Total population (1996 census): 64,274
County seat: Marion
Crop Statistics (1997 US Census of Agriculture)
| Cereals | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Maize=Corn | 308 | 63537 | 8150188 bu | |
| Wheat for Grain, Total | 233 | 19868 | 1125194 bu | |
| Oats | 30 | 760 | 47011 bu | |
| Grain Legumes | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Soybean | 377 | 112641 | 4651083 bu | |
| Forages | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Total Hay* | 144 | 4410 | 11716 tons, dry | |
| Alfalfa Hay | 110 | 2810 | 8870 tons, dry | |
| Small Grain Hay | 9 | D | D | |
| Tame Hay | 48 | 678 | 1408 tons, dry | |
| Grass Silage | 13 | 616 | 2744 tons, grn | |
| Corn for Silage | 16 | 628 | 10862 tons, grn | |
| Vegetables | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Pumpkins | 6 | 9 | ||
| Sweet Corn | 5 | D | ||
| Tomatoes | 3 | D | ||
| Fruits | Farms | Acres | Yield | |
| Apples | 4 | 37 | 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 | 15 | 67 |
*Alfalfa, grass silage, green chops etc.
D=Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual farms.