Total population (1990 census): 5420
County seat: Mount Ayr
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 318 | 37393 | 3916927 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 8 | 273 | 6082 bu | |
| Oats | 70 | 1971 | 106689 bu | |
| Popcorn | 5 | 486 | 1232500 lbs, shelled | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 344 | 42564 | 1709042 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Field Seed and Grass Seed Crops | 4 | 140 | X | |
| Total Hay* | 410 | 32329 | 72991 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 310 | 17738 | 47041 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 29 | 694 | 1486 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 184 | 12135 | 21090 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 18 | 1067 | 2241 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 8 | 695 | 3402 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 39 | 1180 | 17769 tons, grn | |
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 4 | D | D | |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops, Cut Christmas Trees Harvested, Mushrooms, and Sod Grown for Sale | Farms | Sq. ft. under glass or other protection | Acres in the open | Sales ($1,000) |
| Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 9 | D | 36 | 45 |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 4 | X | 1 | 4 |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 4 | D | 10 | 4 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.