| County: | Dallas County |
| State: | Iowa |
| Ex Image: | Dallas County Courthouse.jpg |
| Ex Image Size: | 240px |
| Founded Date: | January 13 |
| Founded Year: | 1846 |
| Seat Wl: | Adel |
| Largest City Wl: | Waukee |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 592 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 588 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 3.3 |
| Area Percentage: | 0.5 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 99678 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Time Zone: | Central |
| Web: | https://www.dallascountyiowa.gov/ |
| District: | 3rd |
| Named For: | George M. Dallas |
Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 99,678, making it the seventh-most populous county in Iowa. Between 2010 and 2020, it was the fastest growing county in Iowa and one of the fastest growing in the country.[1] Its county seat is Adel,[2] and its largest city is Waukee. The county was named for George M. Dallas, Vice President of the United States under James K. Polk, the namesake of neighboring Polk County.
Dallas County is included in the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[3]
The land that now forms Dallas County was ceded by the Sac and Fox nation to the United States in a treaty signed on October 11, 1842.
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of the Iowa Territory authorized the creation of twelve counties in the Iowa Territory,[4] with general descriptions of their boundaries.[5] Dallas County's name referred to United States Vice President George M. Dallas, who served from 1845 to 1849.
In 1847 the county residents voted to designate Penoch as the county seat (the name was changed to Adel in 1849). The county's population grew rapidly, with settlers coming to claim homesteads. By 1870, the population had crossed the 12,000 mark.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.5%) is water.[6]
The 2020 census recorded a population of 99,678 in the county, with a population density of . 94.19% of the population reported being of one race. There were 41,125 housing units of which 38,291 were occupied.[1]
| White (NH) | 81,708 | 82% | |
| Black or African American (NH) | 2,657 | 2.7% | |
| Native American (NH) | 137 | 0.14% | |
| Asian (NH) | 4,987 | 5% | |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 32 | 0.03% | |
| Other/Mixed (NH) | 3,642 | 3.7% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,515 | 6.54% |
The 2010 census recorded a population of 66,135 in the county, with a population density of . There were 27,260 housing units, of which 25,240 were occupied.[9]
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 40,750 people, 15,584 households, and 11,173 families in the county. The population density was 70sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 16,529 housing units at an average density of 28/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.75% White, 0.74% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.79% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 5.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 15,584 households, 37.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 23.60% of households were one person and 8.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 28.20% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 21.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median household income was $48,528 and the median family income was $58,293. Males had a median income of $37,243 versus $27,026 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,970. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.10% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.
‡ partly in Polk County
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Dallas County.[1]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2020 Census) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Des Moines (mostly in Polk County) | City | 68,723 | |
| 2 | Urbandale (partially in Polk County) | City | 45,580 | |
| 3 | Waukee | City | 23,940 | |
| 4 | Clive (partially in Polk County) | City | 18,601 | |
| 5 | Grimes (mostly in Polk County) | City | 15,392 | |
| 6 | Perry | City | 7,836 | |
| 7 | † Adel | City | 6,153 | |
| 8 | Dallas Center | City | 1,901 | |
| 9 | Granger (partially in Polk County) | City | 1,654 | |
| 10 | Van Meter | City | 1,484 | |
| 11 | Woodward | City | 1,346 | |
| 12 | De Soto | City | 915 | |
| 13 | Redfield | City | 731 | |
| 14 | Dexter | City | 640 | |
| 15 | Minburn | City | 325 | |
| 16 | Linden | City | 200 | |
| 17 | Dawson | City | 116 | |
| 18 | Bouton | City | 127 |
Prior to 1932, Dallas County was strongly Republican in presidential elections. From 1932 to 1996, it was a swing county, having a Republican lean until 1960 & a Democratic lean from 1964 to 1996, especially after 1980. Since 2000, it has been consistently Republican, though no Republican presidential candidate has won over 58% of the vote nor has a Democrat won less than 41% since then.