Total population (1990 census): 17058
County seat: Charles City
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 632 | 134011 | 18209619 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 3 | 85 | 6000 bu | |
| Oats | 82 | 1728 | 116203 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 606 | 116055 | 5016295 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 270 | 6496 | 14717 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 213 | 4207 | 10156 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 42 | 707 | 1403 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 60 | 1116 | 2133 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 7 | 90 | 76 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 12 | 376 | 2846 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 74 | 2301 | 43039 tons, grn | |
| 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 | 11 | D | 567 | D |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 5 | X | 5 | 20 |
| Nursery Crops | 4 | D | D | D |
| Other Nursery and Greenhouse Crops | 5 | D | 47 | 6 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.