Sioux Rapids, Iowa

Sioux Rapids is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 775 at the 2010 census.

Sioux Rapids, Iowa
City
Location of Sioux Rapids, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°53′34″N 95°8′50″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Buena Vista
Area [1]
• Total	0.83 sq mi (2.14 km^2)
• Land	0.83 sq mi (2.14 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	1,260 ft (384 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	775
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	744
• Density	898.55/sq mi (347.02/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	50585
Area code(s)	712
FIPS code	19-73425
GNIS feature ID	0461655

History

Sioux Rapids was named from the Rapids on the Little Sioux River.[4] In 1869, Sioux Rapids was designated the county seat of Buena Vista County. In 1876, the courthouse at Sioux Rapids burned, and in 1878, the county seat was transferred to Storm Lake.[5]

Geography

Sioux Rapids is located at 42°53′34″N 95°8′50″W (42.892762, -95.147095).[6] It is located on the Little Sioux River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.82 square miles (2.12 km²), all land.[7]

Gustafson Lake, as well as Gabrielson Park, are located south of the town.

Demographics

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1870	61	—
1880	181	+196.7%
1890	650	+259.1%
1900	1,005	+54.6%
1910	868	−13.6%
1920	1,080	+24.4%
1930	958	−11.3%
1940	1,056	+10.2%
1950	1,010	−4.4%
1960	962	−4.8%
1970	813	−15.5%
1980	897	+10.3%
1990	792	−11.7%
2000	720	−9.1%
2010	775	+7.6%
2019	744	−4.0%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-29. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census[8]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 775 people, 325 households, and 196 families residing in the city. The population density was 945.1 inhabitants per square mile (364.9/km²). There were 367 housing units at an average density of 447.6 per square mile (172.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 3.9% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

There were 325 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.7% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% 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 3.02.

The median age in the city was 40.8 years. 26.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 720 people, 306 households, and 201 families residing in the city. The population density was 877.0 people per square mile (339.0/km²). There were 338 housing units at an average density of 411.7 per square mile (159.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.75% White, 0.14% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.

There were 306 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% 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 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,250, and the median income for a family was $40,417. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,759. About 5.8% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Sioux Rapids hosts its "Tall Corn Days" festival every year near the end of July. In the past, this has included a parade, street dance, sweet corn feed, a 5k run/walk, a kids fire fight game, a lunch at the city park, and various sports tournaments.

The town is home to several churches, including a Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist denominations.

Sioux Rapids also has an historical museum/theater, a swimming pool, an American Legion Post, a community center, and various local businesses.

Education

Sioux Central Community School District serves the community;[10] it operates a K-12 school south of Sioux Rapids on Highway 71.

Before the consolidation, Sioux Rapids had its own school near the center of the town. Sioux Rapids was a part of the Sioux Rapids Community School District until July 1, 1979, when it merged with the Rembrandt school district to form the Sioux Rapids-Rembrandt School District. That district consolidated with the Sioux Valley School District into Sioux Central on July 1, 1993.[10]

Transportation

U.S. Route 71 (concurrently with Highway 10) runs north-south through Sioux Rapids, with Spencer situated approximately 18 miles north on 71 and Storm Lake approximately 20 miles south. Sioux Rapids is also about 45 minutes south of Okoboji.

Notable people

• Guy Gabrielson (1891–1976) New Jersey Republican politician.[11]
• Ira Noel Gabrielson (1889–1977) American naturalist and entomologist.
• Fleta Jan Brown Spencer (1882-1938), composer and songwriter, born near Sioux Rapids.

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. 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. 125.
5. History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth. Western Publishing Company. 1882. pp. 441.
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. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
11. "Gabrielson, Guy George". Political Graveyard. Retrieved February 10, 2011.

External links

• Sioux Rapids, Iowa city website
• City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Sioux Rapids