Pottawattamie County, Iowa

Pottawattamie County
County
Pottawattamie County Courthouse
Pottawattamie County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Pottawattamie County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°20′N 95°32′W / 41.33°N 95.53°W / 41.33; -95.53
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedSeptember 21, 1848
Named forPotawatomi tribe
SeatCouncil Bluffs
Largest cityCouncil Bluffs
Area
 • Total
959 sq mi (2,480 km2)
 • Land950 sq mi (2,500 km2)
 • Water8.9 sq mi (23 km2)  0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
93,667
 • Estimate 
(2023)
93,179 Decrease
 • Density98/sq mi (38/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.pottcounty-ia.gov

Pottawattamie County (/ˌpɑːtəˈwɑːtəmiː/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. At the 2020 census, the population was 93,667,[1] making it the tenth-most populous county in Iowa. The county takes its name from the Potawatomi Native American tribe. The county seat is Council Bluffs.[2][3]

Pottawattamie County is included in the Omaha–Council Bluffs, NE–IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[4]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 959 square miles (2,480 km2), of which 950 square miles (2,500 km2) is land and 8.9 square miles (23 km2) (0.9%) is water.[5] It is the second-largest county in Iowa by area after Kossuth County.[6] Pottawattamie County is located within Iowa's Loess Hills, and was the site of Kanesville along The Mormon Trail[7]

Due to movement of the Missouri River and a Supreme Court ruling, part of the county, Carter Lake, actually lies on the far side of the Missouri River. This part of the county cannot be reached by road without entering Nebraska; no direct bridge exists.[8]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18507,828—
18604,968−36.5%
187016,893240.0%
188039,850135.9%
189047,43019.0%
190054,33614.6%
191055,8322.8%
192061,55010.2%
193069,88813.5%
194066,756−4.5%
195069,6824.4%
196083,10219.3%
197086,9914.7%
198086,561−0.5%
199082,628−4.5%
200087,7046.1%
201093,1586.2%
202093,6670.5%
2023 (est.)93,179[9]−0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[14]
Population of Pottawattamie County from US census data

2020 census

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The 2020 census recorded a population of 93,667 in the county, with a population density of 97.8212/sq mi (37.76898/km2). 94.09% of the population reported being of one race. There were 39,852 housing units, of which 37,284 were occupied.[1]

Pottawattamie County Racial Composition[15]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 79,181 84.53%
Black or African American (NH) 1,836 2%
Native American (NH) 391 0.42%
Asian (NH) 773 0.83%
Pacific Islander (NH) 76 0.08%
Other/Mixed (NH) 3,750 4%
Hispanic or Latino 7,660 8.2%

2010 census

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The 2010 census recorded a population of 93,158 in the county, with a population density of 97.6233/sq mi (37.6926/km2). There were 39,330 housing units, of which 36,775 were occupied.[16]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census,[17] there were 87,704 people, 33,844 households and 23,623 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 per square mile (36/km2). There were 35,761 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.98% White, 0.77% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 3.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 33,844 households, of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 11.80% had a female householder with no husband present and 30.20% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

26.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.

The median household income was $40,089 and the median family income was $47,105. Males had a median income of $31,642 vand females $24,243. The per capita income was $19,275. About 6.40% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Cities

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Unincorporated community

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Census-designated places

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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 Pottawattamie County.[1]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 † Council Bluffs City 62,799
2 Carter Lake City 3,791
3 Avoca City 1,683
4 Oakland City 1,524
5 Treynor City 1,032
6 Underwood City 954
7 Neola City 918
8 Carson City 766
9 Walnut City 747
10 Crescent City 628
11 Minden City 600
12 Macedonia City 267
13 Hancock City 200
14 McClelland City 146
15 Bentley CDP 93
16 Weston CDP 78
17 Loveland CDP 36
18 Shelby (partially in Shelby County) City 11 (727 total)

Law enforcement

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Pottawattamie County is served by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office consisting of 51 sworn deputies, 13 reserve deputies, 92 detention officers and eight civilian support staff. Its headquarters is located in Council Bluffs, Iowa.[18]

Politics

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Pottawattamie County is a strongly Republican county. The county last backed a Democratic presidential candidate in 1964 as the party won nationally by a landslide, & only voted Democratic in four other elections prior to that. Some recent elections were more competitive, with Barack Obama losing the county in 2008 by less than 1,000 votes. However, Donald Trump won the county by 21% in 2016, by 17% in 2020, and by 20% in 2024.

United States presidential election results for Pottawattamie County, Iowa[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 26,335 59.10% 17,468 39.20% 756 1.70%
2020 26,247 57.38% 18,575 40.61% 922 2.02%
2016 24,447 57.28% 15,355 35.98% 2,878 6.74%
2012 21,860 51.68% 19,644 46.44% 797 1.88%
2008 21,237 50.18% 20,436 48.28% 651 1.54%
2004 24,558 58.72% 16,906 40.43% 356 0.85%
2000 18,783 54.50% 14,726 42.72% 958 2.78%
1996 15,648 47.68% 13,276 40.45% 3,897 11.87%
1992 15,671 42.22% 13,228 35.64% 8,216 22.14%
1988 17,193 53.06% 14,958 46.16% 254 0.78%
1984 21,527 63.11% 12,329 36.14% 256 0.75%
1980 20,222 60.96% 10,709 32.29% 2,239 6.75%
1976 17,264 53.09% 14,754 45.37% 501 1.54%
1972 19,722 69.32% 8,074 28.38% 654 2.30%
1968 16,038 56.47% 9,495 33.43% 2,866 10.09%
1964 14,208 44.68% 17,569 55.25% 22 0.07%
1960 19,223 57.79% 14,025 42.17% 13 0.04%
1956 17,632 57.87% 12,731 41.78% 105 0.34%
1952 18,894 61.24% 11,897 38.56% 63 0.20%
1948 12,384 51.40% 11,430 47.44% 281 1.17%
1944 14,007 54.25% 11,752 45.52% 59 0.23%
1940 15,929 51.07% 15,221 48.80% 38 0.12%
1936 12,223 42.28% 16,259 56.23% 431 1.49%
1932 9,565 35.94% 16,674 62.65% 377 1.42%
1928 14,354 58.91% 9,905 40.65% 109 0.45%
1924 13,380 52.78% 5,305 20.93% 6,667 26.30%
1920 13,506 64.66% 6,659 31.88% 722 3.46%
1916 5,992 47.83% 6,263 49.99% 274 2.19%
1912 1,753 14.77% 4,993 42.08% 5,120 43.15%
1908 6,137 51.16% 5,520 46.02% 338 2.82%
1904 6,868 61.14% 3,731 33.21% 634 5.64%
1900 6,525 54.14% 5,373 44.58% 154 1.28%
1896 5,810 51.00% 5,468 48.00% 114 1.00%

Education

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School districts include:[20]

There is also a state-operated school, Iowa School for the Deaf.

Former school districts:

Notable people

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  • Nina Korgan (1916—2009), women’s fast-pitch softball pitcher

See also

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Notes

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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. ^ Pottawattamie County, Iowa Archived May 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Pottawattamie County, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  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. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  6. ^ National Association of Counties. "NACo - Find a county". Archived from the original on April 10, 2005. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  7. ^ "Pottawattamie". Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Retrieved June 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "A History of Carter Lake". Adam Fletcher Sasse. September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  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 20, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 20, 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 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Pottawattamie County, Iowa".
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. ^ "Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office". Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pottawattamie County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list
  21. ^ a b "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Pottawattamie County, IA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2022. - Text list
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