Rockwell City, Iowa

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Rockwell City, Iowa
Eastern entrance to Rockwell City Iowa on US20.jpg
Motto(s): 
The Golden Buckle on the Corn Belt
Location of Rockwell City, Iowa
Location of Rockwell City, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°23′45″N 94°37′59″W / 42.39583°N 94.63306°W / 42.39583; -94.63306Coordinates: 42°23′45″N 94°37′59″W / 42.39583°N 94.63306°W / 42.39583; -94.63306
CountryUnited States
State Iowa
CountyCalhoun
TownshipsTwin Lakes Township / Center Township
Area
 • Total4.21 sq mi (10.91 km2)
 • Land4.21 sq mi (10.91 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (375 m)
Population
 • Total1,709
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
2,082
 • Density494.18/sq mi (190.79/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50579
Area code(s)712
FIPS code19-68295
GNIS feature ID0460754

Rockwell City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,709 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County.[4]

History[edit]

Rockwell City was platted in 1876. It is named for its founders, John M. Rockwell, and his wife Charlotte M. Rockwell.[5]

Demographics[edit]

Rockwell City
historical population
YearPop.±%
188090—    
1890516+473.3%
19001,222+136.8%
19101,528+25.0%
19202,039+33.4%
19302,108+3.4%
19402,391+13.4%
19502,333−2.4%
19602,313−0.9%
19702,396+3.6%
19802,276−5.0%
19901,981−13.0%
20002,264+14.3%
20101,709−24.5%
20192,082+21.8%
Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

2010 census[edit]

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,709 people, 773 households, and 471 families residing in the city. The population density was 405.0 inhabitants per square mile (156.4/km2). There were 916 housing units at an average density of 217.1 per square mile (83.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.[2]

There were 773 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the city was 47.6 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,264 people, 818 households, and 503 families residing in the city. The population density was 537.5 people per square mile (207.6/km2). There were 951 housing units at an average density of 225.8 per square mile (87.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.99% White, 3.09% African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

There were 818 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.79.

18.0% are under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 125.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 132.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,071, and the median income for a family was $42,625. Males had a median income of $28,519 versus $22,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,671. About 6.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Geography[edit]

Rockwell City is located at 42°23′45″N 94°37′59″W / 42.39583°N 94.63306°W / 42.39583; -94.63306 (42.395906, −94.632946).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.21 square miles (10.90 km2), all land.[9]

Climate[edit]

Humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round in many areas with this climate. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfa" (Hot Summer Continental Climate).[10]

Climate data for Rockwell City, Iowa
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −2
(28)
0
(32)
7
(45)
16
(60)
22
(72)
27
(81)
30
(86)
28
(83)
24
(76)
18
(64)
8
(46)
0
(32)
15
(59)
Average low °C (°F) −13
(9)
−11
(13)
−4
(24)
2
(36)
9
(48)
14
(58)
17
(62)
16
(60)
11
(51)
4
(40)
−3
(26)
−10
(14)
3
(37)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 23
(0.9)
25
(1.0)
46
(1.8)
74
(2.9)
110
(4.3)
120
(4.8)
97
(3.8)
100
(4.0)
86
(3.4)
56
(2.2)
38
(1.5)
25
(1.0)
800
(31.5)
Source: Weatherbase[11]

Education[edit]

Rockwell City is within the South Central Calhoun Community School District.[12]

It was a part of the Rockwell City Community School District until July 1, 1993, when it merged into the Rockwell City–Lytton Community School District. That in turn merged into South Central Calhoun on July 1, 2014.[13]

Notable people[edit]

AJ Moeller, Sprint car driver, lived in Rockwell City. 2001 graduate of Rockwell City–Lytton High School.[14]

Life Magazine feature[edit]

In 1958, Rockwell City resident Barry Wichmann, noted for his IQ of 162[16][17][18] Wichmann's school lacked the resources to fully meet his needs, and his high intelligence led to frequent bouts of loneliness. He also suffered from dyscalculia, a learning disability similar to dyslexia. He eventually moved to Winchester, Virginia, where he finished high school and went on to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology from James Madison University.[19]

Pop culture[edit]

On the December 18, 2003, episode of Jeopardy!, the $500 answer in the category "U.S. City Nicknames" was "Rockwell City in this state calls itself the 'Golden buckle on the Corn Belt.' "[20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "2010 Population Finder: Rockwell City, Iowa." (listed under 'Rockwell City city') United States Census Bureau. www.census.gov. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  3. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Calhoun County, IA." National Association of Counties. www.naco.org. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  5. ^ Stonebraker, Beaumont E. (1915). Past and Present of Calhoun County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress, and Achievement, Volume 1. Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Company. p. 136.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. ^ "Rockwell City, IA." www.usa.com. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  10. ^ "Climate Summary for Rockwell City." www.weatherbase.com. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Rockwell City, Iowa: Monthly-Weather Averages Summary". www.weatherbase.com. 2013. Retrieved on June 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "South Central Calhoun." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 18, 2018.
  13. ^ "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "Drivers: AJ Moeller." www.knoxvilleraceway.com. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "In Memoriam: Hubert Stanley Wall." www.utexas.edu. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  16. ^ Wilson, John Rowan. Life Science Library: The Mind. New York: Time Inc.. 128-129. 1964.
  17. ^ Sochurek, Howard, and Stan Wayman. "Crisis in Education: Schoolboys Point Up A U.S. Weakness." Life Magazine 44.12. 24 March 1958: 25-35. Google Books. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  18. ^ Villet, Grey. "Crisis in Education: Part III. The Waste of Fine Minds." Life Magazine 44.14. 7 Apr. 1958: 89-97. Google Books. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  19. ^ Bracey, Gerald W. "The First Time 'Everything Changed.'" The 17th Bracey Report on the Condition of Public Education. www.aasa.org, October, 2007. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  20. ^ "JEOPARDY! Game - December 18, 2003." www.jeoparchive.com. Retrieved March 27, 2019.‌

External links[edit]