Cherokee County, Iowa

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Wikipedia

Cherokee County, Iowa
County
Cherokee County Courthouse, July 2014
Cherokee County Courthouse, July 2014
Map of Iowa highlighting Cherokee County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°44′05″N 95°37′27″W / 42.734722222222°N 95.624166666667°W / 42.734722222222; -95.624166666667
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named afterCherokee people
SeatCherokee
Largest cityCherokee
Area
 • Total
577 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land577 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,658
 • Estimate 
(2024)
11,658 Increase
 • Density20.2/sq mi (7.80/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.cherokeecounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 18[1]

Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,658.[2] The county seat is Cherokee.[3] The county was formed on January 15, 1851, from open territory. It was named after the Cherokee people.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 577 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) (0.03%) is water.[4]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186058—
18701,9673,291.4%
18808,240318.9%
189015,65990.0%
190016,5705.8%
191016,7411.0%
192017,7606.1%
193018,7375.5%
194019,2582.8%
195019,052−1.1%
196018,598−2.4%
197017,269−7.1%
198016,238−6.0%
199014,098−13.2%
200013,035−7.5%
201012,072−7.4%
202011,658−3.4%
2024 (est.)11,658[5]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[10]
Population of Cherokee County from US census data

2020 census

2022 US Census population pyramid for Cherokee County from ACS 5-year estimates

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,658 and a population density of 20.3/sq mi (7.8/km2). 96.59% of the population reported being of one race.[11]

The racial makeup of the county was 92.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.5% of the population.[12]

The median age was 46.0 years, 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 25.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males age 18 and over.[11]

40.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 59.6% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 5,008 households in the county, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.1% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 5,558 housing units, of which 9.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.0% were owner-occupied and 23.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%.[11]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,072 in the county, with a population density of 21.3/sq mi (8.2/km2). There were 5,777 housing units, of which 5,207 were occupied.[14]

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 13,035 people, 5,378 households, and 3,597 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 5,850 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.33% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.37% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,378 households, out of which 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,142, and the median income for a family was $42,897. Males had a median income of $29,612 versus $21,181 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,934. About 5.50% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 5.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Townships

Cherokee County is divided into sixteen townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Cherokee County.[2]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Cherokee City 5,199
2 Marcus City 1,079
3 Aurelia City 968
4 Quimby City 249
5 Washta City 209
6 Cleghorn City 240
7 Meriden City 161
8 Larrabee City 123

Politics

United States presidential election results for Cherokee County, Iowa[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1896 2,343 60.08% 1,464 37.54% 93 2.38%
1900 2,432 63.10% 1,253 32.51% 169 4.39%
1904 2,446 74.60% 688 20.98% 145 4.42%
1908 2,300 66.07% 1,084 31.14% 97 2.79%
1912 381 12.32% 930 30.08% 1,781 57.60%
1916 1,578 48.26% 1,646 50.34% 46 1.41%
1920 4,544 77.69% 1,211 20.70% 94 1.61%
1924 3,240 52.29% 904 14.59% 2,052 33.12%
1928 3,909 58.91% 2,701 40.71% 25 0.38%
1932 2,570 34.81% 4,701 63.68% 111 1.50%
1936 2,902 36.99% 4,716 60.11% 227 2.89%
1940 4,458 53.50% 3,855 46.27% 19 0.23%
1944 3,723 53.58% 3,197 46.01% 29 0.42%
1948 3,318 46.44% 3,739 52.34% 87 1.22%
1952 6,018 70.46% 2,502 29.29% 21 0.25%
1956 4,821 59.67% 3,254 40.28% 4 0.05%
1960 4,791 59.10% 3,309 40.82% 6 0.07%
1964 3,180 42.26% 4,336 57.62% 9 0.12%
1968 4,436 59.18% 2,705 36.09% 355 4.74%
1972 4,726 62.23% 2,780 36.61% 88 1.16%
1976 3,993 53.40% 3,358 44.91% 127 1.70%
1980 4,087 54.49% 2,719 36.25% 694 9.25%
1984 4,046 54.16% 3,349 44.83% 75 1.00%
1988 3,218 46.94% 3,574 52.14% 63 0.92%
1992 2,768 40.16% 2,590 37.57% 1,535 22.27%
1996 2,629 41.27% 2,853 44.79% 888 13.94%
2000 3,463 52.53% 2,845 43.16% 284 4.31%
2004 3,758 55.30% 2,988 43.97% 50 0.74%
2008 3,372 52.95% 2,890 45.38% 106 1.66%
2012 3,662 57.08% 2,634 41.06% 119 1.86%
2016 4,192 66.99% 1,679 26.83% 387 6.18%
2020 4,495 68.96% 1,936 29.70% 87 1.33%
2024 4,398 72.04% 1,611 26.39% 96 1.57%

Education

School districts include:[17]

Former school districts:

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. 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. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Population and Housing Occupancy Status: 2010 – State – County". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2011.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  17. ↑ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cherokee County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  19. ↑ Geography Division (November 28, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Cherokee County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list

42°44′05″N 95°37′27″W / 42.73472°N 95.62417°W / 42.73472; -95.62417