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Shelby County, Iowa
Shelby County IA Courthouse
Shelby County Courthouse
Map of Iowa highlighting Shelby County
Location in the state of Iowa
Map of the U.S
Iowa's location in the U.S.
Founded 1851
Named for Isaac Shelby
Seat Harlan
Largest city Harlan
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

598 sq mi (1,549 km²)
598 sq mi (1,549 km²)
0.6 sq mi (2 km²), 0.1
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

11,746
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website https://shelbycounty.iowa.gov/

Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,746.[1] The county seat is Harlan.[2] Its name is in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky.

History[]

Shelby County was established on January 15, 1851. It was named after General Isaac Shelby, a hero in the American Revolutionary War and the first Governor of Kentucky.

Early settling in Shelby County began in 1848 in Galland's Grove.[3] On February 4, 1855, Shelbyville was designated the county seat. In April, 1859, the seat was moved to Harlan. One year later the first courthouse was erected and a second courthouse was constructed in 1875. In 1892, the construction of the present courthouse was begun, this time of stone and three storeys high. The construction was completed in 1893 with the dedication on September 14. The 1892 Shelby County Courthouse and the surrounding buildings are all listed in the National Register of Historic places effective September 23, 1994.[4] In 1978, the building was extensively restored and still serves as the courthouse.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 591 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 591 square miles (1,530 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

Major highways[]

  • US 59 U.S. Highway 59
  • Elongated circle 37 Iowa Highway 37
  • Elongated circle 44 Iowa Highway 44
  • Elongated circle 173 Iowa Highway 173
  • Elongated circle 191 Iowa Highway 191
  • County Highway M16
  • County Highway F58
  • County Highway F32
  • County Highway F24
  • County Highway M36

Attractions[]

  • Shelby County Speedway

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1860 818
1870 2,540 210.5%
1880 12,696 399.8%
1890 17,611 38.7%
1900 17,932 1.8%
1910 16,552 −7.7%
1920 16,065 −2.9%
1930 17,131 6.6%
1940 16,720 −2.4%
1950 15,942 −4.7%
1960 15,825 −0.7%
1970 15,528 −1.9%
1980 15,043 −3.1%
1990 13,230 −12.1%
2000 13,173 −0.4%
2010 12,167 −7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[10]
ShelbyCountyIowaPop2020

Population of Shelby County from US census data

2020 census[]

The 2020 census recorded a population of 11,746 in the county, with a population density of 19.6271/sq mi (7.5781/km2). 96.51% of the population reported being of one race. 90.06% were non-Hispanic White, 0.45% were Black, 3.51% were Hispanic, 0.47% were Native American, 0.42% were Asian, 0.03% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 5.07% were some other race or more than one race. There were 5,421 housing units, of which 4,981 were occupied.[1]

2010 census[]

The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,167 in the county, with a population density of 20.5931/sq mi (7.9510/km2). There were 5,542 housing units, of which 5,085 were occupied.[11]

2000 census[]

USA Shelby County, Iowa age pyramid

2000 Census Age Pyramid for Shelby County

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 13,173 people, 5,173 households, and 3,703 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (9/km2). There were 5,459 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.68% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,173 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,442, and the median income for a family was $44,681. Males had a median income of $29,402 versus $20,296 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,969. About 4.30% of families and 6.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[]

Cities[]

  • Defiance
  • Earling
  • Elk Horn
  • Harlan
  • Irwin
  • Kirkman
  • Panama
  • Portsmouth
  • Shelby
  • Tennant
  • Westphalia

Census-designated places[]

  • Corley
  • Jacksonville

Other unincorporated places[]

  • Botna
  • Red Line
  • Manteno

Townships[]

  • Cass Township
  • Center Township
  • Clay Township
  • Douglas Township
  • Fairview Township
  • Greeley Township
  • Grove Township
  • Jackson Township
  • Jefferson Township
  • Lincoln Township
  • Monroe Township
  • Polk Township
  • Shelby Township
  • Union Township
  • Washington Township
  • Westphalia Township

Population ranking[]

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Shelby County.[1]

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2020 Census)
1 Harlan City 4,893
2 Shelby (partially in Pottawattamie County) City 716 (727 total)
3 Elk Horn City 601
4 Earling City 397
5 Irwin City 319
6 Defiance City 245
7 Panama City 235
8 Portsmouth City 182
9 Westphalia City 126
10 Tennant City 78
11 Kirkman City 56
12 Corley CDP 31
13 Jacksonville CDP 29

Politics[]

United States presidential election results for Shelby County, Iowa[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,697 69.12% 1,959 28.83% 139 2.05%
2016 4,362 68.48% 1,662 26.09% 346 5.43%
2012 3,911 60.33% 2,469 38.08% 103 1.59%
2008 3,488 54.04% 2,863 44.35% 104 1.61%
2004 4,256 63.81% 2,355 35.31% 59 0.88%
2000 3,655 60.83% 2,179 36.26% 175 2.91%
1996 3,056 51.44% 2,176 36.63% 709 11.93%
1992 2,809 42.92% 2,094 32.00% 1,641 25.08%
1988 3,019 51.52% 2,806 47.88% 35 0.60%
1984 4,200 64.25% 2,291 35.05% 46 0.70%
1980 4,147 64.03% 1,892 29.21% 438 6.76%
1976 3,301 52.72% 2,851 45.54% 109 1.74%
1972 4,052 62.93% 2,259 35.08% 128 1.99%
1968 3,886 58.65% 2,365 35.69% 375 5.66%
1964 2,928 41.03% 4,148 58.12% 61 0.85%
1960 4,210 55.08% 3,427 44.83% 7 0.09%
1956 4,425 56.78% 3,300 42.35% 68 0.87%
1952 5,135 64.68% 2,762 34.79% 42 0.53%
1948 3,301 47.60% 3,499 50.45% 135 1.95%
1944 3,873 55.86% 2,978 42.95% 82 1.18%
1940 4,613 54.53% 3,811 45.05% 36 0.43%
1936 3,490 42.40% 4,264 51.80% 477 5.80%
1932 2,478 32.86% 4,940 65.52% 122 1.62%
1928 3,459 48.85% 3,604 50.90% 18 0.25%
1924 3,252 47.96% 2,297 33.88% 1,231 18.16%
1920 4,621 70.55% 1,882 28.73% 47 0.72%
1916 1,898 47.50% 2,060 51.55% 38 0.95%
1912 872 22.63% 1,841 47.78% 1,140 29.59%
1908 1,973 49.34% 1,935 48.39% 91 2.28%
1904 2,310 57.69% 1,584 39.56% 110 2.75%
1900 2,182 51.47% 2,010 47.42% 47 1.11%
1896 2,019 47.85% 2,175 51.55% 25 0.59%
1892 1,674 44.41% 1,890 50.15% 205 5.44%
1888 1,714 47.17% 1,762 48.49% 158 4.35%
1884 1,802 50.82% 1,741 49.10% 3 0.08%
1880 1,499 58.40% 963 37.51% 105 4.09%



See also[]

  • Shelby County Courthouse
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Shelby County, Iowa

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". United states Census Bureau. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ A brief history, Shelby County Iowa website
  4. ^ Shelby County Attractions
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html. 
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt. 
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19165.html. 
  11. ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-17.pdf. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 41°40′53″N 95°18′46″W / 41.68139, -95.31278


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Shelby County, Iowa. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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