Audubon County is a county in Iowa, United States, in the west-central part of the state. It had a population of 5,674 at the 2020 census and covers 443 square miles (1,150 km2) centred near 41°41′N 94°54′W.
Audubon is the county seat, and its postal code is 50025. The county has 5 incorporated cities and towns, 7 unincorporated communities, and 12 civil townships. Audubon County observes Central time.
Towns & Villages in Audubon County
Audubon County has five incorporated places and a handful of unincorporated crossroads communities. The table below marks each place’s type: City · seat for the county seat, City or Town for the other incorporated places, and Unincorp. for communities with no city government.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audubon | City · seat | Audubon | 2,053 | 50025 |
| Exira | City | Exira | 787 | 50076 |
| Kimballton | City | Viola | 291 | 51543 |
| Brayton | City | Douglas | 143 | 50042 |
| Gray | City | Melville | 61 | 50108 |
| Hamlin | Unincorp. | Hamlin | — | — |
| Larland | Unincorp. | Leroy | — | — |
| Oakfield | Unincorp. | Oakfield | — | — |
| Poplar | Unincorp. | Cameron | — | — |
| Ross | Unincorp. | Lincoln | — | — |
| Sharon | Unincorp. | Sharon | — | — |
| Viola Center | Unincorp. | Viola | — | — |
Townships
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Audubon | — | Audubon |
| Exira | — | Exira |
| Viola | — | Kimballton, Viola Center |
| Douglas | — | Brayton |
| Melville | — | Gray |
| Hamlin | — | Hamlin |
| Leroy | — | Larland |
| Oakfield | — | Oakfield |
| Cameron | — | Poplar |
| Lincoln | — | Ross |
| Sharon | — | Sharon |
| Greeley | — | rural, no listed settlement |
The Census Bureau does not publish separate 2020 population counts for Audubon County’s townships, so individual figures are omitted rather than estimated.
ZIP Codes
- 50025 — Audubon (also serves surrounding Audubon Township)
- 50076 — Exira
- 51543 — Kimballton
- 50042 — Brayton
- 50108 — Gray
The unincorporated communities of Hamlin, Larland, Oakfield, Poplar, Ross, Sharon and Viola Center have no post office of their own and are served by the ZIP code of the nearest incorporated town.
Geography
Audubon County sits on the rolling loess-hill farmland of west-central Iowa, drained by the Nishnabotna River system, including the East Nishnabotna and its tributaries, which cross the county from northeast to southwest. Almost all of the county’s 443 square miles is cropland, with row crops of corn and soybeans dominating the landscape between the small towns and rural townships.
Audubon County borders Carroll County to the north, Guthrie County to the east, Cass County to the south, and Shelby County to the west.
Demographics
Audubon County had 5,674 residents at the 2020 census, making it one of Iowa’s least populous counties. Audubon, the county seat, is by far the largest community with 2,053 residents, followed by Exira with 787. Audubon County’s median household income runs well below the Iowa median of $71,433, typical of the state’s smaller agricultural counties. Population density is about 12.8 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the county’s economy — corn and soybean farming, along with hog and cattle operations, dominate the rural townships. Audubon, the county seat, serves as the local retail, healthcare and government hub for the county, home to the Audubon County Courthouse. The town is also known locally for “Albert the Bull,” a large roadside fiberglass bull statue that has served as an Audubon landmark and photo stop for decades.
History
Audubon County was organized on January 15, 1851, from territory taken out of Pottawattamie County. It was named for the naturalist and wildlife artist John James Audubon, who died the same year the county was formed. The present Audubon County Courthouse, a Beaux-Arts style building in the town of Audubon, opened its doors in 1940 and remains in use as the seat of county government today.
Getting There
U.S. Route 71 runs north–south through the county, connecting Audubon to Carroll to the north and Atlantic to the south. Iowa Highway 44 crosses east–west through Audubon, and Iowa Highway 173 serves the county’s northeastern townships.
- Atlantic, Iowa — 25 miles south
- Carroll, Iowa — 25 miles north
- Council Bluffs, Iowa — 60 miles west
- Des Moines, Iowa — 75 miles east
The nearest commercial airport is Des Moines International Airport, about 75 miles east of Audubon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Audubon County?
Audubon County is in west-central Iowa, along U.S. Route 71 between Carroll and Atlantic.
What is the population of Audubon County?
Audubon County had a population of 5,674 at the 2020 census.
How big is Audubon County?
Audubon County covers 443 square miles (1,150 km2) of land and water.
What is the county seat of Audubon County?
Audubon is the county seat.
How many towns are in Audubon County?
Audubon County has five incorporated cities and towns — Audubon, Exira, Kimballton, Brayton and Gray — plus several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Audubon County?
Audubon County’s main ZIP codes are 50025 (Audubon), 50076 (Exira), 51543 (Kimballton), 50042 (Brayton) and 50108 (Gray).
Why is Audubon County named that?
Audubon County was named after John James Audubon, the naturalist and artist known for his illustrated study of American birds.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Iowa.