Hardin County, Iowa
Located in central Iowa, Hardin County is divided by the Iowa River. The county is home to Iowa Falls, a town that sits along the Iowa River and also serves as the county seat.
The county has plenty of bridges. If you’re interested in history, the Calkins Nature Area offers a chance to step back in time. The county’s population is around 16,000, give or take a few farmers.
On a quiet day, you might hear the distant rumble of tractors or the splash of kayakers taking on the rapids. Highways 65 and 20 are the main routes through the county, depending on whether you’re heading east toward Waterloo or south toward Des Moines.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Hardin County |
| County Seat | Eldora |
| Etymology | Named after John J. Hardin, prominent soldier, Black Hawk War |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Eldora, Iowa Falls, Hubbard, Ackley, Radcliffe, New Providence, Steamboat Rock |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 20, Iowa Highway 65, Iowa Highway 175 |
| FIPS Code | 19-083 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 1,138 square miles (land: 1,127 sq mi, water: 11 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Franklin County (North), Butler County (Northeast), Grundy County (East), Marshall County (Southeast), Story County (Southwest), Hamilton County (West), Wright County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 16,000 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 42.37°N, 93.21°W |
| Major Landmarks | Hardin County Courthouse, Iowa Falls Historical Society Museum, Eldora Golf Club |
