Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa
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Mahaska County, Iowa

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Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,190. The county seat is Oskaloosa.

Mahaska County comprises the Oskaloosa, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Mahaska County was formed in February 1843. The county has been self-governing since February 5, 1844. It was named after chief Mahaska of the Iowa people. The county was the first in Iowa to have a sheriff and a justice of peace.

The first courthouse was completed in January 1846. When a larger structure was required, the second courthouse was constructed in 1885–86, first being used on February 27, 1886. The first school, a small log cabin one-half mile (ca. 2 km) east of Oskaloosa, was opened on September 16, 1844, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church opened as the first church in 1846. On July 2, 1850, the first edition of the Iowa Herald was issued (today the Oskaloosa Herald). The first tracks of the Des Moines Valley Railroad were laid through the county in 1864.

Coal mining was once a major industry in Mahaska County. During the 19th century, Muchakinock, about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Oskaloosa, was probably the largest and most prosperous coal camp in Iowa.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2) (0.4%) is water.

The 2020 census recorded a population of 22,190 in the county, with a population density of 38.832/sq mi (14.993/km2). 96.02% of the population reported being of one race. 90.01% were non-Hispanic White, 1.78% were Black, 2.16% were Hispanic, 0.18% were Native American, 1.14% were Asian, 0.07% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 4.66% were some other race or more than one race. There were 9,680 housing units, of which 8,799 were occupied.

The 2010 census recorded a population of 22,381 in the county, with a population density of 39.2051/sq mi (15.1372/km2). There were 9,766 housing units, of which 8,975 were occupied.

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