The earliest inhabitants of Linn County, prior to Anglo settlement, were the Sac and Fox tribes. Relations were described by 20th century historians as amicable. Native Americans provided food and furs to whites in exchange for merchandise. Linn County was created as a named but unorganized area on December 21, 1837, as a part of Wisconsin Territory. It became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838 when the territory was organized. Linn County was organized by the first legislative assembly of the Iowa Territory on January 15, 1839. A site was selected for its first county seat along Indian Creek, and was named Marion, after the Revolutionary War general Francis Marion. As early as 1855, there were debates over moving the county seat to the fast-growing Cedar Rapids, southwest of Marion, but it was not until November 6, 1919, that there were enough votes in favor of the move. The first rail line was built through Cedar Rapids in 1859, and made the town a major commercial hub in eastern Iowa. Many areas of the county were damaged by the flooding of Cedar River in June 2008.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
The 2010 census recorded a population of 211,226 in the county, with a population density of. There were 92,251 housing units, of which 86,134 were occupied.
At the 2000 census there were 191,701 people, 76,753 households, and 50,349 families in the county. The population density was 267 people per square mile. There were 80,551 housing units at an average density of 112 per square mile. The racial makup of the county was 93.90% White, 2.57% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.37% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.42%. were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Of the 76,753 households 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.20% were married couplesliving together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 27.50% of households were one person and 8.90% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99. Age spread: 25.30% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males. The median household income was $46,206 and the median family income was $56,494. Males had a median income of $38,525 versus $26,403 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,977. About 4.30% of families and 6.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.60% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
Government
On July 24, 2007, the voters of Linn County approved a measure to change the form of government from a three-member Board of Supervisors elected at large to a five-member Board of Supervisors elected by district. The supervisors serve overlapping four-year terms. The current supervisors are:
The Board of Supervisors operate as both the executive and legislative branches of Linn County government. The following departments report directly to the Board of Supervisors: Communications, Community Services, Engineering/Secondary Road, Facilities, Finance and Budget, Human Resources, Information Technology, LIFTS, Planning and Development, Policy and Administration, Purchasing, Risk Management, Soil and Water Conservation and Veteran Affairs. Conservation and Public Health report to independent boards appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Linn County Public Health Department is the first nationally-accredited health department in Iowa. The County Attorney, Auditor, Recorder, Sheriff and Treasurer are elected separately.
Communities
Cities
Alburnett
Bertram
Cedar Rapids
Center Point
Central City
Coggon
Ely
Fairfax
Hiawatha
Lisbon
Marion
Mount Vernon
Palo
Prairieburg
Robins
Springville
Walford
Walker
Unincorporated communities
Covington
Lafayette
Toddville
Troy Mills
Waubeek
Western
Whittier
Viola
Ghost towns
Ivanhoe
Townships
Bertram
Boulder
Brown
Buffalo
Clinton
College
Fairfax
Fayette
Franklin
Grant
Jackson
Linn
Maine
Marion
Monroe
Otter Creek
Putnam
Spring Grove
Washington
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Linn County. †county seat
