Jasper County, Iowa
Jasper County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,813. The county seat is Newton. The county was organized in 1846 and is named after Sergeant William Jasper, a Revolutionary War hero.
Jasper County is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The North and South Skunk River flow through the county. Bodies of water include Lake Mariposa and Rock Creek.Major highways
- x20px Interstate 80
- x20px U.S. Highway 6
- x20px U.S. Highway 65
- x20px Iowa Highway 14
- x20px Iowa Highway 117
- x20px Iowa Highway 163
- x20px Iowa Highway 224
- x20px Iowa Highway 330
Adjacent counties
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 37,813 and a population density of. 96.04% of residents reported being of one race.| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White | 34,445 | 91.1% |
| Black or African American | 683 | 1.8% |
| Native American | 91 | 0.24% |
| Asian | 215 | 0.57% |
| Pacific Islander | 30 | .08% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,262 | 3.33% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,087 | 3% |
The median age was 42.1 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 106.2 males age 18 and over.
There were 14,994 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.0% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The racial makeup of the county was 92.2% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.
42.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 57.8% lived in rural areas.
There were 16,132 housing units, of which 14,994 were occupied. Among occupied housing units, 74.3% were owner-occupied and 25.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 36,842 in the county, with a population density of. There were 16,181 housing units, of which 14,806 were occupied.2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,213 people, 14,689 households, and 10,267 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 15,659 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 97.58% White, 0.83% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 14,689 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.30% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 101.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,683, and the median income for a family was $50,071. Males had a median income of $36,001 versus $24,770 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,622. About 4.80% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Iowa Department of Corrections Newton Correctional Facility is in an unincorporated area in Jasper County, near Newton.Communities
Cities
- Baxter
- Colfax
- Kellogg
- Lambs Grove
- Lynnville
- Mingo
- Mitchellville
- Monroe
- Newton
- Oakland Acres
- Prairie City
- Reasnor
- Sully
- Valeria
Unincorporated communities
Townships
- Buena Vista
- Clear Creek
- Des Moines
- Elk Creek
- Fairview
- Hickory Grove
- Independence
- Kellogg
- Lynn Grove
- Malaka
- Mariposa
- Mound Prairie
- Newton
- Palo Alto
- Poweshiek
- Richland
- Rock Creek
- Sherman
- Washington
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Jasper County.† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population |
| 1 | † 'Newton | City | 15,760 |
| 2 | Mitchellville | City | 2,485 |
| 3 | Colfax | City | 2,255 |
| 4 | Monroe | City | 1,967 |
| 5 | Prairie City | City | 1,700 |
| 6 | Baxter | City | 962 |
| 7 | Sully | City | 881 |
| 8 | Kellogg | City | 606 |
| 9 | Lynnville | City | 380 |
| 10 | Mingo | City | 302 |
| 11 | Oakland Acres | City | 176 |
| 12 | Lambs Grove | City | 174 |
| 13 | Reasnor | City | 152 |
| 14 | Valeria' | City | 39 |
Notable people
- John M. Haines, tenth Governor of Idaho; born in Jasper County.
- Lyle Goodhue, chemist and inventor, born in Jasper County.
- Sara Haines, American television host and journalist.