Pella, Iowa
| Pella, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
 Location of Pella, Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 41°24′26″N 92°55′2″W / 41.40722°N 92.91722°WCoordinates: 41°24′26″N 92°55′2″W / 41.40722°N 92.91722°W | |
| Country |
 United States |
| State |
 Iowa |
| County | Marion |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 8.73 sq mi (22.61 km2) |
| • Land | 8.73 sq mi (22.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 10,352 |
| • Estimate (2012[3]) | 10,397 |
| • Density | 1,185.8/sq mi (457.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 50219 |
| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-62040 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0460063 |
| Website | cityofpella.com |
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,352 at the 2010 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.
History
Pella was founded in 1847 when eight hundred Dutch immigrants led by Dominee (Minister) Hendrik (Henry) P. Scholte settled the area. The name "Pella" is a reference to Pella in the Perea, where the Christians of Jerusalem had found refuge during the Roman-Jewish war of 70;[4] the name was selected because the Dominee and the rest were also seeking religious freedom. It was the childhood home of Wyatt Earp whose father Nicholas Porter Earp had settled on a farm near Pella. His brothers Warren and Morgan were born in Pella.
Geography
Pella is located at 41°24′26″N 92°55′2″W / 41.40722°N 92.91722°W (41.407311, -92.917352).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.73 square miles (22.61 km2), all of it land.[1]
Demographics
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 1,644 | — |
| 1870 | 1,909 | +16.1% |
| 1880 | 2,430 | +27.3% |
| 1890 | 2,408 | −0.9% |
| 1900 | 2,623 | +8.9% |
| 1910 | 3,021 | +15.2% |
| 1920 | 3,338 | +10.5% |
| 1930 | 3,326 | −0.4% |
| 1940 | 3,638 | +9.4% |
| 1950 | 4,427 | +21.7% |
| 1960 | 5,198 | +17.4% |
| 1970 | 6,668 | +28.3% |
| 1980 | 8,349 | +25.2% |
| 1990 | 9,270 | +11.0% |
| 2000 | 9,832 | +6.1% |
| 2010 | 10,352 | +5.3% |
| Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center | ||
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 10,352 people, 3,735 households, and 2,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,185.8 inhabitants per square mile (457.8/km2). There were 4,086 housing units at an average density of 468.0 per square mile (180.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 3,735 households of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 29.5% 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 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 33.3 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 9,832 people, 3,497 households, and 2,395 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,437.4 people per square mile (555.0/km²). There were 3,691 housing units at an average density of 539.6 per square mile (208.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.32% White, 0.17% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 3,497 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.
Age spread: 21.6% under the age of 18, 17.6% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,496, and the median income for a family was $56,321. Males had a median income of $40,344 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,674. About 3.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Today it features a number of local events and architectural sights. The Vermeer Mill is a fully functional 1850s-style windmill, reaching 134 feet (41 m) high. The Vermeer Mill grinds wheat into flour using only wind power and is the tallest working windmill in the United States.
The Pella Opera House, built in 1900, was renovated in 1990 and is now a popular entertainment destination, featuring stained glass windows and ornate tin ceilings. A canal winds through nearby Molengracht Plaza, home to a number of shops, restaurants, lodging, a movie theatre, and a full-size working drawbridge. On June 28, 2011, Sarah Palin visited the opera house for the premiere of The Undefeated, a documentary about her role in Alaska politics and rise to national attention.[7]
The annual Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Pella's Dutch heritage. It features tulip gardens, performances, crafters, music, food, Dutch costumes, and daily parades. The festival is held for three days (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) during the first weekend in May. A queen and court are selected from the two high schools in the town to represent Pella and advertise the Festival. During the 2010 Festival a worlds record was set for the most people dancing in wooden shoes. Over 2,600 people danced for more than six minutes to set the new standard.[8]
Pella Dutch is a Dutch dialect spoken in Pella based on South Guelderish dialect.
Education
In April 2011, Forbes rated Pella 3rd on its list "The Best Schools For Your Real Estate Buck". Central College is located in Pella.
Popular literature
In his 1989 book, The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America, travel author Bill Bryson stops in Pella, recounting his childhood visits to the town, and remarking different aspects of the town with his usual wry humor. Throughout the book, parts of Pella are referred back to as examples.
Parks and recreation
A few miles to the west is Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest reservoir,[9] a popular destination for biking, hiking, boating, and fishing.
Notable people
- Bert Bandstra - served one term as a Democratic U.S. Representative[10]
- Nathaniel David Becker - actor
- Kory DeHaan (1976– ) - former Major League Baseball player[11]
- Morgan Earp - lawman, born in Pella
- Wyatt Earp - lawman and gunfighter of OK Corral fame, spent most of his childhood in Pella
- Warren Earp - youngest of Earp brothers, born in Pella
- Paul Emerick - professional rugby player, 2006 MVP
- John Hospers - academician and the 1st Libertarian Presidential candidate in 1972[12]
- Dave Keuning - guitarist for The Killers
- Kyle Korver (1981– ) - forward/guard for the Atlanta Hawks basketball team[13]
- Louis LeCocq - Pella native, World War I era auto racer, killed in 1919 Indianapolis 500
- Wendell L. Roelofs - scientist
- Ron Schipper - football coach, member of the College Football Hall of Fame
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.
- ↑ Eusebius, History of the Church 3.5.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Governor Sarah Palin to attend premiere of the undefeated at Pella Opera House in Pella, Iowa
- ↑ American Profile magazine. "Tidbits" section. Published 2011-01-04.
- ↑ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Red Rock
- ↑ He hopes to alter national anthem
- ↑ "Kory DeHaan". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
- ↑ "Who Is John Hospers?". john hospers.com. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
- ↑ "Kyle Korver". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pella, Iowa. |
- City website
- Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau website
- Pella Community School District
- Pella Public Library
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Pella
- Forbes
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