Dubuque County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
 TheDubuque County Courthouse is an example ofBeaux-Arts architecture. | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofIowa | |
 Iowa's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:42°28′15″N90°52′42″W / 42.47083°N 90.87833°W /42.47083; -90.87833 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| Founded | 1834 |
| Named after | Julien Dubuque |
| Seat | Dubuque |
| Largest city | Dubuque |
| Area | |
• Total | 617 sq mi (1,600 km2) |
| • Land | 608 sq mi (1,570 km2) |
| • Water | 8.3 sq mi (21 km2) 1.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 99,266 |
| • Density | 163/sq mi (63.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
Dubuque County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofIowa. As of the2020 census, the population was 99,266,[1] making it the eighth-most populous county in Iowa. Thecounty seat isDubuque.[2] The county is named forJulien Dubuque, the firstEuropean settler of Iowa.
Dubuque County comprises the Dubuque, IAMetropolitan Statistical Area.[3]
Dubuque County is named for French traderJulien Dubuque,[4] the first European settler of Iowa, and an early lead mining pioneer in what is now Dubuque County. Dubuque wasFrench Canadian, and had (by most accounts) a friendly relationship with the localMeskwaki people. He and other early pioneers established a lucrative mining and trading industry in the area. When lead deposits began becoming exhausted, the pioneers developed boat building, lumber yards, milling, brewing, and machinery manufacturing to take its place.
The city of Dubuque was chartered in 1833 as the first city in Iowa.[5] The establishment of the City of Dubuque in 1833 led to large-scale settlement of the surrounding area. This was greatly encouraged by the Roman Catholic Church, which sent priests, bishops, and nuns to establish churches in the unpopulated countryside. Primarily, Irish and German (many of whom were Catholic) immigrants came to the region.
At an extra session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly ofMichigan Territory held in September 1834, theIowa District was divided into two counties by running a line due west from the lower end ofRock Island in theMississippi River. The territory north of this line (which started just south of the present-dayDavenport) was named Dubuque County, and all south of it was Demoine County[sic]. Thus, at that time Dubuque County nominally included not only much of what is now the state ofMinnesota but portions of what are nowNorth Dakota andSouth Dakota.
Dubuque County became part ofWisconsin Territory once it was split off from Michigan Territory on July 3, 1836. A massive reorganization and reduction of the county's size was executed on December 21, 1837, when its original area was separated into 13 named new counties and a "non-county area". The land in present day Minnesota and the Dakotas was transferred to the newly created Fayette County in this action. Dubuque County became a part of Iowa Territory upon its creation on July 4, 1838.[6]
In 1858,Saint Francis Catholic Church was established in Dubuque County.
In the 1980s, the farm crisis set in, and devastated large sections of the Midwest, including Dubuque County. Since the area was heavily dependent on agriculture-related industries like Deere and Company and theDubuque Packing Company, unemployment soared. In one month of 1982, Dubuque County had 23% unemployment, the highest in the nation. The county experienced huge population losses during this time, as workers left the area. It would not fully recover from this until the late 1990s, when the economy diversified, shifting away from manufacturing, and toward various service-related establishments. The county is now growing and flourishing.
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Since the 1990s, the area has become much more prosperous. Today, the county boasts record employment levels and a growing population. The surging economy can especially be seen in the West Side of the City of Dubuque, and in neighboring Peosta and Asbury. These areas have expanded so much that concerns now lie with trying to manage the growth, a sharp change from just 20 years ago.
It is one of Iowa's two original counties along withDes Moines County; both were organized by theMichigan Territorial legislature in 1834.
In 2021, the Dubuque County Minutemen baseball team advanced to the American Legion World Series semi-finals, the first team from Iowa to advance that far since Cedar Rapids, IA in 1975.
Dubuque County is governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors electedat large. Current supervisors include Ann McDonough, Wayne Kenniker and Harley Pothoff (chairperson). They meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in theDubuque County Courthouse.
The current county attorney is Scott Nelson, who succeeded C.J. May in 2023.
The current county auditor is Kevin Dragotto, who succeeded Denise Dolan in 2021.
The current county treasurer is Michael Clasen, who succeeded Eric Steirman in 2022
| Dubuque County Sheriff's Office | |
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 | |
| Abbreviation | DCSO |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Dubuque, Iowa, USA |
| |
| Map of Dubuque County Sheriff's Office's jurisdiction | |
| Size | 617 square miles (1,600 km2) |
| Population | 92,359 (2006) |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | 770 Iowa Street,Dubuque, Iowa |
| Sheriff responsible |
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| Website | |
| Official website | |
The county sheriff's office provides law enforcement services for unincorporated areas of Dubuque County, as well as providing courthouse security, operating the county jail, and performing civil procedures. The Sheriff's Department is located at the Dubuque City/County Law Enforcement Center. The department shares facilities and other resources with theDubuque Police Department.
The county borders onIllinois andWisconsin, and is bounded on the northeast by theMississippi River.[8] According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 617 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 608 square miles (1,570 km2) is land and 8.3 square miles (21 km2) (1.4%) is water.[9] The county is drained by north and south forks of theMaquoketa River.[8]
The county seat isDubuque,Iowa, which is located along the Mississippi River in the east-central portion of the county. Eastern Dubuque County is markedly different from the western portion in that its topography is very uneven. The city of Dubuque and surrounding areas adjacent to the Mississippi River have many steep hills, bluffs, and ravines. Also, the eastern portion is more heavily wooded than the west, which is mostly rolling farmland.
Dubuque County is widely known for its impressive bluffs along the Mississippi River, which run along the entire length of the county's riverbanks. These form part of Iowa'sCoulee Region, otherwise known as the Driftless Area. During the last ice age, much of the Mississippi Valley near Dubuque County was bypassed by glacial flows, which flattened the surrounding land in eastern Illinois, Wisconsin, and western Iowa, leaving the Driftless Area unusually rugged.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources administers 3 park and preserve areas in the county:
The Dubuque County Conservation Board administers 11 park and recreation areas in the county:
The City of Dubuque and other towns in the county also operate public park systems of their own. (seeParks in Dubuque,Iowa)
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 3,059 | — | |
| 1850 | 10,841 | 254.4% | |
| 1860 | 31,164 | 187.5% | |
| 1870 | 38,969 | 25.0% | |
| 1880 | 42,996 | 10.3% | |
| 1890 | 49,848 | 15.9% | |
| 1900 | 56,403 | 13.1% | |
| 1910 | 57,450 | 1.9% | |
| 1920 | 58,262 | 1.4% | |
| 1930 | 61,214 | 5.1% | |
| 1940 | 63,768 | 4.2% | |
| 1950 | 71,337 | 11.9% | |
| 1960 | 80,048 | 12.2% | |
| 1970 | 90,609 | 13.2% | |
| 1980 | 93,745 | 3.5% | |
| 1990 | 86,403 | −7.8% | |
| 2000 | 89,143 | 3.2% | |
| 2010 | 93,653 | 5.1% | |
| 2020 | 99,266 | 6.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 98,887 | [10] | −0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[15] | |||
The 2020 census recorded a population of 99,266 in the county, with a population density of160.6862/sq mi (62.04130/km2). There were 42,630 housing units of which 39,891 were occupied.[16]
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 87,349 | 88% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4,035 | 4.1% |
| Native American (NH) | 131 | 0.13% |
| Asian (NH) | 1,018 | 1.02% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 813 | 0.82% |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 2,943 | 3% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 2,977 | 3% |
The 2010 census recorded a population of 93,653 in the county, with a population density of153.9940/sq mi (59.4574/km2). There were 38,951 housing units, of which 36,815 were occupied.[18]
At the 2000census,[19] there were 89,143 people, 33,690 households and 23,111 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 147 per square mile (57/km2). There were 35,505 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile (22/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.07%White, 0.86%Black orAfrican American, 0.15%Native American, 0.58%Asian, 0.09%Pacific Islander, 0.50% fromother races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 1.19% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
2005 estimates by the census indicated that Dubuque had a population that identified itself as being 95.5% non-Hispanic white, 1.3% African American, 0.7% Asian and 1.5% Latino.[20]
There were 33,690 households, of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% weremarried couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.07.
25.60% of the population were under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.
Themedian household income was $39,582 and the median family income was $48,742. Males had a median income of $31,977 versus $22,309 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $19,600. About 4.90% of families and 7.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 7.80% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.
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Historically, Dubuque County's economy was driven by heavy industry, including, among others,Deere and Company, and the now-defunctDubuque Packing Company. However, within the last 20 years, and especially within the last 10 years, the economy has diversified a great deal. Now, alongside manufacturing, which still employs thousands of workers, many county residents work in the tourism/gaming, health care, education, publishing, and financial service sectors.
The county's economy is largely centered around business and industry within the City of Dubuque. With the exception of industrial areas in Cascade, Dyersville, and Peosta, almost all of the rest of the county is rural and agriculturally driven. Some of the key industries in Dubuque County include: Deere and Company, Eagle Window & Door Co., Flexsteel Industries, Mi-T-M Corp., A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co., Klauer Mfg.,Georgia-Pacific, and Swiss Valley Farms, among others.[21] Besides industry, large numbers of people work for theDubuque Community School District,Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque,Medical Associates,Finley Hospital,Prudential Financial, the City of Dubuque, and Cottingham & Butler.
Dubuque County has, in recent years, enjoyed job growth, low unemployment, and the rapid expansion of business and commerce. Alongside these positives, the county is beginning to see a growing population, as well. Up from a recent low of 86,403 in 1990, the population is now about 97,000 and growing. This can be seen especially in the West Side of the City of Dubuque, and in nearby Asbury and Peosta. This fact is especially significant, considering that all of the counties surrounding Dubuque County have fewer people now than they did in 1900, with the exception of Grant County, Wisconsin.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1896 | 5,203 | 43.73% | 6,510 | 54.72% | 185 | 1.55% |
| 1900 | 4,752 | 41.09% | 6,655 | 57.55% | 157 | 1.36% |
| 1904 | 5,485 | 48.31% | 4,913 | 43.27% | 955 | 8.41% |
| 1908 | 4,708 | 39.71% | 6,645 | 56.05% | 502 | 4.23% |
| 1912 | 1,620 | 13.82% | 6,237 | 53.20% | 3,867 | 32.98% |
| 1916 | 5,772 | 47.22% | 6,063 | 49.60% | 388 | 3.17% |
| 1920 | 12,436 | 59.22% | 7,636 | 36.36% | 928 | 4.42% |
| 1924 | 8,280 | 32.77% | 5,718 | 22.63% | 11,269 | 44.60% |
| 1928 | 9,744 | 33.30% | 19,437 | 66.42% | 81 | 0.28% |
| 1932 | 6,747 | 24.99% | 19,210 | 71.15% | 1,042 | 3.86% |
| 1936 | 8,275 | 30.22% | 16,291 | 59.50% | 2,812 | 10.27% |
| 1940 | 14,590 | 51.30% | 13,805 | 48.54% | 46 | 0.16% |
| 1944 | 12,502 | 49.11% | 12,867 | 50.54% | 89 | 0.35% |
| 1948 | 10,111 | 39.02% | 15,521 | 59.90% | 281 | 1.08% |
| 1952 | 18,075 | 55.03% | 14,542 | 44.27% | 228 | 0.69% |
| 1956 | 17,923 | 57.36% | 13,174 | 42.16% | 150 | 0.48% |
| 1960 | 12,740 | 36.64% | 22,007 | 63.30% | 19 | 0.05% |
| 1964 | 10,104 | 29.87% | 23,695 | 70.06% | 24 | 0.07% |
| 1968 | 14,197 | 40.72% | 18,664 | 53.54% | 2,002 | 5.74% |
| 1972 | 17,272 | 47.29% | 18,417 | 50.43% | 832 | 2.28% |
| 1976 | 17,459 | 44.71% | 20,548 | 52.62% | 1,042 | 2.67% |
| 1980 | 18,649 | 44.90% | 18,689 | 44.99% | 4,201 | 10.11% |
| 1984 | 19,239 | 46.37% | 21,876 | 52.72% | 376 | 0.91% |
| 1988 | 14,530 | 37.69% | 23,797 | 61.74% | 220 | 0.57% |
| 1992 | 14,007 | 32.60% | 20,539 | 47.80% | 8,422 | 19.60% |
| 1996 | 13,391 | 35.19% | 20,839 | 54.77% | 3,821 | 10.04% |
| 2000 | 16,462 | 40.83% | 22,341 | 55.41% | 1,520 | 3.77% |
| 2004 | 20,100 | 42.73% | 26,561 | 56.46% | 382 | 0.81% |
| 2008 | 18,651 | 38.89% | 28,611 | 59.65% | 701 | 1.46% |
| 2012 | 21,280 | 41.81% | 28,768 | 56.53% | 846 | 1.66% |
| 2016 | 23,460 | 47.18% | 22,850 | 45.96% | 3,411 | 6.86% |
| 2020 | 27,214 | 50.47% | 25,657 | 47.58% | 1,055 | 1.96% |
| 2024 | 28,224 | 53.48% | 23,705 | 44.92% | 841 | 1.59% |
Dubuque County was historically Democratic and supported every Democratic Party Presidential candidate fromJohn F. Kennedy toBarack Obama, with President Obama winning the county by over 20 points in 2008.[23] In 2016, it was narrowly won byDonald Trump, who became the first Republican to win the county sincePresident Eisenhower in 1956.[24] Trump won the county again in 2020, by a larger margin, and again in 2024 my an even larger margin. In the2022 elections, the county continued to trend rightward, with Republican governorKim Reynolds winningreelection by a margin of over 16 points.[25] The county additionally voted for RepublicanChuck Grassley inU.S. Senate election and for RepublicanAshley Hinson in theelection for U.S. House of Representatives forIowa's 1st congressional district.
Tertiary education:
K-12 school districts include:[26]
As of 2022[update], Dubuque County has a large percentage of Catholic residents.[27]
Dubuque County is divided into eighteentownships:
| Rank | City | 2020 City Population | 2010 City Population | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubuque† | 59,667 | 57,637 | +3.52% |
| 2 | Asbury | 5,943 | 4,170 | +42.52% |
| 3 | Dyersville (partially inDelaware County) | 4,477 | 4,058 | +10.33% |
| 4 | Cascade (partially inJones County) | 2,386 | 2,159 | +10.51% |
| 5 | Epworth | 2,023 | 1,860 | +8.76% |
| 6 | Peosta | 1,908 | 1,377 | +38.56% |
| 7 | Farley | 1,766 | 1,537 | +14.90% |
| 8 | New Vienna | 382 | 407 | −6.14% |
| 9 | Worthington | 382 | 401 | −4.74% |
| 10 | Holy Cross | 356 | 374 | −4.81% |
| 11 | Luxemburg | 245 | 240 | +2.08% |
| 12 | Rickardsville | 202 | 182 | +10.99% |
| 13 | Sherrill | 189 | 177 | +6.78% |
| 14 | Centralia | 116 | 134 | −13.43% |
| 15 | Bernard | 114 | 112 | +1.79% |
| 16 | Sageville | 95 | 122 | −22.13% |
| 17 | Zwingle (partially inJackson County) | 84 | 91 | −7.69% |
| 18 | Balltown | 79 | 68 | +16.18% |
| 19 | Bankston | 23 | 25 | −8.00% |
| 20 | Durango | 20 | 22 | −9.09% |
Places adjacent to Dubuque County, Iowa | |
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Municipalities and communities ofDubuque County, Iowa,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
