Kossuth County, Iowa
Kossuth County has the distinction of being Iowa’s largest county by land area. It stretches across north-central Iowa, covering an impressive 974 square miles.
Algona serves as the county seat. Founded in 1854, the town is the county’s economic and cultural hub. It was also home to a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp, which is now a museum.
With a population of around 14,000, Kossuth County isn’t exactly bustling. But that’s part of its appeal. Today, farming remains central to the county, but the people here aren’t stuck in the past. They’re holding onto their rural roots while moving with the times.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Kossuth County |
| County Seat | Algona |
| Etymology | Named in honor of the American explorer and frontiersman, J. H. Kossuth |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Algona, Bancroft, Burt, Fenton, Ledyard, Lone Rock, Swea City, and the unincorporated communities of Seneca, and Whittemore |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 169, U.S. Highway 18, Iowa Highway 9 |
| FIPS Code | 19-109 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 973 square miles (land: 969 sq mi, water: 4 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Martin County, Minnesota (North), Faribault County, Minnesota (North), Winnebago County (Northeast), Hancock County (Southeast), Humboldt County (South), Palo Alto County (Southwest), Emmet County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 18,500 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 43.10°N, 94.23°W |
| Major Landmarks | Kossuth County Courthouse, Ledyard Historical Society Museum, and the Kossuth County Fairgrounds |
