Country United States County Webster FIPS code 19-31710 Elevation 348 m Zip code 50543 Local time Friday 1:50 PM | State Iowa Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6) GNIS feature ID 0456991 Area 3.76 km² Population 994 (2013) Area code 515 | |
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Weather 13°C, Wind W at 23 km/h, 58% Humidity | ||
Gowrie is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,037 at the 2010 census. The town has a swimming pool, golf course, athletic stadium, and curb-and-gutter throughout the community.
Contents
Map of Gowrie, IA 50543, USA
History
A post office called Gowrie has been in operation since 1871. The city was named after Gowrie, in Scotland.
Geography
Gowrie is located at 42°16′47″N 94°17′29″W (42.279715, -94.291520).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.45 square miles (3.76 km2), all of it land.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,037 people, 442 households, and 281 families residing in the city. The population density was 715.2 inhabitants per square mile (276.1/km2). There were 489 housing units at an average density of 337.2 per square mile (130.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 1.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 442 households of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% 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 2.88.
The median age in the city was 45.2 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,038 people, 429 households, and 277 families residing in the city. The population density was 709.4 people per square mile (274.5/km2). There were 468 housing units at an average density of 319.8 per square mile (123.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.36% White, 0.19% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 429 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
24.5% are under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,136, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,398 versus $20,278 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,348. About 4.0% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Each year, the town hosts the Gowrie 4 July Celebration, which draws thousands of people from around the state for the parade, fireworks, carnival, and bandshell performances. The parade is the longest running consecutive parade in Iowa, beginning in 1873 and continuing each year since. Crowds of 10,000-20,000 are common. Some highlights of the past include a visit by President Richard Nixon's daughter, Patricia, in 1968, the Bill Riley Talent Show for several years, an appearance by the O's Gold Famous 40 Horse Hitch in 1976, and a concert by opera singer Simon Estes in 2011.
Several churches stand in testament to a strong faith community, including both Methodist and Lutheran churches. Zion Evangelic Lutheran Church, a magnificent open-arched structure, was built by hometown business, Johnson Lumber Company, owned by Axel and Carl Johnson, and was completed in March, 1931.