Louisa County, Iowa

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Louisa County (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,837.<ref name=cen2020>Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat is Wapello.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref>

Louisa County is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Louisa County was formed on December 7, 1836, as a part of Wisconsin Territory.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Two theories have been offered for the origins of its name: one is that it was named after Louisa Massey,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> who was very well known in the area at the time because she avenged the murder of her brother when she shot the party responsible; the other is that it was named after Louisa County, Virginia.<ref>Savage, Tom A Dictionary of Iowa Place Names, University of Iowa Press, 2007, p. 11 Template:ISBN</ref> Louisa County became a part of Iowa Territory upon its formation on July 4, 1838.<ref name=":0" />

The first courthouse was a simple wood-framed building. In 1840, a second courthouse, measuring 40' x 20' (about 12 x 6 m), was constructed of stone. In 1854, a third structure was built. The courthouse used today was erected in 1928.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (3.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> Its eastern border is adjacent to the Mississippi River.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Johnson County (northwest)
Muscatine County (north)
Rock Island County, Illinois (northeast)
Mercer County, Illinois (east)
Des Moines County (south)
Henry County (southwest)
Washington County (west)

National protected area

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Cone Marsh National Wildlife Area

Demographics

Template:US Census population

File:LouisaCountyIowaPop2020.png

Population of Louisa County from US census data

2020 census

File:LouisaCountyIA2022PopPyr.png

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

The 2020 census recorded a population of 10,837 in the county, with a population density of Template:Pop density. There were 4,712 housing units, of which 4,180 were occupied.<ref name=cen2020/>

Louisa County Racial Composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	8,485	78.3%
Black or African American (NH)	73	0.7%
Native American (NH)	11	0.1%
Asian (NH)	265	2.5%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0%
Other/Mixed (NH)	275	2.54%
Hispanic or Latino	1,728	16%

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of Template:Pop density. There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.<ref name="USCB">Template:Cite web</ref>

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 12,183 people, 4,519 households, and 3,316 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,133 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.56% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 12.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,519 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,086, and the median income for a family was $43,972. Males had a median income of $31,293 versus $22,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,644. About 7.00% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

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Unincorporated community

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Louisa County.<ref name=cen2020/>

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Wapello	City	2,084
2	Columbus Junction	City	1,830
3	Morning Sun	City	752
4	Grandview	City	437
5	Columbus City	City	392
6	Letts	City	363
7	Fredonia	City	222
8	Oakville	City	200
9	Cotter	City	39