Total population (1990 census): 34795
County seat: Newton
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 834 | 157636 | 21615987 bu | |
| Oats | 161 | 3668 | 242757 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 790 | 138711 | 6745742 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 574 | 21078 | 69462 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 500 | 17064 | 60194 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 79 | 1125 | 2558 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 93 | 1862 | 4345 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 9 | 208 | 432 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 22 | 819 | 5800 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 60 | 1880 | 32095 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Pumpkins | 5 | 18 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 5 | 11 | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 9 | 66 | 5438 trees | |
| 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 | 38184 | 55 | 314 |
| Florculture Crops | 5 | 38184 | D | 207 |
| Bedding/Garden Plants | 3 | 26200 | D | 165 |
| Nursery Crops | 3 | D | 34 | D |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.