Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,996. The county seat is Emmetsburg. It is named after the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the Mexican–American War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water.

Major highways

x20px U.S. Highway 18
x20px Iowa Highway 4
x20px Iowa Highway 15

Adjacent counties

Emmet County (north)
Kossuth County (east)
Pocahontas County (south)
Clay County (west)

Demographics

2020 census

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

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,996, giving it a population density of . The median age was 43.6 years, with 22.5% of residents under the age of 18 and 23.3% aged 65 years or older. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.8 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.0% of the population.

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,831 households in the county, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.7% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,119 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,409, and the median income for a family was $41,808. Males had a median income of $28,344 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,733. About 6.60% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Ayrshire
Curlew
Cylinder
Emmetsburg
Graettinger
Mallard
Rodman
Ruthven
West Bend (partially)

Townships

Booth
Ellington
Emmetsburg
Fairfield
Fern Valley
Freedom
Great Oak
Highland
Independence
Lost Island
Nevada
Rush Lake
Silver Lake
Vernon
Walnut
West Bend

Population ranking

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

References

External links

Palo Alto County Economic Development