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Kossuth County, Iowa

Coordinates: 43°12′18″N 94°12′20″W / 43.20500°N 94.20556°W / 43.20500; -94.20556
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kossuth County, Iowa
County
The Kossuth County Courthouse in Algona
The Kossuth County Courthouse in Algona
Map of Iowa highlighting Kossuth County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 43°12′18″N 94°12′20″W / 43.205°N 94.205555555556°W / 43.205; -94.205555555556
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named afterLajos Kossuth
SeatAlgona
Largest cityAlgona
Area
 • Total
974.3 sq mi (2,523 km2)
 • Land973 sq mi (2,520 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
14,828
 • Estimate 
(2024)
14,408 Decrease
 • Density15.2/sq mi (5.88/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitekossuthcounty.iowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 55[1]

Kossuth County (/kəˈsuːθ/) is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,828.[2] The county seat and the largest city is Algona.[3]

History

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Kossuth County was founded on January 15, 1851. It was named after Lajos Kossuth, Regent-President of Hungary who went into exile to America following the war of independence of Hungary from the Habsburg Dynasty.[4] The county was enlarged northward in 1857 by the inclusion of the former Bancroft County. Crocker County was another county created out of the same area of Kossuth County as Bancroft County but was reverted due to not being larger than 432 square miles (112,000 ha).[citation needed] Another attempt to create a new county called Larrabee County failed in 1914.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has an area of 974 sq mi (2,520 km2), of which 973 sq mi (2,520 km2) is land and 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[5] It is Iowa's largest county by area.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860416—
18703,351705.5%
18806,17884.4%
189013,120112.4%
190022,72073.2%
191021,971−3.3%
192025,08214.2%
193025,4521.5%
194026,6304.6%
195026,241−1.5%
196025,314−3.5%
197022,937−9.4%
198021,891−4.6%
199018,591−15.1%
200017,163−7.7%
201015,543−9.4%
202014,828−4.6%
2024 (est.)14,408[6] Decrease−2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[11]

2020 census

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Kossuth County, Iowa
racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.[12]
Race Number Percent
White alone (NH) 13,758 92.78%
Black or African American alone (NH) 71 0.48%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 9 0.06%
Asian alone (NH) 71 0.48%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 15 0.10%
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) 298 2.01%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 603 4.07%
Total 14,828 100.00%
Population of Kossuth County from the U.S. census data

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 14,828, a population density of 15.2/sq mi (5.9/km2), and 96.53% of the population reported being of one race. The median age was 46.3 years, 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 24.5% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 102.7 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.4 males age 18 and over.[13]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.1% of the population.[14]

36.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 63.3% lived in rural areas.[15]

There were 6,438 households in the county, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.3% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]

Of the 7,216 housing units, 6,438 were occupied, leaving 10.8% vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.8% were owner-occupied and 22.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.3%.[13]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 15,543 in the county, with a population density of 16.0/sq mi (6.2/km2). There were 7,486 housing units, of which 6,697 were occupied.[16]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census there were 17,163 people, 6,974 households, and 4,791 families in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km2). There were 7,605 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.76% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. 0.81%.[17][specify] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 6,974 households, 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 28.70% of households were one person and 15.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 24.30% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 20.10% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median household income was $34,562 and the median family income was $41,159. Males had a median income of $30,191 versus $20,184 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,598. About 7.50% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Census-designated places

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For use by the United States Census Bureau in population analysis, some of the rural population of Kossuth County has been grouped together as a Census-designated place.

Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Kossuth County.[2]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Algona City 5,487
2 Bancroft City 699
3 Swea City City 566
4 Titonka City 511
5 Whittemore City 497
6 Burt City 418
7 Wesley City 391
8 Fenton City 271
9 Lakota City 267
10 Lu Verne (partially in Humboldt County) City 228 (258 total)
11 Lone Rock City 146
12 Ledyard City 121
13 St. Joseph CDP 51
14 Sexton CDP 46
15 Irvington CDP 36
16 St. Benedict CDP 31
17 West Bend (mostly in Palo Alto County) City 19 (791 total)

Communities

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Cities

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Villages and Hamlets

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Townships

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Kossuth County, Iowa[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 2,930 60.30% 1,861 38.30% 68 1.40%
1900 3,122 63.06% 1,777 35.89% 52 1.05%
1904 3,001 68.02% 1,352 30.64% 59 1.34%
1908 2,612 58.28% 1,826 40.74% 44 0.98%
1912 857 18.69% 1,813 39.53% 1,916 41.78%
1916 2,647 59.63% 1,748 39.38% 44 0.99%
1920 6,018 77.46% 1,682 21.65% 69 0.89%
1924 3,806 43.51% 1,369 15.65% 3,572 40.84%
1928 4,878 50.36% 4,736 48.90% 72 0.74%
1932 3,075 30.30% 6,925 68.24% 148 1.46%
1936 3,569 30.09% 8,071 68.04% 223 1.88%
1940 5,639 46.35% 6,502 53.45% 24 0.20%
1944 4,918 47.14% 5,488 52.60% 27 0.26%
1948 4,186 40.43% 6,039 58.33% 128 1.24%
1952 7,765 64.15% 4,330 35.77% 10 0.08%
1956 6,680 54.74% 5,514 45.18% 10 0.08%
1960 6,278 51.95% 5,806 48.05% 0 0.00%
1964 3,776 35.38% 6,893 64.58% 5 0.05%
1968 5,350 53.03% 4,392 43.53% 347 3.44%
1972 5,841 56.39% 4,393 42.41% 124 1.20%
1976 4,653 46.32% 5,190 51.66% 203 2.02%
1980 5,568 54.26% 3,810 37.13% 884 8.61%
1984 4,872 49.64% 4,838 49.30% 104 1.06%
1988 3,938 43.24% 5,088 55.87% 81 0.89%
1992 3,464 38.24% 3,660 40.40% 1,935 21.36%
1996 3,477 40.88% 4,031 47.40% 997 11.72%
2000 4,612 51.95% 3,960 44.60% 306 3.45%
2004 5,042 54.46% 4,132 44.63% 84 0.91%
2008 4,329 47.57% 4,625 50.82% 146 1.60%
2012 4,937 55.33% 3,850 43.15% 136 1.52%
2016 5,653 65.68% 2,543 29.55% 411 4.78%
2020 6,275 69.03% 2,696 29.66% 119 1.31%
2024 5,983 71.25% 2,284 27.20% 130 1.55%

Education

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School districts include:[19]

Former school districts:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 177.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". census.gov. US Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (April 20, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kossuth County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  12. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Kossuth County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  13. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". census.gov. US Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". census.gov. US Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". census.gov. US Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). census.gov. US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Geography Division (December 18, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kossuth County, IA" (PDF) (Map). census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
  20. ^ a b c d e "Reorganization and Dissolution Action Since 1965-66". Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c Geography Division (November 30, 2010). "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Kossuth County, IA" (PDF) (Map). census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 25, 2024. - Text list
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