Webster City, Iowa

History

Webster City was originally called Newcastle, and under the latter name was platted in 1854 by Wilson Brewer. In 1855, Walter C. Willson came to Newcastle. Willson was elected to the Iowa State House the next year and, with John F. Duncombe, crafted a bill to divide the very large Webster County in half. Newcastle would be renamed "Webster City," and would become the county seat of the new county. Wilson suggested "Hamilton County" after The Hon. William W. Hamilton, the president of the State Senate who helped pass the legislation. The law took effect on January 1, 1857, giving birth to both Webster City and Hamilton County. Willson was also instrumental in getting the Dubuque & Sioux City rail line to pass through Webster City on to Fort Dodge and personally oversaw the laying of track.

Geography

Webster City is located at 42°27′59″N 93°49′14″W (42.466300, -93.820582).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.88 square miles (23.00 km²), of which, 8.86 square miles (22.95 km²) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²) is water.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,070 people, 3,433 households, and 2,096 families residing in the city. The population density was 910.8 inhabitants per square mile (351.7/km²). There were 3,800 housing units at an average density of 428.9 per square mile (165.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.

There were 3,433 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,176 people, 3,502 households, and 2,227 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5 people per square mile (368.8/km²). There were 3,679 housing units at an average density of 430.0 per square mile (165.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.41% White, 0.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 3,502 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

Age spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,582, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,404 versus $23,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,057. About 5.2% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Business & Industry

Webster City is the headquarters of several companies including Vantec, Van Diest Supply Company, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, Webster City Custom Meats, and Tasler. Webster City's top industries are advanced manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, food processing, agricultural related products, and warehousing and distribution.

Since 2010, Webster City has attracted new projects and business expansions, including the Van Diest Medical Center, a $35 million critical access hospital; a $13 million competition gym at the high school; a new Casey's General Store; a HARIDES transit facility; and expansions by Cropland Containers, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, HyVee, and Fareway.

Education

A private Catholic school at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church offers a preschool through 6th grade elementary education. Public education in Webster City is provided by Webster City Community School District, with Webster City High School, Webster City Middle School, and Pleasant View or Sunset Heights for elementary education.

Transportation

Webster City sits along Highway 20, a four lane east-west corridor through north central Iowa, approximately 12 miles west of Interstate 35. The city has a municipal airport with a 4,007 feet (1,221 m) runway and full-time Fixed-base operator. Webster City is located at a junction of lines of the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads.

Recreation

Webster City has eleven parks, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor community swimming pools, a recreation center, over seven miles of walking trails, and many camping areas:

Events and activities

Webster City is home to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which holds the county fair every July. In addition, the fairgrounds is home to the Historic Hamilton County Speedway.

Webster City's annual community celebration is the Boone Bash River Dash, which features a cardboad regatta. The Boone Bash River Dash is held every June.

Media

The local radio stations are KZWC and KQWC-FM. The Daily Freeman Journal is the city's local newspaper and is published Monday through Friday.

Notable people