Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population of 16,878. The county seat and largest city is Iowa Falls.
History
- The county was formally organized on February 17 1851, having been created earlier that year from land taken from Humboldt County.
- It was named for John J. Hardin, an Illinois congressman and military officer who died during the Mexican‑American War.
- Early settlement began in the early 1850s, with the county’s development centered around agriculture and the Iowa River corridor.
Geography
- Total area: 570 square miles (1,476 km²), of which 565 sq mi (1,463 km²) is land and 5 sq mi (13 km²) (0.9 %) is water.
- The Iowa River flows east‑southeast through the county, and the Shell Rock River runs near the northern part of the county.
- The terrain consists of gently rolling plains typical of the Des Moines Lobe, with fertile soils supporting row‑crop agriculture.
- Hardin County State Park, located on the Shell Rock River near Iowa Falls, provides recreational opportunities.
Transportation
- Interstate 80 traverses the southern portion of the county, providing east‑west interstate access.
- U.S. Highway 20 and Iowa Highways 14, 57, and 175 serve as principal state and federal routes.
- The Iowa Falls Regional Airport offers general‑aviation services.
Demographics (2020 Census)
- Population: 16,878.
- Racial composition: 94.3 % White, 1.2 % African American, 0.9 % Native American, 0.8 % Asian, 2.0 % two or more races; 4.5 % Hispanic or Latino of any race.
- Household information: 6,521 households; average household size 2.48 persons.
Economy
- Agriculture dominates the local economy, with corn, soybeans, and livestock (particularly hogs) as principal products.
- Manufacturing, food processing, and health‑care services contribute to employment, with several small‑to‑medium enterprises located in Iowa Falls and surrounding towns.
- Retail trade and education (including the Iowa Central Community College Iowa Falls campus) are notable service sectors.
Education
- Public K‑12 education is provided by multiple school districts, including Iowa Falls Community School District, Hardin County Community School District, and Ackley–Geneva Community School District.
- Higher education is represented by a campus of Iowa Central Community College in Iowa Falls, offering associate degrees, vocational training, and adult education.
Government
- The county is administered by a three‑member Board of Supervisors, elected from single‑member districts.
- Other elected officials include the County Auditor, Treasurer, Sheriff, and Recorder.
- Hardin County lies within Iowa’s 4th congressional district and participates in the Iowa Falls Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Communities
- Incorporated cities: Ackley, Eldora, Hardin, Iowa Falls (county seat), Buck Grove, and others.
- Unincorporated communities and townships are also present throughout the county’s rural landscape.
Points of Interest
- Hardin County State Park – outdoor recreation, camping, fishing, and hiking.
- Iowa Falls Historic District – notable for late‑19th‑ and early‑20th‑century architecture.
- The Cedar River Trail and adjacent waterways support fishing and boating activities.
References
Data are derived from United States Census Bureau reports, the Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa State Historical Society publications, and the official Hard County government website.
