Osceola County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 6,192, and was estimated to be 5,980 in 2025,

History

Osceola County was created on January 15, 1851 and organized on January 1, 1872. It was named after the eponymous chief of the Seminole. It is the smallest and most recent county in Iowa. In the same year the first settler arrived, Captain Eldred Huff, and laid his claim. On January 1, 1872, the county government conferred for the first time. The first courthouse, constructed of wood, was built in November of the following year and simultaneously served as the conference chamber, school and church. In September 1903, the second courthouse was finished and was wired for electricity in October 1915.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.18%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Iowa by total area. The highest natural point in Iowa, Hawkeye Point at , is located in Osceola County.

Major highways

  • 21px U.S. Highway 59
  • 21px Iowa Highway 9
  • 21px Iowa Highway 60

Adjacent counties

  • Nobles County, Minnesota (northwest)
  • Jackson County, Minnesota (northeast)
  • Dickinson County (east)
  • O'Brien County (south)
  • Lyon County (west)

Demographics

<!-- PresRow should be -->

Education

School districts include:

  • Sibley–Ocheyedan Community School District, Sibley
  • George–Little Rock Community School District, George
  • Hartley–Melvin–Sanborn Community School District, Hartley
  • Harris–Lake Park Community School District, Lake Park
  • Sheldon Community School District, Sheldon

See also

  • Osceola County Courthouse
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Osceola County, Iowa

References

<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->

  • County of Osceola – official website and Economic Developmen Commission