Iowa

Dickinson

17,703
2020 population
1860
first census record
17
census records

About Dickinson

Dickinson, Iowa, first appears in the United States federal census in 1860, when it recorded a population of 180. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 17,703.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 4 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Spirit Lake Massacre Aftermath — Minnesota Frontier Defense, Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Raid (March 1857), Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Band (March 1857), and 12 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202017,703
201016,667
200016,424
199014,909
198015,629
197012,565
196012,574
195012,756
194012,185
193010,982
192010,241
19108,137
19007,995
18904,328
18801,901
18701,389
1860180
Source

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

Battles & engagements in Dickinson

Military engagements that took place in Dickinson, Iowa.

Spirit Lake Massacre Aftermath — Minnesota Frontier Defense
1857
Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Raid (March 1857)
1857
Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Band (March 1857)
1857
Battle of Springfield (Iowa) 1857
1857

Historic places in Dickinson

National Register of Historic Places listings in Dickinson, Iowa.

Clark, Gerome, House
Milford
Spirit Lake Massacre Log Cabin
Arnolds Park
Okoboji Bridge
Milford
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Historic District
Milford
Spirit Lake Public Library
Spirit Lake
Antlers Hotel
Spirit Lake
Pillsbury Point State Park
Arnolds Park
Mini-Wakan State Park Historic District
Spirit Lake
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Other counties in Iowa

Explore census history and historic records for more Iowa counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Dickinson County, Iowa

This page charts the census history of Dickinson 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.
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Frequently asked about Dickinson

When does Dickinson first appear in the US census?
Dickinson, Iowa first appears in the federal census in 1860, with a recorded population of 180.
What is the population of Dickinson?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Dickinson had a recorded population of 17,703.
Were any battles fought in Dickinson?
4 documented military engagements took place in Dickinson, including Spirit Lake Massacre Aftermath — Minnesota Frontier Defense, Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Raid (March 1857), Spirit Lake Massacre — Inkpaduta's Band (March 1857).
How many historic places are in Dickinson?
12 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Dickinson, Iowa.
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