Grimes, Iowa

History

Grimes incorporated as a city on May 7, 1894. It is named after James W. Grimes, former senator and third governor of the state of Iowa.

Geography

Grimes is located at 41°40′59″N 93°47′4″W (41.682939, -93.784438).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.87 square miles (30.74 km²), of which, 11.84 square miles (30.67 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,246 people, 3,115 households, and 2,222 families residing in the city. The population density was 696.5 inhabitants per square mile (268.9/km²). There were 3,272 housing units at an average density of 276.4 per square mile (106.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 1.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 3,115 households of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.7% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the city was 31.1 years. 31.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 36.7% were from 25 to 44; 20.4% were from 45 to 64; and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,098 people, 1,887 households, and 1,437 families residing in the city. The population density was 569.4 people per square mile (219.9/km²). There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 218.7 per square mile (84.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.19% White, 0.33% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population. 2005 population estimate was 6,175 (Des Moines Register, July 12, 2006).

There were 1,887 households out of which 47.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.13.

32.7% are under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 39.2% from 25 to 44, 15.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $56,275, and the median income for a family was $60,847. Males had a median income of $40,118 versus $31,588 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,712. About 2.4% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Japanese animation distributor and online retailer The Right Stuf International is headquartered in Grimes. The company occupies a 76,000-square-foot (7,100 m²) office and distribution center.

Parks and recreation

Grimes has several parks. The main park is Water Works Park, where the public library is also located. A relatively new sports park is now located at the south end of Grimes. It includes a skate park, soccer fields, and baseball fields. Other parks in Grimes include: The Grimes Sports Complex, The Grimes Community Complex, Autumn Park, Beaverbrooke Park, Shawyer Park, North Pointe ParkG, Glenstone Park

Government

Grimes' city council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. The mayor is Tom Armstrong.

Education

Grimes, along with Dallas Center, Iowa|Dallas Center, forms the Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District system which draws students form both Polk and Dallas County. The high school (grades 10 through 12) and Meadows (grades 8 and 9) form a campus located outside Grimes, one middle school (grades 6 and 7) in Dallas Center, Dallas Center Elementary (grades K through 5), South Prairie Elementary (grades K through 2) in Grimes, and North Ridge Elementary (grades 2 through 4) in Grimes. The school mascots are the Mustangs and the Fillies, and the colors are red and white.

Portions of the community of Grimes, Iowa are also served by the Johnston Community School District. Primarily, areas within the Johnston Community School District, but within the official Grimes City Limits are those areas on the east side of Iowa Highway 141 (a.k.a. Grimes Boulevard).