Delaware County, Iowa

Founding: 1844 (declared in 1837)
Parent county: Dubuque

Namesake: Uncertain—perhaps the Delaware (Lenape) people
Seat: Delhi (1842–1880); Manchester (1880–)

Land area: 578 square miles

Population (2020): 17,488

Population (historic): 1,759 (1850); 17,432 (1870); 17,349 (1890); 17,888 (1910); 18,122 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1850–1880; 1890s; 1910s; 1930s; 1950–1980; 1990s

Subdivisions: 12 cities; 16 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,545 (31.4%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 54.7%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 6.7%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 5.8%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 9.6%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,372
Average outbuilding value (1930): $3,515
Average farmhouse size (1940): 7 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,284
Average farm size (1920): 122 acres
Sources of settlement: New York, Germany, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Ireland, Illinois, and England
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Manchester

Namesake: Uncertain—perhaps Manchester, England

Founding: 1854 (platting as Burrington); 1856 (post office); 1858 (replatting); 1865 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 5,179

Population (historic): 1,492 (1870); 2,344 (1890); 2,758 (1910); 3,413 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1854–1900; 1910–2000
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 768 (32.9%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Henry Baker House (c. 1855). 1337 Candle Road. Coffin's Grove. Greek Revival. Razed.
2. Samuel Allison Farm (1872). 2631 Ridge Road. Delhi. Italianate.
3. John Heles House (1884). 3266 275th Road. North Fork. Italianate.
4. Frank Recker Farm (c. 1865). 2311 320th Road. North Fork. Italianate.

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