Counties where children have the best opportunity for economic mobility in West Virginia
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- Economic connectedness: 0.62
- Median Income: $30,127
- Population: 19,334
--- 89.7% white
--- 8.2% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $30,127
- Population: 19,334
--- 89.7% white
--- 8.2% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#55. McDowell County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.64
- Median Income: $37,720
- Population: 8,415
--- 98.3% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $37,720
- Population: 8,415
--- 98.3% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#54. Webster County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.68
- Median Income: $46,683
- Population: 20,625
--- 97.6% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
- Median Income: $46,683
- Population: 20,625
--- 97.6% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
#53. Lincoln County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.69
- Median Income: $37,197
- Population: 8,176
--- 99.4% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $37,197
- Population: 8,176
--- 99.4% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#52. Clay County
Claire Salvail Photos // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.7
- Median Income: $43,293
- Population: 59,892
--- 90.1% white
--- 5.9% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $43,293
- Population: 59,892
--- 90.1% white
--- 5.9% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#51. Mercer County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.71
- Median Income: $45,988
- Population: 41,056
--- 93% white
--- 5% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $45,988
- Population: 41,056
--- 93% white
--- 5% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#50. Fayette County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $47,343
- Population: 28,150
--- 92.2% white
--- 1.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
- Median Income: $47,343
- Population: 28,150
--- 92.2% white
--- 1.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
#49. Randolph County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $35,349
- Population: 23,821
--- 95.9% white
--- 2.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $35,349
- Population: 23,821
--- 95.9% white
--- 2.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#48. Mingo County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $37,225
- Population: 8,006
--- 98.9% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
- Median Income: $37,225
- Population: 8,006
--- 98.9% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
#47. Pocahontas County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $42,946
- Population: 24,770
--- 97% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
- Median Income: $42,946
- Population: 24,770
--- 97% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
#46. Nicholas County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.72
- Median Income: $44,630
- Population: 21,581
--- 97.5% white
--- 1.4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $44,630
- Population: 21,581
--- 97.5% white
--- 1.4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#45. Wyoming County
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.73
- Median Income: $41,694
- Population: 33,307
--- 92.7% white
--- 1.9% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
- Median Income: $41,694
- Population: 33,307
--- 92.7% white
--- 1.9% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
#44. Greenbrier County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.73
- Median Income: $37,428
- Population: 6,420
--- 98.7% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $37,428
- Population: 6,420
--- 98.7% white
--- 0% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#43. Calhoun County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.73
- Median Income: $50,598
- Population: 22,059
--- 97.6% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $50,598
- Population: 22,059
--- 97.6% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#42. Boone County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $45,591
- Population: 39,337
--- 96.5% white
--- 0.7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $45,591
- Population: 39,337
--- 96.5% white
--- 0.7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#41. Wayne County
Steve Heap // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $44,470
- Population: 23,965
--- 94.9% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $44,470
- Population: 23,965
--- 94.9% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#40. Upshur County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $38,608
- Population: 14,129
--- 96.6% white
--- 0.1% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
- Median Income: $38,608
- Population: 14,129
--- 96.6% white
--- 0.1% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
#39. Roane County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $42,519
- Population: 12,702
--- 90.8% white
--- 0.9% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $42,519
- Population: 12,702
--- 90.8% white
--- 0.9% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#38. Braxton County
The American Explorer // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $47,417
- Population: 12,492
--- 96.9% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $47,417
- Population: 12,492
--- 96.9% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#37. Monroe County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.74
- Median Income: $41,077
- Population: 12,125
--- 93.6% white
--- 3.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $41,077
- Population: 12,125
--- 93.6% white
--- 3.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#36. Summers County
Rosemarie Mosteller // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.76
- Median Income: $49,957
- Population: 25,667
--- 96.4% white
--- 0.4% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1% Asian
- Median Income: $49,957
- Population: 25,667
--- 96.4% white
--- 0.4% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1% Asian
#35. Mason County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.76
- Median Income: $42,260
- Population: 15,600
--- 93.1% white
--- 1.1% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $42,260
- Population: 15,600
--- 93.1% white
--- 1.1% Black
--- 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#34. Barbour County
Kenneth Keifer // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.76
- Median Income: $47,611
- Population: 14,629
--- 97.4% white
--- 0.1% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $47,611
- Population: 14,629
--- 97.4% white
--- 0.1% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#33. Wetzel County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.76
- Median Income: $45,345
- Population: 16,966
--- 94.5% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
- Median Income: $45,345
- Population: 16,966
--- 94.5% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
#32. Lewis County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $49,441
- Population: 5,264
--- 96.7% white
--- 1.1% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $49,441
- Population: 5,264
--- 96.7% white
--- 1.1% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#31. Wirt County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $50,231
- Population: 84,678
--- 95.7% white
--- 1.2% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
- Median Income: $50,231
- Population: 84,678
--- 95.7% white
--- 1.2% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
#30. Wood County
Jay Wiberg // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $38,493
- Population: 32,786
--- 96.2% white
--- 1.4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
- Median Income: $38,493
- Population: 32,786
--- 96.2% white
--- 1.4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.6% Asian
#29. Logan County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.77
- Median Income: $43,150
- Population: 74,929
--- 87.6% white
--- 7.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
- Median Income: $43,150
- Population: 74,929
--- 87.6% white
--- 7.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
#28. Raleigh County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.78
- Median Income: $50,601
- Population: 8,397
--- 97% white
--- 0.5% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $50,601
- Population: 8,397
--- 97% white
--- 0.5% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#27. Tyler County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.78
- Median Income: $50,574
- Population: 181,953
--- 87.7% white
--- 6.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
- Median Income: $50,574
- Population: 181,953
--- 87.7% white
--- 6.8% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.2% Asian
#26. Kanawha County
Dee Browning // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.78
- Median Income: $43,779
- Population: 94,622
--- 90.2% white
--- 4.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
- Median Income: $43,779
- Population: 94,622
--- 90.2% white
--- 4.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.3% Asian
#25. Cabell County
Nicole Glass Photography // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.78
- Median Income: $46,592
- Population: 14,269
--- 91.3% white
--- 4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
- Median Income: $46,592
- Population: 14,269
--- 91.3% white
--- 4% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
#24. Hardy County
The Old Major // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.79
- Median Income: $45,870
- Population: 7,516
--- 82.1% white
--- 11.7% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
- Median Income: $45,870
- Population: 7,516
--- 82.1% white
--- 11.7% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
#23. Gilmer County
Dennis Ray Dennison II // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.79
- Median Income: $57,345
- Population: 27,045
--- 93.9% white
--- 2.9% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $57,345
- Population: 27,045
--- 93.9% white
--- 2.9% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#22. Mineral County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.79
- Median Income: $45,184
- Population: 8,676
--- 96.6% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
- Median Income: $45,184
- Population: 8,676
--- 96.6% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
#21. Ritchie County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.8
- Median Income: $55,755
- Population: 34,266
--- 92.3% white
--- 4.6% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $55,755
- Population: 34,266
--- 92.3% white
--- 4.6% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#20. Preston County
Bob Couperthwaite // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.81
- Median Income: $50,890
- Population: 23,214
--- 95.7% white
--- 0.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $50,890
- Population: 23,214
--- 95.7% white
--- 0.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#19. Hampshire County
Kenneth Keifer // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.81
- Median Income: $58,750
- Population: 7,929
--- 96.8% white
--- 1.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $58,750
- Population: 7,929
--- 96.8% white
--- 1.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#18. Doddridge County
Jerry Sharp // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.81
- Median Income: $52,062
- Population: 29,223
--- 94.2% white
--- 2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
- Median Income: $52,062
- Population: 29,223
--- 94.2% white
--- 2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
#17. Hancock County
JNix // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.82
- Median Income: $53,165
- Population: 28,011
--- 97.1% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
- Median Income: $53,165
- Population: 28,011
--- 97.1% white
--- 0.3% Black
--- 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.4% Asian
#16. Jackson County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.82
- Median Income: $52,371
- Population: 30,813
--- 96% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
- Median Income: $52,371
- Population: 30,813
--- 96% white
--- 0.6% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.2% Asian
#15. Marshall County
Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.82
- Median Income: $46,506
- Population: 6,249
--- 93.7% white
--- 3.8% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $46,506
- Population: 6,249
--- 93.7% white
--- 3.8% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#14. Pendleton County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.82
- Median Income: $58,433
- Population: 7,623
--- 97.1% white
--- 0.8% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
- Median Income: $58,433
- Population: 7,623
--- 97.1% white
--- 0.8% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0% Asian
#13. Pleasants County
mzglass96 // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.83
- Median Income: $47,224
- Population: 11,063
--- 96.3% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $47,224
- Population: 11,063
--- 96.3% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#12. Grant County
Steve Heap // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.83
- Median Income: $52,823
- Population: 16,727
--- 96.4% white
--- 1.3% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $52,823
- Population: 16,727
--- 96.4% white
--- 1.3% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#11. Taylor County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.83
- Median Income: $54,124
- Population: 66,222
--- 94.2% white
--- 1.3% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
- Median Income: $54,124
- Population: 66,222
--- 94.2% white
--- 1.3% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
#10. Harrison County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.84
- Median Income: $51,516
- Population: 42,443
--- 92% white
--- 3.2% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
- Median Income: $51,516
- Population: 42,443
--- 92% white
--- 3.2% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.7% Asian
#9. Ohio County
Gage Goulding // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.85
- Median Income: $51,210
- Population: 22,603
--- 94.7% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
- Median Income: $51,210
- Population: 22,603
--- 94.7% white
--- 1.7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.5% Asian
#8. Brooke County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.86
- Median Income: $49,808
- Population: 6,822
--- 97.2% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $49,808
- Population: 6,822
--- 97.2% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#7. Tucker County
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- Economic connectedness: 0.86
- Median Income: $55,094
- Population: 56,256
--- 93% white
--- 3.1% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
- Median Income: $55,094
- Population: 56,256
--- 93% white
--- 3.1% Black
--- 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.3% Asian
#6. Marion County
Angel Cochran // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.91
- Median Income: $68,740
- Population: 57,385
--- 95.1% white
--- 0.9% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.9% Asian
- Median Income: $68,740
- Population: 57,385
--- 95.1% white
--- 0.9% Black
--- 0% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.9% Asian
#5. Putnam County
Byron Key // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.92
- Median Income: $68,101
- Population: 120,460
--- 84.9% white
--- 7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
- Median Income: $68,101
- Population: 120,460
--- 84.9% white
--- 7% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.1% Asian
#4. Berkeley County
Matt Levi Media // Shutterstock
- Economic connectedness: 0.94
- Median Income: $56,616
- Population: 17,144
--- 94.6% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
- Median Income: $56,616
- Population: 17,144
--- 94.6% white
--- 0.2% Black
--- 1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 0.1% Asian
#3. Morgan County
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- Economic connectedness: 1.02
- Median Income: $86,711
- Population: 57,542
--- 85% white
--- 5.5% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.5% Asian
- Median Income: $86,711
- Population: 57,542
--- 85% white
--- 5.5% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 1.5% Asian
#2. Jefferson County
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- Economic connectedness: 1.04
- Median Income: $56,466
- Population: 105,695
--- 88.7% white
--- 3.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 3.5% Asian
- Median Income: $56,466
- Population: 105,695
--- 88.7% white
--- 3.6% Black
--- 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native
--- 3.5% Asian
This story features data reporting and writing by Dom DiFurio and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
#1. Monongalia County
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