County population in 2016: 21,221 (31% urban, 69% rural); it was 21,093 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 4,037 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,404 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 6,197 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,720 (it was 1,736 in 2000)
% of renters here:
22%
State:
28%
Land area: 571 sq. mi.
Water area: 2.1 sq. mi.
Population density: 37 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Buchanan County: 84.4 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (29.6%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (13.5%), Educational, health and social services (12.4%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $2,011 (1.4%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $1,937 (1.5%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 8.8%
Buchanan County:
8.8%
Iowa:
11.8%
(8.2% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 35.7% for Black residents, 23.4% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 16.7% for American Indian residents, 71.8% for other race residents, 20.1% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2016: 38.5 years old
(Males: 37.9 years old, Females: 39.2 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 39.3 years old, Black residents: 41.3 years old, American Indian residents: 79.3 years old, Asian residents: 12.6 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 29.1 years old, Other race residents: 16.6 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Buchanan County is $414 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $498 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $642 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Buchanan County: Antique Acres Show Grounds (A), Antique Acres Campground (B), Falls Access (C), Popp Access (D), Dewar (E), Enterprise (F), Grover Farms (G), Trent Pullet Farm (H), Beaver Hill Country Club (I), Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens (J), Fox Townhall (K), Barclay Townhall (L). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Buchanan County include: Barclay Church (A), Immaculate Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary Church (B), Washington Chapel (C), East Janesville Church (D), Finchford Community Church (E), Zion Lutheran Church (F), Mount Hope Church (G), Saint Francis Church (H), Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Anton Cemetery (1), Old Barclay Cemetery (2), Pioneer Cemetery (3), Benson Cemetery (4), Saint Joseph's Cemetery (5), Bennington Township Cemetery (6), Blessing Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Rivers and creeks: Beaver Creek (A), Crane Creek (B), Wolf Creek (C), Shell Rock River (D), Rock Creek (E), Sink Creek (F), Poyner Creek (G), Miller Creek (H), West Fork Cedar River (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Buchanan County include: Rigdon Access County Park (1), River Birch Bottom County Park (2), Beaver Creek Access Point (3), Black Hawk Park (4), Bruggeman County Park (5), Siggelkov Access County Park (6), Cedar River Access Area (7), Childs Access County Park (8), Crane Creek County Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 546 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 91.6% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.8%
Number of foreign born residents: 267 (57.0% naturalized citizens)
Buchanan County:
1.3%
Whole state:
5.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2010 or later: 92
2000 to 2009: 39
1990 to 1999: 70
1980 to 1989: 49
1970 to 1979: 30
Before 1970: 66
Note: State values scaled to Buchanan County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 23.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 60.3%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 7,696
One, attached: 156
Two: 121
3 or 4: 343
5 to 9: 189
10 to 19: 96
20 or more: 92
Mobile homes: 428
Housing units in Buchanan County with a mortgage: 3,743 (88 second mortgage, 534 home equity loan, 53 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 2,801
Here:
60.0% with mortgage
State:
60.6% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Buchanan County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Catholic
5,191
4
Mainline Protestant
5,044
23
Evangelical Protestant
3,071
28
Other
6
-
None
7,646
-
Buchanan County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 5
Buchanan County:
2.39 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14
Buchanan County:
6.70 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 20
This county:
9.57 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Buchanan County:
7.7%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Buchanan County:
27.5%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
13.3%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Buchanan County:
Average size of farms: 319 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $132,719 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $281.11 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.01% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 40.73% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $104,237 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 87.71% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $105,191 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 87.44% Average age of principal farm operators: 52 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 6.35 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 13.65% Corn for grain: 158154 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 126117 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
Buchanan County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 1670085.5 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 2 fatalities and 71 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 5/11/2000, a category 3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado killed one person and injured 25 people and caused $2 million in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Buchanan County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly below Iowa state average. It is 85% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 348.2 miles away from Buchanan County center On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 327.9 miles away from the county center On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.0 MB, 4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 167.8 miles away from the county center On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 303.0 miles away from the county center On 6/18/2002 at 17:37:15, a magnitude 5.0 (4.3 MB, 4.6 MW, 5.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 378.0 miles away from Buchanan County center On 4/18/2008 at 15:14:16, a magnitude 4.8 (4.5 MB, 4.8 MW, 4.6 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 348.1 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Iowa Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: September 21, 2016 to October 03, 2016, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4289: October 31, 2016, FEMA Id: 4289, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, Incident Period: June 14, 2014 to June 24, 2014, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4184: July 24, 2014, FEMA Id: 4184, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood, Wind
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: June 21, 2013 to June 28, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4135: July 31, 2013, FEMA Id: 4135, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 19, 2013 to June 15, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4126: July 02, 2013, FEMA Id: 4126, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: June 01, 2010 to August 31, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1930: July 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1930, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 25, 2008 to August 13, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1763: May 27, 2008, FEMA Id: 1763, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: February 23, 2007 to March 02, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1688: March 14, 2007, FEMA Id: 1688, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Iowa Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3239: September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: 3239, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 19, 2004 to June 24, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1518: May 25, 2004, FEMA Id: 1518, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: June 03, 2002 to June 25, 2002, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1420: June 19, 2002, FEMA Id: 1420, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
10 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Buchanan County (20) is greater than the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 19 Emergencies Declared: 1
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 18, Storms: 14, Tornadoes: 8, Heavy Rains: 2, Hurricane: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (9%)
Transportation occupations (8%)
Sales and related occupations (6%)
Material moving occupations (5%)
Office and administrative support occupations (20%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Management occupations (10%)
Sales and related occupations (9%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (7%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (7%)
Healthcare support occupations (6%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (38%)
India (13%)
Germany (9%)
Ukraine (9%)
Honduras (8%)
Greece (4%)
Russia (3%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Buchanan County (%):
German (40%)
American (18%)
Irish (8%)
Pennsylvania German (5%)
English (4%)
Norwegian (2%)
Danish (1%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 5,924 (74.5%)
Carpooled: 634 (8.0%)
Bus or trolley bus: 26 (0.3%)
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 164 (2.1%)
Bicycle: 68 (0.9%)
Walked: 588 (7.4%)
Worked at home: 540 (6.8%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Buchanan County, Iowa in 2000:
190 people in nursing homes
141 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
62 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
11 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
2 people in religious group quarters
People in group quarters in Buchanan County, Iowa in 2010:
152 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
64 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals and psychiatric units in other hospitals
55 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
50 people in residential treatment centers for juveniles (non-correctional)
16 people in residential treatment centers for adults
4 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
2 people in other noninstitutional facilities
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $53,023.
5.20% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($33,039 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.20%
Iowa average:
5.75%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
4.04% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($25,531 average AGI)
1.15% relocated from other states ($7,507 average AGI)
Buchanan County:
1.15%
Iowa average:
2.41%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
5.51% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($35,307 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.51%
Iowa average:
5.94%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.39% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($27,345 average AGI)
1.11% relocated to other states ($7,959 average AGI)
Buchanan County:
1.11%
Iowa average:
2.60%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Buchanan County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 3,499 (3,095 aged, 404 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 309 (5%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Buchanan County, Iowa in 1999 - 2014:
Atherosclerotic heart disease (362)
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (235)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (214)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (130)
Unspecified dementia (90)
Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (77)
Colon, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (68)
Pneumonia, unspecified (57)
Unspecified diabetes mellitus, without complications (55)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 10% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 8%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.75 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 3,203 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 399 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 18,350
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,323 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 937
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 24 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 38
Household type by relationship:
Households: 21,221
In family households: 17,431 (2,928 male householders, 2,533 female householders)
4,563 spouses, 6,487 children (6,094 natural, 143 adopted, 250 stepchildren), 236 grandchildren, 40 brothers or sisters, 170 parents, 185 other relatives, 273 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 3,444 (1,334 male householders (1,143 living alone)), 1,476 female householders (1,223 living alone)), 631 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 338
Size of family households: 2,723 2-persons, 1,031 3-persons, 912 4-persons, 476 5-persons, 174 6-persons, 150 7-or-more-persons.
4,293 married couples with children.
921 single-parent households (199 men, 722 women).
94.6% of residents of Buchanan speak English at home.
1.1% of residents speak Spanish at home (47% speak English very well, 5% speak English well, 45% speak English not well, 3% don't speak English at all).
3.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (90% speak English very well, 9% speak English well, 1% speak English not well).
0.2% of residents speak other language at home (87% speak English very well, 13% speak English well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $108,398,000 ($5,151 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $959,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $48,854,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $22,761,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $16,204,000 Federal grants: $13,926,000 Federal procurement contracts: $2,820,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $3,834,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $2,069,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $6,036,000 Federal Government insurance: $68,133,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,551
Here:
74 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,024
Here:
49 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +1
Here:
+0 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -572
Here:
-27 per 1000 residents
State:
-14 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Buchanan County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.45 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
6.6
State:
6.7
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.7
State:
4.2
Year house built
2014 or later: 248
2010 to 2013: 163
2000 to 2009: 929
1990 to 1999: 902
1980 to 1989: 782
1970 to 1979: 1,453
1960 to 1969: 956
1950 to 1959: 826
1940 to 1949: 412
1939 or earlier: 2,489
Note: State values scaled to Buchanan population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Buchanan County, Iowa
Note: State values scaled to Buchanan County population
no vehicle: 265
1 vehicle: 1,192
2 vehicles: 2,616
3 vehicles: 1,645
4 vehicles: 575
5+ vehicles: 267
no vehicle: 226
1 vehicle: 683
2 vehicles: 533
3 vehicles: 230
4 vehicles: 34
5+ vehicles: 21
88% of Buchanan County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 38% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 71% lived in Iowa.
Buchanan County:
87.8%
State average:
84.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 18,295
Other state: 2,517
Northeast: 179
Midwest: 1,497
South: 452
West: 386
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Buchanan County
Click here to upload your Buchanan County photos (outside city limits)
38.5 years
38.0 years
(49.7%)
(50.3%)
, Plymouth County, Massachusetts 
, Hardin County 
, Humboldt County 
, Union County, South Dakota 
