Sioux Center, Iowa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sioux Center is a city in Sioux County, Iowa, United States. The population was 6,002 at the 2000 census; a special census in 2005 counted 6,327 residents. [1]

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Business and Industry
4 Sites of interest
5 People of interest
6 Churches
7 Education
8 Recent Events
9 External links
10 Sources and Citations

[edit] Geography

Sioux Center is located at 43°4′36″N, 96°10′24″W (43.076546, -96.173214)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.7 km² (5.3 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,002 people, 1,831 households, and 1,351 families residing in the city. The population density was 438.1/km² (1,134.9/mi²). There were 1,933 housing units at an average density of 141.1/km² (365.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.58% White, 0.15% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.62% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.67% of the population.

There were 1,831 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 23.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.3% under the age of 18, 27.1% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,775, and the median income for a family was $51,039. Males had a median income of $35,821 versus $20,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,912. About 4.9% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

In 2000, 66.6% of Sioux Center residents identified as being of Dutch heritage. This was the largest percentage of Dutch Americans of any place in the country.

[edit] Business and Industry

Sioux Center commerce, like many smaller towns in this area of Iowa, is dominated by agri-business. The quality of the farmland and its ability to produce high yields of corn and soybeans is the natural resource that propels the economy. The availability of these high quality grains leads to production of high quality beef and pork. Many of the larger employers in the area supply support materials to grain and animal production, process the results of grain and animal production, or provide services to the people involved in agricultural supply, production, and processing.

Some of the larger employers in the town are, but not limited to: Pella Windows, Interstates Electronics, Golden Crisp Premium Foods, Ag Partners, Link Manufacturing, Dordt College, Walmart, Hy-Vee Foods, Fareway Foods, Nemschoff Chairs, Sioux Center Community Hospital, Sioux Preme Packing, TransOva, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedical Inc, Jesco, Plumbing and Heating Wholesale Inc, Vet Pharm, Sioux Automation Center, AEA Northwest, Sioux Center Community Schools, Farmer's Co-op Society, Ambank,

[edit] Sites of interest

Sioux Center is the home of agri-genetics firm TransOva. TransOva is involved in ET (embryo transfer), embryo splitting, super ovulating, and managing donor and recipient herds. (www.transova.com)

TransOva

[edit] People of interest

A famous son of Sioux Center is Vern Den Herder. Vern was a part of the undefeated Miami Dolphins NFL team of 1972.

Marine Lance Corporal, William J. Luesink gave his life serving his country in Iraq in May of 2006. "B.Jay" was Sioux Center Community School graduate, class of 2003.

Author James Calvin Schaap lives in Sioux Center and teaches at Dordt College. His works often focus on people of Dutch heritage.

[edit] Churches

Sioux Center is home to many Christian churches. Especially prevailent are those of Reformed or Calvinistic roots. A church awareness dominates the culture of Sioux Center.

Reformed Church of America( RCA): First Reformed Church, Central Reformed Church, New Life Reformed Church, Carmel Reformed Church(rural Sioux Center)

Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC): 1st Christian Reformed, Bethel Christian Reformed, Covenant Christian Reformed Church, Bridge of Hope Ministries, Faith Christian Reformed, Amistad Cristiana, Lebanon Christian Reformed Church (rural Sioux Center)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America(ELCA): Hope Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church (rural Sioux Center)

Netherlands Reformed Church

Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA): Christ Community Church

Roman Catholic Church: Christ the King

[edit] Education

Sioux Center is the home of Dordt College.

The Sioux Center Community School district educates nearly 1,000 students. The school is one of the few non-consolidated schools in northwest Iowa. The kindergarten through 4th grade Kinsey Elementary School posted an all time high enrollement (over 400) in the fall of 2006. The elementary builiding is currently (2006) constructing an additional 6 classrooms.

Sioux Center Christian School educates approx. 360 students grades K-8.

[edit] Recent Events

In July of 2003 the Sioux Center Public library was destroyed. The cause of the blaze was arson via vandals with fireworks. Volumes, records, and equipment were destroyed. The building was a total loss and was razed. The Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society used the library for its records. Temporarily the library is housed in the gymnasium of the Community Center which in former times was part of the Sioux Center Community Schools. A new library is in the planning stages. Construction is planned to begin in 2007 and finish in 2008.