Montgomery County

As of the 2020 Census, Montgomery County, Iowa, has a population of approximately 10,740. The racial demographics are predominantly White at around 95.6%, with small percentages of other groups: African Americans at 0.5%, Native Americans at 0.3%, Asians at 0.4%, and those of two or more races at 2.6%. Hispanics or Latinos of any race constitute about 3.1% of the population. The county has a mix of rural and small-town communities, with its county seat located in Red Oak.

As of the latest data, Montgomery County, IA, reports a median home value of approximately $85,000. The median rent is around $650 per month. The homeownership rate stands at about 74%, indicating a high preference for owning homes. The vacancy rate for housing units is approximately 9%, while the number of housing units totals around 5,800. Housing costs, including mortgages, typically consume about 20% of household incomes.

Montgomery County, Iowa, conducts elections for various offices including county supervisors, sheriff, treasurer, and more. The county typically follows Iowa’s state election calendar, with primary elections in June and general elections in November.

In recent elections:

• County Supervisors: In the 2022 general election, Republican Randy Cooper secured 62% of votes for District 1, while Joe Samman took 38%. For District 2, Republican Mark Peterson ran unopposed.
• Sheriff: Jon Spunaugle, Republican, received 75% of the votes, defeating independent candidate Jim Johnson with 25%.
• Treasurer: Republican Tammy Hall was unopposed and received 100%.

Voter turnout tends to range from 50-70% in presidential election years, and 30-50% in midterms. Accurate candidate lists and vote counts for ongoing and upcoming elections can be found at the Montgomery County Auditor's office or on their official website.

Montgomery County, IA, exhibits a lower educational attainment compared to both state and national averages. Approximately 87.2% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, which is slightly below the national average of around 88%. For higher education, about 16.1% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, significantly lower than the national average of 32.1% and the Iowa state average of 28.5%. The educational system comprises 3 public school districts, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 13:1. These statistics highlight a gap in higher education attainment in Montgomery County compared to broader averages.

Montgomery County, IA, is characterized by a diverse employment landscape. The county has a labor force participation rate of approximately 65%. As of recent data, the unemployment rate stands at around 3.5%, which is slightly below the national average of 3.7% and closely aligns with the Iowa state average of 3.5%.

Top industries in Montgomery County include manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. Manufacturing employs about 20% of the workforce, compared to the national average of 8.5% and the state average of 14%. Healthcare and social assistance account for around 15% of jobs, similar to the national trend of 14%. Agriculture employs approximately 10% of the county's workers, significantly higher than the national average of 1.3% and the Iowa average of 5%.

These figures illustrate the county's strong reliance on manufacturing and agriculture, distinguishing it from broader state and national employment trends.

As of recent data, the median household income in Montgomery County, Iowa, is approximately $50,000. This figure is below both the national and state averages. The national median household income stands at around $68,703, while Iowa's state median is approximately $61,691. The lower income average in Montgomery County may reflect its rural nature and smaller economic base compared to more urbanized regions.

Montgomery County’s lower median income highlights economic disparities between rural and urban areas and emphasizes regional economic differences.

As of recent data, Montgomery County, IA has a crime rate of approximately 2,200 incidents per 100,000 residents annually. Here’s a breakdown of crime types:

Violent crimes include offenses such as assault, robbery, and sexual assault. Property crimes encompass burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft, contributing to most reported incidents. Overall, the crime rate in Montgomery County remains moderate, with property crimes being the most prevalent. The local authorities work continuously to implement measures to enhance public safety and reduce these numbers.