Buchanan County, Iowa

Buchanan County, Iowa
Buchanan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,565. Its county seat is Independence. The county was created in 1837 and was named in honor of Senator James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States.
History
Buchanan County was formed on December 21, 1837, from parts of Dubuque County. It was named after US Senator James Buchanan, who would later go on to be President of the United States.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.4%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 380
U.S. Highway 20
Iowa Highway 27
Iowa Highway 150
Iowa Highway 187
Iowa Highway 281
Adjacent counties
Clayton County (northeast)
Fayette County (north)
Delaware County (east)
Linn County (southeast)
Benton County (southwest)
Black Hawk County (west)
Bremer County (northwest)
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 20,565 in the county, with a population density of . 97.06% of the population reported being of one race. 94.13% were non-Hispanic White, 0.35% were Black, 1.64% were Hispanic, 0.14% were Native American, 0.25% were Asian, 0.06% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.43% were some other race or more than one race. There were 8,886 housing units of which 8,198 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 20,958 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,968 housing units, of which 8,161 were occupied.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,093 people, 7,933 households, and 5,672 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 8,697 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.41% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,933 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.60% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,036, and the median income for a family was $45,421. Males had a median income of $30,212 versus $22,356 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,405. About 6.80% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.90% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Aurora
Brandon
Fairbank
Hazleton
Independence
Jesup
Lamont
Quasqueton
Rowley
Stanley
Winthrop
Unincorporated communities
Bryantsburg
Doris
Gatesville
Littleton
Monti
Otterville
Shady Grove
A number of historic communities in Buchanan County once appeared on state maps, but no longer exist. Hamerville was located east of Brandon at the intersection of Highway 150. Today, the site is the location of three farmhouses. Vista, once located between Brandon and Independence, appeared on maps frequently until the 1950s. This site is not even accessed by paved road. Kier, between Fairbank and Littleton, appeared on many maps in the 19th century and early 20th century. The area is now settled by Amish. Several towns named Middlefield existed southeast of Winthrop, but none are populated today. Newtonville was located a few miles south of Monti. The houses at Castleville were later moved to Aurora. Wise, once located between Independence and Jesup just north of Highway 939, was a train-stop between the 1920s and the 1950s. Little remains at the site. Kiene was founded in 1911 between Quasqueton and Monti, but was empty by 1955. Few or even no houses remain at any of these sites.
Townships
Buchanan County is divided into sixteen townships:
Buffalo
Byron
Cono
Fairbank
Fremont
Hazleton
Homer
Jefferson
Liberty
Madison
Middlefield
Newton
Perry
Sumner
Washington
Westburg
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Buchanan County.
† county seat
Education
School districts in the county include:
East Buchanan Community School District
Independence Community School District
Jesup Community School District
North Linn Community School District
Oelwein Community School District
Starmont Community School District
Union Community School District
Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District
Wapsie Valley Community School District
West Delaware County Community School District
In the period prior to July 1966 the county had two school districts, serving Amish groups, which did not operate high schools. The Iowa legislature had passed a law requiring school districts which did not operate school districts to merge into ones that did.
Amish community
Buchanan County is home to the Hazleton Old Order Amish settlement, founded in 1914, that in 1987 had to six church districts (congregations) with an estimated population of about 1,200 Amish. The Buchanan Amish affiliation is named after Buchanan County.
Politics
Notable people
James "Jim" Smith, murdered Iowa State Trooper
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Buchanan County, Iowa
References
External links
Website for Buchanan County
Buchanan County Economic Development Commission's website
1837 establishments in Wisconsin Territory
Populated places established in 1837