Calhoun County

Calhoun County is an agricultural county in central Iowa covering roughly 572 square miles of farmland and small towns. Rockwell City serves as the county seat and the largest community in the area.

The county was established in 1851 under the name Fox County and renamed in 1853 to honor John C. Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States. This change was part of broader administrative reorganization efforts in Iowa.

The communities here are deeply rooted in farming, and you can see this in how people organize their daily lives. The landscape and local activities reflect generations of agricultural work.

The county is connected by U.S. Highway 20 and several state highways that link all the towns and villages together. A car is necessary for getting around since public transportation options are limited.

A powerful tornado struck the town of Pomeroy on July 6, 1893, destroying much of the community and leaving a lasting mark on local memory. This remains one of Iowa's most severe weather events from that era.

Location: Iowa

Inception: January 15, 1851

Capital city: Rockwell City

Shares border with: Pocahontas County, Carroll County, Sac County, Webster County, Greene County, Buena Vista County

Website: http://calhouncountyiowa.com

GPS coordinates: 42.38611,-94.64722

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:59