Iowa, reporting that almost 20% of its residents live in poverty.[14]

## County officials

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Supervisors
Bob Bell
Dan Christiansen
Ward Graham

Treasurer
Janet Pierson

Attorney
Lisa Hynden-Jeanes

Auditor
Charlene Hoover

Recorder
Gale Norman

Sheriff Ben Boswell

Assessor
Justin Cornett

Engineer
Vacant

Clerk of Court
Traci Tharp

Public Health Administrator
Shelley Bickel

Veterans Affairs Administrator
Samantha Schaff

Conservation Director
Rich Erke

Mental Health Director
Kathy Lerma

## Communities

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File:Ancient Map of Decatur County, Iowa.jpgAncient Map of Decatur County, Iowa (1894)

### Cities

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* Davis City
* Decatur City
* Garden Grove
* Grand River
* Lamoni
* Leon
* Le Roy
* Pleasanton
* Van Wert
* Weldon

### Townships

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Decatur County is divided into these townships:

* Bloomington
* Burrell
* Center
* Decatur
* Eden
* Fayette
* Franklin
* Garden Grove
* Grand River
* Hamilton
* High Point
* Long Creek
* Morgan
* New Buda
* Richland
* Woodland

### Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank  | City/Town/etc.  | Municipal type  | Population (2020 Census)

|
|
|

1  | Lamoni | City  | 1,969
2  | † Leon | City  | 1,822
3  | Grand River | City  | 196
4  | Davis City | City  | 179
5  | Van Wert | City  | 178
6  | Decatur City | City  | 175
7  | Garden Grove | City  | 174
8  | Weldon (partially in Clarke County)  | City  | 136
9  | Pleasanton | City  | 32
10  | Le Roy | City  | 11

## Politics

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United States presidential election results for Decatur County, Iowa[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 2,615  | 68.74% | 1,120  | 29.44%  | 69  | 1.81%
2016 | 2,296  | 61.49% | 1,201  | 32.16%  | 237  | 6.35%
2012 | 1,947  | 50.80% | 1,791  | 46.73%  | 95  | 2.48%
2008 | 2,020  | 49.20% | 1,986  | 48.37%  | 100  | 2.44%
2004 | 2,088  | 52.06% | 1,859  | 46.35%  | 64  | 1.60%
2000 | 1,903  | 51.31% | 1,674  | 45.13%  | 132  | 3.56%
1996 | 1,287  | 35.52%  | 1,846  | 50.95% | 490  | 13.52%
1992 | 1,316  | 33.02%  | 1,866  | 46.81% | 804  | 20.17%
1988 | 1,406  | 38.76%  | 2,192  | 60.44% | 29  | 0.80%
1984 | 2,104  | 49.60% | 2,098  | 49.46%  | 40  | 0.94%
1980 | 2,212  | 47.67% | 2,048  | 44.14%  | 380  | 8.19%
1976 | 1,932  | 41.05%  | 2,698  | 57.32% | 77  | 1.64%
1972 | 2,638  | 57.44% | 1,880  | 40.93%  | 75  | 1.63%
1968 | 2,261  | 49.28% | 2,057  | 44.83%  | 270  | 5.88%
1964 | 1,542  | 31.57%  | 3,331  | 68.19% | 12  | 0.25%
1960 | 3,039  | 55.69% | 2,411  | 44.18%  | 7  | 0.13%
1956 | 2,912  | 50.86% | 2,806  | 49.01%  | 7  | 0.12%
1952 | 3,621  | 58.71% | 2,521  | 40.87%  | 26  | 0.42%
1948 | 2,547  | 43.89%  | 3,172  | 54.66% | 84  | 1.45%
1944 | 2,934  | 46.81%  | 3,316  | 52.90% | 18  | 0.29%
1940 | 3,494  | 46.91%  | 3,938  | 52.87% | 16  | 0.21%
1936 | 3,327  | 44.40%  | 4,131  | 55.12% | 36  | 0.48%
1932 | 2,148  | 36.84%  | 3,591  | 61.60% | 91  | 1.56%
1928 | 3,942  | 59.06% | 2,675  | 40.07%  | 58  | 0.87%
1924 | 3,221  | 47.13% | 1,693  | 24.77%  | 1,921  | 28.11%
1920 | 4,187  | 61.17% | 2,592  | 37.87%  | 66  | 0.96%
1916 | 1,962  | 47.45%  | 2,111  | 51.05% | 62  | 1.50%
1912 | 1,351  | 34.39%  | 1,659  | 42.24% | 918  | 23.37%
1908 | 2,149  | 52.53% | 1,809  | 44.22%  | 133  | 3.25%
1904 | 2,430  | 58.44% | 1,548  | 37.23%  | 180  | 4.33%
1900 | 2,415  | 53.21% | 2,058  | 45.34%  | 66  | 1.45%
1896 | 2,268  | 48.46%  | 2,362  | 50.47% | 50  | 1.07%

## See also

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* Decatur County Courthouse (Iowa)
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Decatur County, Iowa

## 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. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 102.
4. ^ "County History". Dacatur County. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
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 16, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Decatur County, Iowa".
12. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. ^ Mike Kilen, "Headline: Who will win in Iowa's poorest county?"[permanent dead link], Des Moines Register, 6 June 2004 (subscription required)
15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Decatur County, Iowa.

Places adjacent to Decatur County, Iowa

|  | Clarke County |

|
|

|  |
Ringgold County |

Decatur County

| Wayne County
|  |
Harrison County |  | Mercer County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Decatur County, Iowa, United States

County seat: Leon

Cities|

* Davis City
* Decatur City
* Garden Grove
* Grand River
* Lamoni
* Leon
* Le Roy
* Pleasanton
* Van Wert
* Weldon

File:Map of Iowa highlighting Decatur County.svgMap of Iowa highlighting Decatur County

Townships|

* Bloomington
* Burrell
* Center
* Decatur
* Eden
* Fayette
* Franklin
* Garden Grove
* Grand River
* Hamilton
* High Point
* Long Creek
* Morgan
* New Buda
* Richland
* Woodland

Unincorporated
communities|

* High Point
* New Buda
* Terre Haute
* Tuskeego
* Woodland

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Iowa

Des Moines (capital)

Topics|

* Archaeology
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Regions|

* Coteau des Prairies
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* Dissected Till Plains
* Driftless Area
* Great River Road
* Honey Lands
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* Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area
* Quad Cities
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Largest cities|

* Ames
* Ankeny
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* Cedar Falls
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* Des Moines
* Dubuque
* Fort Dodge
* Iowa City
* Marion
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* Sioux City
* Urbandale
* Waterloo
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Counties|

* Adair
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* O'Brien
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* Page
* Palo Alto
* Plymouth
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* Poweshiek
* Ringgold
* Sac
* Scott
* Shelby
* Sioux
* Story
* Tama
* Taylor
* Union
* Van Buren
* Wapello
* Warren
* Washington
* Wayne
* Webster
* Winnebago
* Winneshiek
* Woodbury
* Worth
* Wright

Coordinates: 40°44′29″N 93°46′51″W﻿ / ﻿40.74139°N 93.78083°W﻿ / 40.74139; -93.78083
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