Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County, Iowa
Palo Alto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,996. The county seat is Emmetsburg. It is named after the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the Mexican–American War.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 18
Iowa Highway 4
Iowa Highway 15
Adjacent counties
Emmet County (north)
Kossuth County (east)
Pocahontas County (south)
Clay County (west)
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 8,996 in the county, with a population density of . 96.59% of the population reported being of one race. 91.05% were non-Hispanic White, 0.58% were Black, 3.05% were Hispanic, 0.26% were Native American, 0.43% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.57% were some other race or more than one race. There were 4,516 housing units, of which 3,831 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 9,421 in the county, with a population density of . There were 4,628 housing units, of which 3,994 were occupied.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,119 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,409, and the median income for a family was $41,808. Males had a median income of $28,344 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,733. About 6.60% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Ayrshire
Curlew
Cylinder
Emmetsburg
Graettinger
Mallard
Rodman
Ruthven
West Bend (partially)
Townships
Booth
Ellington
Emmetsburg
Fairfield
Fern Valley
Freedom
Great Oak
Highland
Independence
Lost Island
Nevada
Rush Lake
Silver Lake
Vernon
Walnut
West Bend
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Palo Alto County.
† county seat
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Palo Alto County, Iowa
References
External links
Palo Alto County Economic Development
1851 establishments in Iowa
Populated places established in 1851