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Linn County, Iowa

Coordinates: 42°04′43″N 91°35′59″W / 42.07861°N 91.59972°W / 42.07861; -91.59972
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Linn County
County
Linn County Courthouse
Linn County Courthouse
Flag of Linn County
Flag
Official logo of Linn County
Logo
Map of Iowa highlighting Linn County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°04′43″N 91°35′59″W / 42.078611111111°N 91.599722222222°W / 42.078611111111; -91.599722222222
Country United States
State Iowa
Founded1839
Named forLewis Linn
SeatCedar Rapids
Largest cityCedar Rapids
Area
 • Total
725 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Land717 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water7.6 sq mi (20 km2)  1.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
230,299
 • Density320/sq mi (120/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.linncountyiowa.gov

Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 230,299,[1] making it the second-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Cedar Rapids.[2] Linn County is named in honor of Senator Lewis F. Linn of Missouri.[3] Linn County is included in the Cedar Rapids, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[4]

History

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The earliest inhabitants of Linn County, prior to Anglo settlement, were the Sac and Fox tribes. Relations were described by 20th century historians as amicable. Native Americans provided food and furs to whites in exchange for merchandise.[5]

Linn County was created as a named but unorganized area on December 21, 1837, as a part of Wisconsin Territory. It became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838, when the territory was organized.[6] Linn County was organized by the first legislative assembly of the Iowa Territory on January 15, 1839. A site was selected for its first county seat along Indian Creek, and was named Marion, after the Revolutionary War general Francis Marion. As early as 1855, there were debates over moving the county seat to the fast-growing Cedar Rapids, southwest of Marion, but it was not until November 6, 1919, that there were enough votes in favor of the move (9,960 to 4,823).[7] The first rail line was built through Cedar Rapids in 1859, and made the town (and the county) a major commercial hub in eastern Iowa.

Many areas of the county were damaged by the flooding of Cedar River in June 2008, and again during the August 2020 Midwest derecho.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 725 square miles (1,880 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 7.6 square miles (20 km2) (1.1%) is water.[8]

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,444—
186018,947248.0%
187031,08064.0%
188037,23719.8%
189045,30321.7%
190055,39222.3%
191060,7209.6%
192074,00421.9%
193082,33611.3%
194089,1428.3%
1950104,27417.0%
1960136,89931.3%
1970163,21319.2%
1980169,7754.0%
1990168,767−0.6%
2000191,70113.6%
2010211,22610.2%
2020230,2999.0%
2023 (est.)228,972[9]−0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2019[14]
Population of Linn County from US census data

2020 census

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2022 US Census population pyramid for Linn County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 230,299 in the county, with a population density of 317.2724/sq mi (122.49956/km2). 94.04% of the population reported being of one race. 78.91% were non-Hispanic White, 7.14% were Black, 3.87% were Hispanic, 0.24% were Native American, 2.33% were Asian, 0.23% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 7.28% were some other race or more than one race. There were 101,230 housing units, of which 94,751 were occupied.[1]

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 211,226 in the county, with a population density of 294.4163/sq mi (113.6748/km2). There were 92,251 housing units, of which 86,134 were occupied.[15]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 191,701 people, 76,753 households, and 50,349 families in the county. The population density was 267 inhabitants per square mile (103/km2). There were 80,551 housing units at an average density of 112 per square mile (43/km2). The racial makup of the county was 93.90% White, 2.57% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.37% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.42%.[16] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 76,753 households 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 27.50% of households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

Age spread: 25.30% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.

The median household income was $46,206 and the median family income was $56,494. Males had a median income of $38,525 versus $26,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,977. About 4.30% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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The Linn County Board of Supervisors consists of three members elected by district to overlapping four-year terms.[17]

The current supervisors are:

Name District First elected
Kirsten Running-Marquardt District 1 2022
Ben Rogers District 2 2008
Louis Zumbach District 3 2020

The Board of Supervisors operates as both the executive and legislative branches of Linn County government and oversees the following departments directly: Communications, Community Services, Engineering/Secondary Road, Facilities, Finance & Budget, Human Resources, Information Technology, LIFTS (para-transit transportation), Planning & Development, Policy & Administration, Purchasing, Risk Management, Soil & Water Conservation, Sustainability, and Veteran Affairs. Conservation and Public Health report to independent boards appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The County Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff, and Treasurer are elected separately.[18]

Presidentially, as Iowa shifted dramatically from competitive to firmly Republican during the Donald Trump era in the mid-to-late 2010s, this is one of the state's few remaining Democratic strongholds. It last voted Republican during the landslide reelection of Ronald Reagan in 1984, and has been won by the Democrats by a margin of at least 9% in every subsequent election.

United States presidential election results for Linn County, Iowa[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 54,237 44.11% 66,358 53.97% 2,364 1.92%
2020 53,364 41.87% 70,874 55.61% 3,220 2.53%
2016 48,390 41.32% 58,935 50.33% 9,773 8.35%
2012 47,622 40.20% 68,581 57.90% 2,250 1.90%
2008 43,626 38.48% 68,037 60.01% 1,706 1.50%
2004 49,442 44.65% 60,442 54.58% 856 0.77%
2000 40,417 43.90% 48,897 53.11% 2,750 2.99%
1996 30,958 37.28% 45,497 54.79% 6,580 7.92%
1992 30,215 33.99% 38,567 43.39% 20,103 22.62%
1988 33,129 43.18% 42,993 56.04% 596 0.78%
1984 41,061 51.12% 38,528 47.97% 726 0.90%
1980 36,254 46.35% 31,950 40.84% 10,020 12.81%
1976 36,513 47.79% 38,252 50.07% 1,632 2.14%
1972 36,503 52.78% 31,370 45.36% 1,287 1.86%
1968 30,918 47.99% 29,898 46.40% 3,614 5.61%
1964 21,845 35.22% 40,106 64.66% 78 0.13%
1960 34,200 55.30% 27,614 44.65% 25 0.04%
1956 33,402 60.60% 21,667 39.31% 47 0.09%
1952 31,383 58.72% 21,818 40.83% 240 0.45%
1948 20,881 48.45% 20,995 48.71% 1,222 2.84%
1944 21,293 50.03% 21,123 49.63% 146 0.34%
1940 23,581 54.54% 19,531 45.17% 123 0.28%
1936 19,129 48.06% 19,724 49.55% 953 2.39%
1932 18,733 50.75% 17,693 47.93% 489 1.32%
1928 25,452 68.24% 11,715 31.41% 132 0.35%
1924 22,371 64.49% 5,941 17.13% 6,378 18.39%
1920 20,036 72.02% 6,932 24.92% 853 3.07%
1916 8,212 55.67% 6,131 41.56% 408 2.77%
1912 4,326 33.83% 5,422 42.41% 3,038 23.76%
1908 6,938 54.22% 5,493 42.93% 364 2.84%
1904 8,131 65.36% 3,600 28.94% 709 5.70%
1900 7,745 59.10% 5,019 38.30% 342 2.61%
1896 7,335 57.14% 5,283 41.16% 218 1.70%
1892 5,602 50.85% 5,032 45.67% 383 3.48%
1888 5,247 53.19% 4,373 44.33% 244 2.47%
1884 4,840 52.48% 4,306 46.69% 77 0.83%
1880 4,508 58.52% 2,875 37.32% 320 4.15%

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Ghost towns

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Townships

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Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Linn County.[1]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Cedar Rapids City 137,710
2 Marion City 41,535
3 Hiawatha City 7,183
4 Mount Vernon City 4,527
5 Robins City 3,353
6 Fairfax City 2,828
7 Center Point City 2,579
8 Ely City 2,328
9 Lisbon City 2,233
10 Palo City 1,407
11 Walford (partially in Benton County) City 1,366
12 Central City City 1,264
13 Springville City 1,154
14 Coggon City 701
15 Walker City 688
16 Alburnett City 675
17 Bertram City 269
18 Prairieburg City 160

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 187.
  4. ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ^ Brewer, Luther; Barthinus, Wick (1911). History of Linn County Iowa. Chicago: The Pioneer Publishing Company. pp. 10–12.
  6. ^ "WI: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "History of Linn County". Archived from the original on May 3, 2009.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  15. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010" (PDF). United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ "Board of Supervisors". Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
  18. ^ "Linn County, IA – Official Website | Official Website". www.linncounty.org. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
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