Palo Alto County, Iowa

Major highways

• U.S. Highway 18
• Iowa Highway 4
• Iowa Highway 15

Adjacent counties

• Emmet County (north)
• Kossuth County (east)
• Pocahontas County (south)
• Clay County (west)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,996, giving it a population density of 15.9/sq mi (6.1/km²). The median age was 43.6 years, with 22.5% of residents under the age of 18 and 23.3% aged 65 years or older. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.8 males age 18 and over.^[12]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.0% of the population.^[13]

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[14]

There were 3,831 households in the county, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.7% were married-couple households, 20.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 4,516 housing units, of which 15.2% were vacant; 3,831 were occupied, with 75.5% owner-occupied and 24.5% renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.9%.^[12]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 9,421 in the county, with a population density of 16.7/sq mi (6.5/km²). There were 4,628 housing units, of which 3,994 were occupied.^[15]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile (6.9 people/km²). There were 4,631 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.62% White, 0.09% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,119 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.00% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 23.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 21.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,409, and the median income for a family was $41,808. Males had a median income of $28,344 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,733. About 6.60% of families and 10.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Townships

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Palo Alto County.^[2]

† county seat