About Bancroft County
Bancroft County is a rural county in north-central Iowa, organized in 1856 and named for an early territorial surveyor. The county seat is Adams Junction, located at the junction of the former Chicago & North Western rail line and State Highway 14. The county covers roughly 430 square miles of predominantly agricultural land.
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,365. Agriculture — corn, soybeans, and hog production — remains the economic backbone, supplemented by grain processing, ag-equipment manufacturing, and regional healthcare.
Incorporated Communities
| Community | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adams Junction | 2,940 | County seat; courthouse and hospital |
| Rowley Falls | 1,180 | Hollcroft Foods grain processing |
| Delphi | 905 | Delphi Manufacturing Co. |
| New Sweden | 640 | Historic Swedish settlement |
| Kessler | 512 | Kessler Cooperative (grain/agronomy) |
| Hartsboro | 388 | Southern township hub |
School Districts
Adams Junction Community School District (AJCSD) — serves Adams Junction, New Sweden, Kessler, and Hartsboro. Mascot: the Cardinals. Approximately 1,150 students, PK–12.
Rowley Falls–Delphi Community School District (RFDCSD) — serves Rowley Falls, Delphi, and surrounding rural areas. Mascot: the Timberwolves. Approximately 720 students, PK–12.
Major Employers
| Employer | Sector | Approx. Employees |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Ridge Health System | Healthcare | 340 |
| Hollcroft Foods | Grain processing | 260 |
| Bancroft County (government) | Public sector | 215 |
| Adams Junction Community School District | Education | 190 |
| Delphi Manufacturing Co. | Ag-equipment components | 145 |
| Kessler Cooperative | Agriculture/agronomy | 85 |