Henry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,482. The county seat is Mount Pleasant. The county was named for General Henry Dodge, governor of Wisconsin Territory.

History

Henry County was formed on December 7, 1836, under the jurisdiction of Wisconsin Territory, and became a part of Iowa Territory when it was formed on July 4, 1838. It was named for General Henry Dodge.

The county's first courthouse was built in 1839–1840. A larger courthouse was built in 1871, and the present courthouse was raised in the 20th century, being placed into service on August 4, 1914.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which (0.5%) are covered by water.

Major highways

  • x20px U.S. Highway 34
  • x20px x20px U.S. Highway 218/Iowa Highway 27
  • x20px Iowa Highway 16
  • x20px Iowa Highway 78

Transit

  • Mount Pleasant station

Adjacent counties

  • Washington County (north)
  • Louisa County (northeast)
  • Des Moines County (east)
  • Lee County (south)
  • Van Buren County (southwest)
  • Jefferson County (west)

Demographics

thumb|right|Population of Henry County from US census data

2020 census

thumb|right|The 2022 US Census [[population pyramid for Henry County from American Community Survey five-year estimates]]

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,482 and a population density of ; 95.23% of the population reported being of one race.

The median age was 40.8 years, 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 108.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.8 males age 18 and over.

There were 7,746 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.3% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

!Race

!Number

!Percentage

|-

|White (NH)

|17,643

|86.14%

|-

|Black or African American (NH)

|501

|2.44%

|-

|Native American (NH)

|60

|0.3%

|-

|Asian (NH)

|451

|2.2%

|-

|Pacific Islander (NH)

|8

|0.04%

|-

|Other or multiracial (NH)

|736

|3.6%

|-

|Hispanic or Latino

|1,083

|5.3%

|}

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,145 in the county, with a population density of . The county had 8,280 housing units, of which 7,666 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 20,336 people, 7,626 households, and 5,269 families resided in the county. The population density was . The 8,246 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 94.78% White, 1.49% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.88% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. About 1.26% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 7,626 households, 32.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were not families. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.7% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males; for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,087, and for a family was $46,985. Males had a median income of $31,801 versus $23,075 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,192. About 6.70% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

  • Coppock
  • Hillsboro
  • Mount Pleasant
  • New London
  • Olds
  • Rome
  • Salem
  • Wayland
  • Westwood
  • Winfield

Unincorporated communities

  • Lowell (CDP)
  • Mount Union (CDP)
  • Oakland Mills
  • Swedesburg (CDP)
  • Tippecanoe
  • Trenton (CDP)

Townships

  • Baltimore
  • Canaan
  • Center
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Marion
  • New London
  • Salem
  • Scott
  • Tippecanoe
  • Trenton
  • Wayne

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Henry County.

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Education

School districts in the county include:

  • Danville Community School District
  • Fairfield Community School District
  • Fort Madison Community School District
  • Mount Pleasant Community School District
  • New London Community School District
  • Van Buren County Community School District
  • Waco Community School District
  • Winfield-Mount Union Community School District

Former school district:

  • Harmony Community School District

See also

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

References

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  • County website
  • Henry County Tourism
  • Winfield Historical Society & Museum