Plymouth County, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Plymouth County is a county
located in the U.S. state
of Iowa
. The population was 24,986 in the 2010 census, an increase from 24,849 in the 2000 census. The county seat
is Le Mars
.
is located in Plymouth County, two nautical mile
s (3.7 km) southwest of the central business district
of Le Mars, Iowa
.
in present use was built in 1900 of red sandstone.
During the Great Depression, the farmers organized a group, which they named the Farmers Holiday Group. The goal was to keep farm products off the market until the desired price was met. A radical group among them abducted Judge Bradley from his court chamber and threatened to hang him in the front of the courthouse. Bradley was freed, but the governor ordered the national guard to
Plymouth County and declared state of emergency, which meant the end of the Farmers Holiday Group.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 24,849 people, 9,372 households, and 6,804 families residing in the county. The population density
was 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 9,880 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White
, 0.29% Black
or African American
, 0.14% Native American
, 0.27% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 9,372 households out of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% were married couples
living together, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% 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 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,638, and the median income for a family was $50,009. Males had a median income of $33,566 versus $22,558 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,442. About 4.40% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The population was 24,986 in the 2010 census, an increase from 24,849 in the 2000 census. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Le Mars
Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars is a city in and the county seat of Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 863.96 square miles (2,237.6 km²), of which 863.56 square miles (2,236.6 km²) (or 99.95%) is land and 0.39 square miles (1 km²) (or 0.05%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Sioux CountySioux County, Iowa-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,704 in the county, with a population density of . There were 12,279 housing units, of which 11,584 were occupied.-2000 census:...
(north) - Cherokee CountyCherokee County, Iowa-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,072 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,777 housing units, of which 5,207 were occupied.-2000 census:...
(east) - Woodbury CountyWoodbury County, Iowa-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 102,172 in the county, with a population density of . There were 41,454 housing units, of which 39,052 were occupied.-2000 census:...
(south) - Union County, South DakotaUnion County, South DakotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,584 people, 4,927 households, and 3,517 families residing in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile . There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
(west)
Major highways
-
U.S. Highway 75 -
Iowa Highway 3 -
Iowa Highway 12 -
Iowa Highway 60Iowa Highway 60Iowa Highway 60 is a north–south state highway in northwest Iowa. The highway runs at a southwest-to-northeast angle. The southern end of Iowa Highway 60 is near Le Mars at a freeway interchange with U.S. Route 75 and U.S. Route 75 Business... -
Iowa Highway 140Iowa Highway 140Iowa Highway 140 is a highway in northwestern Iowa. It is a north–south highway with a length of . Iowa Highway 140 begins at U.S. Route 20 at Moville and ends at Iowa Highway 3 near Remsen.-Route description:...
Airport
Le Mars Municipal AirportLe Mars Municipal Airport
Le Mars Municipal Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Le Mars, a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
is located in Plymouth County, two nautical mile
Nautical mile
The nautical mile is a unit of length that is about one minute of arc of latitude along any meridian, but is approximately one minute of arc of longitude only at the equator...
s (3.7 km) southwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars, Iowa
Le Mars is a city in and the county seat of Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells...
.
History
Plymouth County was formed on January 15, 1851. Settlement began in 1856. In October, 1859, the first courthouse was built and the first public school opened its doors with 32 pupils. In 1872, the county seat was moved to Le Mars and a new courthouse and a jail were built there in 1873. The courthousePlymouth County Courthouse (Iowa)
The Plymouth County Courthouse located in Le Mars, Iowa was built in 1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
in present use was built in 1900 of red sandstone.
During the Great Depression, the farmers organized a group, which they named the Farmers Holiday Group. The goal was to keep farm products off the market until the desired price was met. A radical group among them abducted Judge Bradley from his court chamber and threatened to hang him in the front of the courthouse. Bradley was freed, but the governor ordered the national guard to
Plymouth County and declared state of emergency, which meant the end of the Farmers Holiday Group.
Demographics
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 24,986 in the county, with a population density of . There were 10,550 housing units, of which 9,875 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 24,849 people, 9,372 households, and 6,804 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 29 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 9,880 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% 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...
, 0.29% 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...
, 0.14% 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...
, 0.27% 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...
, 0.46% 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 0.62% from two or more races. 1.32% 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 9,372 households out of which 35.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.30% 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, 6.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.00% 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 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,638, and the median income for a family was $50,009. Males had a median income of $33,566 versus $22,558 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 $19,442. About 4.40% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
Points of interest
The Pappas Telecasting Tower, with a height of 603.5 metres (1,980 ft), is one of the tallest masts in the world.Notable natives
- Jim NicholsonJim Nicholson (U.S. politician)Robert James "Jim" Nicholson is an attorney, real estate developer, and a former Republican Party chairman. He was the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs from January 26, 2005 until October 1, 2007.-Personal life:...
Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Republican National Chairman and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican - Thomas StarzlThomas StarzlThomas E. Starzl is an American physician, researcher, and is an expert on organ transplants. He performed the first human liver transplants, and has often been referred to as "the father of modern transplantation."-Life:...
, innovator in organ transplant surgery - Isaac S. StrubleIsaac S. StrubleIsaac S. Struble was a four-term Republican Representative of Iowa's 11th congressional district. Serving from 1883 to 1891, the Plymouth County resident was a noted congressional opponent of plural marriage in Utah.The member of a politically-active family, Isaac's six brothers included John T....
, Congressman (1883–1891) for whom StrubleStruble, IowaStruble is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States, along the West Branch of the Floyd River. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Struble is located in Elgin Township, some seven miles north of LeMars, at ....
is named - Paul RustPaul RustPaul Robert Rust is an American actor, comedian and writer.-Life and career:Rust was born in Le Mars, Iowa to Jeanne and Bob Rust...
, actor and comedian
Cities
|
Hinton, Iowa As of the census of 2000, there were 808 people, 303 households, and 226 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,386.1 people per square mile . There were 319 housing units at an average density of 547.2 per square mile... Kingsley, Iowa Kingsley is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,245 at the 2000 census. In the 1880s Herbert Hoover lived in the Kingsley community for a short time, following the deaths of his parents.-Geography:... Le Mars, Iowa Le Mars is a city in and the county seat of Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,237 at the 2000 census. Le Mars is the home of Wells' Dairy, the world's largest producer of ice cream novelties in one location and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Wells... |
Merrill, Iowa Merrill is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States, along the Floyd River. The population was 754 at the 2000 census.- History :Merrill is named for the seventh Governor of Iowa Samuel Merrill. The community was officially recognized on February 27, 1872. and became a incorporated city on... Oyens, Iowa Oyens is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 132 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oyens is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.... Remsen, Iowa Remsen is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,762 at the 2000 census.-History:Remsen was named for Dr. William Remsen Smith, a pioneer Sioux City physician who became an extensive landowner in the area. Dr. Smith had a good friend who suggested the name Smithville,... |
Sioux City, Iowa Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state.... Struble, Iowa Struble is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States, along the West Branch of the Floyd River. The population was 85 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Struble is located in Elgin Township, some seven miles north of LeMars, at .... Westfield, Iowa Westfield is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 189 at the 2000 census. It is the westernmost point in Iowa, this being due to a bend in the Big Sioux River. A sign on the highway says "In Iowa, West Is The Best"... |
Unincorporated communities
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See also
- Plymouth County CourthousePlymouth County Courthouse (Iowa)The Plymouth County Courthouse located in Le Mars, Iowa was built in 1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Plymouth County, Iowa
External links
- Plymouth County Iowa Official website