Lee County, Iowa
Encyclopedia
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 35,862 in the county, with a population density of . There were 16,205 housing units, of which 14,610 were occupied.2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 38,052 people, 15,161 households, and 10,248 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 74 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 16,612 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.24% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.80% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.26% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.39% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.03% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.21% from two or more races. 2.37% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 15,161 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 16.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,193, and the median income for a family was $42,658. Males had a median income of $32,286 versus $21,821 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,430. About 7.10% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.60% of those under age 18 and 9.60% of those age 65 or over.
History
Fort Madison dates to the war of 1812. Lee County was the location of the "Half-Breed Tract", established by treaty in 1824. Allocations of land were made to American Indian descendants of European fathers and Indian mothers at this tract. Originally the land was to be held in common. Some who had an allocation lived in cities where they hoped to make better livings.Large-scale European-American settlement in the area began in 1839, after Congress allowed owners to sell land individually. Members of the Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints) fled persecutions in Missouri to settle in Illinois and Iowa. Although Nauvoo, across the border in Hancock County
Hancock County, Illinois
Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 19,104, which is a decrease of 5.1% from 20,121 in 2000. Its county seat is Carthage. Hamilton is the largest city in Hancock County, with Carthage being the second largest...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, became the main center of Latter-day Saints settlement, there was also a stake organized in Lee County under the direction of John Smith, the uncle of Joseph Smith.
Communities
Cities
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Keokuk, Iowa Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park... Montrose, Iowa Montrose is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 957 at the 2000 census. The town is located on the Mississippi River. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... St. Paul, Iowa St. Paul is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St... West Point, Iowa West Point is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 980 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
Unincorporated communities
- ArgyleArgyle, IowaArgyle is an unincorporated community in southwestern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along the concurrent Iowa Highways 27 and 394 southwest of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 679 feet . Although Argyle is unincorporated, it has a post...
- DenmarkDenmark, IowaDenmark is an unincorporated community in northeastern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along Iowa Highway 16 north of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 722 feet . Although Denmark is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of...
- New BostonNew Boston, IowaNew Boston is an unincorporated community in central Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along U.S. Highway 218 southwest of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Although New Boston is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 52619. The community is...
- Pilot GrovePilot Grove, IowaPilot Grove is an unincorporated community in northern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along local roads northwest of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 643 feet . Although Pilot Grove is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code...
- WeverWever, IowaWever is an unincorporated community in northeastern Lee County, Iowa, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 61 northeast of the city of Fort Madison, the county seat of Lee County. Its elevation is 561 feet . Although Wever is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of...
Notable people
- Cleng PeersonCleng PeersonCleng Peerson was a Norwegian-American pioneer who led the first group of Norwegians to emigrate to the United States, traveling on the Norwegian sloop Restauration.-Background:...
(1783–1865) pioneer settler in Lee County in 1840 - Richard ProennekeRichard ProennekeRichard Louis "Dick" Proenneke was a naturalist who lived alone in the high mountains of Alaska at a place called Twin Lakes...
(1916–2003) naturalistNaturalistNaturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
subject of books and documentary - William Elliott WhitmoreWilliam Elliott WhitmoreWilliam Elliott Whitmore is an American blues singer and musician from Lee County, Iowa. He has recorded a number of albums released on Southern Records, and now is a member of the Anti Records family. His act consists mostly of playing the banjo or guitar while singing, though on occasion he...
(1978– ) singer and songwriter
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lee County, IowaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Lee County, IowaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Lee County, Iowa.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Lee County, Iowa, United States...
- Lee County Courthouse in use in Fort MadisonLee County Courthouse (Iowa)The Lee County Courthouse in Fort Madison, Iowa, United States was built in 1842. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource. The courthouse serves the court functions and county administration for the northern...
Original and oldest courthouse. - Lee County Courthouse in use in KeokukU.S. Post Office and Courthouse (Keokuk, Iowa)The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Keokuk, Iowa was built in 1887. It reflects Late Victorian and "round-arch Victorian" architecture. It served historically as a Federal courthouse and as a post office. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The...
Originally a Federal courthouse and post office.