Lyon County, Iowa

Founding: 1872 (declared in 1851)
Parent county: Unorganized territory

Namesake: Nathaniel Lyon, U.S. army general
Seat: Rock Rapids (1872–)

Land area: 588 square miles

Population (2020): 11,934

Population (historic): 221 (1870); 8,680 (1890); 14,624 (1910); 15,293 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1870–1920; 2010s

Subdivisions: Eight cities; 18 townships

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 1,357 (26.9%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 53%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 3.1%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 4.5%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $2,035
Average outbuilding value (1930): $3,062
Average farmhouse size (1940): 6.9 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,774
Average farm size (1920): 182.4 acres
Sources of settlement: Iowa, Germany, Illinois, Wisconsin, Norway, and New York
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Rock Rapids

Namesake: Rapids along the Rock River

Founding: 1871 (platting); 1871 (post office); 1885 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 2,611

Population (historic): 1,394 (1890); 2,005 (1910); 2,221 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1871–1960; 1970s; 2010s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 261 (21.4%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. Charles Gage Farm (c. 1905). 2388 140th Road. Allison. Queen Anne.

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