Wright County

Wright County is an administrative division in central Iowa with rolling terrain crossed by the Boone and Iowa Rivers. The area spans around 582 square miles and shows typical features of the agricultural region in the American Midwest.

The county was established in January 1851 and named after one of two possible governors: either Silas Wright of New York or Joseph Albert Wright of Indiana. Its founding occurred during the western expansion period when settlers were developing the region.

The fair that started in Clarion and later moved to Eagle Grove remains an important gathering where neighboring counties come together to celebrate farming traditions. The event shows how central agriculture is to the community's identity.

Clarion serves as the county seat and houses the courthouse downtown, where services are available to residents on weekdays. The area is best explored by using local roads to discover the rural landscape and small towns throughout the county.

The area stands out for its political forecasting ability, voting for the winning presidential candidate in 21 of 25 elections during the 20th century. This consistency made the region a fascinating subject for political analysts studying voting patterns.

Location: Iowa

Inception: 1851

Capital city: Clarion

Shares border with: Hancock County, Hamilton County, Humboldt County, Webster County, Kossuth County, Cerro Gordo County, Franklin County, Hardin County

Website: http://wrightcounty.org

GPS coordinates: 42.73306,-93.73556

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:57