General Info
Once part of Michigan Territory, Iowa County was established in 1839. The county was named after the Iowa Indian tribe that had inhabited the land and the name Iowa means, “sleepy ones.” Mineral Point was first selected as the county seat until it was later moved to Dodgeville in 1861. The first settlers arrived to mine the abundant lead deposits and the area was once recognized for providing at least 75 percent of the nation’s lead. Fertile soil, ample natural resources and abundant water power attracted new residents and by 1900 the population of Richland County had reached 19,483. Today Iowa County is home to approximately 23,498 residents.
