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Worth County, Iowa

Coordinates: 43°22′44″N 93°15′26″W / 43.37889°N 93.25722°W / 43.37889; -93.25722
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Worth County, Iowa
The Worth County Courthouse in Northwood
The Worth County Courthouse in Northwood
Map of Iowa highlighting Worth County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Coordinates: 43°22′44″N 93°15′26″W / 43.378888888889°N 93.257222222222°W / 43.378888888889; -93.257222222222
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1851
Named afterWilliam Jenkins Worth
SeatNorthwood
Largest cityNorthwood
Area
 • Total
402 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Land400 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
7,443
 • Estimate 
(2024)
7,307 Decrease
 • Density19/sq mi (7.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteworthcountyiowa.gov
  • Iowa county number 98[1]

Worth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,443.[2] The county seat is Northwood.[3] The county was founded in 1851 and named for Major General William Jenkins Worth (1794–1849), an officer in both the Seminole War and the Mexican–American War.

Worth County is part of the Mason City, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 402 square miles (1,040 km2), of which 400 square miles (1,000 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4] It is the fourth-smallest county in Iowa by land area and third-smallest by total area.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860756
18702,892282.5%
18807,953175.0%
18909,24716.3%
190010,88717.7%
19109,950−8.6%
192011,63016.9%
193011,164−4.0%
194011,4492.6%
195011,068−3.3%
196010,259−7.3%
19708,968−12.6%
19809,0751.2%
19907,991−11.9%
20007,909−1.0%
20107,598−3.9%
20207,443−2.0%
2024 (est.)7,307[5] Decrease−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[10]

2020 census

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Population of Worth County from the U.S. census data

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,443 and a population density of 18.5/sq mi (7.2/km2). There were 3,480 housing units, of which 3,127 were occupied.[11]

96.49% of the population reported being of one race. The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.[12]

The median age was 43.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.7 males age 18 and over.[11]

There were 3,127 households in the county, of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.1% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13]

2010 census

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As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 7,598 in the county, with a population density of 19.0/sq mi (7.3/km2). There were 3,548 housing units, of which 3,172 were occupied.[14]

2000 census

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As of the 2000 census, there were 7,909 people, 3,278 households, and 2,265 families in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 3,534 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (3.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.37% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.57%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,278 households 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 27.60% of households were one person and 14.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 19.40% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median household income was $36,444 and the median family income was $41,763. Males had a median income of $27,927 versus $20,897 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,952. About 6.30% of families and 8.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.60% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated place

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Townships

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Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Northwood City 2,072
2 Manly City 1,256
3 Fertile City 305
4 Kensett City 257
5 Grafton City 216
6 Joice City 208
7 Hanlontown City 206
8 Bolan CDP 32

Politics

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From its inaugural election in 1860 through 1928, Worth County backed the Republican candidate in every election with the exception of 1912, when former Republican Theodore Roosevelt won as the Progressive candidate. From 1932 to 1980, the county was a bellwether, backing the nationwide winner in every election in that span except for 1960. For the next eight elections, Worth County favored the Democratic nominee in every election, each time by a margin of at least 10% except for 1984. In 2016, the county shifted back to the right, with Donald Trump winning nearly 58% of the vote in Worth County with a margin of victory of almost 22%. He improved on this in 2020, taking almost 62% of the vote and winning by a margin of victory of nearly 26%, the best performance by any candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the best performance by a Republican since Herbert Hoover in 1928, and the best margin of victory for any candidate since 1928 as well.

United States presidential election results for Worth County, Iowa[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1896 1,696 73.74% 584 25.39% 20 0.87%
1900 1,730 77.30% 475 21.22% 33 1.47%
1904 1,659 81.97% 307 15.17% 58 2.87%
1908 1,433 74.33% 449 23.29% 46 2.39%
1912 354 17.86% 402 20.28% 1,226 61.86%
1916 1,463 70.44% 566 27.25% 48 2.31%
1920 3,401 84.83% 516 12.87% 92 2.29%
1924 2,340 50.97% 180 3.92% 2,071 45.11%
1928 2,921 67.60% 1,310 30.32% 90 2.08%
1932 1,690 38.45% 2,640 60.07% 65 1.48%
1936 1,964 39.41% 2,976 59.71% 44 0.88%
1940 2,434 44.62% 3,007 55.12% 14 0.26%
1944 2,086 44.15% 2,629 55.64% 10 0.21%
1948 1,878 40.50% 2,623 56.57% 136 2.93%
1952 3,315 61.34% 2,075 38.40% 14 0.26%
1956 2,700 52.25% 2,465 47.71% 2 0.04%
1960 2,740 54.28% 2,303 45.62% 5 0.10%
1964 1,777 37.62% 2,936 62.16% 10 0.21%
1968 2,383 53.91% 1,815 41.06% 222 5.02%
1972 2,564 55.31% 2,034 43.87% 38 0.82%
1976 1,964 44.38% 2,399 54.21% 62 1.40%
1980 2,247 52.13% 1,721 39.93% 342 7.94%
1984 1,985 46.53% 2,263 53.05% 18 0.42%
1988 1,488 37.37% 2,440 61.28% 54 1.36%
1992 1,382 31.07% 2,009 45.17% 1,057 23.76%
1996 1,284 32.00% 2,293 57.15% 435 10.84%
2000 1,659 41.43% 2,208 55.14% 137 3.42%
2004 1,795 43.54% 2,286 55.45% 42 1.02%
2008 1,612 37.85% 2,567 60.27% 80 1.88%
2012 1,744 41.80% 2,350 56.33% 78 1.87%
2016 2,453 57.62% 1,530 35.94% 274 6.44%
2020 2,738 61.97% 1,596 36.12% 84 1.90%
2024 2,715 63.33% 1,508 35.18% 64 1.49%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Iowa County Names and Numbers". Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Retrieved February 19, 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 19, 2026.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Worth County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  12. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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43°22′44″N 93°15′26″W / 43.37889°N 93.25722°W / 43.37889; -93.25722