Johnson County, Iowa

Johnson County, Iowa

Seal
Map of Iowa highlighting Johnson County
Location in the U.S. state of Iowa
Map of the United States highlighting Iowa
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded 21 December 1837
Named for Richard Mentor Johnson
Seat Iowa City
Largest city Iowa City
Area
 • Total 623 sq mi (1,614 km2)
 • Land 614 sq mi (1,590 km2)
 • Water 9.1 sq mi (24 km2), 1.5%
Population
 • (2010) 130,882
 • Density 213/sq mi (82/km2)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Central: UTC−6/−5

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 130,882[1] making it the fifth-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Iowa City,[2] home of the University of Iowa. The county is named for Richard Mentor Johnson, the ninth vice president of the United States.

Johnson County is included in the Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor Combined Statistical Area.[3]

History

Johnson County was created in December 1837 by the legislature of the Wisconsin Territory, one of thirteen counties established by that body in a comprehensive act.[4] The county's area was partitioned from Dubuque County, and was not initially provided with a civil government, instead being governed by Cedar County officials. It was named for the US Vice President Richard M. Johnson.[5]

The first courthouse in the county was a two–story log cabin structure, built in 1838 in the settlement of Napoleon,[6] about two miles south of the current courthouse.[7] The building stood across from what later would become the James McCollister Farmstead on land later owned by Philip Clark.

Old Johnson County Courthouse, Iowa City, 1857-1899

After Iowa City was established by fiat as the new territorial capitol of Iowa, the county seat was removed there.[8] The second Johnson County Courthouse, the first in Iowa City, was built on Lot 8 Block 8 of the County Seat Addition to Iowa City in 1842 for $3,690.[7] This location was in the southeast corner of the intersection of Harrison and Clinton Streets. The building was 56 x 28 feet and two stories tall.[9] It was built by James Trimble, who had previously built the first jail.[7]

A third courthouse was built in 1857 in the courthouse square on Clinton Street between Court and Harrison Streets. It was used until 1901, after cracks appeared in its south wall in 1899.[10] The building was apparently built of brick with stone and wood ornamentation.[11]

The Richardsonian Romanesque style courthouse in use today was designed by the firm of Rush, Bowman and Rush of Grand Rapids, MI.[12] It was bid at a cost of $111,000 and built by the firm Rowson & Son of Johnson County.[13] The cornerstone was laid in December 1899.[14] The building's tower was based on Henry Hobson Richardson's design for the spire of Trinity Church in Boston.[15] The building was dedicated on 8 June 1901.[16] The currently unused jail that stands to the west of the courthouse was designed by C.L. Wundt of Burlington on behalf of the Stewart Iron Works, Cleveland, OH and bid for $14,000.[17]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 614 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 9.1 square miles (24 km2) (1.5%) is water.[18]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18504,472—
186017,573293.0%
187024,89841.7%
188025,4292.1%
189023,082−9.2%
190024,8177.5%
191025,9144.4%
192026,4622.1%
193030,27614.4%
194033,1919.6%
195045,75637.9%
196053,66317.3%
197072,12734.4%
198081,71713.3%
199096,11917.6%
2000111,00615.5%
2010130,88217.9%
Est. 2016146,547[19]12.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790-1960[21] 1900-1990[22]
1990-2000[23] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 130,882 in the county, with a population density of 212.9964/sq mi (82.2384/km2). There were 55,967 housing units, of which 52,715 were occupied.[24]

2000 census

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Johnson County

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 111,006 people, 44,080 households, and 23,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 45,831 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.13% White, 2.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 4.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 44,080 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.90% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.50% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 20.10% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,060, and the median income for a family was $60,112. Males had a median income of $36,279 versus $29,793 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,220. About 5.20% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Largely as a result of the presence of the University of Iowa, Johnson County is the most liberal leaning county in Iowa and a stronghold of the Democratic Party. It has been the strongest Democratic county in the state since 1984. The last Republican to win the county in a presidential election was Richard Nixon in 1960, this is true in state elections as well, where Johnson County is often the lone county to vote against the Republican in landslide elections, such as Senator Chuck Grassley's landslide re-election wins in 2010 and 2016 or Governor Terry Branstad's landslide re-election in 2014.

Presidential Elections Results
Presidential Elections Results[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 27.4% 21,044 65.3% 50,200 7.4% 5,696
2012 31.2% 23,698 66.7% 50,666 2.1% 1,613
2008 28.4% 20,732 69.9% 51,027 1.7% 1,230
2004 34.8% 22,715 64.0% 41,847 1.2% 811
2000 33.9% 17,899 59.1% 31,174 7.0% 3,696
1996 29.3% 13,402 61.0% 27,888 9.7% 4,442
1992 27.1% 14,041 55.4% 28,656 17.5% 9,077
1988 34.6% 15,453 64.4% 28,759 1.0% 435
1984 41.5% 18,677 57.7% 26,000 0.8% 367
1980 31.7% 13,642 46.8% 20,122 21.5% 9,233
1976 41.6% 16,090 52.2% 20,208 6.2% 2,412
1972 40.9% 14,823 57.7% 20,922 1.4% 491
1968 43.9% 11,384 52.2% 13,541 3.9% 1,019
1964 31.7% 6,860 68.1% 14,717 0.2% 41
1960 50.8% 10,927 49.1% 10,563 0.1% 18
1956 56.3% 11,298 43.7% 8,767 0.1% 11
1952 58.0% 11,231 41.7% 8,067 0.3% 52
1948 43.8% 7,139 52.8% 8,611 3.4% 553
1944 42.9% 6,396 56.6% 8,434 0.5% 67
1940 44.3% 7,206 55.4% 9,017 0.3% 55
1936 38.2% 5,629 59.7% 8,794 2.2% 320
1932 37.9% 5,484 60.5% 8,764 1.6% 235
1928 50.3% 7,288 49.5% 7,181 0.2% 29
1924 44.5% 5,741 35.5% 4,570 20.0% 2,580
1920 52.2% 5,696 46.1% 5,032 1.8% 195
1916 42.2% 2,704 57.0% 3,650 0.8% 49
1912 28.0% 1,645 56.5% 3,327 15.5% 914
1908 44.8% 2,758 53.9% 3,314 1.3% 79
1904 48.3% 2,963 50.3% 3,085 1.5% 91
1900 48.1% 3,010 50.9% 3,182 1.1% 66
1896 47.1% 2,910 51.3% 3,170 1.7% 104

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Johnson County.[27]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)

1 † Iowa City City 67,862
2 Coralville City 18,907
3 North Liberty City 13,374
4 West Branch (mostly in Cedar County) City 2,322
5 Solon City 2,037
6 Tiffin City 1,947
7 Lone Tree City 1,300
8 University Heights City 1,051
9 Swisher City 879
10 Oxford City 807
11 Hills City 703
12 Shueyville City 577
13 Frytown CDP 165

Notable natives

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 10 May 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. ↑ 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 14 May 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2006.
  4. ↑ The other counties created on 21 December 1837: Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, Jackson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, and Scott.
  5. ↑ History of Johnson County, Iowa 1836-1882 (1883). Reproduction by Unigraphic Inc. pp. 165-6.
  6. ↑ This no longer exists as a separate settlement but as part of Iowa City. Its former existence is recognized by the present Napoleon Park, accessed via Napoleon Lane (41.63350N, 91.53147W). Napoleon Lane Google Maps (accessed 18 August 2018)
  7. 1 2 3 Aurner, p. 492.
  8. ↑ Aurner, pp. 47, 72.
  9. ↑ Aurner, pp. 21, 492.
  10. ↑ Aurner, p. 494.
  11. ↑ Aurner, p. 65.
  12. ↑ Daily Iowa State Press, 1 April 1899, p. 5
  13. ↑ Aurner, pp. 496-7.
  14. ↑ Aurner, p. 496.
  15. ↑ "The Johnson County Courthouse". Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  16. ↑ Aurner, p. 496
  17. ↑ Aurner, p. 497.
  18. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  19. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  22. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  23. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  24. ↑ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  25. ↑ "American FactFinder". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  26. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  • Charles Ray Aurner, Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History, Volume I (1912) reproduction by Torch Press, Cedar Rapids IA

Coordinates: 41°40′N 91°35′W / 41.667°N 91.583°W / 41.667; -91.583

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.