Mahaska County, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mahaska County
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The courthouse in Oskaloosa, built 1886, is on the NRHP. The architect was Henry C. Koch.
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Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
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Iowa's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States |
State | Iowa |
Founded | February 17, 1843 |
Named for | Chief Mahaska |
Seat | Oskaloosa |
Largest city | Oskaloosa |
Area | |
• Total | 573 sq mi (1,480 km2) |
• Land | 571 sq mi (1,480 km2) |
• Water | 2.5 sq mi (6 km2) 0.4% |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 22,190 |
• Density | 38.73/sq mi (14.952/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 2nd |
Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,190. The county seat is Oskaloosa.
Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Mahaska County was formed on February 17, 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after Chief Mahaska of the Iowa tribe. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.
The first courthouse was completed in January, 1846. The second structure was put into use on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). In 1864, the first tracks were laid through the county of the Des Moines Valley Railroad.
Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. In the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Jasper County (northwest)
- Poweshiek County (north)
- Keokuk County (east)
- Wapello County (southeast)
- Monroe County (southwest)
- Marion County (west)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1850 | 5,989 | — | |
1860 | 14,816 | 147.4% | |
1870 | 22,508 | 51.9% | |
1880 | 25,202 | 12.0% | |
1890 | 28,805 | 14.3% | |
1900 | 34,273 | 19.0% | |
1910 | 29,860 | −12.9% | |
1920 | 26,270 | −12.0% | |
1930 | 25,804 | −1.8% | |
1940 | 26,485 | 2.6% | |
1950 | 24,672 | −6.8% | |
1960 | 23,602 | −4.3% | |
1970 | 22,177 | −6.0% | |
1980 | 22,867 | 3.1% | |
1990 | 21,532 | −5.8% | |
2000 | 22,335 | 3.7% | |
2010 | 22,381 | 0.2% | |
2020 | 22,190 | −0.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,190 in the county, with a population density of 38.832/sq mi (14.993/km2). 96.02% of the population reported being of one race. 90.01% were non-Hispanic White, 1.78% were Black, 2.16% were Hispanic, 0.18% were Native American, 1.14% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.66% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,680 housing units, of which 8,799 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km2). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.
Communities
Cities
Unincorporated communities
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Mahaska County.
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
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1 | † Oskaloosa | City | 11,463 |
2 | New Sharon | City | 1,293 |
3 | Eddyville (partially in Monroe and Wapello Counties) | City | 1,024 |
4 | Fremont | City | 743 |
5 | Beacon | City | 494 |
6 | University Park | City | 487 |
7 | Barnes City (partially in Poweshiek County) | City | 176 |
8 | Rose Hill | City | 168 |
9 | Leighton | City | 162 |
10 | Keomah Village | City | 84 |
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Mahaska para niños