Wapello County, Iowa

Founding: 1844 (declared in 1843)
Parent county: Unorganized territory

Namesake: Wapello, Meskwaki chief
Seat: Ottumwa (1844–)

Land area: 432 square miles

Population (2020): 35,437

Population (historic): 8,471 (1850); 22,345 (1870); 30,436 (1890); 37,743 (1910); 40,480 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1950; 1990s

Subdivisions: Six cities; 14 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 5,738 (35.7%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 45%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 4.3%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 8.4%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 6.3%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,022
Average outbuilding value (1930): $1,564
Average farmhouse size (1940): 5.7 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,112
Average farm size (1920): 96.3 acres
Sources of settlement: Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, Ireland, West Virginia, Sweden, and Germany
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Ottumwa

Namesake: A Meskwaki word of disputed meaning

Founding: 1843 (platting as Louisville); 1844 (post office); 1888 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 25,529

Population (historic): 1,632 (1860); 9,004 (1880); 18,197 (1900); 28,075 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1860–1960; 1990–2020
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 4,423 (39.8%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Avondale / Clyde Baldwin House (c. 1920). 5724 165th Road. Competine. Prairie.
2. Mars Hill Baptist Church (c. 1855). 1011 100th Road. Keokuk.
3. George Blair House (c. 1865). 11339 River Road. Keokuk.

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