Allamakee County, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allamakee County
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Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
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 Iowa's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| Founded | 1847 |
| Seat | Waukon |
| Largest city | Waukon |
| Area | |
| • Total | 659 sq mi (1,710 km2) |
| • Land | 639 sq mi (1,660 km2) |
| • Water | 20 sq mi (50 km2) 3.0% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,061 |
| • Density | 21.337/sq mi (8.238/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Allamakee County (/ˈæləməˌki/) is the northeasternmost county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,061. Its county seat is Waukon.
Contents
History
Allamakee County was formed on February 20, 1847. The derivation of the name is debated, some believing it was the name of an Indian chief, others think it was named for Allen Magee, an early historic trader. The first Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon, built in 1861, now serves as the Allamakee County Historical Museum. The present Allamakee County Court House was built in 1940. Both courthouse buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 659 square miles (1,710 km2), of which 639 square miles (1,660 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.0%) is water.
In the northern part of the county is the Upper Iowa River. In the southern part is the Yellow River. The eastern boundary is the Mississippi River. All offer scenic and recreational opportunities, particularly in Yellow River State Forest.
French Creek flows north of Waukon, outside the city limits. Paint Creek, named after Paint Rock Bluff, flows out of the south of Waukon. Norfolk creek originates in the western outskirts of Waukon and is effluent to the Yellow River. Clear Creek flows into Lansing. Village Creek flows through essentially rural terrain. All are tributary to the Mississippi River.
The landforms encountered in the county are very unlike those found in most of Iowa, which is mostly absent Glacial Drift. As part of the Driftless Area, the county was ice free during the last ice age, and as one progresses to the Mississippi River, the streams and rivers display high-walled canyons carved of Silurian period bedrock. This Driftless Area also includes parts of Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek, Howard, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties.
Major highways
U.S. Highway 18
U.S. Highway 52
Iowa Highway 9
Iowa Highway 26
Iowa Highway 51
Iowa Highway 76
Adjacent counties
- Houston County, Minnesota (north)
- Vernon County, Wisconsin (northeast)
- Crawford County, Wisconsin (east)
- Clayton County (south)
- Winneshiek County (west)
- Fayette County (southwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 777 | — | |
| 1860 | 12,237 | 1,474.9% | |
| 1870 | 17,868 | 46.0% | |
| 1880 | 19,791 | 10.8% | |
| 1890 | 17,907 | −9.5% | |
| 1900 | 18,711 | 4.5% | |
| 1910 | 17,328 | −7.4% | |
| 1920 | 17,285 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 16,328 | −5.5% | |
| 1940 | 17,184 | 5.2% | |
| 1950 | 16,351 | −4.8% | |
| 1960 | 15,982 | −2.3% | |
| 1970 | 14,968 | −6.3% | |
| 1980 | 15,108 | 0.9% | |
| 1990 | 13,855 | −8.3% | |
| 2000 | 14,675 | 5.9% | |
| 2010 | 14,330 | −2.4% | |
| 2020 | 14,061 | −1.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,074 | −1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018 |
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2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 14,061 in the county, with a population density of 21.2970/sq mi (8.2228/km2). 96.88% of the population reported being of one race. 81.08% were non-Hispanic White, 1.10% were Black, 8.68% were Hispanic, 0.65% were Native American, 0.29% were Asian, 0.04% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 8.17% were some other race or more than one race. There were 7,668 housing units of which 5,797 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of 22.39/sq mi (8.64/km2). There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.
Notable sites
- Effigy Mounds National Monument is found in the southeast corner of the county.
- Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge encompasses the River.
- Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge, a collection of small, non-contiguous parcels harboring two endangered species.
- Yellow River State Forest is a four-season state park.
Media
- The Waukon Standard
- The Postville Herald-Leader
Communities
Cities
Townships
Allamakee County is divided into eighteen townships:
Unincorporated communities
Ghost towns
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Allamakee County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) |
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| 1 | † Waukon | City | 3,827 |
| 2 | Postville (partially in Clayton County) | City | 2,228 (2503 total) |
| 3 | Lansing | City | 968 |
| 4 | New Albin | City | 432 |
| 5 | Harpers Ferry | City | 262 |
| 6 | Waterville | City | 109 |
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Allamakee para niños
