Total population (1990 census): 10669
County seat: Emmetsburg
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 636 | 145977 | 20192212 bu | |
| Oats | 53 | 1051 | 76188 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 633 | 138121 | 6024714 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 153 | 3468 | 7722 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 97 | 1379 | 3828 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 13 | 143 | 197 tons, dry | |
| Tame Hay | 43 | 1084 | 1999 tons, dry | |
| Wild Hay | 17 | 570 | 975 tons dry | |
| Grass Silage | 8 | 292 | 2165 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 63 | 2006 | 32423 tons, grn | |
| Sorghum for Silage | 3 | D | D | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Sweet Corn | 5 | D | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 3 | 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 | 4 | D | D | D |
| Cut Christmas Trees Harvested | 3 | X | 6 | D |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.
X=Not applicable.