Plymouth County, Iowa

Coordinates: 42°44′18″N 96°13′13″W / 42.73833°N 96.22028°W / 42.73833; -96.22028
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42°44′18″N 96°13′13″W / 42.73833°N 96.22028°W / 42.73833; -96.22028

Plymouth County
County
Plymouth County Courthouse
Plymouth County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Plymouth County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°44′18″N 96°13′13″W / 42.738333333333°N 96.220277777778°W / 42.738333333333; -96.220277777778
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named forPlymouth, Massachusetts
SeatLe Mars
Largest cityLe Mars
Area
 • Total864 sq mi (2,240 km2)
 • Land863 sq mi (2,240 km2)
 • Water0.8 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total25,698
 • Density30/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.co.plymouth.ia.us

Plymouth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,698.[1] The county seat is Le Mars.[2] Plymouth County was named after Plymouth, Massachusetts.[3]

Plymouth County is part of the Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[edit]

Plymouth County was formed on January 15, 1851. Settlement began in the county in 1856. In October 1859, the first courthouse was built in Melbourne, formerly located in the southeast quarter of section 34, Plymouth Township, about five to six miles due south of Merrill.[4] The first public school opened its doors there with 32 pupils. In 1872 the county seat was moved to Le Mars and a courthouse and jail were built there in 1873. The present Plymouth County Courthouse was built in 1900 of red sandstone.[5]

During the Great Depression, farmers in the county organized the Farmers Holiday Group, to keep farm products off the market until the desired price was met. A radical group among them abducted Judge Bradley from his court chamber and threatened to hang him in the front of the courthouse. Bradley was freed, but the governor ordered the national guard to Plymouth County and declared a state of emergency, which effectively ended the group.[5][6]

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 864 square miles (2,240 km2), of which 863 square miles (2,240 km2) is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) (0.1%) is water.[7] It is the fourth-largest county by area in Iowa.

Adjacent counties[edit]

Transportation[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Airport[edit]

Le Mars Municipal Airport is located in Plymouth County, two nautical miles (3.7 km) southwest of the central business district of Le Mars.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860148—
18702,1991,385.8%
18808,566289.5%
189019,568128.4%
190022,20913.5%
191023,1294.1%
192023,5842.0%
193024,1592.4%
194023,502−2.7%
195023,252−1.1%
196023,9062.8%
197024,3221.7%
198024,7431.7%
199023,388−5.5%
200024,8496.2%
201024,9860.6%
202025,6982.8%
2023 (est.)25,722[8]0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[13]
Population of Plymouth County from US census data

2020 census[edit]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 25,698 in the county, with a population density of 29.7132/sq mi (11.47233/km2). 95.81% of the population reported being of one race. There were 10,818 housing units, of which 10,171 were occupied.[1]

Plymouth County Racial Composition[14]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 22,941 89.3%
Black or African American (NH) 354 1.4%
Native American (NH) 48 0.2%
Asian (NH) 111 0.43%
Pacific Islander (NH) 117 0.5%
Other/Mixed (NH) 631 2.5%
Hispanic or Latino 1,496 6%

2010 census[edit]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 24,986 in the county, with a population density of 28.9337/sq mi (11.17137/km2). There were 10,550 housing units, of which 9,875 were occupied.[15]

2000 census[edit]

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Plymouth County

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 24,849 people, 9,372 households, and 6,804 families in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 9,880 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White, 0.29% Black or African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 9,372 households 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of households were one person and 12.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.

The median household income was $41,638 and the median family income was $50,009. Males had a median income of $33,566 versus $22,558 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,442. About 4.40% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest[edit]

The Pappas Telecasting Tower,[17] with a height of 603.5 metres (1,980 ft), is one of the tallest masts in the world.

Notable people[edit]

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

  • Adaville
  • Brookdale
  • Crathorne
  • Ellendale
  • James
  • Mammen
  • Melbourne
  • Millnerville
  • Neptune
  • O'Leary
  • Potosia
  • Ruble
  • Seney
  • Union Center
  • West Le Mars
  • Wren
  • Yeomans

Population ranking[edit]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Plymouth County.[1]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Le Mars City 10,571
2 Remsen City 1,678
3 Akron City 1,558
4 Kingsley City 1,396
5 Hinton City 935
6 Merrill City 717
7 Brunsville City 129
8 Westfield City 123
9 Oyens City 92
10 Craig City 79
11 Struble City 67
12 Sioux City (almost entirely in Woodbury County) City 6 (85,797 total)

Politics[edit]

Like most of Northwest Iowa, Plymouth County is a Republican Party stronghold. Lyndon B. Johnson is the last Democrat to win the county in a presidential election, and in elections from 1896 on it has only been won by a Democrat nationally four other times.

United States presidential election results for Plymouth County, Iowa[19][20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,492 73.95% 3,494 24.63% 202 1.42%
2016 9,680 73.39% 2,885 21.87% 625 4.74%
2012 8,597 66.39% 4,164 32.15% 189 1.46%
2008 7,765 62.05% 4,629 36.99% 121 0.97%
2004 7,810 63.90% 4,278 35.00% 134 1.10%
2000 6,189 61.17% 3,499 34.58% 430 4.25%
1996 5,117 51.40% 3,745 37.62% 1,094 10.99%
1992 5,196 49.56% 3,171 30.25% 2,117 20.19%
1988 5,316 55.33% 4,220 43.93% 71 0.74%
1984 6,482 64.65% 3,464 34.55% 81 0.81%
1980 6,515 62.97% 2,965 28.66% 866 8.37%
1976 5,590 55.81% 4,284 42.77% 142 1.42%
1972 6,339 60.57% 4,033 38.53% 94 0.90%
1968 6,236 62.13% 3,234 32.22% 567 5.65%
1964 4,920 46.36% 5,691 53.62% 2 0.02%
1960 6,432 57.93% 4,671 42.07% 0 0.00%
1956 7,246 67.42% 3,502 32.58% 0 0.00%
1952 8,140 74.29% 2,768 25.26% 49 0.45%
1948 5,002 53.12% 4,339 46.08% 75 0.80%
1944 6,085 67.04% 2,970 32.72% 21 0.23%
1940 7,725 66.72% 3,831 33.09% 23 0.20%
1936 4,133 36.11% 5,994 52.37% 1,318 11.52%
1932 2,888 27.34% 7,565 71.62% 110 1.04%
1928 4,848 48.98% 5,015 50.67% 34 0.34%
1924 3,803 42.09% 1,605 17.76% 3,628 40.15%
1920 6,090 76.16% 1,801 22.52% 105 1.31%
1916 2,666 53.14% 2,258 45.01% 93 1.85%
1912 825 16.69% 2,038 41.24% 2,079 42.07%
1908 2,622 53.18% 2,168 43.98% 140 2.84%
1904 2,905 61.47% 1,663 35.19% 158 3.34%
1900 2,712 53.03% 2,307 45.11% 95 1.86%
1896 2,623 51.40% 2,392 46.87% 88 1.72%

Political Subdivisions[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 163.
  4. ^ History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa. Chicago: A. Warner & Co. 1890. p. 434.
  5. ^ a b "Historical Facts About Plymouth County". Co.plymouth.ia.us. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  6. ^ "Martial Law at Le Mars". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. April 28, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Plymouth County, Iowa".
  15. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ "ASR Registration 1058291". Wireless2.fcc.gov. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  18. ^ "Johnny Niggeling Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  20. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,005 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 46 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 28 votes.

External links[edit]

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