Winterset, Iowa

History

Winterset was platted during a cool spell in the summer of 1849.

Geography

Winterset is located at 41°20′9″N 94°0′50″W (41.335901, -94.013981).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.72 square miles (12.22 km²), of which, 4.58 square miles (11.86 km²) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km²) is water.

Winterset is located about 30 miles southwest of the state capital of Des Moines.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,190 people, 2,062 households, and 1,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,133.2 inhabitants per square mile (437.5/km²). There were 2,267 housing units at an average density of 495.0 per square mile (191.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 2,062 households of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% 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 4,768 people, 1,884 households, and 1,230 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,357.9 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 1,998 housing units at an average density of 569.0 per square mile (219.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 1,884 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.

Age spread: 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,142, and the median income for a family was $42,951. Males had a median income of $31,536 versus $22,146 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,274. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Winterset is widely known for its covered bridges. A total of six covered bridges are located in Madison County, including one in Winterset City Park. The annual Covered Bridge Festival celebrates the bridges and local heritage every second full weekend in October. In 2006, the festival was held October 14 and 15.

The Winterset Stage is Madison Counties live theatre venue providing family friendly dinner theatre, including musicals and concerts while offering a variety of children's theatre and educational programming. The Winterset Stage is a non-profit 501c3 organization located at 405 East Madison in Winterset, IA.

Another notable landmark is Clark Tower, located in Winterset City Park, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding Middle River Valley area.

The Madison County Courthouse, in the middle of the town square, was built in 1868, and rebuilt in 1876 after being partially destroyed by fire.

The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is located near the downtown area at 216 South 2nd Street.

Popular culture

Winterset was used as a shooting location for the films Cold Turkey (1971), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), and The Crazies (2010).