Religion is an important part of many Iowans’ lives, and the number of churches in the state proves it. FindTheHome.com has compiled data on counties all around the U.S., including the number of churches in each. Although we can’t positively say that the number of churches in a place directly correlates to the number of religious people in that place, there is probably a connection.
The following counties have the highest number of churches in relation to their population. The numbers are listed per 10,000 people to even out differences in populations between counties.
10. Butler County
In Butler County, there are 36.08 churches for every 10,000 people. That's 68% more than the Iowa average and 92% more than the U.S. average. Butler County is also home to the sweet Little Valley Church, thought to be the smallest church in Iowa.
9. Sac County
There are 36.41 religious organizations per 10,000 residents in Sac County, a number that is 70% more than the average in Iowa and 94% more than the average across the U.S. In 2007, Progressive Farmer magazine named Sac County as the #7 best place to live in rural America.
8. Hancock County
The people of Hancock County enjoy 36.69 religious organizations per 10,000 residents. This is 71% more than the average for Iowa and 95% more than the average for the country. Crystal Lake, located in Hancock County, is known as "Home of The World's Largest Bullhead" - the bullhead fish in question is a 17-foot-long wooden sculpture.
7. Hardin County
With 37.34 religious organizations per 10K people, Hardin County has 74% more than the Iowa average and 99% more than the U.S. average.
Hardin County is home to the mysterious
Folkert Mound Group, an arrangement of 27 prehistoric mounds with an unknown purpose.
6. Wright County
Wright County clocks in with 37.67 religious organizations per 10,000 people. This is 75% more than the Iowa average and twice as many as the national average. George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s series Adventures of Superman , was born in Woolstock in Wright County.
5. Worth County
Worth County, in northern Iowa, has 38.32 religious organizations per 10,000 people. This is 78% more than the average for Iowa and two times as many as the average for the U.S. Hanlontown in Worth County has a rather unusual summer tradition: every year on June 21, they celebrate "Sundown Days," when the sun sets on the railroad tracks and makes them look golden.
4. Guthrie County
Guthrie County in west-central Iowa houses 39.84 religious organizations per 10,000 residents, a number which is 86% higher than the Iowa average and 2.1 times higher than the U.S. average. Guthrie County is where you'll find Springbrook Park, an especially beautiful Iowa State Park.
3. Taylor County
In Taylor County, you'll find 40.16 religious organizations per 10,000 residents. This number is 87% more than the Iowa average and 2.1 times more than the national average. Bedford, the county seat of Taylor County, won the Iowa Class A State Football Championship in 1992.
2. Osceola County
Osceola County boasts an impressive 43 religious organizations per 10K residents. This is twice as many as the Iowa average and 2.3 times as many as the U.S. average. Osceola is the most recent county in Iowa, having just been formed a short while ago in 1871.
1. Greene County
Coming in at the very top is Greene County, with 46.58 religious organizations per 10,000 people. This is 2.2 times the Iowa average and 2.5 times more than the national average. Greene County is also the home of an Abraham Lincoln statue, erected to commemorate the Lincoln Highway which passed through Jefferson right where the monument stands.
Were there any surprises here for you, or did you know that these counties were among the most religious in Iowa?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.