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Keokuk, Iowa

Keokuk is a city in and a county seat of Lee County, Iowa, United States. It is Iowa's southernmost city. The population was 9,900 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is named after the Sauk chief Keokuk, who is recognized with a statue in Rand Park. It is in the extreme southeast corner of Iowa, where the Des Moines River meets the Mississippi. It is at the junction of U.S. Routes 61, 136 and 218. Just across the rivers are the towns of Hamilton and Warsaw, Illinois, and Alexandria, Missouri. Keokuk, along with the city of Fort Madison, is a principal city of the Fort Madison-Keokuk micropolitan area, which includes all of Lee County, Iowa, Hancock County, Illinois and Clark County, Missouri.

History
Situated between the Des Moines and Mississippi rivers, the area that became Keokuk had access to a large trading area and was an ideal location for settlers. In 1820, the US Army prohibited soldiers stationed along the Mississippi River from having wives who were Native American. Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a surgeon stationed at Fort Edwards (near present-day Warsaw, Illinois), resigned his commission rather than leave his Indian wife and crossed the river to resettle. He built a log cabin for them at the bottom of the bluff, and became the area's first white settler. As steamboat traffic on the Mississippi increased, more European Americans began to settle here. Around 1827, John Jacob Astor established a post of his American Fur Company at the foot of the bluff. Five buildings were erected to house workers and the business. This area became known as the "Rat Row".

One of the earliest descriptions of Keokuk was by Caleb Atwater in 1829:

"The village is a small one containing twenty families perhaps. The American Fur Company have a store here and there is a tavern. Many Indians were fishing and their lights on the rapids in a dark night were darting about appearing and disappearing like so many fire flies; the constant roaring of the waters, on the rapids the occasional Indian yell, the lights of their fires on the shore, and the boisterous mirth of the people at the doggery attracted my attention occasionally while we were lying here. Fish were caught here in abundance."

The settlement was part of the land designated in 1824 as a Half-Breed Tract by the United States Government for allotting land to mixed-race descendants of the Sauk and Fox tribes. Typically children of European or British men (fur traders and trappers) and Native women, they were often excluded from tribal communal lands because their fathers were not tribal members. Native Americans considered the settlement a neutral ground. Rules for the tract prohibited individual sale of the land, but the US Congress ended this provision in 1837, creating a land rush and instability.

Centering on the riverboat trade, the settlement continued to grow. The village became known as Keokuk shortly after the Blackhawk War in 1832. Why residents named it after the Sauk chief is unknown. Keokuk was incorporated on December 13, 1847. Soon after, Captain W. Clark would be elected as the first mayor. On December 14, 1848, Keokuk was incorporated as a city by the 2nd General Assembly of the State of Iowa.

Barnard States Merriam was elected mayor in 1852 and reelected in 1854.

In 1853, Keokuk was one of the centers for outfitting additional immigrant Latter-Day Saints pioneers for their handcart journey west; 2,000 Christian Latter-Day Saints passed through the city.

Keokuk was the longtime home of Orion Clemens, brother of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Samuel's visits to his brother's home led him to write of the beauty of Keokuk and southeastern Iowa in Life on the Mississippi.

At one time, because of its position at the foot of the lower rapids of the Mississippi, Keokuk was known as the Gate City. During the American Civil War, Keokuk became an embarking point for Union troops heading to fight in southern battles. Injured soldiers were returned to Keokuk for treatment, so several hospitals were established. A national cemetery was designated for those who did not survive. After the war was over, Keokuk continued its expansion. A medical college was founded, along with a major-league baseball team, the Keokuk Westerns, in 1875.

In 1913, Lock and Dam No. 19 was completed nearby on the Mississippi River. The population of Keokuk reached 15,106 by 1930. During the last half of the 20th century, Keokuk became less engaged in Mississippi River trade and more dependent on jobs in local factories.

Geography
Keokuk is in Iowa's southeast corner along the Mississippi River and just northeast of the Des Moines River. Hamilton, Illinois, lies to the east across the Mississippi on U.S. Route 136.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.58 sqmi, of which 9.13 sqmi is land and 1.45 sqmi is water. The lowest point in the state of Iowa is 480 ft, located to the immediate south-west of Keokuk where the confluence of the Des Moines and Mississippi Rivers creates a tripoint between Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.

Climate
Keokuk has a humid continental climate. It is known for having recorded the highest temperature ever in Iowa, 118 °F, on July 20, 1934.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,780 people, 4,482 households, and 2,818 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,170 PD/sqmi. There were 5,199 housing units at an average density of 565 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 4.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, < 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. 1.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,482 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.

Population spread: 24.4% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,427 people, 4,773 households, and 3,021 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,247.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,327 housing units at an average density of 581.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.87% White, 3.90% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,773 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% 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 2.97.

Population spread: 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,586, and the median income for a family was $39,574. Males had a median income of $31,213 versus $21,420 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,144. 11.9% of the population and 8.1% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.7% of those under the age of 18 and 13.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Arts and culture

Attractions in Keokuk include:
 * Lock and Dam No. 19, a hydroelectric power plant located on the Mississippi River. Built in 1913, it was the largest single powerhouse electric generating plant and longest dam in the world, with the longest and highest voltage transmission line in the world.

 * The Grand Theatre, a performing arts center.
 * Chief Keokuk Monument, a marble slab and bronze statue marking the grave of Sauk leader Keokuk, erected in 1913 by Nellie Walker.
 * Keokuk National Cemetery
 * Keokuk Veteran's Memorial
 * Miller House Museum
 * George M. Verity River Museum.

Sports
Keokuk has deep baseball history that started in 1875 when the Keokuk Westerns played in the National Association. On May 4, 1875, the Westerns and the Chicago White Stockings (today's Chicago Cubs) played the first professional baseball game in Iowa. The Keokuk Indians minor league team played in the Iowa State League (1904-1907), Central Association (1908-1915), Mississippi Valley League (1929-1933) and Western League (1935). After the Indians (1904-1915, 1929-1933, 1935), Keokuk was home to the Keokuk Pirates (1947-1949), Keokuk Kernels (1952-1957), Keokuk Cardinals (1958-1961) and the Keokuk Dodgers (1962). The team was an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Notable players included baseball pioneer Bud Fowler, 1961 Home Run Record Holder Roger Maris, Player/Announcer Tim McCarver and three time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees Jack Saltzgaver.

Keokuk is nicknamed "The Racing Capital of the World" and "Home of Champions" for having many racing drivers win races and championships. Don White was the first driver to impact nationally; he won the 1954, 1955 and 1958 IMCA national championships. White's brother-in-law Ernie Derr won the 12 IMCA national championships between 1953 and 1971. White helped Dick Hutcherson get started; Hutcherson won the 1963 and 1964 IMCA championship before moving to NASCAR and finishing second in points. Ramo Stott won the 1970 and 1971 ARCA and 1976 USAC Stock Car championships. White, Derr, Hutcherson, and Stott were nicknamed "The Keokuk Gang". Ron Hutcherson, Dick's brother, also competed nationally.

People living in the area support athletic teams in Saint Louis, Missouri, differing from other parts of Iowa, which support other sports teams.

Education
The Keokuk Community School District has two elementary schools (George Washington, and Hawthorne), Keokuk Middle School, and Keokuk High School. Several additional elementary schools have been closed over the years (Torrence, Lincoln, Garfield, Wells Carey, and Jefferson). The middle school was damaged by a fire in 2001 and replaced by a new school on a lot next to the high school.

Private education is provided by Keokuk Catholic Schools (St. Vincent's School) and Keokuk Christian Academy. Keokuk Catholic previously had a senior high school division, Cardinal Stritch High School; in 2006 it merged into Holy Trinity High School in Fort Madison.

A campus of Southeastern Community College is located in Keokuk.

Notable people

 * Edward P. Alexander, author, historian, and educator
 * Herman C. Baehr, 36th Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio
 * William H. Clagett, politician
 * Orion Clemens, first and only secretary of Nevada Territory and brother of Mark Twain
 * William Lane Craig, analytic philosopher and Christian apologist
 * Samuel Curtis, military officer
 * Mary Fels, philanthropist, suffragist, Georgist
 * Bud Fowler, first professional African American baseball player
 * Nathaniel Lyon Gardner, botanist, born in Keokuk
 * Jerry Harrington, baseball player
 * James B. Howell, newspaper editor and U.S. Senator, resided in Keokuk
 * Howard Hughes, aviator, engineer, industrialist, film producer and director, and philanthropist
 * Howard R. Hughes, Sr., businessman and inventor; father of Howard Hughes
 * Rupert Hughes, novelist, screenwriter, film director, historian; uncle of Howard Hughes
 * Dick Hutcherson, stock car driver
 * Ron Hutcherson, stock car driver
 * John N. Irwin, Governor of Idaho Territory (1883) and of Arizona Territory (1890–1892)
 * Edward Kimball, actor
 * Lloyd Steel Lourie, orthodontist
 * Samuel Taylor Marshall, lawyer and founder of Beta Theta Pi fraternity
 * Elsa Maxwell, gossip columnist, socialite
 * Edward Joseph McManus, U.S. federal judge and Lieutenant Governor of Iowa (1959 – 1961)
 * Grace Medes, biochemist
 * Samuel Freeman Miller, Supreme Court justice
 * Conrad Nagel, actor and a founder of the Academy Awards
 * Richard Page, lead vocalist and bass player for the band Mr. Mister
 * George Pomutz, Union Army officer and diplomat
 * Mike Pyle, NFL player
 * Palmer Pyle, NFL player
 * John M. Rankin, Iowa state legislator and judge
 * Hugh T. Reid, Union Army general
 * Jack Saltzgaver, Major League Baseball Player New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Jeremy Soule composer of video game soundtracks
 * Frank Steunenberg, Governor of Idaho (1897–1901)
 * Ramo Stott, stock car driver
 * James Vandenberg, football quarterback
 * Don White, stock car driver
 * Verner Moore White, artist, painted oil of Keokuk presented to President Theodore Roosevelt
 * Annie Turner Wittenmyer, social reformer and relief worker

In popular culture
Keokuk is mentioned among funny place names by Krusty the Clown in The Simpsons sixth-season episode "Homie the Clown".

title: Keokuk, Iowa


text:
Montrose, Iowa

Montrose is a city in Lee County, Iowa. The population was 738 at the time of the 2020 census. The town is located on the Mississippi River. It is part of the Fort Madison-Keokuk Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The area around Montrose has been occupied continuously since at least the 1780s, when Quashquame's village was established nearby. The area was strategically important because it is at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, a major impediment to river traffic that caused large boats to land in this area and transfer freight overland to avoid the rapids. Montrose was the location of Fort Des Moines No. 1, a military post from 1834 to 1837. In 1836 the commander of Fort Des Moines, Lieutenant-Colonel Mason, would begin to plat out the town. Later that year David W. Kilbourne would finish laying out the town, and would name it Montrose. From 1839 to 1846 Montrose was the home of many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This was especially true in 1839 when many people lived in an abandoned barracks at Montrose that served as a good short term residence while homes were being built in nearby Nauvoo, Illinois. Among Montrose's residents at this time were Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Erastus Snow. Despite legends that the streets of Montrose were aligned to allow a direct view of the Nauvoo Temple across the Mississippi River in Illinois, the streets actually align with the 1834 layout of Fort Des Moines.

Montrose was incorporated in 1857, with Doctor J. Anderson elected the first mayor in June. Montrose became an important river town until the construction of a canal near Keokuk ended the lightering business.

Geography
Montrose's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 40.53, -91.417.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 sqmi, of which 1.12 sqmi is land and 0.02 sqmi is water.

Montrose is located in Montrose Township on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 898 people, 359 households, and 242 families residing in the city. The population density was 801.8 PD/sqmi. There were 405 housing units at an average density of 361.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 359 households, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.6% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the city was 47.4 years. 18.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.2% were from 25 to 44; 32.6% were from 45 to 64; and 20.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 957 people, 374 households, and 255 families residing in the city. The population density was 852.1 PD/sqmi. There were 399 housing units at an average density of 355.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.81% White, 0.10% African American, 0.73% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.

There were 374 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,341, and the median income for a family was $40,865. Males had a median income of $30,855 versus $21,845 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,010. About 7.0% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Montrose is served by Central Lee Community School District.

Notable people

 * Cal McVey, 19th century Major League Baseball player.
 * Margaret Warner Morley (1858–1923) educator, scholar and writer.
 * Cato Mead, the only known African American American Revolutionary War veteran buried west of the Mississippi River.
 * Nedra Volz (1908-2003) character actress
 * Jerry R. Junkins, president, chairman, and CEO of Texas Instruments, Incorporated
 * Lowell Junkins, (1973 to 1985) Iowa State Senator, (1996–Present) Chairman of the Board at Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

Buildings

 * St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (Montrose, Iowa)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Montrose, Iowa


text:
St. Paul, Iowa

St. Paul is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 109 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Fort Madison-Keokuk Micropolitan Statistical Area

History
St. Paul was laid out in 1866.

Geography
St. Paul is located at 40.76694°N, -91.51694°W (40.766957, -91.516955).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.38 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 129 people in 52 households, including 36 families, in the city. The population density was 339.5 PD/sqmi. There were 53 housing units at an average density of 139.5 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.8% Asian, and 0.8% from two or more races.

Of the 52 households 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.8% were non-families. 28.8% of households were one person and 5.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median age was 44.5 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 33.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.6% male and 50.4% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 118 people, 52 households, and 30 families residing in St. Paul. The population density was 312.3 PD/sqmi. There were 55 housing units at an average density of 145.5 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 98.31% White, and 1.69% from two or more races.

Of the 52 households 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 32.7% of households were one person and 17.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 22.9% under the age of 18, 3.4% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

The median household income was $45,313 and the median family income was $58,750. Males had a median income of $37,188 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,312. There were no families and 3.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 14.3% of those over 64.

Education
Fort Madison Community School District serves the city; its high school is Fort Madison High School.

The Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Catholic Schools maintains a preschool campus and its sole elementary campus in West Point and the secondary school is in Fort Madison. Previously the Marquette Catholic School System maintained its middle school in St. Paul; in 2005 it merged into the Holy Trinity system. Previously Holy Trinity had its preschool in St. Paul.

Notable person

 * Sebastian Menke, Catholic priest who served as the tenth president of St. Ambrose College.

title: St. Paul, Iowa


text:
West Point, Iowa

West Point is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 921 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
West Point was incorporated on March 25, 1858. The name of West Point was chosen by officers of the garrison at Fort Des Moines (Montrose).

Geography
West Point's latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal form are 40.717249, -91.451672.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.61 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 966 people, 432 households, and 267 families living in the city. The population density was 1583.6 PD/sqmi. There were 452 housing units at an average density of 741.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.1% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Asian, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 432 households, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.2% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 44.2 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 980 people, 426 households, and 264 families living in the city. The population density was 1,687.8 PD/sqmi. There were 450 housing units at an average density of 775.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.90% White, 0.10% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 426 households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,409, and the median income for a family was $50,724. Males had a median income of $36,797 versus $22,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,289. About 4.6% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Fort Madison Community School District serves the city; its high school is Fort Madison High School.

The Roman Catholic Holy Trinity Catholic Schools maintains an elementary campus in West Point; the secondary school is in Fort Madison, and there are early childhood campuses in Fort Madison and St. Paul. Previously the Marquette Catholic School System maintained its high school and administrative offices in West Point; in 2005 it merged into the Holy Trinity system.

Sweet Corn Festival
West Point is home to Iowa's Largest Sweet Corn Festival. The first festival was in August 1958. There are nearly 25,000 visitors during the four-day event and over 17 tons of sweet corn. The festival includes free sweet corn and stage entertainment, arts and crafts, bingo, 5K and 10K run, queen crowning, tractor pull, city parade, and teen dance.

Notable people

 * Gene Fraise, Iowa farmer and state legislator
 * Imogene King, a pioneer in nursing theory and practice

title: West Point, Iowa


text:
Alburnett, Iowa

Alburnett is a city in Linn County, Iowa. The population was 675 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area.

History
In 1887, the Illinois Central Railroad was built through Linn County's Otter Creek township. In the winter of that year, a depot was built on land donated by Albert Burnett. Because he had given land for the depot, the name "Burnett" was chosen for its identification.

Business interests began to center around the depot because the railroad offered an outlet to both the north and the south, and because of its proximity to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Burnett and his wife soon began to plat a community. Meanwhile, landowner Michael Weislogel began to lay out lots a short distance to the south. This community, called "Trentham," was the site of the first general store and post office. However, because contemporary state law dictated that a depot and post office in the same community must carry the same name, the name was soon changed to "Burnett." Mail delivery problems soon developed between Burnett and the community of Bennett in Cedar County. Consequently, "Al" Burnett changed the name to "Alburnett." Alburnett was incorporated in 1912.

Geography
Alburnett's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 42.149257, -91.619618.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.82 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 673 people, 243 households, and 181 families residing in the city. The population density was 820.7 PD/sqmi. There were 252 housing units at an average density of 307.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.4% Native American, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 243 households, of which 44.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 31.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 559 people, 199 households, and 152 families residing in the city. The population density was 650.3 PD/sqmi. There were 207 housing units at an average density of 240.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.28% White, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.18% of the population.

There were 199 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.32.

34.5% are under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $54,464, and the median income for a family was $61,094. Males had a median income of $41,442 versus $26,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,815. About 3.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government
, the Mayor is Bethany Sarazin and Council members are Chester Schantz, Brian Mensen, Joe Trumm, and Dave Boesenberg. The city clerk is Danielle Brecht. The public works director is Guy Trimble.

The city council meets at 7:00 P.M. on the second Thursday of each month at the Alburnett City Hall at 103 E. 1st St.

Public safety
Law enforcement services are contracted on an annual basis with the Linn County Sheriff's Office, under Sheriff Brian Gardner. The Fire Chief is Steve Graham. The department currently has 23 members made up of firefighters, EMTs, and ground support.

Education
Alburnett is home to the Alburnett Community School District, a co-educational school system in Linn County with a district that covers all of Alburnett, all of the unincorporated town of Toddville, and areas of Marion, Robins, and Hiawatha. Grades PK through 12 are housed entirely within different portions and additions of the same building in Alburnett.

, the district Superintendent is Dr. Dani Trimble, Secondary Principal (6-12) is Brian Moretz, Elementary Principal (PK-5) is Josh Henriksen, and Activities Director is Nick Wooldrik.

Alburnett high school competes in the Tri-Rivers Conference of eastern Iowa in a variety of athletics. The school colors are purple and gold, and the team name is the Pirates.

Notable alumni include actor Riley Smith, who has appeared on shows such as Dawson's Creek, 24, and in films such as Radio.

title: Alburnett, Iowa


text:
Bertram, Iowa

Bertram is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 269 at the 2020 census.

Bertram is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Bertram was laid out in 1858 as an outgrowth on the railroad, which was completed to that point in 1859. It was named for Capt. John Bertram, who was instrumental in bringing the railroad there.

Geography
Bertram is located at 41.95004°N, -91.53436°W (41.950036, -91.534363).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.68 sqmi, all land.

Located on the Union Pacific Railroad main line (former Chicago and North Western Railway), which has a nearby large trestle over Big Creek, the city is primarily a bedroom community of Cedar Rapids. Bertram is also close to Palisades-Kepler State Park. Bertram Bridge, which also spans Big Creek is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 294 people, 106 households, and 81 families living in the city. The population density was 175.0 PD/sqmi. There were 114 housing units at an average density of 67.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% White, 1.4% African American, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population.

There were 106 households, of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 2.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.6% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 46 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15% were from 25 to 44; 31% were from 45 to 64; and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 57.1% male and 42.9% female.

2000 census
As of the incorrect census of 2000, there were 681 people, 98 households, and 76 families living in the city. The population density was 533.5 PD/sqmi. There were 101 housing units at an average density of 79.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.18% White, 1.91% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 1.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 98 households, out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% 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 2.66.

The age spread is 10.7% under the age of 18, 62.4% from 18 to 24, 7.9% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.

However, the official population was later revised to 263 when officials discovered that 418 students living in a Cornell College dormitory in nearby Mount Vernon had incorrectly been reported as living in Bertram.

The median income for a household in the city was $58,750, and the median income for a family was $66,500. Males had a median income of $46,750 versus $32,143 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,015. About 2.6% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty-five or over.

title: Bertram, Iowa


text:
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, 20 mi north of Iowa City and 128 mi northeast of Des Moines, the state's capital. It is a part of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City region of Eastern Iowa, which includes Linn, Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones, Johnson, and Washington counties.

At the 2020 census, the city population was 137,710. The population of the three-county Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, which includes the nearby cities of Marion and Hiawatha, was 276,520 in 2020. Cedar Rapids is an economic hub of the state, located at the core of the Interstate 380 corridor. The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area is also a part of a combined statistical area with the Iowa City metropolitan area.

Cedar Rapids is nicknamed the "City of Five Seasons", for the so-called "fifth season", which is time to enjoy the other four. This slogan is often satirized by residents as the "City of Five Smells", as a result of the smell combinations in the 1970s from the city's Quaker Oats and Penford factories, a hog slaughterhouse, and the municipal sewage plant and landfill. The symbol of the five seasons is the Tree of Five Seasons sculpture in downtown along the north river bank. The name "Five Seasons" and representations of the sculpture appear throughout the city in many forms. A flourishing center for arts and culture in Eastern Iowa, the city is home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, the Paramount Theatre, Orchestra Iowa, Theatre Cedar Rapids, the African American Museum of Iowa, and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance. In the 1990s and 2000s, several Cedar Rapidians became well-known actors, including Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood, Terry Farrell, and Ron Livingston. The city is the setting for the musical The Pajama Game and the comedy film Cedar Rapids.

Early history
The location of present-day Cedar Rapids was in the territory of the Fox and Sac tribes at the time of European American settlement.

The first settler on the site of the future city was Osgood Shepherd, who built a log cabin (which he called a tavern) in 1837 or 1838 next to the Cedar River (then known as the Red Cedar) at what is now the corner of First Avenue and First Street Northeast. Shepherd was a squatter who claimed the land without legal title and also a reputed ne'er-do-well, who, if he was not a horse thief himself, definitely consorted with them. Early on, it appears that he "jumped the claim" of another squatter, Wilbert Stone, who had built a cabin and platted out a town, some distance south of Shepherd's cabin, that he called Columbus. Shepherd drove Stone across the river, claiming that Stone had built his cabin on Shepherd's land, then sold Stone's cabin to a buyer named Hull. Shepherd later tried the same tactic with perhaps the first settler on the west side of the river, Robert Ellis, but Ellis happened to be chopping wood at the time and warned that someone would be dead if Shepherd did not retreat.

The true founders of the city were George Greene, Nicholas Brown, and a few others. Brown had experience as a miller and Greene had surveyed much of eastern Iowa, so both saw the value of the spot Shepherd had claimed. It was right next to the rapids—a prime spot to build a mill—the last set of rapids on the river before the Cedar fed into the Iowa River, meaning that goods milled on the spot could be carried by boat down river to the Mississippi. In 1841, they formed a partnership that bought out Shepherd's claim and platted out a town they called Rapids City. Brown immediately constructed a primitive dam and then built the town's first mill. His crude dam soon washed away, prompting Greene to induce Alexander Ely, an engineer from Michigan, to build a proper dam that created a mill race capable of powering several mills.

At this time, the city was confined to the east side of the river. The west bank soon contained a village named Kingston for resident David King who early on operated a rope ferry across the river.

The town was formally incorporated by the Iowa State Legislature on January 15, 1849 as Cedar Rapids, named for the rapids in the Cedar River (the river itself was named for the large number of red cedar trees that grew along its banks). The population was less than 400.

During the 1850s, Cedar Rapids grew in size, and it was during this decade that the Czech population became substantial; when the town was reincorporated in 1856, a quarter of its roughly 1,600 inhabitants were Czech immigrants. The availability of cheap land in the new state of Iowa happened to coincide with the Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire that caused a large number of Czechs to flee their homeland and emigrate to the U.S.. In 1851, the institution that eventually become Coe College was founded. In the same decade, there were attempts by local leaders to improve the city's access to distant markets, first through purchase of a steamboat (aptly named Cedar Rapids) and ultimately through investment in a railroad. The first locomotive rolled into town on June 15, 1859.

Railroads were an important factor in the development of the state and the growth of cities along the rail lines. By the end of the 19th century, the 23rd largest state was the fifth largest in track mileage.

In this same decade, "Major" John May, an inventor and land speculator, purchased the island (now called "May's Island") situated between Cedar Rapids and Kingston with the intention of founding a town he called May Island. When that scheme proved impractical due to the island's tendency to flood, he conceived the idea of making his island the center of a larger city that spanned the river and convinced the state legislature to officially name the land he had bought there, just south of Kingston, "West Cedar Rapids."

Cedar Rapids annexed the community of Kingston in 1870 and constructed an iron bridge across the river along the line of the current Third Avenue bridge.

The economic growth of Cedar Rapids increased in 1871 upon the founding of the Sinclair meatpacking company. The plant allowed for year-round meatpacking because ice could be harvested from the Cedar River in winter to chill an icehouse, and within a few years it became one of the largest factories of its kind in the country, employing 400 people. In 1873, the oatmeal mill that ultimately became the flagship operation of the Quaker Oats Company - and the largest cereal mill in the world - was built.

In 1909, the city acquired May's Island for the purpose of making it the seat of government; then, as now, there were ill feelings between east- and west-siders in Cedar Rapids, and the city's leaders hoped that putting City Hall in the "neutral territory" of the island would help ease tensions. In 1919, the residents of Linn County voted to move the county seat from Marion to Cedar Rapids, partially because Cedar Rapids had offered to donate the southern third of the island as a site for a new county courthouse and jail.

Flood of 2008
During the Iowa flood of 2008, the Cedar River reached a record high of 31.12 ft on June 13 (the previous record was 20 ft), surpassing the 500-year flood plain. 1,126 city blocks were flooded, or more than 10 sqmi, and 561 city blocks were severely damaged, on both banks of the Cedar River, comprising 14% of the city's total area. 7,749 flooded properties had to be evacuated, including 5,900 homes and 310 city facilities, among them the City Hall, Central Fire Station, Main Public Library, Ground Transportation Center, Public Works building, and the Animal Control building. It is estimated that at least 1,300 properties in the Cedar Rapids area had to be demolished because of the flood, which caused several billions of dollars in damages. More than 4,000 members of the Iowa National Guard were activated to assist the city. The temporary levees became saturated not only with the flood waters but also with additional rainfall, causing them to fail.

Until the flood, the city's government was headquartered in the Veterans Memorial Building, near the Linn County Courthouse and jail on Mays Island in the Cedar River, making Cedar Rapids one of a few cities in the world, along with Paris, France, with governmental offices on a municipal island.

Flood of 2016
During the flood of 2016, remnants of Hurricane Paine from the eastern Pacific Ocean via the Gulf of California caused the second highest recorded crest of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, reaching 22 ft on September 27. The inundation of southern Minnesota, central and western Wisconsin, and northeastern Iowa by Hurricane Paine's remnants began on September 21 and 22 and continued until the end of the month. The cresting in Cedar Rapids was below the initial estimate of 25 ft and the revised estimate of 23 ft, but more than 10 ft above the flood stage of 12 ft. The flood was above levels considered to have about a 1% chance of occurring in a given year. More than 5,000 homes were affected, causing over 5,000 people to evacuate. The Cedar Rapids Schools were closed for a week.

In 2015, Cedar Rapids approved a $625 million flood protection plan over 20 years for levee improvements. Although the improvement to the levee system in Cedar Rapids had not been completed due to over $80 million in funding not appropriated by the United States Congresses of 2014 and 2016 and the voting down by local residents of a temporary increase in the local sales tax to pay for the levee improvements, out of school students along with hundreds of thousands of volunteers and 412 Iowa National Guard troops filled more than a quarter of a million sandbags in a successful effort to prevent any major flooding of the city outside the evacuation zone. A 9.8 mi system of Hesco barriers, earthen berms, and over 400,000 sandbags were used to plug the gaps in the levee system. The city of Cedar Rapids purchased additional Hesco barriers from Iowa City for $1.4 million. Numerous upstream cities that had been earlier affected by the September flooding and mandatory evacuations, including Charles City, Greene, Manchester, Clarksville, Shell Rock, Vinton, Janesville, Cedar Falls and Waterloo, sent hundreds of thousands of unused sandbags to support efforts in Cedar Rapids and nearby communities. The remnants of Hurricane Paine did not produce any rain to saturate the temporary earth berms and sandbags, which would have greatly increased the likelihood of breach in the temporary levee structures, causing a much greater flooded area; the river crested during very sunny weather. Additionally, beginning on September 25, 300 to 400 National Guard troops along with the Iowa State Patrol, other law enforcement agencies, and 60 duly sworn law enforcement officials enforced a nightly 8pm to 7am curfew.

August 10, 2020, Midwest derecho
On August 10, 2020, an intense derecho formed over the Midwest and moved eastward across Iowa, with Cedar Rapids being the hardest-hit city. Sustained winds of 60 to 80 mph, frequent gusts of 110 mph or greater, and an estimated peak gust of 140 mph on the southwest side of the city damaged the majority of residential and commercial buildings in Cedar Rapids, as well as 20 schools, and resulted in the closure of most local businesses. Thousands of trees were downed throughout all 75 square miles of Cedar Rapids. Most of the city's roads became mostly blocked or impassible due to downed trees and blown limbs, power poles along with their lines, and general debris, like large road signs, as well as damaged buildings, homes, and farms. 95% of the city was without power. Trash pickup stopped, cell phone service was very spotty for multiple days, and many gas leaks were reported. Interstate 380 was closed between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Hospitals treated over 300 patients for storm related injuries. Professional estimates suggested that cleanup and removal of the city's downed trees could take months. Arborists urged residents not to clear trees on their own, in order to avoid injury.

On Friday, August 14, Governor Kim Reynolds arrived in Cedar Rapids, accompanied by Adjutant General Benjamin Corell of the Iowa National Guard. Gen. Corell said he had not seen a comparable level of damage since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Other city officials described the damage as being even worse than the Iowa flood of 2008.

Geography
The city is divided into four quadrants, used in assigning street addresses. 1st Avenue (U.S. Route 151 Business) divides the north and south sides of the city, and the Cedar River divides east and west. Mays Island, in the middle of the river, is the only area of the city where addresses have no quadrant. Areas outside the city limits that have a Cedar Rapids mailing address do not use the quadrants either.

Except in the downtown area, 1st Avenue and the Cedar River tend to run diagonally instead of along the cardinal directions. Due to the curving of 1st Avenue, there are some areas in western Cedar Rapids where NW addresses are actually south of SW addresses.

Cedar Rapids is divided into 14 ZIP Codes. Mays Island and the downtown area are covered by 52401. The northeast quadrant is covered by 52402 and 52411. The southeast quadrant is covered by 52403. The southwest quadrant is covered by 52404. The northwest quadrant is covered by 52405. Post office boxes are covered by ZIP codes 52406, 52407, 52408, 52409, and 52410. Several other ZIP codes are for specific businesses (Aegon USA, Collins Aerospace, etc.).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 72.07 sqmi, of which 70.8 sqmi is land and 1.27 sqmi is water.

Neighborhoods
There are twelve active neighborhood associations in Cedar Rapids. The neighborhoods nearest downtown include Wellington Heights and Oakhill Jackson in the southeast quadrant and Moundview in the northeast quadrant. Also farther north in the northeast quadrant are Noelridge Park and Kenwood Park, which was independent until it was incorporated into the Cedar Rapids city limits. The boundaries of Kenwood are 32nd Street to Oakland Road to Old Marion Road to C Avenue to 40th Street then 1st Avenue between 40th street and 32nd Street.

In addition to the neighborhood associations in Cedar Rapids, there are many informal, unofficial neighborhoods, such as Bowman Woods, Vernon Heights, Stoney Point, Kingston Village, New Bohemia (NewBo) and Wilderness Estates.

Czech Village is located along 16th Avenue SW, south of the Cedar River. It is home to such Czech-themed businesses as The Czech Cottage, Sykora Bakery, and White Lion Treasures. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is one of Cedar Rapids' major tourist attractions. The museum's main building was directly on the river and was badly damaged by the 2008 floods. After the flood the museum moved a few blocks to Inspiration Place SW. The Bohemian National Cemetery is located nearby.

The Cedar Rapids Czech Heritage Foundation is one of many local organizations working to promote and preserve Czech heritage in Cedar Rapids. It supports and sponsors many programs and events throughout the year, including the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant. Two Miss Czech-Slovak US queens can claim this community as home: Lisa Volesky and Stasia Krivanek.

Olga Drahozal was the famed band leader of the Czech Plus Polka Band, a performing group that frequents the Kosek Band Stand in Czech Village. She, Bessie Duggena, and Leona Poduška taught Czech School (Česká škola) at Wilson Middle School.

In 2003, the African-American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa opened its doors. Cedar Rapids is also home to the historic 26-acre (105,000 m2) Brucemore Estate, on which sits a 21-room mansion, and the Masonic Library and Museum.

In 2009, Cedar Rapids was rated one of the "Top 10 cities to Grow Up In" in the United States, partly due to a low crime rate and a good public school system.

Climate
Cedar Rapids has a humid continental climate with long, cold, sometimes brutal winters with plenty of snow, while summers are hot and humid, with frequent severe thunderstorms.

The record low temperature in Cedar Rapids is −30 F, set on January 31, 2019, while the record high temperature of 110 F was set on July 6, 1911.

Demographics
The Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Linn, Benton, and Jones counties. The MSA had a 2020 census population of 276,520. Linn County was the only county in the MSA before the MSA was redefined after the 2000 census.

As a growing job center, Cedar Rapids pulls commuters from nearby Marion and Hiawatha. Other towns that have become bedroom communities include Ely, Swisher, Shueyville, Palo, Atkins, Fairfax, Walford, Robins and Bertram.

Based on the 2010 American Community Survey 1 Year Estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $51,186, and the median income for a family was $63,265. Males had a median income of $40,413 versus $26,402 for females. The per capita income for the city is $26,370. About 6.3% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 or older.

2020 census
At the 2020 census, the population was 137,710. The population density was 1,909.9 /sqmi. There were 62,398 housing units at an average density of 865.4 /sqmi. The racial make-up (including Hispanics in the racial counts) of the city was 77.8% White, 10.4% Black or African American, 2.7% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% from other races and 6.8% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 4.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 126,326 people, 53,236 households and 30,931 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,784.3 /sqmi. There were 57,217 housing units at an average density of 808.2 /sqmi. The racial make-up of the city was 87.98% White, 5.58% African American, 0.31% Native American, 2.21% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races and 2.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.31% of the population.

There were 53,236 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% 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 2.95.

The age distribution was 23.5% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64 and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

2000 census
In the 2000 census, Cedar Rapids was 91.9% non-Hispanic white, with well over half of the population claiming a specific ethnic European ancestry, such as Germans (35.5%), Irish (17.1%), English (9.4%), Czechs (7.8%), Norwegians (5.1%) and French from either France or Canada (3.2%). The city also had a growing minority population. For example, in the three-year period from 2006 to 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that 4.9% of the Cedar Rapids population identified as African Americans, up from 3.7% in the 2000 census.

Muslim heritage
The Mother Mosque of America, dedicated on June 16, 1934, is the longest standing mosque in North America. In 1972, another mosque was built and the original mosque was sold and fell into disrepair before being purchased in 1990 by the Islamic Council of Iowa and renovated. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Iowa flood of 2008 extensively damaged the basement, destroying many historic documents.

Muslim presence in the area dates to 1895 when the first immigrants arrived from the Beqaa Valley in today's Lebanon and Syria. Islamic Services of America (I.S.A.) was established in Cedar Rapids in 1975 and provides Halal Certification and supervision throughout the world.

Economy
Cedar Rapids is one of the largest cities in the world for corn processing. The grain processing industry is Cedar Rapids' most important sector, directly providing 4,000 jobs that pay on average $85,000, and also providing 8,000 indirectly. Fortune 500 company Collins Aerospace and trucking company CRST are based in Cedar Rapids, and Aegon has its United States headquarters there. A large Quaker Oats mill, one of the four that merged in 1901 to form Quaker Oats, dominates the north side of downtown. Other large companies that have facilities in Cedar Rapids include Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, General Mills, Toyota Financial Services and Nordstrom. Newspaperarchive, based in Cedar Rapids, is the largest newspaper archive in North America with a repository of more than 150 million pages assembled over 250 years; it was taken offline for two days by the 2008 flood.

Top employers
According to Cedar Rapids' 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the area are:

Arts and culture
Cedar Rapids is home to Orchestra Iowa, the Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, McGrath Amphitheatre, and Brucemore, a National Trust Historic Site, among others.

Cedar Rapids is also home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, The Cedar Rapids Ceramics Center, Legion Art's CSPS Hall, the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, the African American Historical Museum, Kirkwood Community College's Iowa Hall Gallery, and the legendary Grant Wood Studio at 5 Turner Alley. These Cedar Rapids venues have recently hosted world class and award nominated exhibitions, including the works of Andy Warhol, Grant Wood, and the Iowa Biennial, among others.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses the largest collection of Grant Wood paintings in the world. The 1920s Paramount Theatre is home to the Orchestra Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society. Concerts and events such as high school graduations, sporting events, exhibitions, and political rallies are held at Alliant Energy Powerhouse, formerly known as Five Seasons Center.

Many arts centers in Cedar Rapids sustained severe damage during the June 2008 flood. Among those severely damaged were the Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, the National Czech & Slovak Museum, and the African American Historical Museum. Two Wurlitzer organs were damaged at the Paramount Theatre and Theatre Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art suffered minor damage. It is expected to cost $25 million to repair the Paramount; Theatre Cedar Rapids reopened in February 2010.

Flag
The current flag of Cedar Rapids was adopted on September 8, 2021. On the flag, the blue represents the Cedar River and the green portrays the city's green areas. Withal, the arch represents forwards progress, as well as the city's flood wall and the star represents the historic structures on Mays Island with its five stars depicting the City of Five Seasons.

History
In 1962, a flag design was chosen through a design contest among high schools. The artist, Fred Easker Jr, was a high-school senior at the time. The flag depicts buildings of Cedar Rapids in blue and the words "Cedar Rapids" and "Iowa" above and below it in red. Among the buildings depicted were: a veterans memorial, a church, corn stalks, a factory, an early mill and an unfinished building to signify the city's promising future.

In 2004, the North American Vexillological Association ranked Cedar Rapids' flag as among the worst flags in the United States. Moreover, the flag was decried during a TED Talk in 2015. On account of this criticism, Cedar Rapids began the process of redesigning the city's flag. Residents were asked for input on the colors, symbols, and themes they would like to have the flag include. On September 18, 2021, the city unveiled a new flag at Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Sports
Cedar Rapids has been home to several sports teams: The 15,000-capacity Kingston Stadium is located in Cedar Rapids. It is used for American football and soccer.
 * the Cedar Rapids Kernels, a member of minor league baseball's Midwest League since 1962, are the Class-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and play at Veterans Memorial Stadium
 * the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are members of the United States Hockey League, playing at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
 * the Cedar Rapids River Kings played in the Indoor Football League at the U.S. Cellular Center and folded in 2020.
 * the Cedar Rapids Rampage played in the Major Arena Soccer League at the U.S. Cellular Center and folded in 2018.
 * the Iowa Raptors FC are members of the United Premier Soccer League that began play in 2021.

The city is also home to the Fifth Season Races, which began just after the running boom. In 1986, a former Iowa State University runner Joseph Kipsang won the popular 8-kilometer race in 23:24 and won $7,000. A few notable runners who have won include Keith Brantly, Janis Klecker, Jeff Jacobs, Kenneth Cheruiyot, and Pasca Myers. The race is not the largest road race in the region and most recently has included both the 8K and a 5K run.

Parks and recreation
Cedar Rapids has over 3360 acre of city owned property for undeveloped green space and recreational use. There are 74 formally named parks or recreational facilities. These include baseball and softball fields, all-weather basketball courts, two frisbee golf courses, sand volleyball courts, the Tuma Soccer Complex, a BMX dirt track, two off-leash dog exercise areas, the Old MacDonald's Farm (a children's zoo), 10 splash pads, and many parks that have pavilions, picnicking areas and restroom facilities. The various trail systems in Cedar Rapids have a total of 24 mi for walking, running or bicycling.

The YMCA has had a local chapter since 1868. It has many facilities including Camp Wapsie.

Government

From April 6, 1908, to December 31, 2005, Cedar Rapids used the city commission form of government. It was one of the few larger American cities remaining to operate under this model. Under this form of government, the council was made up of a public safety commissioner, a streets commissioner, a finance commissioner, a parks commissioner, and a mayor. The council members worked on a full-time basis, served two-year terms, and were considered department heads. Don Canney, the longest-serving mayor in city history, served for twenty-two years under this system. The last mayor of Cedar Rapids under this form of government was Paul Pate.

In 2005 the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a movement to change from the commission form of government. A panel was appointed by Mayor Pate and the City Council to study the issue, and recommended that voters be presented with three options: On June 14, 2005, voters went to the polls to decide whether to adopt a new form of government or continue with the commission form. 28,818 of the 83,514 registered voters (29.72%) cast ballots on the issue. 68.80% of the voters decided to adopt a new form of government. Elections were held on November 8, 2005, and 30 candidates ran. Kay Halloran, a retired attorney and state legislator, became the first mayor elected under the new system. Several members of the city council were elected outright; however, the remaining races were close enough to require a runoff election, which took place in December.
 * Retain the current commission form of government.
 * Adopt a "strong mayor form" where the council would be part-time, the mayor would be full-time, and a city manager would run the day-to-day affairs of the city.
 * Adopt a "weak mayor form" of government, in this form the mayor and council would both work on a part-time basis. A full-time city manager would run the day-to-day operations of the city.

Cedar Rapids now has an Iowa "Home Rule" charter which establishes a weak mayor system with a part-time City Council and Mayor both on four-year terms.

Colleges and universities
Cedar Rapids is home to two four-year colleges, Coe College and Mount Mercy University. The University of Iowa also has an evening MBA facility there. Kirkwood Community College is the area's only two-year college, while Kaplan University (formerly Hamilton College) and Upper Iowa University also have campuses there. Cornell College in Mount Vernon and the University of Iowa's main campus in Iowa City are both within 30 mi of Cedar Rapids.

Primary and secondary schools
The Cedar Rapids Community School District is the largest school district in the metropolitan area with an enrollment of 17,263 in the 2006–07 school year. Most of the city is in the district limits. The district contains 24 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools: Jefferson, Washington, Kennedy, and Metro High School (an alternative high school).

Two neighboring school districts draw students from within the Cedar Rapids city limits. The Linn-Mar Community School District serves part of the northeast quadrant of the city and has seven elementary schools inside the city limits. The College Community School District serves part of the southwest quadrant of Cedar Rapids as well as neighboring rural portions of Linn, Benton and Johnson counties. A central campus off Interstate 380 holds College Community's five elementary schools, Prairie Creek Intermediate, Prairie Point Middle School & Ninth Grade Academy, and Prairie High School. The Marion Independent School District also serves a portion.

The Cedar Rapids Metro Catholic Education System, which is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, consists of four elementary schools, two middle schools, one PK-8 school, and one high school (Xavier). The Cedar Rapids Catholic Education System and Cedar Rapids Community School District are synonymous with each other in the Cedar Rapids Public and Parochial School System.

The city hosts several private schools, including Summit Schools, Cedar Valley Christian School, Trinity Lutheran School, Isaac Newton Christian Academy, Faith Christian Learning Center, and Good Shepherd Lutheran School of the WELS.

Radio
Cedar Rapids' radio market, which consists of Linn County, is ranked 200th by Nielsen Audio with 194,000 listeners aged 12 and older.

iHeart Media owns four stations in the Cedar Rapids area, including WMT 600 AM, a news/talk station that has broadcast since 1922. Clear Channel also owns KKSY-FM 96.5, a modern country music station; KMJM 1360 AM, a classic country station; KOSY-FM 95.7 FM, a hit music station; and KKRQ 100.7 FM, with a classic rock format, which is an Iowa City station that is typically highly rated in Cedar Rapids. Townsquare Media owns four radio stations in Cedar Rapids, which were formerly owned by Cumulus Media: KDAT 104.5 FM (adult contemporary), KHAK 98.1 FM (country music), and KRNA 94.1 FM (classic rock). Townsquare also operates KRQN 107.1 under a Lease-Management Agreement. KRQN broadcasts a (contemporary hits) format. Three other stations in Cedar Rapids are independently owned: KZIA 102.9 FM (contemporary hits), KGYM 1600 AM (sports radio), and KMRY 1450 AM/93.1 FM (Classic Hits). Several stations from Davenport, Waterloo, and Iowa City also figure into ratings in Cedar Rapids. These stations include Waterloo-licensed contemporary Christian "Life 101.9," KNWS-FM; KFMW 107.9 FM, known as "Rock 108," with an active rock format; and KOKZ 105.7 FM, which has a classic hits format.

The only noncommercial station licensed to Cedar Rapids is KCCK-FM 88.3 FM, a jazz station licensed to Kirkwood Community College. KXGM 89.1 is a non-commercial contemporary Christian music station licensed to neighboring Hiawatha. NPR stations from Cedar Falls (KUNI (FM) 90.9 FM) and Iowa City (KSUI 91.7 FM and WSUI 910 AM) reach Cedar Rapids.

Television
The Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque media market consists of 21 eastern Iowa counties: Allamakee, Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cedar, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Grundy, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Tama, Washington, and Winneshiek. It is ranked 90th by Nielsen Media Research for the 2016–17 television season with 346,330 television households.

Cedar Rapids is home to the following commercial stations: KGAN channel 2 (CBS), KGAN-DT2 (Fox), KCRG-TV channel 9 (ABC), KCRG-DT2 (MyNetworkTV), KCRG-DT3 (The CW), KFXA channel 28 (Dabl), and KPXR-TV channel 48 (Ion). NBC affiliate KWWL channel 7 and MeTV affiliate KWWL-DT3 are based in Waterloo and maintain a newsroom inside the Alliant Energy tower in downtown Cedar Rapids. Other stations in the market are KWKB channel 20 (TCT, ThisTV on DT-5), licensed to Iowa City and KFXB-TV channel 40 (CTN), licensed to Dubuque. Public television is provided by Iowa PBS, which has two stations in the area: KIIN channel 12 in Iowa City and KRIN channel 32 in Waterloo. KWWF channel 22 (RTN), which operated from Waterloo, ceased broadcasting in 2013. Mediacom and local company ImOn Communications provide cable television service to Cedar Rapids.

Print
The Gazette is the primary daily newspaper for Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids Gazette won a Pulitzer Prize in 1936, under editor Verne Marshall and primarily due to his efforts and articles, for its campaign against corruption and misgovernment in the State of Iowa.

Film
Cedar Rapids is an American comedy film about a naive insurance agent, played by Ed Helms, who is sent to represent his company at a regional conference in big town Cedar Rapids. Although the film is set in Cedar Rapids, it was actually mostly shot in Ann Arbor, Michigan, although exterior shots were done in Cedar Rapids.

The 2017 film Amelia 2.0 is a scifi drama set in a nameless fictional city. The majority of the movie was filmed in Cedar Rapids, using iconic locations such as the Cedar Rapids Public Library and Theater Cedar Rapids as important set pieces.

The Crazies is a 2010 film set near Cedar Rapids in the fictional Odgen Marsh, Iowa. Bruce Aune, a real newscaster from KCRG-TV 9 in Cedar Rapids, appears in a mid-credits scene near the end of the film.

The Final Season is a 2007 film about the Norway High School baseball team's pursuit of their 20th state championship and the district's fight against consolidation. The film includes footage of the Kennedy High School baseball field, the new Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball stadium, and an appearance by former KZIA-FM Cedar Rapids radio personalities Scott Schulte and the late Ric Swann.

Transportation
Cedar Rapids is served by Cedar Rapids Transit, consisting of an extensive bus system and taxi service. Cedar Rapids Transit operates scheduled bus service throughout the city and to Marion and Hiawatha. The 380 Express provides commuter bus service from Cedar Rapids to Coralville and Iowa City.

A series of enclosed pedestrian skywalks connect several downtown buildings.

The city is also served by The Eastern Iowa Airport (formerly known as the Cedar Rapids Airport), a regional airport that connects with other regional and international airports. Cedar Rapids Transit and private bus lines also connect at the airport.

Interstate 380, part of the Avenue of the Saints, runs north–south through Cedar Rapids. U.S. Highways 30, 151, and 218 and Iowa Highway 13 and Iowa Highway 100 also serve the city.

Cedar Rapids is served by four major railroads. They are the Union Pacific, the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (Crandic), the Canadian National, and the Iowa Northern Railway Company [IANR]. The Iowa Northern Railway has its headquarters in the historic Paramount Theater Building. The Crandic and the Iowa Interstate Railroad also are headquartered in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Interstate reaches the city via the Crandic tracks, running a daily train from Iowa City, Iowa to Cedar Rapids. Until the 1960s the city had been a major hub for passenger trains. Union Station and Milwaukee Depot served the city, with trains originating in all directions from major cities of the West and the Midwest. Passenger service by the Milwaukee Road continued to neighboring Marion until 1971.

Cedar Rapids is linked to other Midwestern cities by the Burlington Trailways bus hub at the Eastern Iowa Airport.

Health care
There are two hospitals in Cedar Rapids: St. Luke's and Mercy Medical Center.

title: Cedar Rapids, Iowa


text:
Center Point, Iowa

Center Point is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,579 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The first house was built in Center Point in 1854.

Geography
Center Point is located at 42.19056°N, -91.7825°W (42.190618, -91.782500).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.60 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,421 people, 887 households, and 665 families living in the city. The population density was 931.2 PD/sqmi. There were 942 housing units at an average density of 362.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 887 households, of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.0% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the city was 34.7 years. 31.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.6% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 9.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,007 people, 765 households, and 550 families living in the city. The population density was 834.5 PD/sqmi. There were 789 housing units at an average density of 328.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.45% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.15% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 765 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

Age spread: 30.4% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,352, and the median income for a family was $55,677. Males had a median income of $36,702 versus $25,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,527. About 3.2% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
It is within the Center Point–Urbana Community School District. The district formed on July 1, 1993, with the merger of the Center Point and Urbana districts.

Notable people

 * Bill Gustoff (born 1968), member of the Iowa House of Representatives, raised in Center Point
 * Quentin Stanerson (born 1977), member of the Iowa House of Representatives, lived in Center Point for 15 years
 * Elizabeth Wilson (born 1964), member of the Iowa House of Representatives, raised in Center Point

title: Center Point, Iowa


text:
Central City, Iowa

Central City is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Central City was founded in the 1850s. The name Central City refers to its location within proximity to railroads.

A section of the downtown area has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Central City Commercial Historic District.

Geography
Central City is located at 42.20444°N, -91.525°W (42.204544, -91.525013).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.97 sqmi, of which 0.95 sqmi is land and 0.02 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,257 people, 522 households, and 351 families living in the city. The population density was 1323.2 PD/sqmi. There were 556 housing units at an average density of 585.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 522 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 39.5 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,157 people, 490 households, and 320 families living in the city. The population density was 1,303.2 PD/sqmi. There were 511 housing units at an average density of 575.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.96% White, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 490 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,544, and the median income for a family was $49,318. Males had a median income of $33,083 versus $24,400 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,800. About 1.3% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Central City Community School District operates local area public schools.

title: Central City, Iowa


text:
Coggon, Iowa

Coggon is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 701 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Coggon was founded in 1857, and celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2007. The town's motto is "The One and Only." This is because Coggon, Iowa is the only town named Coggon in the whole world. Previously, the motto was "Some bigger, none better." Coggon is most well known as the site of the 1953 tornado that damaged much of the northwest portion of the town. Coggon is home to The Coggon Rockets baseball and softball teams, which, in 2012 won the Coggon Little League Championship game and took home the title of best softball team west of the Wapsipinicon River.

Geography
Coggon is located at 42.27917°N, -91.52972°W (42.279076, -91.529647).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.65 sqmi, of which 0.63 sqmi is land and 0.02 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 658 people, 266 households, and 177 families living in the city. The population density was 1044.4 PD/sqmi. There were 288 housing units at an average density of 457.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.7% White, 0.2% African American, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 266 households, of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 35.4 years. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 20.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 745 people, 277 households, and 209 families living in the city. The population density was 1,190.3 people per square mile (456.6 per km2). There were 285 housing units at an average density of 455.4 per square mile (174.7 per km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.87% White and 0.13% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 277 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.2% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $58,214. Males had a median income of $38,958 versus $26,111 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,871. About 4.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

It is home to the Coggon Rockets softball team of T-ball, Coach Pitch, and Pitch.

Education
The North Linn Community School District operates area public schools.

Notable people

 * Robert Kirkpatrick Round Barn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
 * Chris Carney grew up in Coggon, Iowa

title: Coggon, Iowa


text:
Ely, Iowa

Ely is a city in Linn County, Iowa. The population was 2,328 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area

History
Ely was platted in June 1872 by T.M. Johnson. The town is named after John F. Ely, who was one of the pioneers of Linn county, a prominent railroad builder in the early days and one of the officers and stockholders of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway.

After the railroad was established in town more buildings were erected including a warehouse by Andrew Fuhrmeister, a store building by Jerry Smith, a bar, and a drug and hardware store were also built as more and more people began moving into town.

Geography
Ely is located at 41.87556°N, -91.58306°W (41.875431, -91.583061).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.44 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,776 people, 628 households, and 466 families living in the city. The population density was 1233.3 PD/sqmi. There were 650 housing units at an average density of 451.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 628 households, of which 48.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.8% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 33.2 years. 32.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.2% were from 25 to 44; 22.2% were from 45 to 64; and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,149 people, 424 households, and 315 families living in the city. The population density was 848.1 PD/sqmi. There were 434 housing units at an average density of 320.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.09% White, 0.35% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 424 households, of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,250, and the median income for a family was $62,500. Males had a median income of $41,292 versus $29,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,936. About 2.4% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Public Schools
Residents of Ely belong to the College Community School District. The school district operates: The school district is located within the Cedar Rapids city limits.
 * Prairie High School
 * Prairie Point Middle School and Ninth Grade Academy
 * Prairie Creek Intermediate
 * Prairie Heights Elementary
 * Prairie View Elementary
 * Prairie Crest Elementary
 * Prairie Ridge Elementary
 * Prairie Hill Elementary

Ely formerly had its own public school building, which was built in 1923, but has since ceased operations as a school and houses city government offices, City Council Chambers, a senior dining facility, meeting rooms and The History Center and archives.

Higher Education
Ely is within 20 miles of five college campuses:

 * Kirkwood Community College: 4.6 miles
 * Coe College: 11.8 miles
 * Mt. Mercy University: 12.7 miles
 * Cornell College: 13.1 miles
 * The University of Iowa: 19.5 miles

Annual events
Ely hosts the Fall Fest, held annually during Late September or Early October. The Ely Fall Fest is a family-oriented and affordable celebration that offers a wide range of events for all ages run by The Ely Parks & Recreation Commission. The town also hosts a city-wide garage sale day on the first Saturday of May.

Religion
There are two churches in Ely: St. John's Lutheran Church founded in 1854 and the First Presbyterian Church founded in 1858.

Parks and Recreation
The City of Ely provides four different parks throughout the community:
 * Ely City Park: the newest and largest of the four city parks. It features two baseball fields, soccer fields, a small pond, and playground.
 * Schulte Park: locals often refer to this as the "Fishy" Park due to its large fish shaped bridge that is a part of the playground. This park features a large playground, pavilion, large grassy area, and gaga ball pit.
 * Community Center Park: the oldest park in Ely, this park offers half-court basketball, a tennis court, open grass field and a playground. The playground was renovated in the fall of 2020.
 * Vavra Park: this park offers a quiet and shaded green space, nestled along a creek. Renovations were made in 2023 with new features including a covered shelter, frisbee golf holes, horse shoe pits, permanent bag toss, a butterfly garden and minimal playground equipment.

Ely is located near two Iowa State parks: Lake MacBride State Park and Palisades-Kepler State Park. The Cedar Valley Nature bike trail travels through Ely and provides access to both Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.

National Register of Historic Places
Three properties in Ely are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
 * Dows Street Historic District
 * Ely School House
 * Woitishek-King-Krob Elevator

Notable residents

 * Lew Fonseca (1899-1989) Major League Baseball player

title: Ely, Iowa


text:
Fairfax, Iowa

Fairfax is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,828 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Fairfax was laid out in 1863 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was named after Fairfax County, Virginia.

Geography
Fairfax is located at 41.91972°N, -91.78028°W (41.919714, -91.780295). It is located along U.S. Route 151, approximately 7 mi southwest of downtown Cedar Rapids.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.96 sqmi, of which 1.94 sqmi is land and 0.02 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,123 people, 782 households, and 608 families living in the city. The population density was 1094.3 PD/sqmi. There were 803 housing units at an average density of 413.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 1.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 782 households, of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 28.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 9.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 889 people, 327 households, and 263 families living in the city. The population density was 652.7 PD/sqmi. There were 336 housing units at an average density of 246.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 0.90% African American, 0.45% Asian, 0.67% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

There were 327 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.3% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.05.

28.9% are under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,850, and the median income for a family was $59,348. Males had a median income of $41,932 versus $29,643 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,583. About 3.0% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Mattie Blaylock, common-law wife of Wyatt Earp
 * Donald Gurnett, physicist

title: Fairfax, Iowa