Communities in Palo Alto County

• Ayrshire
• Cylinder
• Curlew
• Emmetsburg
• Graettinger
• Mallard
• Rodman
• Ruthven
• West Bend

County Resources

• Board of Supervisors
• City Clerks
• Mayors
• Gaming Development Corporation
• County Government
• Financial Institutions
• Schools
• Community Rooms
• Libraries
• City Parks
• Area Lodging
• Area Attractions
• Golf Courses

Other County Resources

• Palo Alto County Health System
• Palo Alto County USGenWeb Archives Project
• Palo Alto County IAGenWeb Project

County History

• History

Palo Alto County is located in the state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population is 10,147. Its county seat is Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 569 sq. miles. 564 sq. miles of it is land and 6 sq. miles of it is water. The total area is 0.98% water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 10,147 people, 4,119 households, and 2,673 families residing in the county. The population density is 18/sq. mile. There are 4,631 housing units at an average density of 8/sq. mile. The racial makeup of the county is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $32,409, and the median income for a family is $41,808. Males have a median income of $28,344 versus $19,655 for females. The per capita income for the county is $17,733. 10.60% of the population and 6.60% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.20% of those under the age of 18 and 9.10% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

-Statistics courtesy of Answers.com