# Osceola County, Iowa

Osceola County (/ˌɒsiˈoʊlə/ OSS-ee-OH-lə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 6,192, making it the state's fifth-least populous county. It is named for Seminole war chief Osceola. The county seat is Sibley, named for H. H. Sibley of Minnesota.

## History

Osceola County was formed in 1871. It was named after the eponymous chief of the Seminole. It is the smallest and most recent county in Iowa. In the same year the first settler arrived, Captain Eldred Huff, and laid his claim. On January 1, 1872, the county government conferred for the first time. The first courthouse, constructed of wood, was built in November of the following year and simultaneously served as the conference chamber, school and church. In September 1903, the second courthouse was finished and was wired for electricity in October 1915.

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 399 square miles (1,030 km$^2$), of which 399 square miles (1,030 km$^2$) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km$^2$) (0.2%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Iowa by land area and smallest by total area. The highest natural point in Iowa, Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (510 m), is located in Osceola County.

### Major highways

* U.S. Highway 59
* Iowa Highway 9
* Iowa Highway 60

### Adjacent counties

* Nobles County, Minnesota (northwest)
* Jackson County, Minnesota (northeast)
* Dickinson County (east)
* O'Brien County (south)
* Lyon County (west)

## Demographics
### 2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 6,192 in the county, with a population density of 15.5701/sq mi (6.0117/km$^2$). 94.95% of the population reported being of one race. There were 2,878 housing units, of which 2,599 were occupied.
Osceola County Racial Composition :
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
| White (NH) | 5,341 | 86.3% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 28 | 0.5% |
| Native American (NH) | 18 | 0.3% |
| Asian (NH) | 21 | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 36 | 0.6% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 145 | 2.34% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 603 | 9.74% |

### 2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,462 in the county, with a population density of 16.2048/sq mi (6.2567/km$^2$). There were 2,990 housing units, of which 2,682 were occupied.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,003 people, 2,778 households, and 1,941 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km$^2$). There were 3,012 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 98.04% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,778 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.00% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 18.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,274, and the median income for a family was $41,977. Males had a median income of $29,624 versus $20,522 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,463. About 6.00% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.90% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

## Communities
### Cities

* Ashton
* Harris
* Melvin
* Ocheyedan
* Sibley

### Townships

* Allison
* Baker
* East Holman
* Fairview
* Gilman
* Goewey
* Harrison
* Horton
* Ocheyedan
* Viola
* West Holman
* Wilson

### Unincorporated communities

* Allendorf
* Cloverdale
* May City

### Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Osceola County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
| 1 | † Sibley | City | 2,860 |
| 2 | Ocheyedan | City | 439 |
| 3 | Ashton | City | 436 |
| 4 | Melvin | City | 199 |
| 5 | Harris | City | 151 |

## Politics

In presidential elections, Osceola County voters have cast their lot chiefly with Republican candidates for office, with the last Democrat to win the county being Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
United States presidential election results for Osceola County, Iowa :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 2,623 | 81.23% | 555 | 17.19% | 51 | 1.58% |
| 2020 | 2,690 | 80.83% | 601 | 18.06% | 37 | 1.11% |
| 2016 | 2,531 | 78.77% | 552 | 17.18% | 130 | 4.05% |
| 2012 | 2,230 | 69.82% | 912 | 28.55% | 52 | 1.63% |
| 2008 | 2,027 | 64.78% | 1,037 | 33.14% | 65 | 2.08% |
| 2004 | 2,295 | 70.27% | 934 | 28.60% | 37 | 1.13% |
| 2000 | 2,064 | 67.38% | 913 | 29.81% | 86 | 2.81% |
| 1996 | 1,736 | 56.90% | 1,010 | 33.10% | 305 | 10.00% |
| 1992 | 1,756 | 48.78% | 990 | 27.50% | 854 | 23.72% |
| 1988 | 1,951 | 59.77% | 1,277 | 39.12% | 36 | 1.10% |
| 1984 | 2,285 | 65.98% | 1,146 | 33.09% | 32 | 0.92% |
| 1980 | 2,177 | 62.45% | 1,051 | 30.15% | 258 | 7.40% |
| 1976 | 1,955 | 58.52% | 1,309 | 39.18% | 77 | 2.30% |
| 1972 | 2,262 | 62.56% | 1,317 | 36.42% | 37 | 1.02% |
| 1968 | 2,516 | 61.34% | 1,420 | 34.62% | 166 | 4.05% |
| 1964 | 1,798 | 41.80% | 2,498 | 58.08% | 5 | 0.12% |
| 1960 | 2,965 | 62.00% | 1,814 | 37.93% | 3 | 0.06% |
| 1956 | 2,986 | 62.57% | 1,779 | 37.28% | 7 | 0.15% |
| 1952 | 3,573 | 71.73% | 1,396 | 28.03% | 12 | 0.24% |
| 1948 | 1,772 | 44.99% | 2,123 | 53.90% | 44 | 1.12% |
| 1944 | 2,100 | 55.29% | 1,689 | 44.47% | 9 | 0.24% |
| 1940 | 2,425 | 51.14% | 2,288 | 48.25% | 29 | 0.61% |
| 1936 | 1,539 | 34.56% | 2,812 | 63.15% | 102 | 2.29% |
| 1932 | 1,190 | 31.08% | 2,590 | 67.64% | 49 | 1.28% |
| 1928 | 2,085 | 56.69% | 1,567 | 42.60% | 26 | 0.71% |
| 1924 | 1,876 | 50.42% | 386 | 10.37% | 1,459 | 39.21% |
| 1920 | 2,717 | 76.73% | 754 | 21.29% | 70 | 1.98% |
| 1916 | 1,258 | 58.05% | 874 | 40.33% | 35 | 1.62% |
| 1912 | 520 | 26.56% | 786 | 40.14% | 652 | 33.30% |
| 1908 | 1,000 | 55.34% | 777 | 43.00% | 30 | 1.66% |
| 1904 | 1,179 | 67.37% | 554 | 31.66% | 17 | 0.97% |
| 1900 | 1,106 | 56.89% | 799 | 41.10% | 39 | 2.01% |
| 1896 | 1,094 | 57.91% | 767 | 40.60% | 28 | 1.48% |