Henry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,482. The county seat is Mount Pleasant. The county was named for General Henry Dodge, governor of Wisconsin Territory.
Contents
History
Henry County was formed on December 7, 1836, under the jurisdiction of Wisconsin Territory, and became a part of Iowa Territory when it was formed on July 4, 1838. It was named for General Henry Dodge.
The county's first courthouse was built in 1839–1840. A larger courthouse was built in 1871, and the present courthouse was raised in the 20th century, being placed into service on August 4, 1914.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,130 km2), of which 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.5%) are covered by water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 34
U.S. Highway 218/Iowa Highway 27
Iowa Highway 16
Iowa Highway 78
Transit
Mount Pleasant station
Adjacent counties
Washington County (north)
Louisa County (northeast)
Des Moines County (east)
Lee County (south)
Van Buren County (southwest)
Jefferson County (west)
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 20,482 and a population density of 46.9/sq mi (18.1/km2); 95.23% of the population reported being of one race.
The median age was 40.8 years, 21.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 108.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.8 males age 18 and over.
45.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 54.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 7,746 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.3% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 8,398 housing units, of which 7.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.8% were owner-occupied and 27.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.
The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.3% from some other race, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.3% of the population.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,145 in the county, with a population density of 47.5/sq mi (18.3/km2). The county had 8,280 housing units, of which 7,666 were occupied.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, 20,336 people, 7,626 households, and 5,269 families resided in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). The 8,246 housing units had an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.78% White, 1.49% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.88% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. About 1.26% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
Of the 7,626 households, 32.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were not families. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the age distribution was 24.7% under 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males; for every 100 females 18 and over, there were 102.8 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,087, and for a family was $46,985. Males had a median income of $31,801 versus $23,075 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,192. About 6.70% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Henry County.
† county seat
Politics
Henry County is one of the most Republican counties in Iowa. It has backed Democratic Party candidates in only five elections for president from 1880 to the present.
Education
School districts in the county include:
Danville Community School District
Fairfield Community School District
Fort Madison Community School District
Mount Pleasant Community School District
New London Community School District
Van Buren County Community School District
WACO Community School District
Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District
Former school district:
Harmony Community School District