Webster City, Iowa
| Webster City, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 42°27′59″N 93°49′14″W / 42.46639°N 93.82056°WCoordinates: 42°27′59″N 93°49′14″W / 42.46639°N 93.82056°W | |
| Country |
 United States |
| State |
 Iowa |
| County | Hamilton |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 8.88 sq mi (23.00 km2) |
| • Land | 8.86 sq mi (22.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,040 ft (317 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 8,070 |
| • Estimate (2012[3]) | 7,885 |
| • Density | 910.8/sq mi (351.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 50595 |
| Area code(s) | 515 |
| FIPS code | 19-83145 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0462774 |
Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,070 at the United States 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County.[4] Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country' as the Boone River meanders along the east side of the city.
History
In June 1835, three companies of the United States Army Dragoons were the first non-natives to see what is now Webster City. Commanded by Col. Stephen W. Kearney, the mounted soldiers first reached the Boone River two miles east of its mouth, naming it in honor of Dragoon officer, Captain Nathan Boone, the son of Daniel Boone.
Webster City's first settler was Wilson Brewer, who built a cabin near Brewer Creek. The cabin has since been reconstructed and stands near its original site at the Bonebright Depot Complex and Museum.
Brewer and William Frakes platted the town, which was originally named Newcastle, in October 1854. In 1855, Walter Willson purchased the Newcastle plat and in October of that same year, the post office was established.
Newcastle was originally part of Webster County. In 1855, Willson, who was then a state representative, helped to pass an act that divided Webster County into two counties, giving birth to Hamilton County. Newcastle was renamed Webster City and became the county seat.
Webster City is the hometown of two Pulitzer Prize winning authors, MacKinlay Kantor and Clark Mollenhoff.
Geography
Webster City is located at 42°27′59″N 93°49′14″W / 42.46639°N 93.82056°W (42.466300, -93.820582).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.88 square miles (23.00 km2), of which, 8.86 square miles (22.95 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[1]
Demographics
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1870 | 1,339 | — |
| 1880 | 1,848 | +38.0% |
| 1890 | 2,829 | +53.1% |
| 1900 | 4,613 | +63.1% |
| 1910 | 5,208 | +12.9% |
| 1920 | 5,657 | +8.6% |
| 1930 | 7,024 | +24.2% |
| 1940 | 6,738 | −4.1% |
| 1950 | 7,611 | +13.0% |
| 1960 | 8,520 | +11.9% |
| 1970 | 8,488 | −0.4% |
| 1980 | 8,572 | +1.0% |
| 1990 | 7,894 | −7.9% |
| 2000 | 8,176 | +3.6% |
| 2010 | 8,070 | −1.3% |
| Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center | ||
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,070 people, 3,433 households, and 2,096 families residing in the city. The population density was 910.8 inhabitants per square mile (351.7 /km2). There were 3,800 housing units at an average density of 428.9 per square mile (165.6 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.
There were 3,433 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
2000 census
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 8,176 people, 3,502 households, and 2,227 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 people per square mile (368.8/km²). There were 3,679 housing units at an average density of 430.0 per square mile (165.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.41% White, 0.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 3,502 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
Age spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,582, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,404 versus $23,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,057. About 5.2% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Business & Industry
Webster City is the headquarters of several companies including Vantec, Van Diest Supply Company, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, Webster City Custom Meats, and Tasler. Webster City's top industries are advanced manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, food processing, agricultural related products, and warehousing and distribution.[7]
After the closure of the local Electrolux manufacturing plant in 2010, Webster City set aside more than $1.5 million for local economic development incentives to attract new projects and organized Webster City Economic Development to manage the campaign. Webster City Economic Development established a brand for the city with the theme of "Here in Webster City, Iowa, We Build Things."[citation needed]
Since 2010, Webster City has attracted new projects and business expansions, including the Van Diest Medical Center, a $35 million critical access hospital; a $13 million competition gym at the high school; a new Casey's General Store; a HARIDES transit facility; and expansions by Cropland Containers, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, HyVee, and Fareway.[8]
Transportation
Webster City sits along Highway 20, a four lane east-west corridor through north central Iowa, approximately 12 miles west of Interstate 35. The city has a municipal airport with a 4,007 feet (1,221 m) runway and full-time Fixed-base operator. Webster City is located at a junction of lines of the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads.
Recreation
Webster City has eleven parks, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor community swimming pools, a recreation center, over seven miles of walking trails, and many camping areas:
- Kendall Young Park along the Boone River with 4 shelter houses, 6 picnic areas, a baseball diamond, 2 shuffle board courts, a volleyball court, horseshoe pit, playground, walking trail and fishing area.
- Twin Parks located in downtown Webster City and feature a new shelter house, picnic tables, modern playground, sun shelter, and a skatepark.
- Nokomis Park features a canoe access point.
- Middleton Sports Complex has 2 softball fields and an ice rink.
- Lions Park includes a play area, picnic area and basketball court.
- Riverside Park is located off East Second Street.
- Brewer Creek Park is open year-round and includes a shelter house with picnic tables along Brewer Creek. Brewer Creek is home to a 2.2 mile nature/walking trail, volleyball court and nine hole disc golf course.
- Sketchly Park features a picnic area and playground.
- E.V. Wehrhelm Park is a neighborhood park with play equipment and a shelter.
- Boone River Recreational Trail is a 5.7 mile trail from Webster City Country Club in the north part of the city limits to Briggs Woods Park in the south of the city limits. The trail winds along the Boone River and features a 10 foot wide concrete pathway for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading.
- Briggs Woods Park is a 550 acre park with an 18-hole golf course, 81 campsites, 3 shelters, 4 cabins and a 62 acre lake for fishing, boating and swimming.
- Webster City Municipal Swimming Pool is an outdoor swimming pool with a zero-depth entry, 25 meter lap lanes, a diving well with high and low diving boards, and a waterslide.
- Fuller Hall Recreation Center is partially endowed and managed by the Fuller Hall Trust. It features activities for adults, children, and families, including a swimming pool with 25 meter lap lanes, a fitness room, a game room with pool tables, television lounge, basketball court, locker rooms, two racquetball courts, and a remodeled conference facility.
- Briggs Woods Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course.
- Webster City Country Club is a nine-hole golf course situated along the Boone River.
Events and Activities
Webster City is home to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which holds the county fair every July. In addition, the fairgrounds is home to the Historic Hamilton County Speedway, which features weekly races of IMCA Modified, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA SportMods, sport compacts, and stock cars.
Webster City's annual community celebration is the Boone Bash River Dash, which features a cardboad regatta. The Boone Bash River Dash is held every June.
Other events include Crazy Day Art Fesitval, Ladies Night Out, and Guys Night Out.
Media
The local radio stations are KQWC (AM) and KQWC-FM. The Daily Freeman Journal is the city's local newspaper and is published Monday through Friday.
In popular media
In August 1980, Dan Aykroyd visited Webster City, Iowa and promoted his new movie Blues Brothers by punching tickets at the Webster City Theater's premiere of the film. Eight years later in the movie Couch Trip, Aykroyd's character mentions that he was "born in a lovely little midwestern town, Webster City, Iowa."
Notable people
- Jeremy Ferguson (Jinxx), Black Veil Brides' rhythm guitarist & violinist.
- MacKinlay Kantor, writer and 1956 Fiction Pulitzer Prize winner for his novel Andersonville.
- Chuck Lamson, professional football player
- Clark R. Mollenhoff, journalist and 1958 Pulitzer Prize winner for Journalism in the category of National Reporting (Des Moines Register and Tribune).
- Rod Rust, Football coach
- Jennifer Simpson, Olympic distance runner
- Abastenia St. Leger Eberle, sculptor
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
- ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Leading Employers". Build WebsterCity.com. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
- ↑ "Recent Investments". BuildWebsterCity.com. Retrieved 18 January 2012.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Webster City, Iowa. |
- City website
- Freeman Journal newspaper
- Webster City Tourism website
- Webster City Economic Development
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