Humboldt County, Iowa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Humboldt County
U.S. county
Clockwise from top: Humboldt County Courthouse, Fountain in Humboldt's John Brown Park, the Des Moines River at Gotch Park, Sumner Avenue in Humboldt, and Old Settler's Park in Livermore
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Founded	January 28, 1857
Named for	Alexander von Humboldt
Seat	Dakota City
Largest city	Humboldt
Area
• Total	436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
• Land	434 sq mi (1,120 km2)
• Water	1.3 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,597
• Density	22.011/sq mi (8.499/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	4th

Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,597. The county seat is Dakota City. The county was created in 1857 and named in honor of Alexander von Humboldt.

History

Humboldt County is divided into 12 townships.

Humboldt County was established in 1851 as the smallest county in Iowa. It was named after Alexander von Humboldt. On July 1, 1855, the county lines were newly established, adding some land from Kossuth County and Webster County. On February 26, 1857, the old borders were reestablished, and Webster County would not return the land, leaving Humboldt County with only twelve townships. In 1872, Humboldt College was opened and closed in 1916 because there was no agreement with the county about taxation.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 436 square miles (1,130 km²), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) (0.3%) is water.

Unlike all counties to its east and west, Humboldt County has only 12 townships. Although founded with the standard 16 townships in January 15, 1851, the county was removed from existence in 1855. By the time the county was reestablished on February 26, 1857, John Duncombe of Fort Dodge (namesake of Duncombe, Iowa) had tricked Humboldt County into cedeing the southern four townships (Jackson, Deer Creek, Badger, Newark) to Webster County "on loan".

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 169
• Iowa Highway 3
• Iowa Highway 15
• Iowa Highway 17
• Humboldt County routes

Adjacent counties

• Kossuth County (north)
• Wright County (east)
• Webster County (south)
• Pocahontas County (west)

Parks

The Rutland dam in Rose Mill Park.

While Humboldt County does not have any state parks, it has county parks. South of Humboldt is Frank A. Gotch County Park. It is named for Frank Gotch, a world-champion, undefeated wrestler from Humboldt. The park is near his childhood farm and is also home to the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Des Moines River. The park features campgrounds and a well-known converted railroad bridge used by the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway. The bridge is part of the Three Rivers Trail, a converted rail route that runs from Eagle Grove west to Rolfe.

Near Bradgate is the Willow Access Area. The terrain is very wooded. In south Rutland is Rose Mill Park. The area can be used for camping and also has access to the Rutland Dam and West Fork of the Des Moines River. The dam is being restored, and most of the park is new. The river is known for its forested limestone bluffs and grassy banks.

The lower portion of Joe Sheldon Park.

Further downriver near Humboldt is Oxbow Park, which contains boating access ramps and lots of scenic open space. The park's southern border is Iowa Highway 3, and south of that is Joe Sheldon County Park. The park is split into two sections, one mostly for camping and one focused on recreation. There is access to the West Fork of the Des Moines River from the lower part of the park.

Continuing along the river, the Lake Nokomis area begins, popular for its woods and small ponds. The Cottonwood Trail also runs through the area.

West of Livermore, Lott's Park allows access to Lott's Creek. The park has lots of benches and picnic tables. South of Ottosen is the Ottosen Marsh State Game Management Area, colloquially the Ottosen Potholes. East of Dakota City is the Dakota City River Park, near an old dam and the Humboldt County Historical Museum. Near the unincorporated community of Pioneer is the Pioneer Prairie Pothole Wildlife Area.

Demographics

Population of Humboldt County from US census data

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 9,597 in the county, with a population density of 21.9966/sq mi (8.4929/km²). 96.79% of the population reported being of one race. 88.47% were non-Hispanic White, 0.58% were Black, 4.48% were Hispanic, 0.17% were Native American, 0.22% were Asian, 0.06% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 6.02% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,571 housing units, of which 4,073 were occupied.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,815 in the county, with a population density of 22.5939/sq mi (8.7236/km²). There were 4,684 housing units, of which 4,209 were occupied.

Communities

Berkhimer Bridge, located northwest of Humboldt, was built in 1899.

Cities

Ghost town

• Unique

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Humboldt County.

† county seat

Infrastructure

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 169
• Iowa Highway 3
• Iowa Highway 15
• Iowa Highway 17
• Humboldt County routes

Images for kids

• 

  Rolling topography along Indian Creek in southern Humboldt County

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Humboldt (Iowa) para niños