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.
History
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 againstBlack 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.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and 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. There were 6,633 housing units, of which 5,627 were occupied.
At the 2000 census there were 13,721 people, 5,779 households, and 3,802 families in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile. There were 6,697 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile. 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%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 5,779 households 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were married couplesliving together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 29.90% of households were one person and 15.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89. 23.70% of the people are under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 25.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 20.00% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males. The median household income was $28,612 and the median family income was $35,980. Males had a median income of $27,449 versus $20,452 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,644. About 10.10% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Centerville
Cincinnati
Exline
Moravia
Moulton
Mystic
Numa
Plano
Rathbun
Udell
Unionville
Townships
Appanoose County is divided into seventeen townships:
