Palo Alto County, Iowa

Palo Alto County
Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
Iowa's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°04′48″N 94°40′51″W / 43.08°N 94.680833333333°W / 43.08; -94.680833333333
Country United States
State Iowa
FoundedJanuary 15, 1851
Named afterBattle of Palo Alto
SeatEmmetsburg
Largest cityEmmetsburg
Area
  Total
569 sq mi (1,470 km2)
  Land564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
  Water5.6 sq mi (15 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
8,996
  Estimate 
(2023)
8,810
  Density16/sq mi (6.1/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
  Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitepaloaltocounty.iowa.gov

Palo Alto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,996. The county seat is Emmetsburg. It is named after the Battle of Palo Alto, the first major battle of the Mexican–American War.