Total population (1990 census): 11569
County seat: Estherville
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 393 | 96395 | 13417749 bu | |
| Oats | 28 | 360 | 23537 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 381 | 88909 | 3754538 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 98 | 2189 | 5078 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 72 | 1386 | 3695 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 13 | 163 | 288 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 16 | 389 | 646 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 14 | D | D | |
| Corn for Silage | 51 | 1745 | 31259 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Sweet Corn | 3 | D | ||
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.