County population in 2016: 25,286 (37% urban, 63% rural); it was 24,849 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 4,733 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 2,966 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 7,255 Renter-occupied apartments: 2,176 (it was 2,117 in 2000)
% of renters here:
23%
State:
28%
Land area: 864 sq. mi.
Water area: 0.4 sq. mi.
Population density: 29 people per square mile (low).
March 2019 cost of living index in Plymouth County: 83.8 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, and mining (32.4%), Educational, health and social services (21.5%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2017: $1,884 (1.2%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2017: $1,965 (1.2%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2017: 7.5%
Plymouth County:
7.5%
Iowa:
10.7%
(6.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 12.9% for Black residents, 18.4% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 24.1% for other race residents, 47.2% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2017: 41.8 years old
(Males: 41.1 years old, Females: 42.3 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 43.5 years old, Black residents: 49.6 years old, American Indian residents: 38.3 years old, Asian residents: 20.4 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 25.1 years old, Other race residents: 27.4 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Plymouth 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 $671 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Plymouth County: Bluebird Access (A), Sulphur Springs (B), Sunrise Campgrounds (C), Stille Turkey Farm (D), West Scott (E), Peach (F), Racine (G), Crozier (H), Blain (I), Nagel Hog Farm (J), Kracht Farm (K), Storm Lake Wastewater Plant (L), Iowa State University Allee Experimental Farm (M), Little Sioux Country Club (N), Lake Creek Country Club (O), Log Cabin Museum (P), Coon Townhall (Q), Buena Vista County Home (R). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Plymouth County include: Zion Lutheran Church (A), Elk Church (B), Immanuel Church (C), Evangelical Free Church (D), Church of Christ (E), Saint John's Lutheran Church (F), Saint John Church (G), Saint Johns Church of Christ Church (H), Saint Johns Lutheran Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Varina Cemetery (1), Maple Valley Cemetery (2), Lincoln Township Cemetery (3), Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery (4), Cooke Cemetery (5), First M E Church Cemetery (6), Newell Catholic Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Brooke Creek (A), Cottonwood Creek (B), Soldier Creek (C), Poor Farm Creek (D), Outlet Creek (E), Powell Creek (F), Fox Run (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Plymouth County include: Buena Vista County Park (1), Storm Lake State Wildlife Management Area (2), Little Storm Lake Game Management Area (3), Marathon Poland Park (4), Sturchler Pit Area (5), Three Water Wildlife Area (6), South Cove Park (7), Leo Grau Wildlife Area (8), Bur Oak Wildlife Area (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 816 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: 20.7%
Number of foreign born residents: 698 (42.1% naturalized citizens)
Plymouth County:
2.8%
Whole state:
5.3%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2652010 or later
2272000 to 2009
391990 to 1999
431980 to 1989
331970 to 1979
48Before 1970
Mean travel time to work (commute): 19.1 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 65.6%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 9,438
One, attached: 259
Two: 142
3 or 4: 166
5 to 9: 170
10 to 19: 97
20 to 49: 147
50 or more: 155
Mobile homes: 368
Housing units in Plymouth County with a mortgage: 4,620 (154 second mortgage, 351 home equity loan, 18 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 3,433
Here:
57.1% with mortgage
State:
61.6% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Plymouth County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Catholic
8,529
10
Mainline Protestant
6,937
28
Evangelical Protestant
2,944
13
Other
8
-
None
6,568
-
Plymouth 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: 6
Plymouth County:
2.47 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 10
Plymouth County:
4.11 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 23
This county:
9.45 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Plymouth County:
8.2%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Plymouth County:
28.3%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
16.6%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Plymouth County:
Average size of farms: 397 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $207,911 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $242.68 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 61.80% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $170,627 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 82.51% Irrigated harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 0.50% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $100,211 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 89.25% Average age of principal farm operators: 52 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 12.50 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 5.24% Corn for grain: 212944 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 201847 harvested acres Vegetables: 9 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
Plymouth County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 5033166.7 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 4 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 6/7/1984, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 3 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Plymouth County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Iowa state average. It is 73% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 189.8 miles away from Plymouth County center On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, 4.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 136.6 miles away from the county center On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 201.9 miles away from the county center On 2/6/1996 at 15:10:28, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 69.9 miles away from the county center On 10/25/1990 at 06:25:25, a magnitude 3.9 (3.6 MB, 3.9 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 134.9 miles away from Plymouth County center On 6/5/1993 at 01:24:53, a magnitude 4.1 (4.1 LG, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 202.1 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML)
Most recent natural disasters:
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: 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 Winter Storms and Snowstorm, Incident Period: December 23, 2009 to December 27, 2009, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1877: February 25, 2010, FEMA Id: 1877, Natural disaster type: Snowstorm, Winter Storm
Iowa Snow, Incident Period: February 28, 2007 to March 02, 2007, Emergency Declared EM-3275: March 30, 2007, FEMA Id: 3275, Natural disaster type: Snow
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 Flooding, Incident Period: June 15, 1996 to June 30, 1996, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1133: August 21, 1996, FEMA Id: 1133, Natural disaster type: Flood
Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: April 13, 1993 to October 01, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-996: July 09, 1993, FEMA Id: 996, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Ice Storm, Incident Period: October 31, 1991 to November 29, 1991, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-928: December 26, 1991, FEMA Id: 928, Natural disaster type: Ice Storm
Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: May 18, 1990 to July 06, 1990, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-868: May 26, 1990, FEMA Id: 868, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Drought, Incident Period: March 31, 1977, Emergency Declared EM-3036: March 31, 1977, FEMA Id: 3036, Natural disaster type: Drought
2 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Plymouth County (12) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 9 Emergencies Declared: 3
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 4, Tornadoes: 2, Drought: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (10%)
Transportation occupations (10%)
Construction and extraction occupations (8%)
Office and administrative support occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (24%)
Education, training, and library occupations (10%)
Health diagnosing and treating practitioners and other technical occupations (9%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (8%)
Sales and related occupations (8%)
Personal care and service occupations (7%)
Management occupations (6%)
Mexico (35%)
Honduras (30%)
Guatemala (12%)
Philippines (4%)
Germany (4%)
Korea (3%)
Vietnam (3%)
German (42%)
American (10%)
Dutch (6%)
Irish (5%)
English (3%)
European (3%)
Norwegian (2%)
People in group quarters in Plymouth County, Iowa in 2000:
284 people in nursing homes
52 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
52 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill
19 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
19 people in homes for the mentally retarded
5 people in agriculture workers' dormitories on farms
People in group quarters in Plymouth County, Iowa in 2010:
287 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
57 people in residential treatment centers for adults
5 people in group homes intended for adults
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $73,200.
5.99% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($47,367 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.99%
Iowa average:
5.97%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.87% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($30,103 average AGI)
2.12% relocated from other states ($17,264 average AGI)
Plymouth County:
2.12%
Iowa average:
2.42%
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
5.48% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($47,207 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.48%
Iowa average:
6.23%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
3.35% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($28,959 average AGI)
2.12% relocated to other states ($18,249 average AGI)
Plymouth County:
2.12%
Iowa average:
2.69%
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 4,326 (3,890 aged, 436 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 193 (3%)
Most common underlying causes of death in Plymouth County, Iowa in 1999 - 2014:
Atherosclerotic heart disease (402)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (206)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (145)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (139)
Unspecified dementia (99)
Generalized and unspecified atherosclerosis (89)
Colon, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (88)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 4%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 4.01 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 6,142 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 177 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 24,847
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,286 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,066 Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 4
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 40 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 76
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 4
Household type by relationship:
Households: 25,286
In family households: 20,874 (3,885 male householders, 2,979 female householders)
5,721 spouses, 7,244 children (6,531 natural, 337 adopted, 378 stepchildren), 172 grandchildren, 142 brothers or sisters, 62 parents, 168 other relatives, 461 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 4,000 (1,624 male householders (1,344 living alone)), 1,596 female householders (1,342 living alone)), 772 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 367
Size of family households: 3,477 2-persons, 1,051 3-persons, 1,289 4-persons, 848 5-persons, 126 6-persons, 108 7-or-more-persons.
4,403 married couples with children.
1,466 single-parent households (363 men, 1,103 women).
94.8% of residents of Plymouth speak English at home.
3.7% of residents speak Spanish at home (51% speak English very well, 18% speak English well, 24% speak English not well, 6% don't speak English at all).
0.7% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (77% speak English very well, 9% speak English well, 14% speak English not well).
0.4% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (55% speak English very well, 17% speak English well, 28% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $117,909,000 ($4,731 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,639,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $53,868,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $23,179,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $16,943,000 Federal grants: $16,844,000 Federal procurement contracts: $1,183,000 ($156,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $5,891,000 ($399,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $971,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $11,305,000 Federal Government insurance: $111,085,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 1,542
Here:
62 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 1,220
Here:
49 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +89
Here:
+4 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -275
Here:
-11 per 1000 residents
State:
-14 per 1000 residents
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.17 millions of gallons per day (all from ground)
Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:
7.2
State:
6.7
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
5.0
State:
4.2
Year house built in Plymouth County, Iowa
1632014 or later
1662010 to 2013
9582000 to 2009
1,1701990 to 1999
9441980 to 1989
1,5151970 to 1979
1,0931960 to 1969
9561950 to 1959
6041940 to 1949
3,2061939 or earlier
Rooms in houses/apartments in Plymouth County, Iowa
Cars and other vehicles available in Plymouth County in owner-occupied houses/condos
178no vehicle
1,5241 vehicle
3,5952 vehicles
1,6423 vehicles
7584 vehicles
3935+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Plymouth County in renter-occupied apartments
336no vehicle
7851 vehicle
5992 vehicles
2543 vehicles
1054 vehicles
305+ vehicles
90.5% of Plymouth County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 33% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 54% lived in Iowa.
Plymouth County:
90.5%
State average:
85.4%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 19,406
Other state: 5,026
Northeast: 161
Midwest: 3,464
South: 621
West: 784
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Plymouth County
(49.3%)
(50.7%)
, Clay County 
, Hancock County 
, Ida County 
, Sac County 
, Woodbury County 
.
2.22% ($48,398 average AGI)
-14 per 1000 residents
