Dallas County, Iowa
Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, its population was 99,678,[1] and was estimated to be 118,457 in 2025.[2] making it the sixth-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. The county seat is Adel and the largest city is Waukee.[3] The county was named for George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States under James K. Polk, the namesake of neighboring Polk County.
Dallas County is included in the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[4]
History
[edit | edit source]The land that now forms Dallas County was ceded by the Sac and Fox nation to the United States in a treaty signed on October 11, 1842. White settlement in Dallas County began afterwards, many of the settlers were of Yankee descent.
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of the Iowa 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 President George M. Dallas, who served from 1845 to 1849.
In 1847 the county residents voted to designate Penoch as the county seat (the name was changed to Adel in 1849). The county's population grew rapidly, with settlers coming to claim homesteads. By 1870, the population had crossed the 12,000 mark.
Geography
[edit | edit source]According to the United 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]
Major highways
[edit | edit source]
Interstate 80 – runs east-northeast across the southern portion of the county, passing Dexter and De Soto on its way to Des Moines- Error creating thumbnail: U.S. Highway 6 – from its starting point in Adel, 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, from Bouton to Adel to De Soto- File:Elongated circle 17.svg Iowa Highway 17 – from its starting point (intersection with Iowa 141) at Granger, runs north along the county's eastern boundary, into Boone County
- File:Elongated circle 44.svg Iowa Highway 44 – runs east–west through the center of the county, through Dallas Center
- File:Elongated circle 141.svg Iowa Highway 141 – runs east across northern portion of county, through Dawson, Perry, Bouton and Woodward, then southeast to exit into Polk County at Granger
- File:Elongated circle 144.svg Iowa Highway 144 - from its starting point (intersection w Iowa 141) at Perry, runs north into Boone County
- File:Elongated circle 210.svg Iowa Highway 210 – from its starting point (intersection w Iowa 141), runs north to Woodward and continues into Boone County[9]
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Adair County – southwest
- Boone County – north
- Greene County – north and northwest
- Guthrie County – west
- Madison County – south
- Polk County – east
- Warren County – southeast
Demographics
[edit | edit source]As of the second quarter of 2025, the median home value in Dallas County was $379,620.[10]
As of the 2024 American 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 the poverty 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.
Racial and ethnic composition
[edit | edit source]| Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1980[11] | Pop. 1990[12] | Pop. 2000[13] | Pop. 2010[14] | Pop. 2020[15] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 or Alaska 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%) |
2020 census
[edit | edit source]
As of the 2020 census, there were 99,678 people, 38,291 households, and 26,000 families residing in the county.[16] The population 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.[17]
There were 38,291 households in the county, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 55.8% were married-couple households, 15.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 35.4 years. 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.0 males age 18 and over.
78.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 21.3% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 41,125 housing units, 6.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.4% were owner-occupied and 29.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.1%.
2010 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2010 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.
2000 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2000 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $22,970. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.10% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
[edit | edit source]Cities
[edit | edit source]- ‡ partly in Polk County
Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]- Booneville
- Kennedy Station
- Moran
- Ortonville
- Panther
- Wiscotta
- Xenia
- Zook Spur
Townships
[edit | edit source]Population ranking
[edit | edit source]The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Dallas County.
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) | Population (2024 Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines (mostly in Polk County) | City | 68,723 | 73,664 |
| 2 | Urbandale (partially in Polk County) | City | 45,580 | 48,119 |
| 3 | Waukee | City | 23,940 | 34,420 |
| 4 | Clive (partially in Polk County) | City | 18,601 | 19,808 |
| 5 | Grimes (mostly in Polk County) | City | 15,392 | 17,766 |
| 6 | Perry | City | 7,836 | 8,046 |
| 7 | † Adel | City | 6,153 | 6,763 |
| 8 | Granger (partially in Polk County) | City | 1,654 | 2,191 |
| 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 |
Politics
[edit | edit source]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 during the 1980s farm crisis. 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedQF - ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
- ↑ The counties were Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Warren, and Wayne.
- ↑ The History of Polk County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Union Historical Co. 1880. pp. 419, 425.
- ↑ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Dallas County, Iowa". www.census.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ Dallas County, Iowa Google Maps (accessed August 20, 2018)
- ↑ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Dallas County, Iowa — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Washington" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. p. 30. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dallas County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dallas County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dallas County, Iowa". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "How many people live in Dallas County, Iowa". USA Today. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Meyer, Theodoric. "Two Iowa counties an hour apart show America’s growing political divide: Rural Decatur County has moved sharply red, while suburban Dallas County has shifted the other direction" Washington Post January 12, 2024, online
External links
[edit | edit source] |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dallas County, Iowa. |
- Dallas County government's website (Archived April 4, 2005, at the Wayback Machine)
- HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY, IOWA 1879 Online book
Template:Geographic Location Template:Dallas County, Iowa Template:Iowa