Pella, Iowa

Pella, Iowa
City

Molengracht Canal in Pella's central business district

Location of Pella, Iowa
Pella, Iowa

Location in the United States

Coordinates: 41°24′26″N 92°55′2″W / 41.40722°N 92.91722°W / 41.40722; -92.91722Coordinates: 41°24′26″N 92°55′2″W / 41.40722°N 92.91722°W / 41.40722; -92.91722
Country  United States
State  Iowa
County Marion
Area[1]
 • Total 8.73 sq mi (22.61 km2)
 • Land 8.73 sq mi (22.61 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 886 ft (270 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 10,352
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 10,397
 • Density 1,185.8/sq mi (457.8/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 50219
Area code(s) 641
FIPS code 19-62040
GNIS feature ID 0460063
Website cityofpella.com

Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. 10,352, the population was at the 2010 census. Pella is the home of Central College, as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.

History

1847 was the year that Pella was initially founded when 800 Dutch immigrants led by Dominee (Minister) Hendrik (Henry) P. Scholte settled the area known as Pella which was settled by 800 Dutch immigrants led by Hendrik P. Scholte in 1847.. The name "Pella" is a reference to Pella, Iowa in the Perea, where the Christians of Jerusalem had found refuge during the Roman-Jewish war of 70;[4] the name was selected because the Dominee and the rest were also seeking religious freedom. It was the childhood home of Wyatt Earp, whose father Nicholas Porter Earp had settled on a farm near Pella. His brothers Warren and Morgan were born in Pella.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.73 square miles (22.61 km2), all of it land.[1]

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
18601,644—    
18701,909+16.1%
18802,430+27.3%
18902,408−0.9%
19002,623+8.9%
19103,021+15.2%
19203,338+10.5%
19303,326−0.4%
19403,638+9.4%
19504,427+21.7%
19605,198+17.4%
19706,668+28.3%
19808,349+25.2%
19909,270+11.0%
20009,832+6.1%
201010,352+5.3%
201410,337−0.1%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau.  and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, 10,352 people, 3,735 households, and 2,500 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,185.8 inhabitants per square mile (457.8/km2). The 4,086 housing units averaged 468.0 per square mile (180.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 1.7% of the population.

Of the 3,735 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were not families. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 33.3 years. About 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, 9,832 people, 3,497 households, and 2,395 families residedin the city. The population density was 1,437.4 people per square mile (555.0/km²).

The median income for a household in the city was $45,496, and for a family was $56,321. Males had a median income of $40,344 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,674. About 3.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Pella's Vermeer Mill.
Franklin Street in Pella and some of the businesses located there: Notable in the background are the Tulip Toren (tall white statue) and Information Windmill located in Pella's Central Park.
Shops on Main Street in Pella illustrating Dutch architecture
Shops on Main Street

Today, it features a number of local events and architectural sights. The Vermeer Mill is a fully functional 1850s-style windmill, reaching 134 ft (41 m) high. The Vermeer Mill grinds wheat into flour using only wind power and is the tallest working windmill in the United States.

The Pella Opera House, built in 1900, was renovated in 1990 and is now a popular entertainment destination, featuring stained-glass windows and ornate tin ceilings. A canal winds through nearby Molengracht Plaza, home to a number of shops, restaurants, lodging, a movie theatre, and a full-size working drawbridge. On June 28, 2011, Sarah Palin visited the opera house for the premiere of The Undefeated, a documentary about her role in Alaska politics and rise to national attention.[7]

The annual Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Pella's Dutch heritage. It features tulip gardens, performances, crafters, music, food, Dutch costumes, and daily parades. The festival is held for three days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) during the first weekend in May. A queen and court are selected from the two high schools in the town to represent Pella and advertise the Festival. During the 2010 Festival, a world record was set for the most people dancing in wooden shoes. Over 2,600 people danced for more than six minutes to set the new standard.[8]

Pella Dutch is a Dutch dialect spoken in Pella based on South Guelderish dialect.

Education

In April 2011, Forbes rated Pella as third on its list of "The Best Schools For Your Real Estate Buck". Central College is located in Pella.

Popular literature

In his 1989 book, The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America, travel author Bill Bryson stops in Pella, recounting his childhood visits to the town, and relating different aspects of the town with his usual wry humor. Throughout the book, parts of Pella are referred to as examples.

Parks and recreation

A few miles to the west is Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest reservoir,[9] a popular destination for biking, hiking, boating, and fishing.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
  4. ↑ Eusebius, History of the Church 3.5.
  5. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. ↑ Governor Sarah Palin to attend premiere of the undefeated at Pella Opera House in Pella, Iowa
  8. ↑ American Profile magazine. "Tidbits" section. Published 2011-01-04.
  9. ↑ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Red Rock
  10. ↑ He hopes to alter national anthem
  11. ↑ "Kory DeHaan". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Who Is John Hospers?". john hospers.com. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  13. ↑ "Kyle Korver". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2011.

External links

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