Monroe County, Iowa
Monroe County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
The courthouse in Albia is on the NRHP | |
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 41°01′42″N 92°52′12″W / 41.028333333333°N 92.87°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| Founded | 1843 |
| Seat | Albia |
| Largest city | Albia |
| Area | |
• Total | 434 sq mi (1,120 km2) |
| • Land | 434 sq mi (1,120 km2) |
| • Water | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km2) 0.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 7,577 |
• Estimate (2024) | 7,373 |
| • Density | 17.5/sq mi (6.74/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | monroecounty |
| |
Monroe County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Iowa. In the early 20th century, it was a center of bituminous coal mining and in 1910 had a population of more than 25,000. As mining declined, people moved elsewhere for work. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,577.[2] The county seat is Albia.[3] The county, originally called Kishkekosh County after a famous chief of the Meskwaki,[4] was renamed for James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.[5]
History
The county had a sizable Welsh American community at the turn of the 20th century.[6] According to the 1900 census, 83.8% of the Welsh Americans in the country worked in coal mining.[6]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 434 square miles (1,120 km2), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[7]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Marion County (northwest)
- Mahaska County (northeast)
- Wapello County (east)
- Appanoose County (south)
- Lucas County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 2,884 | — | |
| 1860 | 8,612 | 198.6% | |
| 1870 | 12,724 | 47.7% | |
| 1880 | 13,719 | 7.8% | |
| 1890 | 13,666 | −0.4% | |
| 1900 | 17,985 | 31.6% | |
| 1910 | 25,429 | 41.4% | |
| 1920 | 23,467 | −7.7% | |
| 1930 | 15,010 | −36.0% | |
| 1940 | 14,553 | −3.0% | |
| 1950 | 11,814 | −18.8% | |
| 1960 | 10,463 | −11.4% | |
| 1970 | 9,357 | −10.6% | |
| 1980 | 9,209 | −1.6% | |
| 1990 | 8,114 | −11.9% | |
| 2000 | 8,016 | −1.2% | |
| 2010 | 7,970 | −0.6% | |
| 2020 | 7,577 | −4.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 7,373 | [8] | −2.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[13] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,577 and a population density of 17.5/sq mi (6.8/km2). The median age was 42.6 years, 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.2 males age 18 and over.[14][15]
96.86% of residents reported being of one race. The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.5% of the population.[15] Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16]
There were 3,116 households in the county, of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.1% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 3,636 housing units, of which 14.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.3% were owner-occupied and 23.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.[14]
2010 census
As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 7,970 in the county, with a population density of 18.4/sq mi (7.1/km2). There were 3,884 housing units, of which 3,213 were occupied.[17]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 8,016 people, 3,228 households, and 2,211 families in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 3,588 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.40% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. 0.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,228 households, 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.00% of households were one person, and 15.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 19.50% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median household income was $34,877 and the median family income was $41,611. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $21,401 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,155. About 5.60% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Unincorporated communities
Ghost town
- Buxton, the largest town with a majority-black population in the early 20th century
Townships
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Monroe County.[2]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Albia | City | 3,721 |
| 2 | Eddyville (mostly in Mahaska and Wapello Counties) | City | 970 |
| 3 | Moravia (mostly in Appanoose County) | City | 637 |
| 4 | Lovilia | City | 472 |
| 5 | Melrose | City | 110 |
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 1,836 | 45.69% | 2,086 | 51.92% | 96 | 2.39% |
| 1900 | 2,233 | 51.62% | 1,705 | 39.41% | 388 | 8.97% |
| 1904 | 3,249 | 62.17% | 1,182 | 22.62% | 795 | 15.21% |
| 1908 | 2,686 | 51.58% | 1,979 | 38.01% | 542 | 10.41% |
| 1912 | 1,385 | 26.22% | 1,485 | 28.11% | 2,412 | 45.66% |
| 1916 | 2,144 | 45.15% | 2,095 | 44.11% | 510 | 10.74% |
| 1920 | 4,500 | 61.21% | 2,081 | 28.31% | 771 | 10.49% |
| 1924 | 4,098 | 50.92% | 1,388 | 17.25% | 2,562 | 31.83% |
| 1928 | 4,060 | 58.16% | 2,819 | 40.38% | 102 | 1.46% |
| 1932 | 2,458 | 38.25% | 3,716 | 57.83% | 252 | 3.92% |
| 1936 | 3,001 | 40.22% | 4,205 | 56.36% | 255 | 3.42% |
| 1940 | 3,270 | 44.57% | 3,994 | 54.44% | 72 | 0.98% |
| 1944 | 2,625 | 44.27% | 3,258 | 54.95% | 46 | 0.78% |
| 1948 | 2,371 | 40.01% | 3,445 | 58.13% | 110 | 1.86% |
| 1952 | 3,219 | 53.28% | 2,785 | 46.09% | 38 | 0.63% |
| 1956 | 2,984 | 53.17% | 2,616 | 46.61% | 12 | 0.21% |
| 1960 | 2,922 | 54.20% | 2,459 | 45.61% | 10 | 0.19% |
| 1964 | 1,588 | 33.15% | 3,186 | 66.50% | 17 | 0.35% |
| 1968 | 2,143 | 45.55% | 2,240 | 47.61% | 322 | 6.84% |
| 1972 | 2,357 | 56.73% | 1,736 | 41.78% | 62 | 1.49% |
| 1976 | 1,581 | 39.56% | 2,360 | 59.06% | 55 | 1.38% |
| 1980 | 2,003 | 48.65% | 1,866 | 45.32% | 248 | 6.02% |
| 1984 | 1,927 | 44.91% | 2,342 | 54.58% | 22 | 0.51% |
| 1988 | 1,313 | 35.81% | 2,338 | 63.76% | 16 | 0.44% |
| 1992 | 1,323 | 34.98% | 1,829 | 48.36% | 630 | 16.66% |
| 1996 | 1,272 | 36.21% | 1,884 | 53.63% | 357 | 10.16% |
| 2000 | 1,858 | 50.95% | 1,699 | 46.59% | 90 | 2.47% |
| 2004 | 2,067 | 52.16% | 1,855 | 46.81% | 41 | 1.03% |
| 2008 | 2,000 | 51.63% | 1,798 | 46.41% | 76 | 1.96% |
| 2012 | 2,026 | 52.90% | 1,731 | 45.20% | 73 | 1.91% |
| 2016 | 2,638 | 68.25% | 1,056 | 27.32% | 171 | 4.42% |
| 2020 | 2,975 | 72.77% | 1,078 | 26.37% | 35 | 0.86% |
| 2024 | 3,104 | 74.65% | 1,002 | 24.10% | 52 | 1.25% |
Education
School districts include:[20]
- Former school districts
- Eddyville-Blakesburg Community School District[22] - Merged into Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on July 1, 2012.[21]
- Russell Community School District[22] - Involuntarily dissolved on January 1, 2008.[21]
See also
References
- ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ Stanek, Edward and Jacqueline (1976). Iowa's Magnificent County Courthouses. Des Moines: Wallace-Homestead. p. 142. ISBN 0-87069-189-9.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 212.
- ^ a b Tyler, Robert Llewellyn (2025). "Old Identity, New Land: The Welsh Immigrant Community in Monroe County, Iowa, 1870–1920". History. doi:10.1111/1468-229X.70013. ISSN 1468-229X.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Monroe County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,121 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 104 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 86 votes.
- ^ Geography Division (December 18, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Monroe County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list
- ^ a b c "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Geography Division (November 28, 2010). SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Monroe County, IA (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 30, 2025. - Text list - Even though the map was published as of the 2010 U.S. Census, the Russell district dissolved and was broken up on January 1, 2008.