Belmond, Iowa

History

On October 14, 1966, an F5 tornado ripped apart the community, destroying or damaging about 600 homes and 75 businesses. Six people were killed and large swaths of the town were left in ruins. On June 12, 2013, an F3 tornado affected the northern sections of town by damaging or destroying several businesses and homes.

Belmond was impacted by major flooding in the June 2008 Midwest floods, along with many other parts of the state of Iowa.

Geography

Belmond is located at 42°50′50″N 93°36′44″W (42.847242, -93.612335) on the Iowa River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.85 square miles (7.38 km²), all of it land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,376 people, 1,047 households, and 649 families residing in the city. The population density was 833.7 inhabitants per square mile (321.9/km²). There were 1,197 housing units at an average density of 420.0 per square mile (162.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.2% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.1% of the population.

There were 1,047 households of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% 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 2.82.

The median age in the city was 45.9 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 23.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,560 people, 1,119 households, and 675 families residing in the city. The population density was 896.9 people per square mile (346.8/km²). There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 421.1 per square mile (162.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.84% White, 0.23% Black or African-American, 0.12% Native-American, 0.20% Asian, 3.95% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.62% of the population.

There were 1,119 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.4% 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 2.90.

Age spread: 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,841, and the median income for a family was $43,393. Males had a median income of $30,270 versus $20,664 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,317. About 2.6% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The community has and continues to complete several community projects including industrial park and spec building, new elementary school, high school renovations, renovated library, new city hall, new fire station, assisted living facility, street improvements, new water treatment facility, housing developments, several business expansions and developments, etc.

Housing

The Belmond Housing Council and the City of Belmond established the Dumond Estates 40-lot housing subdivision in 1997. There are two housing incentive programs available in Belmond, which emphasize building in Dumond Estates.

Parks and recreation

Belmond maintains several well-kept city parks. In recent years the Belmond community has built a new fire station, city hall, walking trail, and a new clinic. There are plans to build a new water treatment facility. The Iowa River flows through Belmond, past a river park. Belmond has a country club and golf course. Luick Memorial Swimming Pool features a giant water slide. The City plans to improve the pool by creating a more modern aquatic center. The Franklin Grove Heritage Trail is an asphalt trail that runs through town. There are plans to build a walking trail from Mason City to Belmond that could eventually connect to the Three Rivers Trail in Eagle Grove.

Education

Belmond-Klemme Community Schools are located in Wright and Hancock Counties and serve the communities of Belmond, Klemme, Goodell, and Rowan. While enrollment has decreased somewhat in the last ten years, the current trend is showing steady increases. B-K has shown growth in student counts during the 2010-2014 academic years. Currently over 750 students are served in grades K-12.

In September 2006 the district passed a bond referendum to build a new preschool - 6th grade elementary building (Richard O. Jacobson Elementary) just north of the existing 7-12 Jr./Sr. High. The district has already completed the phase of building new baseball/softball fields; additionally the Jr./Sr. High just completed a renovation in August 2013 allowing for increased security measures and geothermal heating and cooling (similar to the Jacobson Elementary).

In 2010 Belmond-Klemme's Don Dye (high school English) won the top teacher award from Live with Regis and Kelly.

Health care

Belmond Medical Center, a 22-bed critical access hospital, serves the healthcare needs of the community. The hospital built a new medical clinic in 2000. In February 2007 the hospital began an agreement with Wright Medical Center of Clarion, a neighboring community. The agreement includes Wright Medical Center providing administration and medical physicians. Wright Medical Center has continued to experience significant growth in recent years making it one of the busiest hospitals in rural Iowa. This created the need to expand and team up with Belmond Medical Center and provide more services to Belmond and Wright County. The agreement between Clarion and Belmond is the first such in the state. BMC employs 100 people, WMC has grown to employ over 300 people.

The agreement and steady growth has led to plans to expand and renovate the Belmond Medical Center. Currently, the structure is built and work is being completed both on the outside and inside. Once this phase is complete, work will begin on remodeling the existing hospital/clinic.

Notable people