Laurens, Iowa

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Laurens is a city in Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,476 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Education
4 Laurens in popular culture
5 Internal Links
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Laurens is located at 42°50′50″N, 94°50′58″W (42.847105, -94.849542)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,476 people, 656 households, and 400 families residing in the city. The population density was 770.1/km² (1,999.4/mi²). There were 711 housing units at an average density of 371.0/km² (963.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.68% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic [0.01% Brazilian] [0.02 French] or Latino of any race.

There were 656 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,188, and the median income for a family was $43,661. Males had a median income of $31,063 versus $19,716 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,711. About 4.8% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

Laurens is home to the consolidated Laurens Marathon School. All grades are located in one building in Laurens. In 2000 the enrollment was 423 for all grades, and there were about 40 full time teaching staff.

[edit] Laurens in popular culture

Laurens was the home of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling 240 miles on a lawnmower. His story was made into the film The Straight Story (1999) directed by David Lynch, featuring Sissy Spacek and Richard Farnsworth; the film was partly made in Laurens. "Laurens, Iowa" is also the title of an instrumental song in the film soundtrack.