Humboldt County is a county in Iowa, United States, along U.S. Route 169 in the north-central part of the state. It had a population of 9,597 at the 2020 census and covers 435.7 square miles (1,128 km2) centred near 42°46′N 94°13′W.
Dakota City is the county seat, and its postal code is 50529. The county has 12 incorporated cities, 4 unincorporated communities and 12 civil townships. It sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Humboldt County
Humboldt County has 12 incorporated cities — Iowa law does not distinguish “towns” from “cities,” so every incorporated place here carries the City label — plus 4 unincorporated communities. Dakota City is the seat; Humboldt, just across the river from Dakota City, is the county’s largest city.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt | City | 4,792 | 50548 |
| Dakota City | City · seat | — | 50529 |
| Gilmore City | City | — | — |
| Bode | City | — | 50519 |
| Bradgate | City | — | 50520 |
| Hardy | City | — | 50545 |
| Livermore | City | 381 | 50558 |
| Lu Verne | City | — | — |
| Ottosen | City | — | 50570 |
| Renwick | City | — | 50577 |
| Rutland | City | — | 50582 |
| Thor | City | — | 50591 |
| Arnold | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jones Siding | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pioneer | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Unique | Unincorp. | — | — |
Gilmore City and Lu Verne draw their postal service from post offices outside Humboldt County’s own ZIP set, so no county-based ZIP is listed for either here. Pioneer appears in some older sources as “Pioneer City” — the current standard name is simply Pioneer.
Townships
Humboldt County is divided into 12 civil townships. Several take the name of the city inside them; the rest are rural farmland townships with no incorporated place.
| Township | Main settlements |
|---|---|
| Humboldt | Dakota City, Humboldt |
| Rutland | Rutland |
| Avery | — |
| Beaver | — |
| Corinth | — |
| Delana | — |
| Grove | — |
| Lake | — |
| Norway | — |
| Vernon | — |
| Wacousta | — |
| Weaver | — |
ZIP Codes
- 50548 — Humboldt (also serves the surrounding rural area, roughly 62% of the county’s population)
- 50529 — Dakota City
- 50519 — Bode
- 50520 — Bradgate
- 50545 — Hardy
- 50558 — Livermore
- 50570 — Ottosen
- 50577 — Renwick
- 50582 — Rutland
- 50591 — Thor
Gilmore City and Lu Verne sit close enough to the county line that their mail service runs through post offices in neighboring counties rather than a Humboldt County ZIP.
Geography
Humboldt County lies in the Des Moines Lobe, Iowa’s north-central glacial plain, a landscape of flat-to-gently-rolling glacial till plain shaped by the most recent Wisconsin glaciation. The West Fork Des Moines River and the East Fork Des Moines River join at Dakota City-Humboldt, and the combined Des Moines River then runs south through the county. Farmland dominates the terrain outside the small river-valley towns.
Humboldt County borders Kossuth County to the north, Wright County to the east, Webster County to the south, and Pocahontas County to the west.
Demographics
Humboldt County had 9,597 residents at the 2020 census, giving a density of about 22 people per square mile. Humboldt, at 4,792 residents, is the largest city and holds roughly half the county’s population; Dakota City, the seat, is much smaller. Median household income data specific to the county was not confirmed for this rewrite; statewide, the Iowa median household income was $71,433 (2023 ACS), and rural Humboldt County has historically run below that figure.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture, mainly corn and soybean production plus hog operations, anchors the county’s economy, along with the grain-handling, feed and farm-equipment businesses clustered around Humboldt and Dakota City. Humboldt Community School District and the county’s local hospital, UnityPoint Health – Humboldt, are among the area’s larger employers. The Humboldt County Fair, held each summer in Dakota City, is the county’s best-known annual event.
History
Humboldt County was organized in 1857 (after an earlier, short-lived 1851 creation was undone) and named for the Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. Dakota City, platted on the West Fork Des Moines River, became the county seat; the neighboring city of Humboldt grew up just across the river and eventually outgrew it in population, though Dakota City has kept the courthouse.
Getting There
U.S. Route 169 runs north-south through the county, linking Humboldt and Dakota City to Fort Dodge to the south and Algona to the north; Iowa Highways 3, 15 and 17 cross the county east-west.
- Fort Dodge, Iowa — 20 miles south
- Algona, Iowa — 25 miles north
- Emmetsburg, Iowa — 30 miles northwest
- Des Moines, Iowa — 100 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Fort Dodge Regional Airport, with fuller service available at Des Moines International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Humboldt County, Iowa?
It sits in north-central Iowa along U.S. Route 169, bordered by Kossuth, Wright, Webster and Pocahontas counties.
What is the population of Humboldt County?
9,597 people at the 2020 census.
How big is Humboldt County?
435.7 square miles (1,128 km2), of which about 1.3 square miles is water.
What is the county seat of Humboldt County?
Dakota City is the county seat.
How many towns are in Humboldt County?
12 incorporated cities and 4 unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Humboldt County?
Ten ZIP codes serve the county, led by 50548 (Humboldt) and 50529 (Dakota City); see the ZIP Codes section above for the full list.
What is the largest city in Humboldt County?
Humboldt, with 4,792 residents at the 2020 census.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Iowa.