Davis County, Iowa


Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,110. The county seat is Bloomfield.
Davis County is included in the Ottumwa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Davis County was named in honor of Garrett Davis, a Congressman from Kentucky from March 4, 1839, until March 3, 1847, and later a US Senator from Kentucky.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 9,110 and a population density of. The median age was 36.0 years; 29.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 96.6% White, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.6% of the population. Of the population, 97.49% reported being of one race, with 94.98% identifying as non-Hispanic White, 0.09% as Black, 1.58% as Hispanic, 0.12% as Native American, 0.16% as Asian, 0.00% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.06% as some other race or more than one race.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 3,258 households in the county, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 58.5% were married-couple households, 16.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 3,579 housing units, of which 3,258 were occupied and 9.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.8% were owner-occupied and 21.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,753 in the county, with a population density of. There were 3,600 housing units, of which 3,201 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,541 people, 3,207 households, and 2,286 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 3,530 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 98.35% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 10.4% of the population speak either German or Pennsylvania German at home.
There were 3,207 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,864, and the median income for a family was $40,982. Males had a median income of $26,818 versus $21,726 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,127. About 9.00% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Davis County contains the largest Amish population in Iowa with 1,860 members recorded as of 2024.

Communities

Cities

  • Bloomfield
  • Drakesville
  • Floris
  • Pulaski

    Unincorporated communities

  • Belknap
  • Troy
  • West Grove

    Townships

Davis County is divided into these townships:
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Davis County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
1† 'BloomfieldCity2,682
2PulaskiCity264
3DrakesvilleCity164
4Floris'City116

Notable people

Education

The vast majority of Davis County is in the Davis County Community School District. Other school districts taking portions of the county include:
Former school districts include: