Pocahontas County, Iowa

Major highways

• Iowa Highway 3
• Iowa Highway 4
• Iowa Highway 7
• Iowa Highway 10
• Iowa Highway 15

Adjacent counties

• Palo Alto County (north)
• Humboldt County (east)
• Webster County (southeast)
• Calhoun County (south)
• Buena Vista County (west)

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,078, a population density of 12.2/sq mi (4.7/km²), and 95.79% of residents reported being of one race.^[14][15]

The median age was 45.3 years, 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 24.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over.^[14]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.3% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.0% of the population.^[15]

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

There were 3,090 households in the county, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.2% were married-couple households, 21.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[14]

There were 3,666 housing units, of which 15.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.3% were owner-occupied and 21.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 17.9%.^[14]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census recorded a population of 7,310 in the county, with a population density of 12.7/sq mi (4.9/km²). There were 3,794 housing units, of which 3,233 were occupied.^[17]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 8,662 people, 3,617 households, and 2,430 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km²). There were 3,988 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,617 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 21.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,362, and the median income for a family was $40,568. Males had a median income of $27,929 versus $20,515 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,006. About 6.60% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Unincorporated communities

• Ware

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat