Forest City, Iowa

Forest City, Iowa
City
Motto: Where Nature's Close and
Friends are Closer

Location of Forest City, Iowa
Coordinates: 43°15′43″N 93°38′25″W / 43.26194°N 93.64028°WCoordinates: 43°15′43″N 93°38′25″W / 43.26194°N 93.64028°W
Country  United States
State  Iowa
Counties Winnebago, Hancock
Incorporated June 14, 1878 [1]
Area[2]
 • Total 4.64 sq mi (12.02 km2)
 • Land 4.64 sq mi (12.02 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 1,257 ft (383 m)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 4,151
 • Estimate (2012[4]) 4,009
 • Density 894.6/sq mi (345.4/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 50436
Area code(s) 641
FIPS code 19-28380
GNIS feature ID 0456667
Website Forest City

Forest City is a city in Hancock and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa, and the county seat of Winnebago County.[5] The population was 4,151 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 4,362 population in the 2000 census.[6][7]

History

Forest City was platted in 1856.[8] It was incorporated as a city on June 14, 1878.[1] Forest City's (Winnebago County) first settler was Thomas Bearse. The official founder was Robert Clark, who was the first person to plat Forest City. Eugene Secor was the first mayor of Forest City, Iowa.

Geography

Forest City's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 43.262077, -93.640302.[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.64 square miles (12.02 km2), all of it land.[2]

Demographics

Forest City
population history
Census Pop. %±
1870155—
1880688343.9%
189089530.1%
19001,75896.4%
19101,691−3.8%
19202,14526.8%
19302,016−6.0%
19402,54526.2%
19502,7668.7%
19602,9305.9%
19703,84131.1%
19804,27011.2%
19904,4303.7%
20004,362−1.5%
20104,151−4.8%
Iowa Data Center[7]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 4,151 people, 1,686 households, and 1,008 families residing in the city. The population density was 894.6 inhabitants per square mile (345.4/km2). There were 1,909 housing units at an average density of 411.4 per square mile (158.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.9% White, 1.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 1,686 households of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 4,362 people, 1,692 households, and 1,084 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,049.7 people per square mile (404.9/km²). There were 1,809 housing units at an average density of 435.3 per square mile (167.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.97% White, 0.57% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.26% of the population.

There were 1,692 households out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.

Age spread: 24.3% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,031, and the median income for a family was $50,699. Males had a median income of $30,430 versus $21,883 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,285. About 4.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The headquarters of Winnebago Industries, a manufacturer of motorhomes founded by local resident John K. Hanson,[11] is located in Forest City.

Forest City is also home to the #1 dealer of motor homes in the state of Iowa - Lichtsinn RV.

Parks and recreation

Pilot Knob State Park is located a few miles east of the city.

There are three bike trails located in Forest City. The Hanson Trail (9.0 miles), Hynes Spur (2.0 miles) and The Pilot Knob Loop (4.0 miles).

Forest City has a disc golf course, consisting of 21 holes.

Education

The Forest City Community School District operates a wind turbine that provides 60% of the energy needs of elementary, middle, and high school.[12]

Forest City Christian School is an independent school district located in Forest City.

Forest City is the home of Waldorf College, a four-year liberal arts, for-profit college, owned by Mayes Education Inc.[13] Every student at Waldorf is issued a laptop computer for use during their college career.[14]

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Forest City Municipal Airport located 2 miles south of the Forest City business district serves general aviation in the area. The airport was activated in 1958 and as of 2011 has two asphalt paved runways, one is 5,796 by 100 feet (1,767 x 30 m) and the other is 2,708 by 60 feet (825 x 18 m).[15]

Notable people


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "LIST OF INCORPORATED CITIES". Iowa Secretary of State - Matt Schultz. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  4. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  5. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ↑ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Data from the 2010 Census". State Data Center of Iowa. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  8. ↑ History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa. Pioneer Publishing Company. 1917. p. 125.
  9. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ↑ http://www3.babson.edu/ESHIP/outreach-events/John-K-Hanson.cfm
  12. ↑ "Forrest City Community School District". Home. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  13. ↑ http://www.globegazette.com/news/local/article_c02b800a-2377-529c-8173-1e47654842cd.html
  14. ↑ "Institutional Technology - Waldorf.edu". Retrieved 2012-06-29.
  15. ↑ "Forest City Municipal Airport". AirNav, LLC. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  16. ↑ "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Teigan, Henry George. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  17. ↑ "BASEBALL-REFERENCE". Lute Barnes. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  18. ↑ "National Football League". Mike Stensrud. Retrieved 2010-12-14.

External links

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