Allamakee County, Iowa

View of the Mississippi from Effigy Mounds National Monument

Allamakee County
County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°17′12″N 91°22′27″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	1847
Seat	Waukon
Area
• Total	659 sq mi (1,706 km2)
• Land	640 sq mi (1,656 km2)
• Water	19 sq mi (50 km2)  2.91%
Population  (2000)
• Total	14,675
• Density	23/sq mi (9/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)

Allamakee County (pronounced AL-uh-muh-KEY) is the northeastern-most county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population is 14,675. Its county seat is Waukon.Template:GR

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 659 square miles (1,706 km²), of which 640 square miles (1,656 km²) is land and 19 square miles (50 km²) (2.91%) is water.

Major highways

U.S. Highway 18 U.S. Highway 52 Iowa Highway 9

Iowa Highway 26 Iowa Highway 51 Iowa Highway 76

Adjacent counties

• Houston County, Minnesota (north)
• Vernon County, Wisconsin (northeast)
• Crawford County, Wisconsin (east)
• Clayton County (south)
• Winneshiek County (west)
• Fayette County (southwest)

History

Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847 from free territory.

Demographics

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Allamakee County.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	18,711		—
1910	17,328		−7.4%
1920	17,285		−0.2%
1930	16,328		−5.5%
1940	17,184		5.2%
1950	16,351		−4.8%
1960	15,982		−2.3%
1970	14,968		−6.3%
1980	15,108		0.9%
1990	13,855		−8.3%
2000	14,675		5.9%
IA Counties 1900-1990

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 14,675 people, 5,722 households, and 3,931 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 7,142 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.88% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.82% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,722 households out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 6.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 25.60% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 100.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,967, and the median income for a family was $40,589. Males had a median income of $26,122 versus $19,098 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,599. About 6.40% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.80% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Notable sites

• Effigy Mounds National Monument is found in the southeast corner of the county.
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge encompasses the River.
• Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, a collection of small, non-contiguous parcels harboring two endangered species.
• Yellow River State Forest is a four-season state park.

Hydrology and Geology

In the northern part of the county is the Upper Iowa River. In the southern part is the Yellow River. The eastern boundary is the Mississippi River. All offer scenic and recreational opportunities, particularly in Yellow River State Forest.

French Creek flows north of Waukon, outside the city limits. Paint Creek, named after Paint Rock Bluff, flows out of the south of Waukon. Norfolk creek originates in the western outskirts of Waukon and is effluent to the Yellow River. Clear Creek flows into Lansing. Village Creek flows through essentially rural terrain. All are tributary to the Mississippi River.

The landforms enountered in the county are very unlike those found in most of Iowa, which is on the whole is absent Glacial Drift. As part of the Driftless Area, the county was ice free during the last ice age, and as one progresses to the Mississippi River, the streams and rivers display high-walled canyons carved of Silurian era bedrock. This Driftless Area also includes parts of Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek, Howard, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties.

Localities

Cities

• Harpers Ferry
• Lansing
• New Albin
• Postville
• Waterville
• Waukon

Townships

Allamakee County is divided into eighteen townships:

Center Fairview Franklin French Creek Hanover

Iowa Jefferson Lafayette Lansing Linton

Ludlow Makee Paint Creek Post Taylor

Union City Union Prairie Waterloo

Unincorporated community

• Dorchester
• Rossville
• Churchtown

Local newspapers

• The Waukon Standard
• The Postville Herald-Leader

External links

• Allamakee County Information
• Allamakee County Official Site
• Allamakee County Map
• Allamakee County Health and Demographic Data
• Waukon Standard (Newspaper)
• KNEI/KHPP Radio