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Iowa County, Wisconsin facts for kids

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Iowa County
U.S. county
Iowa County Courthouse in March 2013
Iowa County Courthouse in March 2013
Map of Wisconsin highlighting Iowa County
Location within the U.S. state of Wisconsin
Map of the United States highlighting Wisconsin
Wisconsin's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Wisconsin
Founded 1830
Named for Iowa people
Seat Dodgeville
Largest city Dodgeville
Area
 • Total 768 sq mi (1,990 km2)
 • Land 763 sq mi (1,980 km2)
 • Water 5.4 sq mi (14 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 23,687
 • Estimate 
(2020)
 23,640
 • Density 30.842/sq mi (11.908/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Iowa County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,687. Its county seat and largest city is Dodgeville. When created, it was part of the Michigan Territory. Iowa County is part of the Madison, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Pendarvis House 20100829
Pendarvis House (left) and Trelawny House (right) at the Pendarvis Historic Site
Mineral Point High Street 20100829
Mineral Point high street

The county organized under the Michigan Territory government in 1830. It was named for the Iowa tribe.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 768 square miles (1,990 km2), of which 763 square miles (1,980 km2) is land and 5.4 square miles (14 km2) (0.7%) is water. It is drained by tributaries of the Pecatonica River, which has its headwaters in the county.

Rivers and streams

Major highways

  • US 14.svg U.S. Highway 14
  • US 18.svg U.S. Highway 18
  • US 151.svg U.S. Highway 151
  • WIS 23.svg Highway 23 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 39.svg Highway 39 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 78.svg Highway 78 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 80.svg Highway 80 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 130.svg Highway 130 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 133.svg Highway 133 (Wisconsin)
  • WIS 191.svg Highway 191 (Wisconsin)

Airport

  • Iowa County Airport (KMRJ) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1840 3,978 —
1850 9,525 139.4%
1860 18,967 99.1%
1870 24,544 29.4%
1880 23,628 −3.7%
1890 22,117 −6.4%
1900 23,114 4.5%
1910 22,497 −2.7%
1920 21,504 −4.4%
1930 20,039 −6.8%
1940 20,595 2.8%
1950 19,610 −4.8%
1960 19,631 0.1%
1970 19,306 −1.7%
1980 19,802 2.6%
1990 20,150 1.8%
2000 22,780 13.1%
2010 23,687 4.0%
2020 (est.) 23,640 −0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2020
USA Iowa County, Wisconsin age pyramid
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Iowa County.

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,780 people, 8,764 households, and 6,213 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile (12/km2). There were 9,579 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.70% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.33% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 33.6% were of German, 17.2% Norwegian, 11.6% English, 11.3% Irish and 7.9% American ancestry.

There were 8,764 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

Parks and recreation

The county has several parks, including Arena Pines-Sand Barrens State Natural Area, Arena Pines-Sand Barrens State Natural Area, Pine Cliff State Natural Area, Blue Mound State Park, Tower Hill State Park, Black Hawk Lake Recreation Area and Governor Dodge State Park.

Communities

IowaCountyHighwayBuildingWIS23
Iowa County Department of Transportation building in Dodgeville

Cities

Villages

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Notable people

  • Gilbert L. Laws, Nebraska Secretary of State and US Congressman
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