Monona County, Iowa
Monona County is located in western Iowa. It’s home to the unique Loess Hills and the town of Onawa. Known for having the widest main street in the U.S., Onawa is a quirky and quiet place.
The Loess Hills Scenic Byway offers memorable views, while Lewis and Clark State Park provides plenty of outdoor fun. But at the end of the day, it’s still a rural area where farming dominates.
Interstate 29 runs through the county, connecting it to Sioux City and Omaha. The Onawa Historical Museum tells the story of the region’s past. Monona County is full of natural beauty and history, making it a stop worth your time.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Monona County |
| County Seat | Onawa |
| Etymology | Named after the Monona River, which is named from a Native American word meaning “beautiful.” |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Onawa, Mapleton, Turin, and several unincorporated communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 175, Iowa Highway 31, Iowa Highway 37 |
| FIPS Code | 19-133 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 695 square miles (land: 693 sq mi, water: 2 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Woodbury County (North), Crawford County (East), Harrison County (South), Burt County, Nebraska (Southwest), Thurston County, Nebraska (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 8,500 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 42.04°N, 95.78°W |
| Major Landmarks | Loess Hills Scenic Byway, Monona County Historical Museum, and Onawa’s historic downtown |
