Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,127. Its county seat is Mason City. The county is named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo, which took place during the Mexican–American War.
Cerro Gordo County is part of the Mason City, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Cerro Gordo County was formed in 1851 and takes its name from the Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican–American War, where General Winfield Scott defeated the Mexican General Santa Anna on April 18, 1847.
In 1851 the first white settlers came into the area of the present county and settled on Clear Lake. Four years later, on August 7, 1855, the first elections were held and the first legal proceedings occurred in 1857. In the summer of the same year, Livonia was chosen as the new county seat. In 1858, the seat was returned to Mason City. In 1866, the first courthouse was erected, which was used until 1900. The courthouse still used today opened on November 17, 1960.
Cerro Gordo County was the site of the airplane crash north of the city of Clear Lake, in which rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, along with their pilot Roger A. Peterson, were killed on February 3, 1959. The site is in Grant Township, in the northwestern part of the county.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 35
U.S. Highway 18
U.S. Highway 65
Iowa Highway 27
Iowa Highway 122
Transit
Mason City Transit
List of intercity bus stops in Iowa
Airport
The county also has a municipal airport, Mason City Municipal Airport, (MCW).
Adjacent counties
Worth County (north)
Mitchell County (northeast)
Floyd County (east)
Franklin County (south)
Hancock County (west)
Demographics
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 43,127 in the county, with a population density of . There were 22,603 housing units of which 19,224 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 44,151 in the county, with a population density of . There were 22,163 housing units, of which 19,350 were occupied.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 46,447 people, 19,374 households, and 12,399 families in the county. The population density was . There were 21,488 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.26% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.88% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 2.78%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 19,374 households 29.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.90% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.00% were non-families. 30.90% of households were one person and 13.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 23.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.70% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median household income was $35,867 and the median family income was $46,099. Males had a median income of $31,790 versus $21,781 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,184. About 5.90% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Clear Lake
Dougherty
Mason City
Meservey
Plymouth
Rock Falls
Rockwell
Swaledale
Thornton
Ventura
Townships
Cerro Gordo County is divided into sixteen townships:
Bath
Clear Lake
Dougherty
Falls
Geneseo
Grant
Grimes
Lake
Lime Creek
Lincoln
Mason
Mount Vernon
Owen
Pleasant Valley
Portland
Union
Census-designated places
Burchinal
Portland
Other unincorporated communities
Cameron
Cartersville
Emery
Freeman
Hurley
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Cerro Gordo County.
† county seat
Economy
In September 2016 Cerro Gordo County supervisors voted to appeal the Iowa Department of Natural Resources's decision to approve construction of a hog confinement facility near Ventura, Iowa.
Law enforcement
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office is headed by Sheriff Kevin Pals. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement, performs investigations, executes legal processes such as writs, and is responsible for operating the county jail and for inmates in custody.
The Sheriff's Office is at 17262 Lark Ave, Mason City, IA 50401.
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
References
External links
County Government website
1851 establishments in Iowa
Mason City, Iowa micropolitan area
Populated places established in 1851