Worth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,443. The county seat is Northwood. The county was founded in 1851 and named for Major General William Jenkins Worth (1794–1849), an officer in both the Seminole War and the Mexican–American War.

Worth County is part of the Mason City, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.5%) is water. It is the fourth-smallest county in Iowa by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Major highways

  • x20px x20px Interstate 35/Iowa Highway 27
  • x20px U.S. Highway 65
  • x20px U.S. Highway 69
  • x20px Iowa Highway 9

Adjacent counties

  • Freeborn County, Minnesota (north)
  • Mower County, Minnesota (northeast)
  • Mitchell County (east)
  • Cerro Gordo County (south)
  • Winnebago County (west)

Demographics

2020 census

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

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,443 and a population density of . There were 3,480 housing units, of which 3,127 were occupied.

96.49% of the population reported being of one race. The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.

The median age was 43.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males age 18 and over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 7,598 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,548 housing units, of which 3,172 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 7,909 people, 3,278 households, and 2,265 families in the county. The population density was . There were 3,534 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.37% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.57%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,278 households 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.60% of households were one person and 14.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 19.40% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median household income was $36,444 and the median family income was $41,763. Males had a median income of $27,927 versus $20,897 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,952. About 6.30% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

  • Fertile
  • Grafton
  • Hanlontown
  • Joice
  • Kensett
  • Manly
  • Northwood

Census-designated place

  • Bolan

Townships

  • Barton
  • Bristol
  • Brookfield
  • Danville
  • Deer Creek
  • Fertile
  • Grove
  • Hartland
  • Kensett
  • Lincoln
  • Silver Lake
  • Union

Population ranking

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

<!-- PresRow should be -->

See also

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

References

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

  • Worth County government's website