Calhoun County, Iowa

Calhoun County, Iowa
County
Calhoun County Courthouse in Rockwell City
The historic Central School in Lake City
The former Lake City Public Library
A grain elevator in the small town of Somers rises from a field at sunset
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 42°23′10″N 94°38′37″W / 42.386061°N 94.643602°W / 42.386061; -94.643602
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851 (created)
November 7, 1855 (organized)
Named afterJohn C. Calhoun
SeatRockwell City
Largest cityRockwell City
Area
 • Total
572.114 sq mi (1,481.77 km2)
 • Land569.846 sq mi (1,475.89 km2)
 • Water2.268 sq mi (5.87 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
9,927
 • Estimate 
(2024)
9,711
 • Density17.42/sq mi (6.726/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code712
Congressional district4th
Websitecalhouncounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 13[1]

Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,927,[2] and was estimated to be 9,711 in 2024.[3] The county seat and largest city is Rockwell City.[4]

History

Calhoun County was formed on January 15, 1851, from open land originally named Fox County.[5] It was renamed in 1853 after the seventh US vice president John C. Calhoun. When the tracks of the Illinois Central Railroad were laid through the county in 1870, the county seat was moved from Lake City to Rockwell City. The first train reached Rockwell City on August 7, 1882, and the population count doubled in the same year. The first courthouse, built of wood, burned to the ground in 1884 and the county government moved into a nearby hotel. In 1913, the current courthouse was built.

On July 6, 1893, Pomeroy was struck by a tornado that measured F5 on the Fujita scale. With a damage path 500 yards (460 m) wide and 55 miles (89 km) long, the tornado destroyed about 80% of the homes in Pomeroy. The tornado killed 71 people and injured 200.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 572.114 square miles (1,481.77 km2), of which 569.846 square miles (1,475.89 km2) is land and 2.268 square miles (5.87 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6] It is the 48th largest county in Iowa by total area.[7]

Ecology

Calhoun County is located entirely within the Des Moines Lobe of the Western Corn Belt Plains ecoregion, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One of the flattest regions in Iowa, the Des Moines Lobe ecoregion is a distinctive area naturally defined by Wisconsin glaciation but modified by humans for extensive agriculture. In general, the land is level to gently rolling with some areas of relief defined by glacial features like moraines, hummocky knobs, and kettles, and outwash deposits. The lobe does not have any loess deposits like the Loess Hills to the west.

The stream network is poorly developed and widely spaced, with major rivers carving valleys that are relatively deep and steep-sided. Almost all of the natural lakes of Iowa are found in the northern part of this region (the Iowa Great Lakes). Most of the region has been converted from wet prairie to agricultural use with substantial surface water drainage. Only a small fraction of the wetlands remain, and many natural lakes have been drained as a result of agricultural drainage projects via drainage tiles or ditches.[8]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860147—
18701,602989.8%
18805,595249.3%
189013,107134.3%
190018,56941.7%
191017,090−8.0%
192017,7834.1%
193017,605−1.0%
194017,584−0.1%
195016,925−3.7%
196015,923−5.9%
197014,287−10.3%
198013,542−5.2%
199011,508−15.0%
200011,115−3.4%
20109,670−13.0%
20209,9272.7%
2024 (est.)9,711[9] −2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[3]

As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Calhoun County was $128,711.[14]

As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 3,886 estimated households in Calhoun County with an average of 2.35 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $66,875. Approximately 8.6% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Calhoun County has an estimated 54.3% employment rate, with 21.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.7% holding a high school diploma.[3] There were 4,794 housing units at an average density of 8.41 per square mile (3.2/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (98.0%), Spanish (1.3%), Indo-European (0.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the county was 42.7 years.

Racial and ethnic composition

Calhoun County, Iowa – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[15] Pop. 1990[16] Pop. 2000[17] Pop. 2010[18] Pop. 2020[19]
White alone (NH) 13,444
(99.28%)		 11,404
(99.10%)		 10,849
(97.61%)		 9,470
(97.93%)		 9,261
(93.29%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 21
(0.16%)		 30
(0.26%)		 76
(0.68%)		 19
(0.20%)		 151
(1.52%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 8
(0.06%)		 11
(0.10%)		 21
(0.19%)		 18
(0.19%)		 22
(0.22%)
Asian alone (NH) 13
(0.10%)		 22
(0.19%)		 20
(0.18%)		 20
(0.21%)		 24
(0.24%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 0
(0.00%)		 1
(0.01%)		 8
(0.08%)
Other race alone (NH) 6
(0.04%)		 1
(0.01%)		 3
(0.03%)		 2
(0.02%)		 19
(0.19%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 46
(0.41%)		 50
(0.52%)		 206
(2.08%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 50
(0.37%)		 40
(0.35%)		 100
(0.90%)		 90
(0.93%)		 236
(2.38%)
Total 13,542
(100.00%)		 11,508
(100.00%)		 11,115
(100.00%)		 9,670
(100.00%)		 9,927
(100.00%)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 9,927 people, 4,070 households, and 2,578 families residing in the county.[20][21] The population density was 17.42 inhabitants per square mile (6.7/km2). There were 4,771 housing units at an average density of 8.37 per square mile (3.2/km2).[20]

The median age was 44.3 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 109.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 109.7 males age 18 and over.[20]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.[22]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 4,070 households in the county, of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.2% were married-couple households, 18.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20]

There were 4,771 housing units, of which 14.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.1% were owner-occupied and 20.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.1%.[20]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 9,670 people, 4,242 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 16.97 inhabitants per square mile (6.6/km2). There were 5,108 housing units at an average density of 8.97 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.51% White, 0.23% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from some other races and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.93% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 11,115 people, 4,513 households, and 3,014 families residing in the county. The population density was 19.49 inhabitants per square mile (7.5/km2). There were 5,219 housing units at an average density of 9.15 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.06% White, 0.69% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from some other races and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.90% of the population.

There were 4,513 households, out of which 27.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.80% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 22.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,286, and the median income for a family was $41,583. Males had a median income of $28,787 versus $20,095 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,498. 10.10% of the population and 7.10% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.50% of those under the age of 18 and 8.50% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Calhoun County is divided into sixteen townships:

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census and the 2024 estimate of Calhoun County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population
(2020 Census) 		Population
(2024 Estimate)
1 † Rockwell City City 2,240 2,185
2 Lake City City 1,731 1,656
3 Manson City 1,709 1,646
4 Twin Lakes CDP 316 535
5 Pomeroy City 526 511
6 Lohrville City 381 366
7 Farnhamville (partially in Webster County) City 383 364
8 Lytton (mostly in Sac County) City 282 274
9 Somers City 128 121
10 Knierim City 53 53
11 Rinard City 38 38
12 Jolley City 28 28
13 Yetter City 19 19

Politics

Politically, Calhoun County has favored the Republicans since 1896, usually only voting Democratic when the party won national victories. It first voted for the Democrats in 1932 when Franklin D. Roosevelt won in a landslide victory against Herbert Hoover. In 2000, Calhoun County voted for George W. Bush and has voted for the Republicans ever since. In 2016 Donald Trump won 67.2% percent of the vote in Calhoun County, the highest vote share since Dwight D. Eisenhower's victory in 1952. In 2020 and 2024, Trump increased it to 70.2% and 72.7% respectively, the highest percentages for any party in the county since Warren G. Harding a century earlier.

United States presidential election results for Calhoun County, Iowa[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,698 67.25% 1,280 31.90% 34 0.85%
1900 2,973 69.61% 1,224 28.66% 74 1.73%
1904 2,479 67.44% 870 23.67% 327 8.90%
1908 2,353 63.03% 1,152 30.86% 228 6.11%
1912 963 26.61% 1,182 32.66% 1,474 40.73%
1916 2,276 58.34% 1,515 38.84% 110 2.82%
1920 5,277 76.95% 1,479 21.57% 102 1.49%
1924 3,529 53.21% 714 10.77% 2,389 36.02%
1928 4,136 60.24% 2,681 39.05% 49 0.71%
1932 2,404 34.46% 4,368 62.61% 205 2.94%
1936 3,027 39.32% 4,544 59.02% 128 1.66%
1940 3,792 46.46% 4,344 53.23% 25 0.31%
1944 3,375 48.59% 3,544 51.02% 27 0.39%
1948 3,083 48.19% 3,164 49.45% 151 2.36%
1952 5,391 67.68% 2,411 30.27% 164 2.06%
1956 4,409 57.49% 2,972 38.75% 288 3.76%
1960 4,485 58.90% 3,123 41.01% 7 0.09%
1964 2,422 35.42% 4,407 64.46% 8 0.12%
1968 3,715 57.53% 2,361 36.56% 382 5.92%
1972 3,821 60.00% 2,446 38.41% 101 1.59%
1976 3,215 51.03% 3,001 47.63% 84 1.33%
1980 3,633 57.41% 2,150 33.98% 545 8.61%
1984 3,311 56.14% 2,541 43.08% 46 0.78%
1988 2,474 44.94% 2,990 54.31% 41 0.74%
1992 2,169 41.13% 2,140 40.58% 965 18.30%
1996 2,077 43.46% 2,193 45.89% 509 10.65%
2000 2,776 55.07% 2,132 42.29% 133 2.64%
2004 3,255 58.73% 2,243 40.47% 44 0.79%
2008 2,741 52.76% 2,341 45.06% 113 2.18%
2012 2,891 55.28% 2,238 42.79% 101 1.93%
2016 3,468 67.22% 1,398 27.10% 293 5.68%
2020 3,689 70.16% 1,470 27.96% 99 1.88%
2024 3,708 72.75% 1,328 26.05% 61 1.20%

Education

School districts include:[25]

Former districts

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  2. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Calhoun County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "Iowa: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2007. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  6. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Calhoun County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  8. ^  This article incorporates public domain material from Chapman, S.S., Omernik, J.M., Griffith, G.E.; et al. Ecoregions of Iowa and Missouri (PDF). United States Geological Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2022.{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs).
  9. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "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 January 7, 2014.
  14. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  15. ^ "Calhoun County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  16. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Washington" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Calhoun County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  18. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Calhoun County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Calhoun County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  20. ^ a b c d e "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  22. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  23. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  25. ^ a b Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Calhoun County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list - This map was effective 2020, prior to the 2023 merger of the Prairie Valley Community School District into the Southeast Valley Community School District.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Geography Division (November 28, 2010). 2010 Census - School District Reference Map: Calhoun County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list
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