Taylor County, Iowa
Taylor County is tucked into southwest Iowa, right along the Missouri border. Bedford, the county seat, hosts the Taylor County Iowa Fair, considered one of the state’s best county fairs.
Gravity, a tiny town with about 150 residents, has an unusual name that comes from the way sleds and wagons could easily roll down the hill into town.
Taylor County is a peaceful part of Iowa, where the land is just as important as the people. Named after General Zachary Taylor, it’s a true example of rural Iowa.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Taylor County |
| County Seat | Bedford |
| Etymology | Named in honor of Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Bedford, New Market, Lenox, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 2, U.S. Highway 63, Iowa Highway 37 |
| FIPS Code | 19-173 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 723 square miles (land: 717 sq mi, water: 6 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Adams County (North), Ringgold County (East), Worth County, Missouri (Southeast), Nodaway County, Missouri (Southwest), Page County (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 6,900 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 40.78°N, 94.35°W |
| Major Landmarks | Taylor County Courthouse, Lake of Three Fires State Park, and the Taylor County Historical Museum |
