Appanoose County, Iowa
| Appanoose County, Iowa | |
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Appanoose County Courthouse
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 Location in the U.S. state of Iowa |
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 Iowa's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1843 |
| Named for | Chief Appanoose |
| Seat | Centerville |
| Largest city | Centerville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 516 sq mi (1,336 km2) |
| • Land | 497 sq mi (1,287 km2) |
| • Water | 19 sq mi (49 km2), 3.7% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 12,884 |
| • Density | 26/sq mi (10/km²) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www |
Appanoose County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 12,884. Its county seat is Centerville.
The county was a major coal-mining region. In recent decades, the state has made a mostly-unsuccessful effort to develop manufacturing as an alternate form of employment. A Rubbermaid plant was the county's largest private employer until the company announced, in June 2006, that the plant, located in the Centerville industrial park, would relocate to Winfield, Kansas in October of that year. As a result of the closure and the failure of local officials to recruit new employers, unemployment in Appanoose County has consistently ranked among the highest in Iowa.
Appanoose County was formed on February 17, 1843, from open territory. It was named for the Meskwaki Chief Appanoose, who did not engage in war against Black Hawk, advocating peace. The present county seat was formerly called Chaldea, and was later renamed to Senterville in honor of Congressman William Tandy Senter of Tennessee. In April 1848, the courthouse, constructed at the expense of $160, was put into use and served as such until 1857. The second courthouse was opened in 1864, and was burned down to the first floor during an explosive Fourth of July fireworks demonstration. The third courthouse was dedicated on May 21, 1903, and remains in use.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 516 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 497 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (3.7%) is water. Rathbun Reservoir, created by damming the Chariton River, is its main physical feature.
The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,884 in the county, with a population density of 25.976/sq mi (10.029/km2). There were 6,633 housing units, of which 5,627 were occupied.
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,721 people, 5,779 households, and 3,802 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 6,697 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.16% White, 0.42% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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