Elk Horn, Iowa

Elk Horn is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States. The population was 662 at the 2010 census. Elk Horn is known as an enclave of Danish ethnicity and is home to the Museum of Danish America.

For other uses, see Elkhorn (disambiguation).
Elk Horn, Iowa
City
Location of Elk Horn, Iowa
Coordinates: 41°35′34″N 95°3′35″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyShelby
Area
 • Total0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2)
 • Land0.77 sq mi (1.99 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,345 ft (410 m)
Population
 • Total662
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
610
 • Density792.21/sq mi (306.05/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
51531
Area code(s)712
FIPS code19-24780
GNIS feature ID0456294
Websitewww.elkhorniowa.com

History

Elk Horn was platted in 1901, and incorporated as a town in 1910.[4] The city took its name from Elk Horn Creek.[5]

Geography

Elk Horn is located at 41°35′34″N 95°3′35″W (41.592694, -95.059615).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.77 square miles (1.99 km2), all of it land.[7]

Demographics
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1920589—    
1930513−12.9%
1940486−5.3%
1950566+16.5%
1960679+20.0%
1970667−1.8%
1980746+11.8%
1990672−9.9%
2000649−3.4%
2010662+2.0%
2019610−7.9%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-28. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 662 people, 255 households, and 163 families residing in the city. The population density was 859.7 inhabitants per square mile (331.9/km2). There were 274 housing units at an average density of 355.8 per square mile (137.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.9% White, 0.8% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 255 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.8% 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 2.91.

The median age in the city was 50 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.6% were from 45 to 64; and 33.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 649 people, 248 households, and 171 families residing in the city. The population density was 844.6 people per square mile (325.4/km2). There were 261 housing units at an average density of 339.7 per square mile (130.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.08% White, 0.15% Native American, 0.62% Asian, and 0.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 248 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.73.

Age spread: 20.2% under the age of 18, 2.6% from 18 to 24, 17.3% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 42.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $38,281. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $21,146 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,412. About 1.2% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Students from the area attend Exira–Elk Horn–Kimballton Community School District,[10] which has a campus located in Elk Horn. The former Elk Horn–Kimballton Community School District consolidated effective July 1, 2014.[11]

The school mascots are the "Danes" and "Lady Danes," which represents Elk Horn's Danish ancestry and tradition.

As of 2010, all sports were combined with the Exira "Vikings" and "Vikettes" from Exira, Iowa to create the Exira-EH-K Spartans; mascot colors now are maroon and black for both schools, the original colors for EH-K were orange and black. And starting in the new school year of 2011, the schools will combine completely, high school and elementary being in Elk Horn, and middle school and junior high being in Exira.

Elk Horn was also the site of the Elk Horn Højskole. This school, founded in 1878 by Danish immigrant Kristian Ostergaard, was the first Danish folk school in America. It served as a magnet for Danish immigrants, drawing them to Elk Horn in great numbers. In 1894, Pastor Kristian Anker, then owner and principal of the Elk Horn Højskole, sold it to the newly formed Danish Lutheran Church in North America for use as a seminary and college. In 1896, the seminary was relocated and consolidated with Trinity Seminary at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska.[12]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. White, Edward Speer (1915). Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa, Volume 1. B.F. Bowen. p. 275.
  5. Savage, Tom (August 1, 2007). A Dictionary of Iowa Place-Names. University of Iowa Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-58729-759-5.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  10. "Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on June 21, 2018.
  11. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
  12. Elk Horn Højskole Folk School. Dana College
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