Louisa County, Iowa

Louisa County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,837. The county seat and the largest city is Wapello.

Louisa County is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Louisa County was formed on December 7, 1836, as a part of Wisconsin Territory. Two theories have been offered for the origins of its name: one is that it was named after Louisa Massey, who was very well known in the area at the time because she avenged the murder of her brother when she shot the party responsible; the other is that it was named after Louisa County, Virginia. Louisa County became a part of Iowa Territory upon its formation on July 4, 1838.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (3.8%) is water. Its eastern border is adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Major highways

x20px U.S. Highway 61
x20px Iowa Highway 70
x20px Iowa Highway 78
x20px Iowa Highway 92

Adjacent counties

Johnson County (northwest)
Muscatine County (north)
Rock Island County, Illinois (northeast)
Mercer County, Illinois (east)
Des Moines County (south)
Henry County (southwest)
Washington County (west)

National protected area

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Cone Marsh National Wildlife Area

Demographics

thumb|left|2022 US Census [[population pyramid for Louisa County from ACS 5-year estimates]]

2020 census

thumb|right|Population of Louisa County from the U.S. census data

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,837 with a population density of . There were 4,712 housing units, of which 4,180 were occupied.

The median age was 42.1 years, with 22.7% of residents under the age of 18 and 19.8% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial and ethnic composition as recorded by the 2020 census is summarized in the table below, with 81.5% of residents identifying as White and 15.9% identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race.

{| class="wikitable"

|+Louisa County Racial Composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 12,183 people, 4,519 households, and 3,316 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 5,133 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.56% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 12.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,519 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,086, and the median income for a family was $43,972. Males had a median income of $31,293 versus $22,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,644. About 7.00% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Columbus City
Columbus Junction
Cotter
Fredonia
Grandview
Letts
Morning Sun
Oakville
Wapello

Unincorporated community

Cairo
Toolesboro

Population ranking

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

† county seat

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! Rank

! City/Town/etc.

! Municipal type

! Population<br>(2020 Census)

! Population<br>(2024 Estimate)