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Mitchell County, Iowa

Coordinates: 43°21′20″N 92°47′23″W / 43.35556°N 92.78972°W / 43.35556; -92.78972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mitchell County, Iowa
County
The Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage
The Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage
Map of Iowa highlighting Mitchell County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 43°21′20″N 92°47′23″W / 43.355555555556°N 92.789722222222°W / 43.355555555556; -92.789722222222
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named afterJohn Mitchel
SeatOsage
Largest cityOsage
Area
 • Total
470 sq mi (1,200 km2)
 • Land469 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,565
 • Estimate 
(2024)
10,632 Increase
 • Density22.5/sq mi (8.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitemitchellcounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 66[1]

Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,565.[2] The county seat is Osage.[3]

History

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Mitchell County was founded in 1851. It is not clear whom the county is named after; the county website mentions John Mitchel, an early surveyor, and an Irish patriot.[4][5] The county's courthouse was completed in 1858,[6] and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The courthouse has since been razed.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 470 square miles (1,200 km2), of which 469 square miles (1,210 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.09%) is water.[7]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18603,409—
18709,582181.1%
188014,36349.9%
189013,299−7.4%
190014,91612.2%
191013,435−9.9%
192013,9213.6%
193014,0651.0%
194014,1210.4%
195013,945−1.2%
196014,0430.7%
197013,108−6.7%
198012,329−5.9%
199010,928−11.4%
200010,874−0.5%
201010,776−0.9%
202010,565−2.0%
2024 (est.)10,632[8]0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2020[13]

2020 census

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Population of Mitchell County from US census data

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,565 and a population density of 22.8/sq mi (8.8/km2). There were 4,847 housing units, of which 4,382 were occupied.[14]

The median age was 43.6 years, 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 23.0% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.6 males age 18 and over.[14]

The racial makeup of the county per the Decennial Census Redistricting Data was 95.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.[15] The Decennial Census Demographic Profile shows that 97.47% of the population reported being of one race, with 93.84% non-Hispanic White, 0.40% Black or African American, 1.83% Hispanic or Latino, 0.11% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.44% Asian, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 3.35% from some other race or from two or more races.[14]

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16]

There were 4,382 households in the county, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.9% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 10,776 in the county, with a population density of 23.0/sq mi (8.9/km2). There were 4,850 housing units, of which 4,395 were occupied.[17]

2000 census

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Mitchell County's 99% White population makes it the county with the smallest percentage of minorities nationally.[18]

As of the 2000 census, there were 10,874 people, 4,294 households, and 2,984 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile (8.9 people/km2). There were 4,594 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.27% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races; 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,294 households, out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 5.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 21.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males; for every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,843, and the median income for a family was $41,233. Males had a median income of $29,601 versus $22,054 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,809. About 7.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Starting with Michael Dukakis's win in 1988, Mitchell County became a Democratic leaning county, voting for Democrats in all presidential elections through 2012. Mitchell County was the whitest county in the United States that voted for President Barack Obama, both in 2008 and 2012.[19]

In 2016, Trump became the first Republican to win the county since Ronald Reagan in 1984, winning it by a 24% margin, the largest margin for a presidential candidate since 1968. He won it again in 2020, by an even larger 28% margin, the largest margin for any candidate since 1952. 2020 also marked the first time since 1960 that a Democrat was elected president without carrying Mitchell County.

United States presidential election results for Mitchell County, Iowa[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,498 69.80% 1,031 28.81% 50 1.40%
1900 2,450 70.40% 981 28.19% 49 1.41%
1904 2,158 74.93% 634 22.01% 88 3.06%
1908 1,932 65.09% 988 33.29% 48 1.62%
1912 590 20.33% 1,082 37.28% 1,230 42.38%
1916 1,963 64.38% 1,033 33.88% 53 1.74%
1920 4,476 83.95% 773 14.50% 83 1.56%
1924 2,892 46.93% 400 6.49% 2,871 46.58%
1928 3,534 59.90% 2,308 39.12% 58 0.98%
1932 2,527 38.59% 3,940 60.16% 82 1.25%
1936 2,765 41.87% 3,610 54.67% 228 3.45%
1940 3,947 56.49% 3,025 43.29% 15 0.21%
1944 3,406 55.54% 2,696 43.97% 30 0.49%
1948 3,021 49.37% 2,873 46.95% 225 3.68%
1952 5,050 69.78% 2,175 30.05% 12 0.17%
1956 4,175 61.29% 2,630 38.61% 7 0.10%
1960 3,915 57.59% 2,873 42.26% 10 0.15%
1964 2,489 39.06% 3,868 60.69% 16 0.25%
1968 3,533 60.60% 2,103 36.07% 194 3.33%
1972 3,395 57.44% 2,449 41.43% 67 1.13%
1976 2,887 49.00% 2,906 49.32% 99 1.68%
1980 3,401 58.00% 2,040 34.79% 423 7.21%
1984 3,144 54.74% 2,531 44.07% 68 1.18%
1988 2,338 44.52% 2,870 54.66% 43 0.82%
1992 1,933 36.15% 2,177 40.71% 1,237 23.13%
1996 1,877 37.01% 2,596 51.19% 598 11.79%
2000 2,388 46.26% 2,650 51.34% 124 2.40%
2004 2,646 48.28% 2,785 50.82% 49 0.89%
2008 2,469 42.82% 3,179 55.13% 118 2.05%
2012 2,643 47.31% 2,831 50.68% 112 2.01%
2016 3,190 58.89% 1,888 34.85% 339 6.26%
2020 3,677 63.16% 2,053 35.26% 92 1.58%
2024 3,736 64.74% 1,943 33.67% 92 1.59%

Economy

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In January 2017, Mitchell County supervisors denied an application for an Iowa Select contracted farm in Lincoln Township. It was planned for 5,000-hogs.[21]

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Townships

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Mitchell County.[2]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Osage City 3,627
2 St. Ansgar City 1,160
3 Riceville (partially in Howard County) City 806
4 Stacyville City 458
5 Mitchell City 124
6 McIntire City 113
7 Carpenter City 87
8 New Haven CDP 77
9 Orchard City 68
10 Little Cedar CDP 64
11 Toeterville CDP 53
12 Mona CDP 35
13 Otranto CDP 27
14 Meyer CDP 14

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  4. ^ county website
  5. ^ Mitchell County Archived July 3, 2007, at archive.today
  6. ^ "Mitchell County Courthouse". Iowa Judicial Branch. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Mitchell County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  14. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  17. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  18. ^ Census Bureau data, cited in "Minorities now in the majority in nearly 10% of U.S. counties", Associated Press August 8, 2007, Lexington Herald-Leader p A8
  19. ^ Buchanan, Larry; McDonald, Brent; Parlapiano, Alicia (January 26, 2016). "Rural Voters Can Swing the Iowa Caucuses. Meet Five of Them". The New York Times. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  21. ^ "Mitchell". Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
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