Ida County is a county in Iowa, United States, in the west-central part of the state, roughly 45 miles east of Sioux City. It had a population of 7,005 at the 2020 census and covers 432 square miles (1,119 km2) centred near 42°23′N 95°31′W.
Ida Grove is the county seat, and its postal code is 51445. The county has five incorporated cities and twelve civil townships, sits in the Central time zone, and carries FIPS code 19093.
Towns & Villages in Ida County
All five of Ida County’s populated places are incorporated cities under Iowa law — the Census Bureau recognizes no separate unincorporated communities or CDPs within the county. Ida Grove, the largest, is the county seat.
| Place | Type | Township | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ida Grove | City · seat | — | 2,051 | 51445 |
| Holstein | City | — | 1,501 | 51025 |
| Battle Creek | City | Battle | 700 | 51006 |
| Galva | City | Galva | 435 | 51020 |
| Arthur | City | — | — | 51431 |
Townships
Ida County is divided into twelve civil townships. Population figures by township are not separately published by the Census Bureau, so populations below are listed as unknown where unverified.
| Township | Pop. (2020) | Main settlements |
|---|---|---|
| Battle | — | Battle Creek |
| Blaine | — | — |
| Corwin | — | — |
| Douglas | — | — |
| Galva | — | Galva |
| Garfield | — | — |
| Grant | — | — |
| Griggs | — | — |
| Hayes | — | — |
| Logan | — | — |
| Maple | — | — |
| Silver Creek | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 51445 — Ida Grove (county seat)
- 51025 — Holstein
- 51006 — Battle Creek
- 51020 — Galva
- 51431 — Arthur
Every incorporated city in Ida County carries its own ZIP code; there are no unincorporated places with a separate postal designation.
Geography
Ida County lies in the rolling loess-hill topography of western Iowa, drained by the Maple River and its tributaries. Land accounts for nearly all of the county’s 432 square miles, with well under one square mile of surface water.
Ida County borders four other counties: Cherokee County to the north, Sac County to the east, Crawford County to the south, and Woodbury County to the west.
Demographics
Ida County had 7,005 residents at the 2020 census, a population density of about 16 people per square mile. Ida Grove (2,051) and Holstein (1,501) are the two largest communities, together accounting for more than half the county’s population. Iowa’s statewide median household income is the Iowa median of $71,433; Ida County, a sparsely populated farm county, typically runs somewhat below that figure.
Economy & Local Life
Ida County’s economy is anchored in row-crop and livestock agriculture — corn, soybeans, and hog production dominate the surrounding farmland, supplemented by agribusiness and grain-handling firms based in Ida Grove and Holstein. Ida Grove is home to the county courthouse and county offices, which along with the local school districts are among the area’s steadiest employers.
History
The Iowa Legislature organized Ida County on January 15, 1851, as part of a group of counties platted across the state’s western tier. The county takes its name from Ida Smith, said to be the first child of European settlers born in the area. Growth accelerated after a railroad reached the county in 1877, but like much of rural western Iowa, the county’s population has declined gradually since the early twentieth century.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 20 crosses the northern part of the county east–west, and U.S. Highway 59 runs north–south through the center; Iowa Highways 31 and 175 provide additional local connections.
- Sioux City — about 45 miles west
- Storm Lake — about 25 miles northeast
- Denison — about 20 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ida County?
It is in west-central Iowa, roughly 45 miles east of Sioux City.
What is the population of Ida County?
7,005 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Ida County?
432 square miles (1,119 km2).
What is the county seat of Ida County?
Ida Grove is the county seat.
How many towns are in Ida County?
Five incorporated cities: Ida Grove, Holstein, Battle Creek, Galva, and Arthur.
What ZIP codes are in Ida County?
51445 (Ida Grove), 51025 (Holstein), 51006 (Battle Creek), 51020 (Galva), and 51431 (Arthur).
How did Ida County get its name?
It was named for Ida Smith, the first child born to European settlers in the area.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Iowa.