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]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Sioux Center is located at (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.
Sioux Center is 1,445 feet above sea level. It is located on the north to south ridge, or spine, of western Iowa. The eastern side of Sioux Center drains to the Floyd River. The western side of Sioux Center drains to the Big Sioux River. This "divide" is profoundly unnoticeable. The area within in a ten mile radius of Sioux Center has been divided in sections of 1 square mile. The gravel and paved roads marking the sections do not swerve or contour for hills or valleys. There are no hills or valleys of a size needing accommodation.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 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. The tallest and the largest structures in town are grain storage facilities.
Some of the larger employers in the town are, but not limited to: AEA Northwest, Ag Partners, Ambank, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedical Inc, Dordt College, Fareway Foods, Farmer's Co-op Society, Golden Crisp Premium Foods, Hy-Vee Foods, Interstates Construction, Jesco, Link Manufacturing, Kroese & Kroese, Pella Windows, Plumbing and Heating Wholesale Inc, Nemschoff Chairs, Sioux Automation Center, Sioux Center Community Hospital, Sioux Center Community Schools, Sioux Preme Egg Plant, Sioux Preme Packing, TransOva, Vet Pharm, and Walmart.
The Centre Mall is the focus of the downtown retail commerce area. South of town Walmart and Hy-vee anchor another commerce pocket. Most store fronts are in close proximity to highway 75. Recently, Spanish speaking people have opened a restaurant, grocery store, and clothing store.
Sioux Center continues to have rail service. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad's main line runs parallel to highway 75 through Sioux Center. There are several rail spurs and BNSF equipment station. Grain is the main rail transported commodity.
[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)
[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. He has also been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his play at Central College in Pella, Iowa.
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] Annual Events
Early in June the city hosts "Summer Celebration" which features a car show and cruise night as well as other miscellaneous events
The "pork feeders" host an annual picnic in Central Park. Free food brings out the locals.
[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. To the astonishment of visitors, Sioux Center (apart from church activities) practically shuts down on Sundays.
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. Dordt's 1300 students are drawn predominately from the local area but also Canadian student body is evident. Dordt's engineering program is a draw for many.
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. The Middle School is also in a construction project.
Sioux Center Christian School educates approx. 360 students grades K-8.
The sports teams of Dordt College and Sioux Center Community Schools (SCCS) enjoy a friendly, yet heated, rivalry with the teams of Orange City. Dordt College and Northwestern College, sponsored by sister Christian denominations the RCA and the CRC, complete in soccer, volleyball, and basketball. Maurice Orange City Floyd Valley High School (MOC-FV) competes spiritedly with SCCS in football, volleyball, basketball and others. MOC-FV is a small division 3A school and SCCS is a large division 2A school.
[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.
The city is in the process of sorting out the role Highway 75 plays as the main transportation artery in Sioux Center's development. In former times Hwy 75 ran four lanes. Need for turning lanes, excessive speed, safety, and the town's reputation for cruising led to a modification. Currently, Hwy 75 is running two lane with a center turn lane and generous parallel parking on both sides of the street. While solving some problems it has created others. At certain times of the day there is too much traffic for the configuration to handle. Traffic can bog down for more than a mile.
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
