Data from the 2020 US Census has officially been released showing population growth in states and counties, and population declines in other areas. Locally, the Quad Cities is seeing both sides of the coin. The Iowa side of the Quad Cities has seen a significant increase while the Illinois side is losing residents.

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After a delay due to COVID-19, the United States Census Bureau has released its official population numbers for states and counties within each state from surveys taken in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic. The 2020 Census shows some major changes in the Quad Cities area including an increase on the Iowa side and a decrease on the Illinois side.

Iowa

The state of Iowa saw an overall increase in population. The 2020 Census data reports Iowa's new total population as 3,190,369. The 2010 Census reported Iowa's total population as 3,046,355. That's a numeric change of 144,014 (+4.7%).

Below are Iowa counties within the Quad Cities area and their population changes.

Scott County

2010 Total Population = 165,224
2020 Total Population = 174,669
Numeric Change = 9,445
Percent Change = +5.7%

Muscatine County

2010 Total Population = 42,745
2020 Total Population = 43,235
Numeric Change = 490
Percent Change = +1.1%

Clinton County

2010 Total Population = 49,460
2020 Total Population = 49116
Numeric Change = -2,656
Percent Change = -5.4%

Illinois

Overall, Illinois as a state saw a population decline. The 2020 Census data reports Illinois' new total population as 12,812,508. The 2010 Census reported Illinois' total population as 12,794,384. That's a numeric change of -18,124 (-0.1%).

Below are Illinois counties within the Quad Cities area and their population changes.

Rock Island County

2010 Total Population = 147,546
2020 Total Population = 144,672
Numeric Change = -2,874
Percent Change = -1.9%

Mercer County

2010 Total Population = 16,434
2020 Total Population = 15,699
Numeric Change = -735
Percent Change = -4.5%

Henry County

2010 Total Population = 50,486
2020 Total Population = 49,284
Numeric Change = -1,202
Percent Change = -2.4%

More details can be found on the United States Census Bureau website.

Iowa's Island City

There is something unique about every town, but there is really something special about Sabula, IA. Known as "Iowa's Island City," Sabula is the only town in the state of Iowa that is entirely on an island. While not a lot of people have been to, or live in Sabula, it is a quaint little town nestled right on the Mississippi River.

Before we show you around "Iowa's Island City," let me give you the history of Sabula. Sabula was established in 1835, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis. Isaac Dorman and a man named Hinkley crossed the river from the Illinois side on a log and decided to settle on what is now Sabula. An Ohio couple, James and Margaret Woods would settle on Sabula about a year later in April of 1836. Their son, Dr. E. A. Woods would purchase Hinkley's interest in the claim. Charles Swan and W. H. Brown would soon purchase Dorman's interest. The three men, Woods, Swan and Brown later had the land plotted in 1837.

The idea behind plotting the land was because there was no town between Lyons (north Clinton) and Bellevue. The plot of the new town was recorded in Dubuque as this area was part of Dubuque county at the time, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

According to Island City Harbor's website, Sabula went through a few names before landing on the official town name. In 1837, Sabula was first called Carrollport. Residents of the town didn't like the name because there was a man's name who was Carroll who had a bad reputation. The town changed its name to Charleston, after early settler Charles Swan. The only issue was that there was already a town called Charleston in Iowa which caused much confusion.

In 1846 the settler’s decided to find a name. Island City Harbor's website says that because of it’s sandy soil, William Hubble suggested the town be called "Sabulum" which is Latin for sand. A party was being held around the time the town name was being discussed, when a woman, supposed to be Miss Harriet Hudson, suggested the town be called Sabula as it was easier to pronounce and sounded more elegant, according History of Jackson County, Iowa, Volume 1 by James Whitcomb Ellis.

Sabula did not actually become an island until 1939. According to Wikipedia, in the 1930's, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the lock and dam system. In 1939, Lock and Dam No. 13 between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL was built which caused the bottomlands west of the town permanently flooded. With the Mississippi River east of the town, this created the "Island City." A levee was built around Sabula in 1957 for protection, according to Island City Harbor's website. This also allowed for the south sand pit to be turned into a boat harbor.

I would like to thank my mom Beth, her fiancé Matt, my brother Nolan and my wife Ellie for accompanying me to Sabula. We always have a blast on our trips and this one was no exception.

It's now time to introduce you to Sabula, Iowa, Iowa's Island City.

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