Davis County was named in honor of Garrett Davis, a Congressman from Kentucky from March 4, 1839, until March 3, 1847, and later a US Senator from Kentucky.[4][5]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 505 square miles (1,310 km2), of which 502 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6]
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[12]
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 9,110 in the county, with a population density of 18.011/sq mi (6.954/km2). 97.49% of the population reported being of one race. 94.98% were non-Hispanic White, 0.09% were Black, 1.58% were Hispanic, 0.12% were Native American, 0.16% were Asian, 0.00% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 3.06% were some other race or more than one race. There were 3,579 housing units of which 3,258 were occupied.[2]
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 8,753 in the county, with a population density of 17.3947/sq mi (6.7161/km2). There were 3,600 housing units, of which 3,201 were occupied.[13]
2000 census
As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 8,541 people, 3,207 households, and 2,286 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 3,530 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.35% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 10.4% of the population speak either German or Pennsylvania German at home.[15]
There were 3,207 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.70% were married couples living together, 5.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,864, and the median income for a family was $40,982. Males had a median income of $26,818 versus $21,726 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,127. About 9.00% of families and 11.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 12.80% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
Davis County contains the largest Amish population in Iowa with 1,860 members recorded as of 2024.[16][17]