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Emmetsburg, Iowa

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Emmetsburg, Iowa
Street in Emmetsburg
Street in Emmetsburg
Motto: 
"Home of one of the last A&W restaurants"[1]
Location of Emmetsburg, Iowa
Location of Emmetsburg, Iowa
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyPalo Alto
Government
 • MayorAlexander R. Hall
 • Preceded MayorAlexander M. Gray
Area
 • Total
3.97 sq mi (10.28 km2)
 • Land3.81 sq mi (9.87 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2)
Elevation
1,237 ft (377 m)
Population
 • Total
3,904
 • Estimate 
(2012[4])
3,838
 • Density1,024.7/sq mi (395.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50536
Area code712
FIPS code19-25590
GNIS feature ID0456375
WebsiteCity of Emmetsburg, Iowa Website

Emmetsburg is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,904 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Palo Alto County.[5] Emmetsburg is located around the southern bay of Five Island Lake.

In 2007 and 2009, Emmetsburg was named one of the top 100 places to live in the United States by Relocate-America.com's "America's Top 100 Places to Live."[6]

History

The town was originally settled by immigrants during the Irish potato famine between 1845 and 1852. Emmetsburg was named after the Dublin-born Irish nationalist Robert Emmet,[7][8] who was executed at 25 for leading an 1803 rebellion against the British. The city was incorporated on November 17, 1877.[9]

Geography

Five Island Lake at sunset

Emmetsburg is located at 43°6′40″N 94°40′55″W / 43.11111°N 94.68194°W / 43.11111; -94.68194 (43.110996, -94.681921).[10]

The city lies just to the east of the Des Moines River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.97 square miles (10.28 km2), of which 3.81 square miles (9.87 km2) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) is water.[2]

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
187044—    
1880879+1897.7%
18901,584+80.2%
19002,361+49.1%
19102,325−1.5%
19202,762+18.8%
19302,865+3.7%
19403,374+17.8%
19503,760+11.4%
19603,887+3.4%
19704,150+6.8%
19804,621+11.3%
19903,940−14.7%
20003,958+0.5%
20103,904−1.4%
20143,790−2.9%
20153,811+0.6%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 3,904 people, 1,632 households, and 967 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,024.7 inhabitants per square mile (395.6/km2). There were 1,836 housing units at an average density of 481.9 per square mile (186.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 1.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 1,632 households of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 34.3% 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 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 20.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 3,958 people, 1,620 households, and 941 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,046.9 people per square mile (404.3/km²). There were 1,831 housing units at an average density of 484.3 per square mile (187.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.59% White, 0.08% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 1,620 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.90.

Age spread: 20.5% under the age of 18, 13.9% from 18 to 24, 21.6% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,520, and the median income for a family was $44,554. Males had a median income of $29,830 versus $20,800 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,599. About 6.9% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Irish heritage

Robert Emmet

The city hosts many festivities the weekend of or following St. Patrick's Day, including a parade, and hosting a member of the Irish government. The three-day St Patrick's Day celebration is the largest celebration of the entire year.

For a full schedule of events, call 712- 852-4326 or visit the Emmetsburg St. Patrick’s Association website.

Government

Early mayors of Emmetsburg: M.L. Brown, E.J. Harthorn, Geo H. Carr, F. Joyce, J.C. Davies, A.L. Ormsby, Thos. Moncrief, B.E. Kelly, E.S. Ormsby, C.E. Cohoon, T.J. Prouty, J.S. Atkinson, L. Stuehmer, Thos. Shea.[1]

Education

Emmetsburg is home to a campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, as well as a public high school, middle school, elementry school, and Catholic school.

Media

The community is served by KEMB-jjFM, a low power community radio station.[citation needed]

Notable people

Sister cities

Emmetsburg is a sister City to Dublin, Ireland due to its rich Irish history.

References

  1. ^ "City of Emmetsburg, Iowa Website". City of Emmetsburg, Iowa Website. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  4. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. ^ "City of Emmetsburg, Iowa Website". City of Emmetsburg, Iowa Website. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  7. ^ "A Small Town Struggles to Preserve Its Irish Heritage". Irish America Magazine Sept/Oct. 1993.
  8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 119.
  9. ^ "Emmetsburg, Iowa". City-Data.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  10. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  11. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. ^ "Newport Gwent Dragons". Rodney Parade Ltd. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  14. ^ "Biographical Directory of Federal Judges:Joyce, Matthew M." Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  15. ^ "Loren Meyer". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  16. ^ "Bruce Nelson". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  17. ^ "Biographical Directory of Federal JudgesPratt, Robert W." Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved September 2, 2012.