Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County, Iowa
240px Palo Alto County Courthouse
Location in the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded	January 15, 1851
Named for	Battle of Palo Alto
Seat	Emmetsburg
Largest city	Emmetsburg
Area
• Total	569 sq mi (1,474 km2)
• Land	564 sq mi (1,461 km2)
• Water	5.6 sq mi (15 km2), 1.0
Congressional district	4th
Time zone	Central: UTC-6/-5
Website	paloaltocounty.iowa.gov

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 U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 square miles (1,470 km²), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km²) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km²) (1.0%) is water.

Major highways

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

Adjacent counties

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

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	132		—
1870	1,336		912.1%
1880	4,131		209.2%
1890	9,618		132.8%
1900	14,354		49.2%
1910	13,845		−3.5%
1920	15,486		11.9%
1930	15,398		−0.6%
1940	16,170		5.0%
1950	15,891		−1.7%
1960	14,736		−7.3%
1970	13,289		−9.8%
1980	12,721		−4.3%
1990	10,669		−16.1%
2000	10,147		−4.9%
2010	9,421		−7.2%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2018

File:PaloAltoCountyIowaPop2020.png

Population of Palo Alto County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 8,996 in the county, with a population density of 15.8500/sq mi (6.1197/km²). 96.59% of the population reported being of one race. 91.05% were non-Hispanic White, 0.58% were Black, 3.05% were Hispanic, 0.26% were Native American, 0.43% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.57% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,516 housing units, of which 3,831 were occupied.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,421 in the county, with a population density of 16.7089/sq mi (6.4514/km²). There were 4,628 housing units, of which 3,994 were occupied.

2000 census

File:USA Palo Alto County, Iowa age pyramid.svg

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Palo Alto County

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). 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

• 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.

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Emmetsburg	City	3,706
2	Graettinger	City	832
3	West Bend (partially in Kossuth County)	City	772 (791 total)
4	Ruthven	City	725
5	Mallard	City	257
6	Ayrshire	City	133
7	Cylinder	City	87
8	Curlew	City	37
9	Rodman	City	31

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Palo Alto County, Iowa

External links

• Palo Alto County Economic Development
•