Gowrie, Iowa

Gowrie is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,037 at the 2010 census. The town has a swimming pool, golf course, athletic stadium, and curb-and-gutter throughout the community.

Gowrie, Iowa
City
Location of Gowrie, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°16′47″N 94°17′29″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyWebster
Area
 • Total1.45 sq mi (3.75 km2)
 • Land1.45 sq mi (3.75 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,142 ft (348 m)
Population
 • Total1,037
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
953
 • Density657.69/sq mi (253.99/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50543
Area code(s)515
FIPS code19-31710
GNIS feature ID0456991

History

A post office called Gowrie has been in operation since 1871.[4] The city was named after Gowrie, in Scotland.[5]

Gowrie began as a stop on the railroad. It grew in its early years as the Swedish settlers built a local economy around serving area farmers. Today, the town has a swimming pool, golf course, athletic stadium, and curb-and-gutter throughout the town. Historically, its peak was 1970, and at that time the downtown area had the following businesses: (* designate companies still in business) Gowrie Municipal Swimming Pool*, Gowrie Gowrie Youth Center/Skating Rink*, Johnson RediMix, Johnson Sinclair Service, Bruntlett Elevator*, Johnson Lumber Company, Gowrie Dry Clean, Carr's Grocery, Gambles Hardware, Webster-Calhoun Co-op Telephone Co.*, Sunray DX, Palmer and Son's Funeral Home*, Dairy Sweet, Buskee Industries, Gowrie Car Wash, Imels Clothing, Wendells Appliances, Redman Barber Shop, Erb Law Offices, Dr. Rungee, DDS, Dr. Borgen, MD, Paladium Lanes Bowling Alley, First National Bank, Gowrie Cafe, Palmer Hardware, Hasty's Cafe, Smith's Meat Market, Gowrie Star Theater, Earl Braend Ford, The Canteen, Larson's Phillip 66, Standard Gas Station, VFW, Gowrie Library, Lee Benson Motors*, Pontiac, Jansa TV Repair, Laundromat, Skip's Tap, Lane Barber Shop, The White House Sundry, and The Gowrie News. Other businesses in town included: Dixon Hatcheries, Hubbard Veterinary Clinic, Lizer Sale barn, Anderson Elevator, Gowrie Municipal Golf Course*, Swanson Florist and Garden Center*, and the COOP.

Geography

Gowrie is located at 42°16′47″N 94°17′29″W (42.279715, -94.291520).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.45 square miles (3.76 km2), all land.[7]

Demographics
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1880261—    
1890526+101.5%
1900681+29.5%
1910829+21.7%
1920895+8.0%
19301,059+18.3%
19401,028−2.9%
19501,052+2.3%
19601,127+7.1%
19701,225+8.7%
19801,089−11.1%
19901,028−5.6%
20001,038+1.0%
20101,037−0.1%
2019953−8.1%
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 1,037 people, 442 households, and 281 families living in the city. The population density was 715.2 inhabitants per square mile (276.1/km2). There were 489 housing units at an average density of 337.2 per square mile (130.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 1.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 442 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 45.2 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 1,038 people, 429 households, and 277 families living in the city. The population density was 709.4 people per square mile (274.5/km2). There were 468 housing units at an average density of 319.8 per square mile (123.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.19% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 429 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.

24.5% are under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,136, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,398 versus $20,278 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,348. About 4.0% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Gowrie is served by the Prairie Valley Community School District,[10] which formed on July 1, 1993 with the merger of the Cedar Valley Community School District and the Prairie Community School District.[11]

Arts and culture

Each year, the town hosts the Gowrie Fourth of July Celebration, which draws thousands of people from around the state for the parade, fireworks, carnival, and bandshell performances. The parade is the longest running consecutive parade in Iowa, beginning in 1873 and continuing each year since. Crowds of 10,000-20,000 are common. Some highlights of the past include a visit by President Richard Nixon's daughter, Patricia, in 1968, the Bill Riley Talent Show for several years, an appearance by the O's Gold Famous 40 Horse Hitch in 1976, and a concert by opera singer Simon Estes in 2011.

Several churches are located in the community, including both Methodist and Lutheran churches. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, a magnificent open-arched structure, was built by hometown business, Johnson Lumber Company, owned by Axel and Carl Johnson, and was completed in March, 1931.

Notable people

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. "Webster County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  5. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 79.
  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. "Prairie Valley." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on February 25, 2019.
  11. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on February 23, 2019.
  12. David Epstein The DIY Scientist, the Olympian, and the Mutated Gene ProPublica January 15, 2016
  13. heard on This American Life "Something Only I Can See" January 15, 2017
  • Gowrie Iowa Portal style website, Government, Business, Recreation and more
  • City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Gowrie


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