Ringgold County, Iowa
Ringgold County sits in Iowa’s far southern tier along the Missouri border. Mount Ayr, the county seat, was named after the Scottish hometown of poet Robert Burns.
The county honors Major Samuel Ringgold, who was killed during the Mexican-American War. With only about 5,000 residents, it is the second-least-populous county in Iowa.
Mount Ayr is home to several covered bridges and the Depot Museum, which preserves the area’s railroad history. Interestingly, Ringgold County was also a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Ringgold County |
| County Seat | Mount Ayr |
| Etymology | Named after Samuel Ringgold, major killed in the Mexican–American War |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Mount Ayr, Kellerton, Diagonal, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 169, Iowa Highway 2 |
| FIPS Code | 19-159 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 542 square miles (land: 541 sq mi, water: 1 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Union County (North), Decatur County (East), Harrison County, Missouri (Southeast), Worth County, Missouri (Southwest), Taylor County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 5,500 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 40.71°N, 94.23°W |
| Major Landmarks | Ringgold County Courthouse, and the Mount Ayr Historic District |
