Iowa

Buchanan

20,565
2020 population
1850
first census record
18
census records

About Buchanan

Buchanan, Iowa, first appears in the United States federal census in 1850, when it recorded a population of 517. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 20,565.

Its recorded population peaked at 22,900 in 1980, and has since declined by roughly 10 percent.

On the ground today, 20 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202020,565
201020,958
200021,093
199020,844
198022,900
197021,746
196022,293
195021,927
194020,991
193019,550
192019,890
191019,748
190021,427
189018,997
188018,546
187017,034
18607,906
1850517
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Historic places in Buchanan

National Register of Historic Places listings in Buchanan, Iowa.

Weins Commercial Building
Independence
Shellito, Dr. Judd C. and Margaret S. Clarke, House
Independence
Taylor's Ford Bridge
Independence
Fuhrman, Mathias C. and Eva B. Crowell, Farm
Independence
Buchanan County Court House
216 5th Ave.
State Savings Bank
Quasqueton
Plane, Robert R., and Julia L., House
Independence
Wapsipinicon Mill
Independence
Wapsipinicon River Bridge
Independence
Munson Building
Independence
Malek Theatre
Independence
Maas Commercial Building
Independence
Lee, Captain Daniel S. and Fannie L. (Brooks), House
Independence
Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church
Chatham
Walter, Lowell E., House
Quasqueton
Richardson-Jakway House
Aurora
McKenzie, Erza, Round Barn
Hazleton
Purdy, Eliphalet W. and Catherine E. Jaquish, House
Independence
Fisher-Plane Commercial Building
Independence
Browse all Iowahistoric sites ›

Other counties in Iowa

Explore census history and historic records for more Iowa counties.

JohnsonJonesKeokukKossuthLeeLinnLouisaLucasLyonMadisonMahaskaMarionMarshallMillsMitchellMononaMonroeMontgomeryMuscatineO'Brien
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Buchanan County, Iowa

This page charts the census history of Buchanan County, Iowa. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Buchanan County, Iowa report
Or see a real report first

Explore Iowa records

Iowahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Iowa›

Frequently asked about Buchanan

When does Buchanan first appear in the US census?
Buchanan, Iowa first appears in the federal census in 1850, with a recorded population of 517.
What is the population of Buchanan?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Buchanan had a recorded population of 20,565.
When did Buchanan's population peak?
Buchanan's recorded population peaked at 22,900 in 1980.
How many historic places are in Buchanan?
20 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Buchanan, Iowa.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report