{{Short description|none}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox subdivision type | name = Counties of Iowa | alt_name = | map = {{Iowa County Labelled Map}} | category = | territory = State of Iowa | start_date = | current_number = 99 | number_date = | population_range = 3,617 (Adams) – 516,546 (Polk) | area_range = {{Convert|381|sqmi}} (Dickinson) – {{Convert|973|sqmi}} (Kossuth) | government = County government | subdivision = Cities, towns, townships, unincorporated communities, census-designated places }}
There are 99 counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The first two counties, Des Moines County and Dubuque County, were created in 1834 when Iowa was still part of the Michigan Territory. In preparation for Michigan's statehood, part of Michigan Territory was formed into Wisconsin Territory in 1836.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-014/?action=more_essay| title=The Creation of Wisconsin Territory| work=Wisconsin Historical Society| access-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref> Two years later, the western portion was split off to become Iowa Territory.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.eskimo.com/~lisanne/ney/wischron.htm| title=Chronology of Wisconsin History| work=Ney Family History| access-date=August 17, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519205545/http://www.eskimo.com/~lisanne/ney/wischron.htm| archive-date=May 19, 2008}}</ref> The south-eastern part of Iowa Territory became Iowa, the 29th state in the union, on December 28, 1846,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.50states.com/statehood.htm| title=Statehood Dates| publisher=50states.com| access-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref> by which point 44 counties had been created. Counties continued to be created by the state government until 1857, when the last county, Humboldt County, was created.<ref name="NACO"/> One of the most significant days in Iowa county history was January 15, 1851, on which 49 counties were created.<ref>{{cite web | title=Iowa: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries | url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Iowa/documents/IA_Consolidated_Chronology.htm | access-date=May 25, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416234410/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Iowa/documents/IA_Consolidated_Chronology.htm | archive-date=April 16, 2009 }}</ref>
[[Image:Iowa counties with numbers.jpg|thumb|Map of counties numbered as in the ''National Atlas of the United States'']]
The Iowa Constitution of 1857, which is still in effect today, states that counties must have an area of at least {{convert|432|sqmi|km2}}, and no county may be reduced below that size by boundary changes.<ref name="IAHC">{{cite web|url=http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Iowa/documents/IA_Commentary.htm|title=Iowa Commentary|work=Iowa Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|access-date=August 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015124818/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Iowa/documents/IA_Commentary.htm|archive-date=October 15, 2008}}</ref> However, exceptions to this rule were granted, as ten counties have areas below this size. (The table below shows land area, but the Constitution deals with total area.<ref name="IAHC"/>) The smallest county (Dickinson) has a land area of {{convert|381|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, while the largest (Kossuth) has an area 973 sq mi (2,520 km<sup>2</sup>). Polk County is the most densely populated county at <!-- 2020 Census numbers from table in article -->{{Pop density|492401|570|sqmi|km2}}, an increase in density from 2010 when it was {{Pop density|430640|657|sqmi|km2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19153.html |title=Polk County Quickfacts |work=State & County QuickFacts |author=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-date=July 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729131019/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19153.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Polk County contains the state's capital and largest city, Des Moines. In addition, Iowa has one of the smallest percentages of counties whose boundaries are dictated by natural means, the vast majority of which are being formed by lines of survey instead, resulting in many "box counties".
==County information== The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) code, used by the United States government to uniquely identify counties, is provided with each entry. The FIPS code for each county links to census data for that county. The column labeled '#' is the official county number when listed alphabetically. This number is used for many governmental and organizational purposes, including state income tax preparation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tax.iowa.gov/sites/files/idr/documents/Iowa%20County%20Names%20and%20Numbers.pdf|title=Iowa County Names and Numbers|work=Iowa Department of Revenue|access-date=June 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323202741/https://tax.iowa.gov/sites/files/idr/documents/Iowa%20County%20Names%20and%20Numbers.pdf|archive-date=March 23, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1922 to 1978, it was also used on Iowa license plates<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allaboutlicenseplates.com/codes.asp?State=Iowa |title=Iowa License Plate: County Codes |access-date=June 8, 2018 |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044019/http://allaboutlicenseplates.com/codes.asp?State=Iowa |url-status=dead }}</ref> until it was replaced by the full county name. Finally, the number in the column headed "Map #" is used by the National Atlas of the United States, shown on the left; for purposes of the National Atlas, counties are numbered in geographical order beginning in the NW corner of the map.
{{Countytabletop | region_width = | fips_ref = <ref name="FIPS">{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/codes/ia.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212001520/http://www.epa.gov/enviro/html/codes/ia.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |title=EPA County FIPS Code Listing |work=EPA.gov |access-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref> | region_seat_title = County seat | region_seat_width = | region_seat_ref = <ref name="NACO">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/state.cfm&state.cfm&statecode=IA|title=NACo - Find a county|author=National Association of Counties|access-date=April 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410090510/http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=%2Fcffiles%2Fcounties%2Fstate.cfm&state.cfm&statecode=IA|archive-date=April 10, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> | data1_title = # | data1_width = | data2_title = {{abbr|Est.|Established}} | data2_width = | data2_ref = <ref name="NACO"/><ref name="book">{{cite book | title=The Counties and Courthouses of Iowa| last=Pratt| first=LeRoy G.| year=1977| publisher=Klipto Printing and Office Supply Company| location=Mason City, Iowa}}</ref> | data3_title = Formed from | data3_width = | data3_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iagenweb.org/state/formation.htm|title=Formation of Counties in Iowa|access-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> | data4_title = Etymology | data4_width = | data4_ref = <ref name="book"/> | data4_unsortable = yes | data5_title = Map # | data5_width = | population_ref = <ref name="2025CensusEstimate">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/IA/PST045219|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Iowa|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date= April 3, 2026}}</ref> | area_ref = <ref name="NACO"/> }} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=001|Name=Adair|Seat=Greenfield|Data1=01|Data5=69|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Adair, Kentucky Governor|Area=569|Population=7403|Data3=Cass County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=003|Name=Adams|Seat=Corning|Data1=02|Data5=81|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Adams, US President|Area=424|Population=3617|Data3=Taylor County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=005|Name=Allamakee|Seat=Waukon|Data1=03|Data5=11|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|20|format=mdy}}|Data4=Disputed, possibly Allan Makee, early trader and guide for settlers, or Meskwaki ''anamiki'' and/or Ojibwe ''animikii'' both meaning ''thunder'' or ''thunderer''<ref name="Bright">{{cite book|last=Bright|first=William|date=2004|title=Native American Placenames of the United States|location=Norman, Oklahoma|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|isbn=978-0-8061-3598-4}}</ref>{{rp|33}}|Area=640|Population=14238|Data3=Clayton County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=007|Name=Appanoose|Seat=Centerville|Data1=04|Data5=96|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Appanoose, headed peace party in the Black Hawk War|Area=496|Population=12077|Data3=Davis County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=009|Name=Audubon|Seat=Audubon|Data1=05|Data5=57|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John James Audubon, ornithologist and artist|Area=443|Population=5509|Data3=Black Hawk County and Cass County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=011|Name=Benton|Seat=Vinton|Data1=06|Data5=51|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Thomas Hart Benton, Missouri Senator|Area=716|Population=26004|Data3=Native American lands and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=013|Name=Black Hawk|Seat=Waterloo|Data1=07|Data5=39|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Black Hawk, leader during Black Hawk War|Area=567|Population=131532|Data3=Delaware County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=015|Name=Boone|Seat=Boone|Data1=08|Data5=47|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Nathan Boone, one of the first to survey Iowa|Area=572|Population=26799|Data3=Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=017|Name=Bremer|Seat=Waverly|Data1=09|Data5=30|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Fredrika Bremer, Swedish poet and author|Area=428|Population=25296|Data3=Native American lands and Winnebago County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=019|Name=Buchanan|Seat=Independence|Data1=10|Data5=40|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=James Buchanan, US President|Area=571|Population=20883|Data3=Delaware County and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=021|Name=Buena Vista|Seat=Storm Lake|Data1=11|Data5=24|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Battle of Buena Vista, Mexican–American War|Area=575|Population=20449|Data3=Clay County and Sac County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=023|Name=Butler|Seat=Allison|Data1=12|Data5=29|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Orlando Butler, War of 1812 hero|Area=580|Population=14049|Data3=Black Hawk County and Buchanan County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=025|Name=Calhoun|Seat=Rockwell City|Data1=13|Data5=34|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John C. Calhoun, US Vice President|Area=570|Population=9562|Data3=Fox County (renamed)|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=027|Name=Carroll|Seat=Carroll|Data1=14|Data5=45|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Charles Carroll, signatory of the Declaration of Independence|Area=569|Population=20303|Data3=Guthrie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=029|Name=Cass|Seat=Atlantic|Data1=15|Data5=68|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Lewis Cass, Michigan Senator|Area=564|Population=12960|Data3=Pottawattamie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=031|Name=Cedar|Seat=Tipton|Data1=16|Data5=65|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Cedar River that runs through county|Area=580|Population=18359|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=033|Name=Cerro Gordo|Seat=Mason City|Data1=17|Data5=17|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexican–American War|Area=568|Population=42372|Data3=Floyd County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=035|Name=Cherokee|Seat=Cherokee|Data1=18|Data5=23|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Cherokee People|Area=577|Population=11369|Data3=Crawford County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=037|Name=Chickasaw|Seat=New Hampton|Data1=19|Data5=19|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chickasaw People|Area=505|Population=11663|Data3=Fayette County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=039|Name=Clarke|Seat=Osceola|Data1=20|Data5=83|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=James Clarke, Governor of Iowa Territory|Area=431|Population=9574|Data3=Lucas County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=041|Name=Clay|Seat=Spencer|Data1=21|Data5=14|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Henry Clay, Jr., officer in the Mexican–American War|Area=569|Population=16202|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=043|Name=Clayton|Seat=Elkader|Data1=22|Data5=21|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=John M. Clayton, Delaware Senator|Area=779|Population=16845|Data3=Dubuque County and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=045|Name=Clinton|Seat=Clinton|Data1=23|Data5=66|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=DeWitt Clinton, New York Governor|Area=695|Population=46002|Data3=Dubuque County and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=047|Name=Crawford|Seat=Denison|Data1=24|Data5=44|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Harris Crawford, Georgia Senator|Area=714|Population=16237|Data3=Shelby County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=049|Name=Dallas|Seat=Adel||Data1=25|Data5=59|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=George Mifflin Dallas, US Vice President|Area=586|Population=118457|Data3=Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=051|Name=Davis|Seat=Bloomfield|Data1=26|Data5=97|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Garrett Davis, Kentucky Congressman|Area=503|Population=9230|Data3=Van Buren County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=053|Name=Decatur|Seat=Leon|Data1=27|Data5=94|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Stephen Decatur, War of 1812 naval officer|Area=532|Population=7655|Data3=Appanoose County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=055|Name=Delaware|Seat=Manchester|Data1=28|Data5=41|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=State of Delaware, home of Iowa statehood advocate US Senator John M. Clayton |Area=578|Population=17674|Data3=Dubuque County and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=057|Name=Des Moines|Seat=Burlington|Data1=29|Data5=89|Data2={{dts|1834|Sep|06|format=mdy}}|Data4=Des Moines River that once ran through the county|Area=416|Population=38077|Data3=Michigan Territory and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=059|Name=Dickinson|Seat=Spirit Lake|Data1=30|Data5=3|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Daniel Stevens Dickinson, New York Senator|Area=381|Population=18077|Data3=Kossuth County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=061|Name=Dubuque|Seat=Dubuque|Data1=31|Data5=42|Data2={{dts|1834|Sep|06|format=mdy}}|Data4=Julien Dubuque, first permanent white settler in Iowa|Area=608|Population=99381|Data3=Michigan Territory and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=063|Name=Emmet|Seat=Estherville|Data1=32|Data5=4|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Robert Emmet, Irish revolutionary and American republican sympathizer |Area=396|Population=9107|Data3=Dickinson County and Kossuth County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=065|Name=Fayette|Seat=West Union|Data1=33|Data5=20|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Marquis de Lafayette, Frenchman who aided colonial forces during American Revolutionary War|Area=731|Population=19047|Data3=Clayton County and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=067|Name=Floyd|Seat=Charles City|Data1=34|Data5=18|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Charles Floyd, member of Lewis and Clark Expedition who died in Iowa|Area=501|Population=14901|Data3=Chickasaw County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=069|Name=Franklin|Seat=Hampton|Data1=35|Data5=28|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Benjamin Franklin, statesman and US founding father|Area=582|Population=9868|Data3=Chickasaw County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=071|Name=Fremont|Seat=Sidney|Data1=36|Data5=90|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|24|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Charles Fremont, Mexican–American War officer|Area=511|Population=6522|Data3=Pottawattamie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=073|Name=Greene|Seat=Jefferson|Data1=37|Data5=46|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Nathanael Greene, American Revolutionary War general|Area=568|Population=8658|Data3=Dallas County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=075|Name=Grundy|Seat=Grundy Center|Data1=38|Data5=38|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Felix Grundy, Tennessee Congressman|Area=503|Population=12361|Data3=Black Hawk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=077|Name=Guthrie|Seat=Guthrie Center|Data1=39|Data5=58|Data2={{dts|1851|Jul|08|format=mdy}}|Data4=Edwin B. Guthrie, Mexican–American War officer|Area=591|Population=10782|Data3=Jackson County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=079|Name=Hamilton|Seat=Webster City|Data1=40|Data5=36|Data2={{dts|1856|Dec|22|format=mdy}}|Data4=William W. Hamilton, President of Iowa Senate (1856–1857)|Area=577|Population=14944|Data3=Webster County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=081|Name=Hancock|Seat=Garner|Data1=41|Data5=16|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Hancock, President of First Continental Congress|Area=571|Population=10528|Data3=Wright County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=083|Name=Hardin|Seat=Eldora|Data1=42|Data5=37|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John J. Hardin, prominent soldier, Black Hawk War|Area=569|Population=16455|Data3=Black Hawk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=085|Name=Harrison|Seat=Logan|Data1=43|Data5=55|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Henry Harrison, US President|Area=697|Population=14623|Data3=Pottawattamie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=087|Name=Henry|Seat=Mount Pleasant|Data1=44|Data5=88|Data2={{dts|1836|Dec|07|format=mdy}}|Data4=Disputed, see reference<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iahenry/henrycocourthouse.htm| title=Henry County, Iowa| quote=According to most sources, Henry County (440 square miles) was named for Henry Dodge (1782-1867), who served in the Black Hawk War and other Indian wars and governor of Wisconsin Territory (1836-1841); others credit the county’s name to General James Dougherty Henry (1797-1834), a hero of the Black Hawk War.| access-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref>|Area=434|Population=19349|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=089|Name=Howard|Seat=Cresco|Data1=45|Data5=9|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Tilghman Howard, US Representative from Indiana|Area=473|Population=9415|Data3=Chickasaw County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=091|Name=Humboldt|Seat=Dakota City|Data1=46|Data5=26|Data2={{dts|1857|Feb|26|format=mdy}}|Data4=Alexander von Humboldt, German scientist|Area=434|Population=9409|Data3=Webster County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=093|Name=Ida|Seat=Ida Grove|Data1=47|Data5=32|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Either Mount Ida in Greece or Ida Smith, child of early settlers<ref name="Savage">{{cite book|last=Savage|first=Tom|date=2007|title=A Dictionary of Iowa Place-names|location=Iowa City|publisher=University of Iowa Press|page=9|isbn=1-58729-531-8}}</ref>|Area=432|Population=6777|Data3=Cherokee County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=095|Name=Iowa|Seat=Marengo|Data1=48|Data5=63|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Iowa River that flows through the county|Area=586|Population=16504|Data3=Washington County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=097|Name=Jackson|Seat=Maquoketa|Data1=49|Data5=54|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Andrew Jackson, US President|Area=636|Population=19288|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=099|Name=Jasper|Seat=Newton|Data1=50|Data5=61|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Jasper, American Revolutionary War sergeant|Area=730|Population=38153|Data3=Mahaska County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=101|Name=Jefferson|Seat=Fairfield|Data1=51|Data5=87|Data2={{dts|1839|Jan|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Thomas Jefferson, US President|Area=435|Population=15291|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=103|Name=Johnson|Seat=Iowa City|Data1=52|Data5=64|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Richard Mentor Johnson|Area=614|Population=160044|Data3=Des Moines County, Iowa and Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=105|Name=Jones|Seat=Anamosa|Data1=53|Data5=53|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=George Wallace Jones, Iowa Senator|Area=575|Population=21253|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=107|Name=Keokuk|Seat=Sigourney|Data1=54|Data5=74|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Keokuk|Area=579|Population=9797|Data3=Washington County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=109|Name=Kossuth|Seat=Algona|Data1=55|Data5=5|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Lajos Kossuth, Hungarian revolutionary inspired by American democratic ideals |Area=973|Population=14322|Data3=Webster County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=111|Name=Lee|Noseat=Fort Madison and Keokuk||Data1=56|Data5=99|Data2={{dts|1836|Dec|07|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Elliott Lee, businessman from the New York Land Company, who sold the county's first tracts of land |Area=517|Population=32306|Data3=Des Moines County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=113|Name=Linn|Seat=Cedar Rapids|Data1=57|Data5=52|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Lewis Fields Linn, doctor and Missouri Senator|Area=718|Population=232028|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=115|Name=Louisa|Seat=Wapello|Data1=58|Data5=76|Data2={{dts|1836|Dec|07|format=mdy}}|Data4=Disputed, see reference<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/| title=Louisa County, Iowa |work=Official website| quote=According to some authorities, the county was named for Louisa Massey, who gained fame during her time because she avenged the murder of her brother by shooting the man responsible. Other historians claim the name was given in honor of Louisa County, Virginia. There are {{convert|418|sqmi|km2}} in Louisa County.| access-date=August 17, 2008}}</ref>| Area=402|Population=10416|Data3=Des Moines County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=117|Name=Lucas|Seat=Chariton|Data1=59|Data5=84|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Robert Lucas, first Governor of Iowa Territory|Area=431|Population=8847|Data3=Monroe County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=119|Name=Lyon|Seat=Rock Rapids|Data1=60|Data5=1|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Nathaniel Lyon, first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War, (Formerly named Buncombe County) |Area=588|Population=12354|Data3=Woodbury County, Iowa|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=121|Name=Madison|Seat=Winterset|Data1=61|Data5=70|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=James Madison, US President|Area=561|Population=17270|Data3=Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=123|Name=Mahaska|Seat=Oskaloosa|Data1=62|Data5=73|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Mahaska|Area=571|Population=21880|Data3=Meskwaki and Sauk Indian lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=125|Name=Marion|Seat=Knoxville|Data1=63|Data5=72|Data2={{dts|1845|Jun|10|format=mdy}}|Data4=Francis Marion, American Revolutionary War general|Area=554|Population=34192|Data3=Washington County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=127|Name=Marshall|Seat=Marshalltown|Data1=64|Data5=49|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court|Area=572|Population=39890|Data3=Jasper County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=129|Name=Mills|Seat=Glenwood|Data1=65|Data5=79|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Frederick Mills, major killed during the Battle of Churubusco, Mexican–American War|Area=437|Population=14793|Data3=Pottawattamie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=131|Name=Mitchell|Seat=Osage|Data1=66|Data5=8|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Mitchel, Irish revolutionary who operated out of the US|Area=469|Population=10650|Data3=Chickasaw County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=133|Name=Monona|Seat=Onawa|Data1=67|Data5=43|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Probably from the name of a fictional Native American character in a play<ref name="Bright" />{{rp|295}}|Area=693|Population=8539|Data3=Harrison County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=135|Name=Monroe|Seat=Albia|Data1=68|Data5=85|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=James Monroe, US President (Formerly named Kishkekosh County)|Area=433|Population=7406|Data3=Wapello County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=137|Name=Montgomery|Seat=Red Oak|Data1=69|Data5=80|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Richard Montgomery, American Revolutionary War general|Area=424|Population=10002|Data3=Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=139|Name=Muscatine|Seat=Muscatine|Data1=70|Data5=77|Data2={{dts|1836|Dec|07|format=mdy}}|Data4=debated, possibly Mascouten People|Area=439|Population=41853|Data3=Des Moines County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=141|Name=O'Brien|Seat=Primghar|Data1=71|Data5=13|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}||Data4=William Smith O'Brien, Irish revolutionary inspired by American democratic ideals|Area=573|Population=14220|Data3=Cherokee County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=143|Name=Osceola|Seat=Sibley|Data1=72|Data5=2|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Osceola, Seminole leader|Area=399|Population=5980|Data3=Woodbury County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=145|Name=Page|Seat=Clarinda|Data1=73|Data5=91|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|24|format=mdy}}|Data4=John Page, officer killed in Battle of Palo Alto, Mexican–American War|Area=535|Population=14856|Data3=Pottawattamie County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=147|Name=Palo Alto|Seat=Emmetsburg|Data1=74|Data5=15|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Battle of Palo Alto, Mexican–American War|Area=564|Population=8899|Data3=Kossuth County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=149|Name=Plymouth|Seat=Le Mars|Data1=75|Data5=22|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Plymouth, Massachusetts|Area=864|Population=25697|Data3=Woodbury County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=151|Name=Pocahontas|Seat=Pocahontas|Data1=76|Data5=25|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Pocahontas, famous Native American woman|Area=578|Population=6819|Data3=Greene County and Humboldt County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=153|Name=Polk|Seat=Des Moines|Data1=77|Data5=60|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=James K. Polk, US President|Area=570|Population=516546|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=155|Name=Pottawattamie|Seat=Council Bluffs|Data1=78|Data5=67|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|24|format=mdy}}|Data4=Potawatomi People|Area=954|Population=92996|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=157|Name=Poweshiek|Seat=Montezuma|Data1=79|Data5=62|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Poweshiek, Meskwaki|Area=585|Population=18368|Data3=Meskwaki lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=159|Name=Ringgold|Seat=Mount Ayr|Data1=80|Data5=93|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|24|format=mdy}}|Data4=Samuel Ringgold, major killed in the Mexican–American War|Area=538|Population=4642|Data3=Taylor County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=161|Name=Sac|Seat=Sac City|Data1=81|Data5=33|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Sauk (Sac) People|Area=576|Population=9525|Data3=Greene County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=163|Name=Scott|Seat=Davenport|Data1=82|Data5=78|Data2={{dts|1837|Dec|21|format=mdy}}|Data4=Winfield Scott, War of 1812 General|Area=458|Population=175259|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=165|Name=Shelby|Seat=Harlan|Data1=83|Data5=56|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Isaac Shelby, American Revolutionary War General, War of 1812 |Area=591|Population=11689|Data3=Cass County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=167|Name=Sioux|Seat=Orange City|Data1=84|Data5=12|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Sioux People|Area=768|Population=36774|Data3=Plymouth County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=169|Name=Story|Seat=Nevada|Data1=85|Data5=48|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Joseph Story, US Supreme Court Justice|Area=573|Population=101291|Data3=Boone County, Jasper County, and Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=171|Name=Tama|Seat=Toledo|Data1=86|Data5=50|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Disputed, see reference<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/counties/iowa/tama.html| title=Tama County, Iowa| work=e-referencedesk.com| quote=The origin of the naming of Tama County is somewhat disputed. Some authorities say the name comes from Taimah, a Fox Indian Chief. Others say it comes from Taomah, wife of Poweshiek--another Fox Indian Tribe Chief. Still others say the county is named after the Indian Chief Potama or Pottama.| author=John Adams, Tama County Auditor| publisher=Web Marketing Services, Inc. LLC| location=Clarksville, VA| year=2002| access-date=October 2, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606022252/http://www.e-referencedesk.com/resources/counties/iowa/tama.html| archive-date=June 6, 2011| url-status=usurped}}</ref>|Area=721|Population=16796|Data3=Benton County and Boone County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=173|Name=Taylor|Seat=Bedford|Data1=87|Data5=92|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|24|format=mdy}}|Data4=Zachary Taylor, US President|Area=534|Population=5835|Data3=Page County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=175|Name=Union|Seat=Creston|Data1=88|Data5=82|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=The union of the states|Area=424|Population=11829|Data3=Clarke County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=177|Name=Van Buren|Seat=Keosauqua|Data1=89|Data5=98|Data2={{dts|1836|Dec|07|format=mdy}}|Data4=Martin Van Buren, US President|Area=485|Population=7131|Data3=Des Moines County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=179|Name=Wapello|Seat=Ottumwa|Data1=90|Data5=86|Data2={{dts|1843|Feb|17|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Wapello|Area=432|Population=35210|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=181|Name=Warren|Seat=Indianola|Data1=91|Data5=71|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Joseph Warren, American Revolutionary War General|Area=572|Population=57331|Data3=Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=183|Name=Washington|Seat=Washington|Data1=92|Data5=75|Data2={{dts|1839|Jan|25|format=mdy}}|Data4=George Washington, US President (Formerly named Slaughter County)|Area=569|Population=22667|Data3=Wisconsin Territory|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=185|Name=Wayne|Seat=Corydon|Data1=93|Data5=95|Data2={{dts|1846|Jan|13|format=mdy}}|Data4=Anthony Wayne, American Revolutionary War General|Area=526|Population=6738|Data3=Appanoose County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=187|Name=Webster|Seat=Fort Dodge|Data1=94|Data5=35|Data2={{dts|1853|Jan|12|format=mdy}}|Data4=Daniel Webster, Massachusetts Senator|Area=715|Population=36838|Data3=Risley County and Yell County (defunct IA counties)<ref>{{cite book |title=History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa |url=https://archive.org/details/historyoffortdod01prat |year=1913 |author=Pratt, H. M.}}</ref>|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=189|Name=Winnebago|Seat=Forest City|Data1=95|Data5=6|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Winnebago (Ho–Chunk) People|Area=400|Population=10251|Data3=Kossuth County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=191|Name=Winneshiek|Seat=Decorah|Data1=96|Data5=10|Data2={{dts|1847|Feb|20|format=mdy}}|Data4=Chief Winneshiek|Area=690|Population=19733|Data3=Native American lands|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=193|Name=Woodbury|Seat=Sioux City|Data1=97|Data5=31|Data2={{dts|1853|Jan|12|format=mdy}}|Data4=Levi Woodbury, New Hampshire Governor|Area=873|Population=106649|Data3=Wahkaw County (renamed), Polk County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=195|Name=Worth|Seat=Northwood|Data1=98|Data5=7|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=William Jenkins Worth, Black Hawk War and Mexican–American War officer|Area=400|Population=7338|Data3=Mitchell County|size=120}} {{Countyrow|N=19|Num=197|Name=Wright|Seat=Clarion|Data1=99|Data5=27|Data2={{dts|1851|Jan|15|format=mdy}}|Data4=Silas Wright, New York Governor, and Joseph Albert Wright, Indiana Governor (brothers)|Area=581|Population=12801|Data3=Webster County and Kossuth County |size=120}} |}
==Former counties== The following counties no longer exist:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iagenweb.org/state/formation.htm|title=Iowa County Formation Table|work=Iowa Genweb Project|access-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref>
*Cook (1836–1837), merged with Muscatine County<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Cook.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040714230416/http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Cook.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2004|title=Cook County, Iowa|access-date=August 16, 2008}}</ref> *Bancroft (1851–1855), merged with Kossuth County, Namesake: George Bancroft<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Bancroft.htm|title=Bancroft County, Iowa|access-date=August 16, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727164212/http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Bancroft.htm|archive-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> *Risley (1851–1853), formed Hamilton County<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ellsworthia.us/Hamilton_County_history_h.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220183958/http://ellsworthia.us/Hamilton_County_history_h.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2016|title=Risley County, Iowa|access-date=August 16, 2008}}</ref> *Yell (1851–1853), formed Webster County, Namesake: Arkansas Governor Archibald Yell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Yell.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040720173602/http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Yell.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 20, 2004|title=Yell County, Iowa|access-date=August 16, 2008}}</ref> *Crocker (1870–1871), merged with Kossuth County, Namesake: General Marcellus M. Crocker<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Crocker.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040715103831/http://www.past2present.org/own/counties/Crocker.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2004|title=Crocker County, Iowa|access-date=August 16, 2008}}</ref>
=== Proposed counties === *Belknap (Proposed/Failed 1874) Seceded from Pottawattamie County, Namesake: Secretary of War William Belknap<ref>https://archive.org/details/historyofiowafro03gueb/page/306/mode/2up</ref> *Grimes (Proposed/Failed 1876) Seceded from Pottawattamie County, Namesake: Iowa Governor James Grimes<ref>https://archive.org/details/historyofiowafro03gueb/page/350/mode/2up</ref> *Larrabee (Proposed 1913/Failed 1914) Seceded from Kossuth County, Namesake: Iowa Governor William Larrabee<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-21 |title=What happened to Iowa's 100th county? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-what-happened-to-iowas-100t/144895260/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=The Gazette |pages=P6}}</ref>
==See also== {{portal|Iowa}} * List of cities in Iowa * List of townships in Iowa
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite web |last1=writer |first1=Statf |author-link1= |collaboration= |df= |year=2022 |location= |title=IOWA COUNTY GOVERNMENT OVERVIEW |url=https://ce.naco.org//app/profiles/CountyGov/CountyGov_19000.pdf |url-access= |format= |department= |website=ce.naco.org |type= |language= |edition= |agency=National Association of Counties (NACo) |arxiv= |asin= |asin-tld= |bibcode= |bibcode-access= |biorxiv= |citeseerx= |doi= |doi-access= |doi-broken-date= |eissn= |hdl= |hdl-access= |isbn= |ismn= |issn= |jfm= |jstor= |jstor-access= |lccn= |medrxiv= |mr= |oclc= |ol= |ol-access= |osti= |osti-access= |pmc= |pmc-embargo-date= |pmid= |rfc= |sbn= |ssrn= |s2cid= |s2cid-access= |zbl= |id= |archive-format= |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote-page= |quote-pages= |quote= |ref= }}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071112114707/http://historical-county.newberry.org/website/Iowa/documents/IA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm Iowa: Individual County Chronologies]
{{Iowa}} {{U.S. Counties}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Counties In Iowa}} Category:Iowa counties Counties Iowa, counties in