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Clinton County, Iowa facts for kids

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Clinton County
U.S. county
Clinton County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Clinton County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Iowa
Founded 1837
Named for DeWitt Clinton
Seat Clinton
Largest city Clinton
Area
 • Total 710 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Land 695 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Water 15 sq mi (40 km2)  2.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 46,460
 • Density 65.4/sq mi (25.27/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,460. Its county seat is Clinton. Its name is in honor of the seventh Governor of New York State, DeWitt Clinton.

Clinton County comprises the Clinton, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Davenport–Moline–Clinton, Muscatine, Iowa–Illinois Combined Statistical Area.

History

Clinton County was formed on December 21, 1837. It was named for DeWitt Clinton, a Governor of New York and most ardent advocate for the construction of the Erie Canal. The cities of DeWitt and Clinton were also named after him.

In 1835, Elijah Buell built a log cabin for himself and his family and was thus the first settler of the region. In 1854, the first newspaper was issued and in 1858, the Lyons Female College for girls opened its doors. The tuition was set at $175 per student.

The county has used three courthouses in its history. The structure currently in use was constructed in Romanesque style and opened in 1897.

Early settlement

Clinton county was first settled in 1836, by Mr. Bourne, who located upon Sec. 1, T. 80, R. 4, East. The county was surveyed in 1837, by the Messrs. Burtz. The Surveyor General's office was then at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1840, the county was organized by Sheriff Bourne. In 1841, R. R. Bed ford and others formed a little settlement at De Witt, and during the same year Messrs. Wheeler and Evans erected a log court-house. In stepping from the past to the present, we quote the language of one of the "oldest inhabitants." He says: "Clinton County was originally settled by the poorest class of people on God's earth; and it is with great pleasure that I have witnessed their progress, slow but sure, and now find the most of them very comfortably situated."

The population of this County in 1840, was 821; in 1850, 2822; in 1854, 7000; and in 1856, 11,000. The population of Lyons in 1850, was 453. In 1856 the population increased to 2700.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 710 square miles (1,800 km2), of which 695 square miles (1,800 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (2.1%) is water. It includes the easternmost point in the state of Iowa, on the Mississippi River in Elk River township in the northeast section of the county.

Transit

  • Clinton Municipal Transit Administration

Major highways

  • US 30
  • US 61
  • US 67
  • Iowa 136

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1840 821 —
1850 2,822 243.7%
1860 18,938 571.1%
1870 35,357 86.7%
1880 36,763 4.0%
1890 41,199 12.1%
1900 43,832 6.4%
1910 45,394 3.6%
1920 43,371 −4.5%
1930 44,377 2.3%
1940 44,722 0.8%
1950 49,664 11.1%
1960 55,060 10.9%
1970 56,749 3.1%
1980 57,122 0.7%
1990 51,040 −10.6%
2000 50,149 −1.7%
2010 49,116 −2.1%
2020 46,460 −5.4%
2023 (est.) 46,158 −6.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018
ClintonCountyIowaPop2020
Population of Clinton County from US census data

2020 census

ClintonCountyIA2022PopPyr
2022 US Census population pyramid for Clinton County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 46,460 in the county, with a population density of 66.851/sq mi (25.811/km2). 94.95% of the population reported being of one race. There were 21,517 housing units of which 19,483 were occupied.

Clinton County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 41,226 88.73%
Black or African American (NH) 1,392 3%
Native American (NH) 103 0.22%
Asian (NH) 252 0.54%
Pacific Islander (NH) 10 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,938 4.2%
Hispanic or Latino 1,539 3.31%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of 70.67/sq mi (27.29/km2). There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Clinton County is divided into these townships:

  • Bloomfield
  • Brookfield
  • Camanche
  • Center
  • De Witt
  • Deep Creek
  • Eden
  • Elk River
  • Grant
  • Hampshire
  • Liberty
  • Olive
  • Orange
  • Sharon
  • Spring Rock
  • Washington
  • Waterford
  • Welton

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Clinton County. † county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Clinton † City 24,469
2 DeWitt City 5,514
3 Camanche City 4,570
4 Wheatland City 775
5 Grand Mound City 615
6 Delmar City 542
7 Lost Nation City 434
8 Charlotte City 389
9 Calamus City 356
10 Low Moor City 250
11 Goose Lake City 239
12 Welton City 121
13 Andover City 109
14 Toronto City 102

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Clinton (Iowa) para niños

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