Editing Washington County, Iowa

{{short description|County in Iowa, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Washington County
 | state                = Iowa
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date     = January 18
 | founded year         = 1838
 | seat wl          = Washington
 | largest city wl  = Washington
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 571
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 569
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.1
 | area percentage      = 0.4
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 22565
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 22560 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone           = Central
 | ex image             = Washington County Courthouse, Iowa.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Washington County Courthouse
 | district             = 2nd
 | web                  = https://washingtoncounty.iowa.gov/
 | named for            = [[George Washington]] }}

'''Washington County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Iowa]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 22,565.<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Washington, Iowa|Washington]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Washington County is included in the [[Iowa City metropolitan area]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf|title=Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses|access-date=July 21, 2006|author=United States Office of Management and Budget|author-link=United States Office of Management and Budget|pages=5, 36|url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060514003222/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf|archive-date=May 14, 2006}}</ref>

==History==
Washington County was originally formed in 1838 as Slaughter County in honor of [[William B. Slaughter (politician)|William B. Slaughter]], the secretary of [[Wisconsin Territory]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://files.usgwarchives.org/ia/defunct/history/1903slau.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 4, 2009 |archive-date=July 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728150148/http://www.files.usgwarchives.org/ia/defunct/history/1903slau.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref> The county, still named Slaughter County, became part of [[Iowa Territory]] on July 4, 1838, when it was organized. To honor [[George Washington]], the county opted to change its name on January 25, 1839.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Washington_County,_Iowa_Genealogy|title=Washington County, Iowa Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki|website=familysearch.org|access-date=September 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://co.washington.ia.us/departments/history.htm |title=Washington County – ''History'' |access-date=January 20, 2008 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608193342/http://co.washington.ia.us/departments/history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first [[White|White American]] colonizers arrived in Washington County in 1835, and began establishing individual domiciles in 1836. A settlement, Astoria, was built in the present township of Oregon; it became the first county seat and housed the first court house. The county seat was moved to the city of Washington in 1839.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Washington.htm|title=Washington County, Iowa|website=Past 2 Present|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306033006/http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Washington.htm|archive-date=March 6, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>

The first religious society, organized by Reverend J.L. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist minister was created in 1839.<ref name=":0"/> The first newspaper was established in 1853; it was published for two years. In 1856 another newspaper started up; it has continued to the present.<ref name=archive>[https://archive.org/stream/illustratedhisto00intutt#page/656/mode/2up An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875]. Archive.org. Retrieved September 5, 2013.</ref> The major waterways through Washington County are the [[Skunk River (Iowa)|Skunk]] and [[English River (Iowa)|English Rivers]], and [[Crooked Creek (Skunk River tributary)|Crooked Creek]]. Timber is found in abundance around these waterways, which has allowed a timber industry to grow up.<ref name=":0" /> In 1855 Washington hosted the county's first bank. The county population swelled after 1858, when a railway line belonging to the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad was laid there.<ref name=archive/>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|571|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|569|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.1|sqmi}} (0.4%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

===Major highways===
*[[File:US 218.svg|x20px]] [[U.S. Route 218|U.S. Highway 218]]
*[[File:Circle sign 1.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 1]]
*[[File:Elongated circle 22.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 22]]
*[[File:Elongated circle 27.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 27]]
*[[File:Elongated circle 78.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 78]]
*[[File:Elongated circle 92.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 92]]

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Iowa County, Iowa|Iowa County]]  (northwest)
*[[Johnson County, Iowa|Johnson County]]  (northeast)
*[[Louisa County, Iowa|Louisa County]]  (east)
*[[Henry County, Iowa|Henry County]]  (southeast)
*[[Jefferson County, Iowa|Jefferson County]]  (southwest)
*[[Keokuk County, Iowa|Keokuk County]]  (west)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 4957
|1860= 14235
|1870= 18952
|1880= 20374
|1890= 18468
|1900= 20718
|1910= 19925
|1920= 20421
|1930= 19822
|1940= 20055
|1950= 19557
|1960= 19406
|1970= 18967
|1980= 20141
|1990= 19612
|2000= 20670
|2010= 21704
|2020= 22565
|estyear=2023
|estimate=22560
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2018<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19183.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 20, 2014|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607073027/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19183.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

[[File:WashingtonCountyIA2022PopPyr.png|thumb|left|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Washington County from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]

===2000 census===
[[File:WashingtonCountyIowaPop2020.png|thumb|Population of Washington County from US census data]]
As of the [[census]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 20,670 people, 8,056 households, and 5,631 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|36|PD/sqmi}}. There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.04% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.29% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.19% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.25% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.51% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.68% from two or more races. 2.73% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 8,056 households, out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,103, and the median income for a family was $45,636. Males had a median income of $29,592 versus $22,818 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,221. About 5.10% of families and 7.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

===2010 census===
The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,704 in the county, with a population density of {{Pop density|21704|568.71|sqmi|km2}}. There were 9,516 housing units, of which 8,741 were occupied.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-17.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016010401/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-17.pdf |archive-date=October 16, 2020 |url-status=live|title=Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010|publisher=United States Census Bureau – American FactFinder|access-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref>

===2020 census===
The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,565 in the county, with a population density of {{Pop density|22565|571.430778|sqmi|km2}}. 95.31% of the population reported being of one race. 83.15% were non-Hispanic White, 0.83% were Black, 7.14% were Hispanic, 0.31% were Native American, 0.51% were Asian, 0.01% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 8.04% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,573 housing units, of which 8,916 were occupied.<ref name=cen2020/>

==Education==
The county is served by 3 school districts<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edinfo.state.ia.us/web/re_address.asp?b=10&c=92&1=0&2=0&q=1&r=all|title=Web Report Engine - Address|last=Education|first=Iowa Department of|date=September 2008|access-date=May 29, 2009|archive-date=July 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719014029/https://www.edinfo.state.ia.us/web/re_address.asp?b=10&c=92&1=0&2=0&q=1&r=all|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Highland Community School District]]
*[[Mid-Prairie Community School District]]
*Washington Community School District.

Highland Community School District includes:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highlandhuskies.org/|title=Highland Community School District|publisher=Highland Community School District|access-date=May 30, 2018}}</ref>
* Highland Elementary School
*Highland Middle School
*Highland High School

==Communities==

===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[Ainsworth, Iowa|Ainsworth]]
*[[Brighton, Iowa|Brighton]]
*[[Coppock, Iowa|Coppock]]
*[[Crawfordsville, Iowa|Crawfordsville]]
*[[Kalona, Iowa|Kalona]]
*[[Keota, Iowa|Keota]] (mostly in [[Keokuk County, Iowa|Keokuk County)]]
*[[Riverside, Iowa|Riverside]]
*[[Washington, Iowa|Washington]]
*[[Wellman, Iowa|Wellman]]
*[[West Chester, Iowa|West Chester]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[Noble, Iowa|Noble]]
*[[Rubio, Iowa|Rubio]]
*[[Haskins, Iowa|Haskins]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Brighton Township, Washington County, Iowa|Brighton]]
* [[Cedar Township, Washington County, Iowa|Cedar]]
* [[Clay Township, Washington County, Iowa|Clay]]
* [[Crawford Township, Washington County, Iowa|Crawford]]
* [[Dutch Creek Township, Washington County, Iowa|Dutch Creek]]
* [[English River Township, Washington County, Iowa|English River]]
* [[Franklin Township, Washington County, Iowa|Franklin]]
* [[Highland Township, Washington County, Iowa|Highland]]
* [[Iowa Township, Washington County, Iowa|Iowa]]
* [[Jackson Township, Washington County, Iowa|Jackson]]
* [[Lime Creek Township, Washington County, Iowa|Lime Creek]]
* [[Marion Township, Washington County, Iowa|Marion]]
* [[Oregon Township, Washington County, Iowa|Oregon]]
* [[Seventy-Six Township, Washington County, Iowa|Seventy-Six]]
* [[Washington Township, Washington County, Iowa|Washington]]
{{div col end}}

===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] of Washington County.<ref name=cen2020/>

'''†''' ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Rank
!City/Town/etc.
!Municipal type
!Population (2020 Census)

|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 1
|'''†''' '''[[Washington, Iowa|Washington]]''' 
| City
| 7,352
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 2
|'''[[Kalona, Iowa|Kalona]]''' 
| City
| 2,630
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 3
|'''[[Wellman, Iowa|Wellman]]''' 
| City
| 1,524
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 4
|'''[[Riverside, Iowa|Riverside]]''' 
| City
| 1,060
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 5
|'''[[Brighton, Iowa|Brighton]]''' 
| City
| 600
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 6
|'''[[Ainsworth, Iowa|Ainsworth]]''' 
| City
| 511
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 7
|'''[[Crawfordsville, Iowa|Crawfordsville]]''' 
| City
| 277
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 8
|'''[[West Chester, Iowa|West Chester]]''' 
| City
| 144
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 9
|'''[[Coppock, Iowa|Coppock]]'''  (''partially in [[Henry County, Iowa|Henry]] and [[Jefferson County, Iowa|Jefferson Counties]]'')
| City
| 36
|}

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Washington County, Iowa|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|7,119|4,297|172|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,971|4,561|233|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,173|3,943|813|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,562|5,115|327|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,247|5,170|212|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,977|4,595|116|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,827|3,932|335|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,600|3,828|745|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,576|3,384|2,058|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,741|3,776|99|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,613|3,079|78|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,967|2,877|783|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,218|3,448|141|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,187|2,784|118|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,899|2,679|365|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,315|4,587|17|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|5,861|3,222|6|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|5,844|3,022|10|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,946|2,604|35|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|4,680|3,485|80|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,308|3,423|32|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,649|4,030|42|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|4,619|4,379|120|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,889|4,554|152|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,948|2,754|40|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|5,053|1,868|1,457|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,813|2,257|107|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,745|2,139|79|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,264|2,003|1,530|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,631|2,119|139|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,875|1,772|206|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,844|2,234|163|Iowa}}
{{PresFoot|1896|Republican|2,882|2,292|122|Iowa}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}
*[[Washington County Courthouse (Iowa)|Washington County Courthouse]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Iowa]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}<!--for current and future use if material is uploaded-->
*[http://co.washington.ia.us/ Washington County government's website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Washington County, Iowa
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Johnson County, Iowa|Johnson County]]
|East      = [[Louisa County, Iowa|Louisa County]]
|Southeast = [[Henry County, Iowa|Henry County]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Jefferson County, Iowa|Jefferson County]]
|West      = [[Keokuk County, Iowa|Keokuk County]]
|Northwest = [[Iowa County, Iowa|Iowa County]]
}}

{{Washington County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|41|20|05|N|91|43|11|W|region:US-IA_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Washington County, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Wisconsin Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]
[[Category:Iowa City metropolitan area]]