Wright County, Iowa

County in Iowa, United States

U.S. county in Iowa

Wright County

U.S. county

Wright County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Iowa

Iowa's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Iowa
Founded| January 15, 1851
Named for| Silas Wright
Seat| Clarion
Largest city| Eagle Grove
Area

• Total| 582 sq mi (1,510 km2)
• Land| 580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Water| 1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 12,943
• Density| 22/sq mi (8.6/km2)
Time zone| UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| wrightcounty.iowa.gov

Wright County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,943.[1] The county seat is Clarion.[2] The county organization became effective in January 1851, and is believed to be named either after Silas Wright, a governor of New York, or Joseph Albert Wright, a governor of Indiana.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Major highways
* 1.2 Adjacent counties
* 2 Demographics
* 2.1 2020 census
* 2.2 2010 census
* 2.3 2000 census
* 3 Education
* 3.1 Primary and secondary
* 3.2 Tertiary
* 4 Politics
* 5 Media
* 6 Wright County Fair
* 7 Communities
* 7.1 Cities
* 7.2 Unincorporated communities
* 7.3 Townships
* 7.4 Population ranking
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 582 square miles (1,510 km2), of which 580 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.3%) is covered by water.[4] The terrain is generally undulating. The county is intersected by the Boone and Iowa Rivers[5]

### Major highways

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* Interstate 35
* U.S. Highway 69
* Iowa Highway 3
* Iowa Highway 17

### Adjacent counties

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* Hancock County \- north
* Cerro Gordo County \- northeast
* Franklin County \- east
* Hardin County \- southeast
* Hamilton County \- south
* Webster County \- southwest
* Humboldt County \- west
* Kossuth County \- northwest

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1870| 2,392| | —
1880| 5,062| | 111.6%
1890| 12,057| | 138.2%
1900| 18,227| | 51.2%
1910| 17,951| | −1.5%
1920| 20,348| | 13.4%
1930| 20,216| | −0.6%
1940| 20,038| | −0.9%
1950| 19,652| | −1.9%
1960| 19,447| | −1.0%
1970| 17,294| | −11.1%
1980| 16,319| | −5.6%
1990| 14,269| | −12.6%
2000| 14,334| | 0.5%
2010| 13,229| | −7.7%
2020| 12,943| | −2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
Population of Wright County from US census data

### 2020 census

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The 2020 census recorded a population of 12,943 in the county, with a population density of 22.2002/sq mi (8.5715/km2). 93.48% of the population reported being of one race. There were 6,260 housing units, of which 5,404 were occupied.[1]

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

|
|

White (NH)  | 10,107  | 78.1%
Black or African American (NH)  | 73  | 0.6%
Native American (NH)  | 15  | 0.12%
Asian (NH)  | 67  | 0.52%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 8  | 0.06%
Other/Mixed (NH)  | 279  | 2.2%
Hispanic or Latino | 2,394  | 18.5%

### 2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,229 in the county, with a population density of 22.7803/sq mi (8.7955/km2). There were 6,529 housing units, of which 5,625 were occupied.[12]

### 2000 census

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2000 Census Age Pyramid for Wright County

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 14,334 people, 5,940 households, and 3,938 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (10/km2). There were 6,559 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.93% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 2.90% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 4.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,940 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.50% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,197, and the median income for a family was $44,043. Males had a median income of $29,398 versus $21,222 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,247. About 4.20% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

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### Primary and secondary

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School districts include:[14]

* Belmond-Klemme Community School District
* Cal Community School District
* Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District
* Eagle Grove Community School District
* Humboldt Community School District
* West Fork Community School District
* West Hancock Community School District
* Webster City Community School District

Former school districts:[15]

* Clarion-Goldfield Community School District
* Corwith-Wesley Community School District
* Dows Community School District
* Northeast Hamilton Community School District
* Sheffield Chapin Meservey Thornton Community School District

These three school districts in Wright County have or had high schools in the county: Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Community School District K-12 Enrollment 954 Eagle Grove Community School District K-12 Enrollment 836 Belmond-Klemme Community School District K-12 Enrollment 793

### Tertiary

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Iowa State University maintains an extension office in Clarion. Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, and Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls are all within driving distance of Wright County. Iowa Central Community College began offering ICN Polycom classes in Clarion and Eagle Grove in 2015.

## Politics

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Wright County has, like many counties in Iowa, been a swing state for the majority of its history. The county has voted for the winning candidate in 21 out of the 25 presidential elections in the 20th Century. However, in 2000, the county was won by Republican George W. Bush and has voted for the party in all presidential elections since.

United States presidential election results for Wright County, Iowa[16] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 4,136  | 66.13% | 1,996  | 31.92%  | 122  | 1.95%
2016 | 3,800  | 63.06% | 1,896  | 31.46%  | 330  | 5.48%
2012 | 3,349  | 53.35% | 2,836  | 45.17%  | 93  | 1.48%
2008 | 3,198  | 50.01% | 3,102  | 48.51%  | 95  | 1.49%
2004 | 3,631  | 54.99% | 2,930  | 44.37%  | 42  | 0.64%
2000 | 3,384  | 53.41% | 2,796  | 44.13%  | 156  | 2.46%
1996 | 2,473  | 41.50%  | 2,912  | 48.87% | 574  | 9.63%
1992 | 2,708  | 40.63%  | 2,776  | 41.65% | 1,181  | 17.72%
1988 | 2,658  | 43.90%  | 3,353  | 55.38% | 43  | 0.71%
1984 | 3,675  | 54.81% | 2,980  | 44.44%  | 50  | 0.75%
1980 | 3,936  | 55.07% | 2,645  | 37.01%  | 566  | 7.92%
1976 | 3,544  | 48.67%  | 3,637  | 49.95% | 101  | 1.39%
1972 | 4,278  | 59.73% | 2,780  | 38.82%  | 104  | 1.45%
1968 | 4,299  | 56.95% | 2,969  | 39.33%  | 281  | 3.72%
1964 | 2,831  | 36.13%  | 4,998  | 63.78% | 7  | 0.09%
1960 | 5,386  | 56.34% | 4,159  | 43.50%  | 15  | 0.16%
1956 | 5,512  | 58.70% | 3,865  | 41.16%  | 13  | 0.14%
1952 | 6,566  | 67.12% | 3,186  | 32.57%  | 31  | 0.32%
1948 | 3,810  | 48.85%  | 3,866  | 49.56% | 124  | 1.59%
1944 | 3,916  | 47.86%  | 4,232  | 51.72% | 35  | 0.43%
1940 | 4,443  | 47.52%  | 4,871  | 52.10% | 36  | 0.39%
1936 | 3,311  | 38.01%  | 5,177  | 59.44% | 222  | 2.55%
1932 | 3,262  | 39.14%  | 4,922  | 59.06% | 150  | 1.80%
1928 | 5,020  | 65.79% | 2,547  | 33.38%  | 63  | 0.83%
1924 | 4,323  | 57.40% | 501  | 6.65%  | 2,707  | 35.94%
1920 | 5,739  | 81.04% | 1,205  | 17.01%  | 138  | 1.95%
1916 | 2,599  | 68.22% | 1,135  | 29.79%  | 76  | 1.99%
1912 | 805  | 22.64%  | 765  | 21.52%  | 1,985  | 55.84%
1908 | 2,498  | 72.34% | 866  | 25.08%  | 89  | 2.58%
1904 | 2,795  | 77.38% | 695  | 19.24%  | 122  | 3.38%
1900 | 2,990  | 75.07% | 891  | 22.37%  | 102  | 2.56%
1896 | 2,992  | 71.39% | 1,138  | 27.15%  | 61  | 1.46%

## Media

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Several small newspapers are published in Wright County, including the Wright County Monitor, serving Clarion and Dows, the Eagle Grove Eagle, and the Belmond Independent.

## Wright County Fair

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The first Wright County Fair was held in Clarion. The old fairgrounds were located where Clarion's USA Healthcare Center stands today. the Clarion Fair ran until 1924; it was held in Goldfield in 1925, and moved to its present location in Eagle Grove in 1926; it was later retitled as the Wright County District Junior Fair. Entries are open to children in Hamilton, Humboldt, Webster, Hardin, Franklin, and Wright Counties.[17]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Belmond
* Clarion
* Dows
* Eagle Grove
* Galt
* Goldfield
* Rowan
* Woolstock

### Unincorporated communities

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* Holmes, Iowa

### Townships

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* Belmond
* Blaine
* Boone
* Dayton
* Eagle Grove
* Grant
* Iowa
* Lake
* Liberty
* Lincoln
* Norway
* Pleasant
* Troy
* Vernon
* Wall Lake
* Woolstock

### Population ranking

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

† county seat

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

|
|
|

1  | Eagle Grove | City  | 3,601
2  | † Clarion | City  | 2,810
3  | Belmond | City  | 2,463
4  | Goldfield | City  | 634
5  | Dows (partially in Franklin County)  | City  | 521
6  | Woolstock | City  | 144
7  | Rowan | City  | 123
8  | Galt | City  | 26

## See also

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* Wright County Courthouse
* Wright County Egg
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Wright 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. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Wright County Archived 2007-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Wright. II. A N. central county of Iowa" . The American Cyclopædia.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
11. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Wright 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. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Wright County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. \- Text list
15. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Wright County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 21, 2022. \- Text list
16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
17. ^ Wright County District Junior Fair

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wright County, Iowa.

* Wright County website

Places adjacent to Wright County, Iowa

|  | Hancock County |

|
|

|  |
Humboldt County |

Wright County, Iowa

| Franklin County
|  |
Webster County | Hamilton County | Hardin County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Wright County, Iowa, United States

County seat: Clarion

Cities|

* Belmond
* Clarion
* Dows‡
* Eagle Grove
* Galt
* Goldfield
* Rowan
* Woolstock

Map of Iowa highlighting Wright County

Towns|

* Pleasant

Unincorporated
communities|

* Cornelia
* Holmes
* Olaf

Ghost town|

* Thrall

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

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* e

State of Iowa

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Coordinates: 42°43′59″N 93°44′08″W﻿ / ﻿42.73306°N 93.73556°W﻿ / 42.73306; -93.73556
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