Humboldt County, Iowa

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Humboldt County, Iowa
Humboldt County Courthouse in Dakota City
Location in the state of Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded	January 28, 1857
Named for	Alexander von Humboldt
Seat	Dakota City
Largest city	Humboldt
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	436 sq mi (1,129 km²) 434 sq mi (1,124 km²) 1.3 sq mi (3 km²), 0.3%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	9,815 23/sq mi (9/km²)
Congressional district	4th
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	www.humboldtcountyia.org

Humboldt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,815. The county seat is Dakota City. The county was created in 1857 and named in honor of Alexander von Humboldt.

History

Humboldt County is divided into 12 townships.

Humboldt County was established in 1851 as the smallest county in Iowa. It was named after Alexander von Humboldt. On July 1, 1855, the county lines were newly established, adding some land from Kossuth County and Webster County. On February 26, 1857, the old borders were reestablished, and Webster County would not return the land, leaving Humboldt County with only twelve townships. In 1872, Humboldt College was opened and closed in 1916 because there was no agreement with the county about taxation.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km²), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Unlike all counties to its east and west, Humboldt County has only 12 townships. Although founded with the standard 16 townships in January 15, 1851, the county was removed from existence in 1855. By the time the county was reestablished on February 26, 1857, John Duncombe of Fort Dodge (namesake of Duncombe, Iowa) had tricked Humboldt County into cedeing the southern four townships (Jackson, Deer Creek, Badger, Newark) to Webster County "on loan".

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 169
• Iowa Highway 3
• Iowa Highway 15
• Iowa Highway 17
• Humboldt County routes

Adjacent counties

• Kossuth County (north)
• Wright County (east)
• Webster County (south)
• Pocahontas County (west)

Parks

The Rutland dam in Rose Mill Park.

Humboldt County does not contain any state parks, but it does contain county parks. South of Humboldt is Frank A. Gotch County Park. It is named for Frank Gotch, a world-champion, undefeated wrestler from Humboldt. The park is near his childhood farm and is also home to the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Des Moines River. The park features campgrounds and a well-known converted railroad bridge that f was used by the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The bridge is part of the Three Rivers Trail, which is a converted rail route that runs from Eagle Grove west to Rolfe.

Near Bradgate is the Willow Access Area. The terrain is very wooded. In south Rutland is Rose Mill Park. The area can be used for camping and also has access to the Rutland Dam and West Fork of the Des Moines River. The dam is currently in the process of being restored, and most of the park is new. The river is known for its forested limestone bluffs and grassy banks.

The lower portion of Joe Sheldon Park.

Further downriver near Humboldt is Oxbow Park, which contains boating access ramps and lots of scenic open space. The park's southern border is Iowa Highway 3, and south of that is Joe Sheldon County Park. The park is split into two sections, one mostly for camping and one focused on recreation. There is access to the West Fork of the Des Moines River from the lower part of the park.

Continuing along the river, the Lake Nokomis area begins, popular for its woods and small ponds. The Cottonwood Trail also runs through the area.

West of Livermore, Lott's Park allows access to Lott's Creek. The park has lots of benches and picnic tables. South of Ottosen is the Ottosen Marsh State Game Management Area, colloquially the Ottosen Potholes. East of Dakota City is the Dakota City River Park, near an old dam and the Humboldt County Historical Museum. Near the unincorporated community of Pioneer is the Pioneer Prairie Pothole Wildlife Area.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	332		—
1870	2,596		681.9%
1880	5,341		105.7%
1890	9,836		84.2%
1900	12,667		28.8%
1910	12,182		−3.8%
1920	12,951		6.3%
1930	13,202		1.9%
1940	13,459		1.9%
1950	13,117		−2.5%
1960	13,156		0.3%
1970	12,519		−4.8%
1980	12,246		−2.2%
1990	10,756		−12.2%
2000	10,381		−3.5%
2010	9,815		−5.5%
Est. 2015	9,555		−8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,815 in the county, with a population density of 22.5939/sq mi (8.7235/km²). There were 4,684 housing units, of which 4,209 were occupied.

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Humboldt County

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,295 households, and 2,881 families residing in the county. The population density was 24 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 4,645 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,295 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 29.80% 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 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 21.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,201, and the median income for a family was $46,510. Males had a median income of $31,004 versus $22,312 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,300. About 5.30% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 5.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Berkhimer Bridge, located northwest of Humboldt, was built in 1899.

Cities

• Bode
• Bradgate
• Dakota City
• Gilmore City
• Hardy
• Humboldt
• Livermore
• Lu Verne
• Ottosen
• Pioneer
• Renwick
• Rutland
• Thor

Ghost town

• Unique

Townships

• Avery
• Beaver
• Corinth
• Delana
• Grove
• Humboldt
• Lake
• Norway
• Rutland
• Vernon
• Wacousta
• Weaver

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Humboldt County.

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2010 Census)
1	Humboldt	City	4,690
2	† Dakota City	City	843
3	Gilmore City (partially in Pocahontas County)	City	504
4	Livermore	City	384
5	Bode	City	302
6	Lu Verne (partially in Kossuth County)	City	261
7	Renwick	City	242
8	Thor	City	186
9	Rutland	City	126
10	Bradgate	City	86
11	Ottosen	City	55
12	Hardy	City	47
13	Pioneer	City	23

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Humboldt County, Iowa

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Humboldt County, Iowa

• Humboldt County website