Country United States County Cass Area code(s) 712 Elevation 369 m Population 6,937 (2013) | State Iowa Time zone Central (UTC-6) FIPS code 19-03520 Zip code 50022 Local time Tuesday 5:23 PM | |
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Weather 7°C, Wind N at 24 km/h, 84% Humidity | ||
Atlantic is a city in, and the county seat of, Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 7,112 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in the 2000 census.
Contents
- Map of Atlantic IA 50022 USA
- History
- Geography
- 2010 census
- 2000 census
- Media
- Transportation
- Notable people
- References
Map of Atlantic, IA 50022, USA
History
Atlantic was founded in October 1868 by Franklin H. Whitney, B.F. Allen, John P. Cook, and others. While historians cannot agree how Atlantic got its name, local legend tells that the founding fathers estimated that the town was about halfway between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, so it led them to flip a coin and, clearly, Atlantic won. The nearby Rock Island Railroad was important in deciding the actual location of the town, and to this day, the old depot sits at the north end of Chestnut Street. Today, the old depot serves as the offices of the Chamber of Commerce.
Another story told about Atlantic is the way main street was located. Someone asked Whitney where it should be placed. He marked the center at current day 6th and Chestnut and then plowed two furrows 100 feet (30 m) apart all the way up to the railroad, just north of Second Street.
Geography
Atlantic's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.401404, -95.010867.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.35 square miles (21.63 km2), of which, 8.32 square miles (21.55 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,112 people, 3,137 households, and 1,906 families residing in the city. The population density was 854.8 inhabitants per square mile (330.0/km2). There were 3,399 housing units at an average density of 408.5 per square mile (157.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.
There were 3,137 households of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.80.
The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,257 people, 3,126 households, and 1,969 families residing in the city. The population density was 890.4 people per square mile (343.8/km²). There were 3,354 housing units at an average density of 411.5 per square mile (158.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.65% White, 0.25% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 3,126 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.81.
Age spread: 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,370, and the median income for a family was $41,168. Males had a median income of $30,691 versus $20,271 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,832. About 6.3% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
Media
Atlantic, Iowa is one of the smallest communities in Iowa to have a daily newspaper, The Atlantic News Telegraph. The editor E.P. Chase of the newspaper was awarded the 1934 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.
Atlantic is home to three radio stations. KJAN 1220 AM which features a variety music format and is licensed to Wireless Communications Corp.. KJAN also broadcasts on FM translator 101.1. KJAN AM 1220/FM 101.1 features local news, sports, weather, farm and information 24 hours a day. Listen to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Kansas City Chiefs football on KJAN. KSOM 96.5 FM which features country music, Paul Harvey, Farm Reports, the Local News, Iowa State Sports and NASCAR. KSWI 95.7 FM which features classic rock and Atlantic high school sports. Meredith Communications, LLC currently (2010) owns both KSOM and KSWI.
Transportation
Atlantic is served by the Iowa Interstate Railroad, a successor to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The former passenger depot is preserved and is now used by the Chamber of Commerce.