County population in 2014: 14,831 (40% urban, 60% rural); it was 14,547 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 3,162 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,305 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 4,231 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,138 (it was 1,093 in 2000)
% of renters here:
21%
State:
28%
Land area: 437 sq. mi.
Water area: 3.1 sq. mi.
Population density: 34 people per square mile (low).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Mills County: 84.9 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (19.6%), Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (16.5%), Educational, health and social services (16.2%), Retail trade (13.5%).
Estimated median household income in 2015: $65,847 ($42,428 in 1999)
This county:
$65,847
Iowa:
$54,736
Median contract rent in 2015 for apartments: $555 (lower quartile is $391, upper quartile is $766)
This county:
$555
State:
$594
Estimated median house or condo value in 2015: $161,276 (it was $95,200 in 2000)
Mills:
$161,276
Iowa:
$136,100
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $106,752 - $266,477 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,370 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $445
Institutionalized population: 462
Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 3
Robberies: 0
Assaults: 9
Burglaries: 74
Thefts: 86
Auto thefts: 20
Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):
Murders: 0
Rapes: 4
Robberies: 2
Assaults: 20
Burglaries: 69
Thefts: 129
Auto thefts: 19
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2015: $2,595 (1.5%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2015: $1,939 (1.5%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 8.9%
(8.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 20.2% for Black residents, 3.1% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 91.8% for American Indian residents, 29.4% for two or more races residents)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2015: 8.7%
Mills County:
8.7%
Iowa:
12.2%
(8.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 19.8% for Black residents, 2.9% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 91.8% for American Indian residents, 20.0% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2015: 41 years old
(Males: 41 years old, Females: 43 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 43 years old, Black residents: 25 years old, American Indian residents: 29 years old, Asian residents: 50 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 18 years old, Other race residents: 66 years old)
Area name: Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mills County is $531 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $662 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $884 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Mills County: Sherman Centre (A), Red Oak Country Club (B), Tenville Access (C), McPherson (D), Villisca Country Club (E). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Mills County include: Tabor Church (A), Center Ridge Church (B), Stratton Church (C), Hawthorne Church (D), Faith Community Church (E), First Christian Church (F), Pilot Grove United Methodist Church (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Arlington Cemetery (1), Morton Mills Cemetery (2), Center Ridge Cemetery (3), Sciola Baptist Cemetery (4), Mrs Frank Hacffich and Infant Grave (5), Shank Cemetery (6), L Laire Property Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Ashby Creek (A), Coe Creek (B), Dunns Creek (C), Sin Creek (D), Sevenmile Creek (E), Little Indian Creek (F), Crabapple Creek (G), Rose Creek (H), Ramp Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Mills County include: Anderson Conservation Area (1), Anderson Wildlife Area (2), Hacklebarney Woods County Park (3), Viking Lake State Park (4), Pilot Grove County Park (5). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 541 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 83.2% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16.3%
Number of foreign born residents: 139 (48% naturalized citizens)
Mills County:
1.0%
Whole state:
3.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1995 to March 2000: 38
1990 to 1994: 38
1985 to 1989: 6
1980 to 1984: 4
1975 to 1979: 1
1970 to 1974: 9
1970 to 1974: 0
1965 to 1969: 43
Note: State values scaled to Mills County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 23.5 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 50.1%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 4,492
One, attached: 104
Two: 97
3 or 4: 138
5 to 9: 75
10 to 19: 64
20 or more: 78
Mobile homes: 603
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 20
Housing units in Mills County with a mortgage: 2,047 (284 second mortgage, 200 home equity loan, 0 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,018
Here:
66.8% with mortgage
State:
62.8% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Mills County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
3,113
16
Catholic
1,295
1
Evangelical Protestant
1,052
9
Other
416
1
None
9,183
-
Mills 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: 3
Mills County:
1.98 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 7
Mills County:
4.63 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 7
This county:
4.63 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Mills County:
7.4%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Mills County:
28.2%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
16.7%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Mills County:
Average size of farms: 535 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $104,151 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $208.95 The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.34% The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 11.45% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $74,673 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 82.48% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 1.15% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $100,195 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 85.50% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 4.13 Corn for grain: 101144 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 266 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 96158 harvested acres Vegetables: 15 harvested acres Land in orchards: 6 acres
Tornado activity:
Mills County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 2721465.0 times below overall U.S. average.
Earthquake activity:
Mills County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Iowa state average. It is 75% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 7/16/2004 at 12:17:30, a magnitude 3.5 (3.5 MW, 3.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 27.9 miles away from Mills County center On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, 4.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 206.1 miles away from the county center On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 291.9 miles away from the county center On 8/9/1997 at 17:46:03, a magnitude 3.4 (3.4 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 95.9 miles away from the county center 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 449.2 miles away from Mills County center On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 321.5 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, Incident Period: June 03, 2014 to June 05, 2014, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4181: July 14, 2014, FEMA Id: 4181, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood, Wind
Iowa Flooding, Incident Period: May 25, 2011 to August 01, 2011, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1998: June 27, 2011, FEMA Id: 1998, Natural disaster type: 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 Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 05, 2007 to May 07, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1705: May 25, 2007, FEMA Id: 1705, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
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: July 02, 1999 to August 10, 1999, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1282: July 22, 1999, FEMA Id: 1282, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Severe Weather, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: June 13, 1998 to July 15, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1230: July 02, 1998, FEMA Id: 1230, Natural disaster type: Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Snow Storms, Incident Period: October 26, 1997 to October 28, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1191: November 20, 1997, FEMA Id: 1191, Natural disaster type: Storm, Snow
5 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Mills County (15) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14 Emergencies Declared: 1
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 11, Storms: 10, Tornadoes: 6, Flash Flood: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Wind: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (7%)
Material moving occupations (5%)
Office and administrative support occupations (20%)
Sales and related occupations (12%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Healthcare support occupations (8%)
Management occupations (8%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (8%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (7%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Russia (22%)
United Kingdom (13%)
Germany (11%)
Canada (10%)
Vietnam (8%)
Mexico (8%)
Ukraine (6%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Mills County (%):
German (33%)
English (14%)
Irish (12%)
United States or American (9%)
Swedish (3%)
French (except Basque) (3%)
Danish (3%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 5,783 (79%)
Carpooled: 939 (13%)
Bus or trolley bus: 9 (0%)
Walked: 135 (2%)
Other means: 51 (1%)
Worked at home: 398 (5%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Mills County, Iowa in 2000:
367 people in schools, hospitals, or wards for the mentally retarded
124 people in homes for the mentally retarded
115 people in nursing homes
32 people in homes for the physically handicapped
20 people in homes for the mentally ill
15 people in institutions for the blind
14 people in orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped
13 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
People in group quarters in Mills County, Iowa in 2010:
300 people in state prisons
141 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
109 people in residential treatment centers for adults
37 people in group homes intended for adults
13 people in group homes for juveniles (non-correctional)
8 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $62,523.
6.16% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($40,124 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.16%
Iowa average:
5.75%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
2.93% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($19,112 average AGI)
3.22% relocated from other states ($21,012 average AGI)
Mills County:
3.22%
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:
7.04% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($37,287 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
7.04%
Iowa average:
5.94%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.27% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($15,172 average AGI)
3.77% relocated to other states ($22,113 average AGI)
Mills County:
3.77%
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 Mills County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 2,522 (1,890 aged, 632 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 211 (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 Mills County, Iowa in 1999 - 2014:
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (279)
Atherosclerotic heart disease (133)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (120)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (63)
Unspecified dementia (48)
Breast, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (46)
Pneumonitis due to food and vomit (40)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 3%
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,309 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 877 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 7
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 21 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 52
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 13
Household type by relationship:
Households: 14,451
In family households: 12,611 (3,167 male householders, 926 female householders)
3,354 spouses, 4,311 children (3,897 natural, 135 adopted, 279 stepchildren), 242 grandchildren, 61 brothers or sisters, 71 parents, 76 other relatives, 326 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 1,840 (737 male householders (590 living alone)), 775 female householders (663 living alone)), 328 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 608 (462 institutionalized population)
Size of family households: 1,935 2-persons, 821 3-persons, 721 4-persons, 406 5-persons, 149 6-persons, 61 7-or-more-persons.
2,834 married couples with children.
744 single-parent households (174 men, 570 women).
98.2% of residents of Mills County speak English at home.
1.0% of residents speak Spanish at home (80% speak English very well, 20% speak English well).
0.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (69% speak English very well, 31% speak English well).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (17% speak English very well, 83% speak English well).
0.1% of residents speak other language at home (100% speak English very well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $90,071,000 ($5,989 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $6,293,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $37,888,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $16,561,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $8,963,000 Federal grants: $17,506,000 Federal procurement contracts: $3,167,000 ($17,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $5,986,000 ($3,150,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $945,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $9,490,000 Federal Government insurance: $49,659,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 869
Here:
57 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 691
Here:
45 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +24
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: +567
Here:
+37 per 1000 residents
State:
-14 per 1000 residents
Population growth in Mills County
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 1.17 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Note: State values scaled to Mills County population
no vehicle: 104
1 vehicle: 813
2 vehicles: 1,893
3 vehicles: 994
4 vehicles: 285
5+ vehicles: 142
no vehicle: 146
1 vehicle: 465
2 vehicles: 331
3 vehicles: 90
4 vehicles: 26
5+ vehicles: 35
57% of Mills County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 47% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 45% lived in Iowa.
Mills County:
57.4%
State average:
57.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 8,285
Northeast: 182
Midwest: 4,509
South: 543
West: 802
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $56,100
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 1%
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Mills County
Click here to upload your Mills County photos (outside city limits)
41.0 years
38.0 years
(50.3%)
(49.7%)
, Fremont County 
, Suffolk County, New York 
, Van Buren County 
