Mahaska County, Iowa


Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,190. The county seat is Oskaloosa.
Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after chief Mahaska of the Iowa people. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.
The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued. The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.
Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

Geography

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

Major highways

Adjacent counties

  • Jasper County
  • Poweshiek County
  • Keokuk County
  • Wapello County
  • Monroe County
  • Marion County

    Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,190, a population density of, and 96.02% of residents reported being of one race.
The median age was 39.7 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 92.2% White, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.
56.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 43.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 8,799 households in the county, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.7% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 9,680 housing units, of which 9.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.4% were owner-occupied and 28.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of. There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,335 people, 8,880 households, and 6,144 families residing in the county. The population density was. There were 9,551 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 97.20% White, 0.64% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.86% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,880 households, out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,314, and the median income for a family was $43,557. Males had a median income of $32,618 versus $23,192 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,232. About 7.50% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Mahaska County.
† county seat
RankCity/Town/etc.Municipal typePopulation
1† 'OskaloosaCity11,558
2New SharonCity1,262
3Eddyville City970
4FremontCity708
5University ParkCity487
6BeaconCity445
7LeightonCity158
8Rose HillCity157
9Barnes City City156
10Keomah Village'City110

Politics

Mahaska County is a strongly Republican county. Only six Republican Party presidential candidates from 1880 to the present day have failed to win the county, most recently Barry Goldwater in 1964 in his landslide loss statewide & nationally to Lyndon B. Johnson.