Louisa County, Iowa

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 61
• Iowa Highway 70
• Iowa Highway 78
• Iowa Highway 92

Adjacent counties

• Johnson County (northwest)
• Muscatine County (north)
• Rock Island County, Illinois (northeast)
• Mercer County, Illinois (east)
• Des Moines County (south)
• Henry County (southwest)
• Washington County (west)

National protected area

• Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
• Cone Marsh National Wildlife Area

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,837 with a population density of 26.0/sq mi (10.0/km²). There were 4,712 housing units, of which 4,180 were occupied.^[15]

The median age was 42.1 years, with 22.7% of residents under the age of 18 and 19.8% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.2 males age 18 and over.^[15]

There were 4,180 households, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 54.8% were married-couple households, 17.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[15]

There were 4,712 housing units, of which 11.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.2% were owner-occupied and 20.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.3%.^[15]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[16]

The racial and ethnic composition as recorded by the 2020 census is summarized in the table below, with 81.5% of residents identifying as White and 15.9% identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[17]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 11,387 in the county, with a population density of 28.3/sq mi (10.9/km²). There were 5,002 housing units, of which 4,346 were occupied.^[18]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 12,183 people, 4,519 households, and 3,316 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 inhabitants per square mile (12/km²). There were 5,133 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.91% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.56% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 12.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,519 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 8.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.70% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,086, and the median income for a family was $43,972. Males had a median income of $31,293 versus $22,085 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,644. About 7.00% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Unincorporated community

• Cairo
• Toolesboro

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Louisa County.

† county seat

Townships