Elkader, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elkader, Iowa
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| Motto(s):
Keystone of NE Iowa
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Location of Elkader, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Clayton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.37 sq mi (3.54 km2) |
| • Land | 1.37 sq mi (3.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 732 ft (223 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,209 |
| • Density | 884.42/sq mi (341.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52043
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| Area code(s) | 563 |
| FIPS code | 19-24690 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0456303 |
Elkader is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,209 at the time of the 2020 census, down from 1,465 in 2000. It is the county seat of Clayton County. It is the site of Iowa's lowest recorded minimum temperature, −44 °C (−47 °F) on February 3, 1996.
History
The city is named after Algerian leader Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri. When the community was platted in 1846, the founders, Timothy Davis, John Thompson, and Chester Sage decided to name it for the young Algerian who was leading his people in resisting the French colonial takeover of Algeria.
The town is known for its bridge over the Turkey River, said to be the largest stone arch bridge west of the Mississippi. It, and many of the local buildings, are made from locally quarried sandstone. The town's grocery store, Wilke's, is the oldest continuously operated grocery store west of the Mississippi, as well. Elkader also features a renovated Victorian-era opera house, and the Turkey River Mall, a 29-room hotel converted into antique stores.
The town featured in a WAMU World View documentary; "Couscous and cultural diplomacy". It is a documentary which focuses on an openly gay couple, who settled in Elkader, and opened an Algerian-American restaurant. One of the couple is Algerian. The documentary describes how the couple have largely been accepted as part of the community yet wrestle with cultural adaptation, American identity, and small town politics, as well as many of the personal issues they experienced post 9/11.
The city was one of many in Iowa affected by the Iowa Flood of 2008, with flood waters from the Turkey River reaching historic levels.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.39 square miles (3.60 km2), all land. The lowest ever temperature of Iowa, −47 °F (−44 °C) was recorded here on February 3, 1996.
Demographics
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 440 | — |
| 1870 | 697 | +58.4% |
| 1880 | 851 | +22.1% |
| 1890 | 745 | −12.5% |
| 1900 | 1,321 | +77.3% |
| 1910 | 1,181 | −10.6% |
| 1920 | 1,223 | +3.6% |
| 1930 | 1,382 | +13.0% |
| 1940 | 1,556 | +12.6% |
| 1950 | 1,584 | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 1,526 | −3.7% |
| 1970 | 1,592 | +4.3% |
| 1980 | 1,688 | +6.0% |
| 1990 | 1,510 | −10.5% |
| 2000 | 1,465 | −3.0% |
| 2010 | 1,273 | −13.1% |
| 2020 | 1,209 | −5.0% |
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2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,273 people, 577 households, and 342 families living in the city. The population density was 915.8 inhabitants per square mile (353.6/km2). There were 627 housing units at an average density of 451.1 per square mile (174.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3%.
Of the 577 households 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.7% of households were one person and 16.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.73.
The median age was 49.8 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 32.4% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.
Sister city
Elkader has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
Mascara, Algeria
Education
The municipality is within the boundary of the Central Community School District.
Notable people
- Timothy Davis, town founder and member of congress for Iowa
- Jack Dittmer, Born in Elkader. Major League Baseball second baseman, The Boston/Milwaukee Braves (now Atlanta) and The Detroit Tigers.
- Francis John Dunn, Roman Catholic bishop
- Asle Gronna, U.S. Senator of North Dakota 1911-21
- Donald Harstad, novelist
- Leonard G. Wolf, U.S. Representative from Iowa
- Heather Zichal, Former Deputy Assistant of Energy and Climate Change under Barack Obama
See also
In Spanish: Elkader (Iowa) para niños
