Schaller, Iowa

History

The city of Schaller, named after Phillip Schaller, was incorporated in 1882. The city had been founded in August 1879 as a station for the railroad under construction. The economy then, as currently, was based on commercial support for surrounding farms. Settlers came mostly from Germany, England, Canada, New York, and eastern Iowa. Throughout the middle part of the twentieth century a major industry consisted of the packers of Bango and Jolly Time popcorn. The presence and size of these two companies helped Schaller become "The Popcorn Capital of the world." Popcorn is still a major area crop but the companies moved on to other locations in the 1980s. The railroad ceased operations and pulled up tracks in the 1970s. Transportation connections are by U.S. Route 20 and Iowa Highway 110. Corn (seed and feed), soy beans, and feeder cattle are the major products of the area.

Geography

Schaller is located at 42°29′50″N 95°17′39″W (42.497325, -95.294219).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.26 square miles (3.26 km²), all of it land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 772 people, 318 households, and 208 families residing in the city. The population density was 612.7 inhabitants per square mile (236.6/km²). There were 341 housing units at an average density of 270.6 per square mile (104.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.6% of the population.

There were 318 households of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 779 people, 321 households, and 216 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.4 people per square mile (238.7/km²). There were 347 housing units at an average density of 275.9 per square mile (106.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.82% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.08% of the population.

There were 321 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,365, and the median income for a family was $40,268. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $17,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,520. About 2.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.