|
Webster City, Iowa
Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,717 at the 2023 census.[2]It is the county seat of Hamilton County.[3] Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country', as the Boone River meanders along the east side of the city. HistoryWebster City was originally called Newcastle by settlers of European descent. Under the latter name it was changed in 1854 by Wilson Brewer.[4][5] In 1855, Walter C. Willson came to Newcastle.  Willson was elected to the Iowa State House the next year and, with John F. Duncombe, crafted a bill to divide the very large Webster County in half. Newcastle would be renamed "Webster City," named after Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and would become the county seat of the new county. Willson suggested "Hamilton County" after William W. Hamilton, the president of the State Senate. He helped pass the legislation. The law took effect on January 1, 1857, renaming Webster City and designating it as the county seat of the newly organized Hamilton County. Willson was also instrumental in getting the Dubuque & Sioux City rail line to be constructed through Webster City on its way to Fort Dodge. He personally oversaw the laying of track.[5] GeographyWebster City is located at 42°27′59″N 93°49′14″W / 42.46639°N 93.82056°W (42.466300, -93.820582).[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.88 square miles (23.00 km2), of which 8.86 square miles (22.95 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[7] ClimateAccording to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Webster City has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 censusAs of the census of 2020,[11] there were 7,825 people, 3,320 households, and 1,992 families residing in the city. The population density was 879.9 inhabitants per square mile (339.7/km2). There were 3,734 housing units at an average density of 419.9 per square mile (162.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.8% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 7.4% from other races and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 15.2% of the population. Of the 3,320 households, 28.0% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 7.2% were cohabitating couples, 27.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 21.8% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.0% of all households were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older. The median age in the city was 40.7 years. 25.6% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 and 44; 24.5% were from 45 and 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female. 2010 censusAs of the census[12] of 2010, there were 8,070 people, 3,433 households, and 2,096 families residing in the city. The population density was 910.8 inhabitants per square mile (351.7/km2). There were 3,800 housing units at an average density of 428.9 per square mile (165.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population. There were 3,433 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female. 2000 censusAs of the census[13] of 2000, there were 8,176 people, 3,502 households, and 2,227 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 inhabitants per square mile (368.9/km2). There were 3,679 housing units at an average density of 430.0 per square mile (166.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.41% White, 0.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population. There were 3,502 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89. Age spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,582, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,404 versus $23,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,057. About 5.2% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over. Business and industryWebster City is the headquarters of several companies, including Vantec,[clarification needed]Van Diest Supply Company, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, Webster City Custom Meats, and Tasler. Webster City's top industries are advanced manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, food processing, agricultural related products, and warehousing and distribution.[14] Since 2010, Webster City has attracted new projects and business expansions, including the Van Diest Medical Center, a $35 million critical access hospital; and a $13 million competition gym at the high school[15] EducationPublic education in Webster City is provided by Webster City Community School District,[16] with Webster City High School, Webster City Middle School, and Pleasant View or Sunset Heights for elementary education. A private Catholic school at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church offers a preschool through 6th grade elementary education. Transportation
U.S. Route 20, a four-lane east-west corridor through north central Iowa, was built along Webster City. Approximately 12 miles east is Interstate 35. The city has a municipal airport with a 4,007 feet (1,221 m) runway and full-time Fixed-base operator. A junction of lines of the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads is located in Webster City. There is no Uber in the community. RecreationWebster City has eleven parks, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor community swimming pools, a recreation center, more than seven miles of walking trails, and many camping areas:
Events and activitiesWebster City is home to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which holds the county fair every July. In addition, the fairgrounds is home to the Historic Hamilton County Speedway. Webster City's annual community celebration is the Boone Bash River Dash, which features a cardboard regatta. It is held every June. MediaThe local radio stations are KZWC and KQWC-FM. The Daily Freeman Journal is the city's local newspaper and is published Monday through Friday. Notable people
References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Webster City, Iowa.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
