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Wapello County, Iowa facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Wapello, Iowa.
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Wapello County
U.S. county
The courthouse in Ottumwa
The courthouse in Ottumwa
Map of Iowa highlighting Wapello 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 1843
Named for Wapello
Seat Ottumwa
Largest city Ottumwa
Area
 • Total 436 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Land 432 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Water 4.2 sq mi (11 km2)  1.0%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 35,437
 • Density 81.28/sq mi (31.38/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Wapella
Chief Wapello; "Wa-pel-la the Prince, Musquakee Chief", from History of the Indian Tribes of North America.

Wapello County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,437. The county seat is Ottumwa. The county was formed on February 17, 1843, and named for Wapello, a Meskwaki chief.

Wapello County is included in the Ottumwa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 436 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 432 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 4.2 square miles (11 km2) (1.0%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 34.svg U.S. Highway 34
  • US 63.svg U.S. Highway 63
  • Elongated circle 16.svg Iowa Highway 16
  • Elongated circle 137.svg Iowa Highway 137
  • Elongated circle 149.svg Iowa Highway 149

Transit

  • Ottumwa station
  • Ottumwa Transit Authority
  • List of intercity bus stops in Iowa

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 8,471 —
1860 14,518 71.4%
1870 22,346 53.9%
1880 25,285 13.2%
1890 30,426 20.3%
1900 35,426 16.4%
1910 37,743 6.5%
1920 37,937 0.5%
1930 40,480 6.7%
1940 44,280 9.4%
1950 47,397 7.0%
1960 46,126 −2.7%
1970 42,149 −8.6%
1980 40,241 −4.5%
1990 35,696 −11.3%
2000 36,051 1.0%
2010 35,625 −1.2%
2020 35,437 −0.5%
2023 (est.) 35,166 −1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018
WapelloCountyIowaPop2020
Population of Wapello County from US census data

2020 census

WapelloCountyIA2022PopPyr
2022 US Census population pyramid for Wapello County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 35,437 in the county, with a population density of 81.2225/sq mi (31.3602/km2). There were 15,734 housing units, of which 14,167 were occupied.

Wapello County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 27,295 77.02%
Black or African American (NH) 1,443 4.1%
Native American (NH) 66 0.2%
Asian (NH) 622 1.8%
Pacific Islander (NH) 518 1.5%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,161 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino 4,332 12.22%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 35,625 in the county, with a population density of 82.5016/sq mi (31.8540/km2). There were 16,098 housing units, of which 14,552 were occupied.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Townships

  • Adams
  • Agency
  • Cass
  • Center
  • Columbia
  • Competine
  • Dahlonega
  • Green
  • Highland
  • Keokuk
  • Pleasant
  • Polk
  • Richland
  • Washington

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Wapello County.

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Ottumwa City 25,529
2 Eddyville (partially in Mahaska and Monroe Counties) City 970
3 Eldon City 783
4 Agency City 620
5 Blakesburg City 274
6 Kirkville City 157
7 Chillicothe City 76

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Wapello para niños

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