Laurens, Iowa

History

Laurens was platted in 1881. Laurens was named in honor of Henry and John Laurens, father and son, two French Huguenots who became residents of Charleston, SC, and who were patriotic and loyal to the Colonial cause during the Revolution.

Geography

Laurens is located at 42°50′50″N 94°50′58″W (42.847105, -94.849542).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km²), all of it land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,258 people, 571 households, and 332 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,723.3 inhabitants per square mile (665.4/km²). There were 677 housing units at an average density of 927.4 per square mile (358.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 571 households of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.9% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 45.6 years. 22% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.6% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21.2% 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 1,476 people, 656 households, and 400 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,999.4 people per square mile (770.1/km²). There were 711 housing units at an average density of 963.1 per square mile (371.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.68% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic [0.01% Brazilian] [0.02 French] or Latino of any race.

There were 656 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

24.0% are under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,188, and the median income for a family was $43,661. Males had a median income of $31,063 versus $19,716 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,711. About 4.8% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Laurens is home to the consolidated Laurens Marathon School. All grades are located in one building in Laurens. In 2000 the enrollment was 423 for all grades, and there were about 40 full-time teaching staff.

As of January 2011 Mr. Iner Joelson is the superintendent and David Ross is the principal of the school. The certified enrollment is 353 students with a certified staff of 34 and a support staff of 29.

Laurens in popular culture

Laurens was the home of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling 240 miles (390 km) on a lawnmower. His story was made into the film The Straight Story (1999) directed by David Lynch, starring Richard Farnsworth (Nominated for Oscar), and Sissy Spacek; the film was partly made in Laurens. "Laurens, Iowa" is also the title of an instrumental song in the film soundtrack.

Sister city

Laurens, France, became a sister city to Laurens, Iowa during the preparations for the 2007 quasquicentennial (125th anniversary).

Notable people