Dallas County, Iowa | |
|---|---|
 TheDallas County Courthouse in Adel | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofIowa | |
 Iowa's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:41°41′07″N94°02′27″W / 41.68532°N 94.040706°W /41.68532; -94.040706 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| Founded | January 13, 1846 |
| Named after | George M. Dallas |
| Seat | Adel |
| Largest city | Waukee |
| Area | |
• Total | 591.605 sq mi (1,532.25 km2) |
| • Land | 588.230 sq mi (1,523.51 km2) |
| • Water | 3.375 sq mi (8.74 km2) 0.57% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 99,678 |
• Estimate (2024) | 115,343 |
| • Density | 169.45/sq mi (65.427/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 515 |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | dallascountyiowa.gov |
| |
Dallas County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofIowa. As of the2020 census, its population was 99,678,[1] and was estimated to be 115,343 in 2024.[2] making it thesixth-most populous county in Iowa. Between 2010 and 2020, it was the fastest growing county in Iowa and one of the fastest growing in the country. Thecounty seat isAdel and the largest city isWaukee.[3] The county was named forGeorge M. Dallas,Vice President of the United States underJames K. Polk, the namesake of neighboringPolk County.
Dallas County is included in theDes Moines–West Des Moines, IAMetropolitan Statistical Area.[4]
The land that now forms Dallas County was ceded by the Sac and Fox nation to the United States in atreaty signed on October 11, 1842.
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of theIowa Territory authorized the creation of twelve counties in the Iowa Territory,[5] with general descriptions of their boundaries.[6] Dallas County's name referred to United States Vice PresidentGeorge M. Dallas, who served from 1845 to 1849.
In 1847 the county residents voted to designatePenoch as the county seat (the name was changed toAdel in 1849). The county's population grew rapidly, with settlers coming to claim homesteads. By 1870, the population had crossed the 12,000 mark.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 591.605 square miles (1,532.25 km2), of which 588.230 square miles (1,523.51 km2) is land and 3.375 square miles (8.74 km2) (0.57%) is water.[7] It is the 24th largest county in Iowa by total area.[8]
Interstate 80 – runs east-northeast across the southern portion of the county, passingDexter andDe Soto on its way toDes Moines
U.S. Highway 6 – from its starting point inAdel, runs east across the midsection of the county on its way to Des Moines
U.S. Highway 169 – runs north–south through the center of the county, fromBouton to Adel to De Soto
Iowa Highway 17 – from its starting point (intersection with Iowa 141) atGranger, runs north along the county's eastern boundary, intoBoone County
Iowa Highway 44 – runs east–west through the center of the county, throughDallas Center
Iowa Highway 141 – runs east across northern portion of county, throughDawson,Perry, Bouton andWoodward, then southeast to exit intoPolk County at Granger
Iowa Highway 144 - from its starting point (intersection w Iowa 141) at Perry, runs north into Boone County
Iowa Highway 210 – from its starting point (intersection w Iowa 141), runs north to Woodward and continues into Boone County[9]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 854 | — | |
| 1860 | 5,244 | 514.1% | |
| 1870 | 12,019 | 129.2% | |
| 1880 | 18,746 | 56.0% | |
| 1890 | 20,479 | 9.2% | |
| 1900 | 23,058 | 12.6% | |
| 1910 | 23,628 | 2.5% | |
| 1920 | 25,120 | 6.3% | |
| 1930 | 25,493 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 24,649 | −3.3% | |
| 1950 | 23,661 | −4.0% | |
| 1960 | 24,123 | 2.0% | |
| 1970 | 26,085 | 8.1% | |
| 1980 | 29,513 | 13.1% | |
| 1990 | 29,755 | 0.8% | |
| 2000 | 40,750 | 37.0% | |
| 2010 | 66,135 | 62.3% | |
| 2020 | 99,678 | 50.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 115,343 | [10] | 15.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13] 1990–2000[14] 2010–2020[2] | |||
As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Dallas County was $379,620.[15]
As of the 2024American Community Survey, there are 46,373 estimated households in Dallas County with an average of 2.47 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $95,334. Approximately 5.7% of the county's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Dallas County has an estimated 73.4% employment rate, with 54.1% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.4% holding a high school diploma.[2] There were 48,279 housing units at an average density of 82.08 per square mile (31.7/km2).
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (86.0%), Spanish (4.3%), Indo-European (3.2%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.8%), and Other (2.7%).
The median age in the county was 36.6 years.
| Race / ethnicity(NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[16] | Pop. 1990[17] | Pop. 2000[18] | Pop. 2010[19] | Pop. 2020[20] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 29,167 (98.83%) | 29,406 (98.83%) | 37,658 (92.41%) | 58,630 (88.65%) | 81,708 (81.97%) |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 55 (0.19%) | 62 (0.21%) | 281 (0.69%) | 890 (1.35%) | 2,657 (2.67%) |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 19 (0.06%) | 42 (0.14%) | 46 (0.11%) | 94 (0.14%) | 137 (0.14%) |
| Asian alone (NH) | 70 (0.24%) | 68 (0.23%) | 278 (0.68%) | 1,652 (2.50%) | 4,987 (5.00%) |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | — | — | 6 (0.01%) | 37 (0.06%) | 32 (0.03%) |
| Other race alone (NH) | 10 (0.03%) | 1 (0.00%) | 36 (0.09%) | 47 (0.07%) | 340 (0.34%) |
| Mixed race or multiracial (NH) | — | — | 246 (0.60%) | 726 (1.10%) | 3,302 (3.31%) |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 192 (0.65%) | 176 (0.59%) | 2,199 (5.40%) | 4,059 (6.14%) | 6,515 (6.54%) |
| Total | 29,513 (100.00%) | 29,755 (100.00%) | 40,750 (100.00%) | 66,135 (100.00%) | 99,678 (100.00%) |
As of the2020 census, there were 99,678 people, 38,291 households, and 26,000 families residing in the county.[21] Thepopulation density was 169.45 inhabitants per square mile (65.4/km2). There were 41,125 housing units at an average density of 69.91 per square mile (27.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 83.63%White, 2.71%African American, 0.22%Native American, 5.03%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 2.56% from some other races and 5.81% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.54% of the population.[22]
As of the2010 census, there were 66,135 people, 25,239 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 112.43 inhabitants per square mile (43.4/km2). There were 27,259 housing units at an average density of 46.34 per square mile (17.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.19%White, 1.39%African American, 0.19%Native American, 2.51%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 2.13% from some other races and 1.53% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.14% of the population.
As of the2000 census, there were 40,750 people, 15,584 households, and 11,173 families residing in the county. The population density was 69.28 inhabitants per square mile (26.7/km2). There were 16,529 housing units at an average density of 28.10 per square mile (10.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.75%White, 0.74%African American, 0.15%Native American, 0.69%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 2.79% from some other races and 0.84% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.40% of the population.
There were 15,584 households, 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% weremarried couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 23.60% of households were one person and 8.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 28.20% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median household income was $48,528 and the median family income was $58,293. Males had a median income of $37,243 versus $27,026 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $22,970. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 6.10% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
The population ranking of the following table is based on the2020 census of Dallas County.
†county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) | Population (2024 Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines (mostly inPolk County) | City | 68,723 | 73,664 |
| 2 | Urbandale (partially in Polk County) | City | 45,580 | 47,759 |
| 3 | Waukee | City | 23,940 | 34,420 |
| 4 | Clive (partially in Polk County) | City | 18,601 | 19,508 |
| 5 | Grimes (mostly in Polk County) | City | 15,392 | 17,266 |
| 6 | Perry | City | 7,836 | 8,046 |
| 7 | †Adel | City | 6,153 | 6,763 |
| 8 | Granger (partially in Polk County) | City | 1,654 | 2,095 |
| 9 | Dallas Center | City | 1,901 | 1,993 |
| 10 | Van Meter | City | 1,484 | 1,840 |
| 11 | Woodward | City | 1,346 | 1,383 |
| 12 | De Soto | City | 915 | 937 |
| 13 | Redfield | City | 731 | 719 |
| 14 | Dexter | City | 640 | 631 |
| 15 | Minburn | City | 325 | 317 |
| 16 | Linden | City | 200 | 206 |
| 17 | Bouton | City | 127 | 125 |
| 18 | Dawson | City | 116 | 110 |
Prior to 1932, Dallas County was strongly Republican in presidential elections. From 1932 to 1996, it was a swing county, having a Republican lean until 1960 & a Democratic lean from 1964 to 1996, especially after 1980. Since 2000, it has been consistently Republican, though no Republican presidential candidate has won over 58% of the vote nor has a Democrat won less than 41% since then.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 2,314 | 56.19% | 517 | 12.55% | 1,287 | 31.25% |
| 1884 | 2,636 | 52.95% | 2,034 | 40.86% | 308 | 6.19% |
| 1888 | 2,538 | 57.12% | 1,579 | 35.54% | 326 | 7.34% |
| 1892 | 2,679 | 56.02% | 1,641 | 34.32% | 462 | 9.66% |
| 1896 | 3,326 | 57.87% | 2,316 | 40.30% | 105 | 1.83% |
| 1900 | 3,601 | 62.35% | 1,940 | 33.59% | 234 | 4.05% |
| 1904 | 3,499 | 69.99% | 1,159 | 23.18% | 341 | 6.82% |
| 1908 | 3,132 | 59.94% | 1,871 | 35.81% | 222 | 4.25% |
| 1912 | 1,825 | 34.77% | 1,718 | 32.73% | 1,706 | 32.50% |
| 1916 | 2,900 | 52.37% | 2,495 | 45.05% | 143 | 2.58% |
| 1920 | 6,677 | 70.63% | 2,577 | 27.26% | 200 | 2.12% |
| 1924 | 6,359 | 61.97% | 933 | 9.09% | 2,969 | 28.93% |
| 1928 | 7,294 | 69.73% | 3,108 | 29.71% | 58 | 0.55% |
| 1932 | 4,516 | 46.99% | 4,887 | 50.85% | 208 | 2.16% |
| 1936 | 5,442 | 45.45% | 6,341 | 52.96% | 190 | 1.59% |
| 1940 | 6,218 | 47.55% | 6,729 | 51.45% | 131 | 1.00% |
| 1944 | 5,413 | 49.83% | 5,316 | 48.93% | 135 | 1.24% |
| 1948 | 4,810 | 44.46% | 5,661 | 52.32% | 348 | 3.22% |
| 1952 | 8,008 | 63.51% | 4,501 | 35.69% | 101 | 0.80% |
| 1956 | 6,619 | 56.06% | 5,185 | 43.92% | 2 | 0.02% |
| 1960 | 6,566 | 53.93% | 5,597 | 45.97% | 13 | 0.11% |
| 1964 | 3,763 | 33.41% | 7,447 | 66.13% | 52 | 0.46% |
| 1968 | 5,549 | 49.16% | 5,062 | 44.85% | 676 | 5.99% |
| 1972 | 6,143 | 53.72% | 5,085 | 44.46% | 208 | 1.82% |
| 1976 | 5,308 | 43.34% | 6,722 | 54.89% | 217 | 1.77% |
| 1980 | 6,296 | 48.57% | 5,310 | 40.96% | 1,358 | 10.48% |
| 1984 | 6,080 | 47.85% | 6,564 | 51.66% | 63 | 0.50% |
| 1988 | 4,858 | 39.12% | 7,501 | 60.40% | 60 | 0.48% |
| 1992 | 5,587 | 37.60% | 6,554 | 44.10% | 2,720 | 18.30% |
| 1996 | 6,647 | 41.52% | 8,017 | 50.07% | 1,346 | 8.41% |
| 2000 | 10,306 | 53.32% | 8,561 | 44.29% | 463 | 2.40% |
| 2004 | 15,183 | 57.75% | 10,917 | 41.52% | 193 | 0.73% |
| 2008 | 16,954 | 51.94% | 15,149 | 46.41% | 540 | 1.65% |
| 2012 | 20,988 | 55.06% | 16,576 | 43.49% | 552 | 1.45% |
| 2016 | 19,339 | 50.56% | 15,701 | 41.05% | 3,212 | 8.40% |
| 2020 | 27,987 | 49.96% | 26,879 | 47.98% | 1,156 | 2.06% |
| 2024 | 32,374 | 51.42% | 29,402 | 46.70% | 1,185 | 1.88% |
Places adjacent to Dallas County, Iowa | |
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Municipalities and communities ofDallas 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 | |
