Forest City, Iowa

Forest City is a city in Hancock and Winnebago counties in the U.S. state of Iowa, and the county seat of Winnebago County.[3] The population was 4,285 in the 2020 census, a decline from the 4,362 population in 2000.[4]

Forest City, Iowa
City
Motto(s): 
Where Nature's Close and
Friends are Closer
Location of Forest City, Iowa
Location of Forest City, Iowa
Forest City, Iowa is located in the United States
Forest City, Iowa
Forest City, Iowa
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 43°15′43″N 93°38′25″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountiesWinnebago, Hancock
IncorporatedJune 14, 1878[1]
Area
[2]
 • Total4.59 sq mi (11.90 km2)
 • Land4.59 sq mi (11.90 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,257 ft (383 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,285
 • Density932.54/sq mi (360.07/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50436
Area code641
FIPS code19-28380
GNIS feature ID0456667
Websitewww.cityofforestcity.com

History

Forest City was officially founded in 1855. Formerly known as “Puckerbrush”, Robert Clark the official founder/surveyor deemed it “Forest City” because it was cut right out of the trees. It was then platted in 1856,[5] and later incorporated on June 14, 1878.[1] The population started to grow when immigrants from Sweden and Norway settled in the Forest City area because of the similar topography. Its growth continued as city leaders convinced the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad to come through Forest City. Although the Civil War stunted the area's growth, many immigrants found the city attractive. Later on churches, banks, a college (Waldorf University), electricity, and the telephone turned Forest City into an ideal country town. In 1960, investors took over a failing travel trailer factory and created Winnebago Industries, creating what would become one of the largest employers in the region and causing the population to grow. Winnebago's corporate headquarters were later relocated to Eden Prairie, Minnesota causing the population to decline. Today, Forest City's population is around 4,200.[6][7][8]

Geography

Forest City's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 43.262077, -93.640302.[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.64 square miles (12.02 km2), all land.[10]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Forest City has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Forest City, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 64
(18)		 67
(19)		 86
(30)		 94
(34)		 106
(41)		 104
(40)		 108
(42)		 105
(41)		 101
(38)		 97
(36)		 80
(27)		 69
(21)		 108
(42)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 43.2
(6.2)		 47.9
(8.8)		 66.1
(18.9)		 80.9
(27.2)		 87.5
(30.8)		 91.6
(33.1)		 92.0
(33.3)		 90.3
(32.4)		 87.7
(30.9)		 82.0
(27.8)		 65.9
(18.8)		 48.1
(8.9)		 94.4
(34.7)
Average high °F (°C) 22.7
(−5.2)		 27.1
(−2.7)		 40.4
(4.7)		 56.3
(13.5)		 68.5
(20.3)		 78.1
(25.6)		 81.3
(27.4)		 79.0
(26.1)		 73.0
(22.8)		 59.5
(15.3)		 42.5
(5.8)		 28.5
(−1.9)		 54.7
(12.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 14.1
(−9.9)		 18.3
(−7.6)		 31.4
(−0.3)		 45.2
(7.3)		 57.8
(14.3)		 68.0
(20.0)		 71.4
(21.9)		 68.9
(20.5)		 61.5
(16.4)		 48.4
(9.1)		 33.4
(0.8)		 20.7
(−6.3)		 44.9
(7.2)
Average low °F (°C) 5.6
(−14.7)		 9.5
(−12.5)		 22.5
(−5.3)		 34.2
(1.2)		 47.2
(8.4)		 58.0
(14.4)		 61.5
(16.4)		 58.7
(14.8)		 50.0
(10.0)		 37.3
(2.9)		 24.3
(−4.3)		 12.9
(−10.6)		 35.1
(1.7)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −15.8
(−26.6)		 −10.8
(−23.8)		 0.3
(−17.6)		 20.2
(−6.6)		 34.7
(1.5)		 46.2
(7.9)		 51.1
(10.6)		 48.5
(9.2)		 35.9
(2.2)		 22.4
(−5.3)		 7.1
(−13.8)		 −8.6
(−22.6)		 −18.5
(−28.1)
Record low °F (°C) −36
(−38)		 −33
(−36)		 −26
(−32)		 6
(−14)		 22
(−6)		 34
(1)		 38
(3)		 35
(2)		 20
(−7)		 −3
(−19)		 −13
(−25)		 −28
(−33)		 −36
(−38)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.15
(29)		 1.33
(34)		 1.94
(49)		 3.89
(99)		 4.83
(123)		 5.51
(140)		 4.60
(117)		 3.79
(96)		 3.46
(88)		 2.58
(66)		 1.61
(41)		 1.23
(31)		 35.92
(913)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 10.7
(27)		 9.0
(23)		 5.6
(14)		 1.3
(3.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.2
(0.51)		 2.8
(7.1)		 10.6
(27)		 40.2
(101.91)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 4.7 4.3 7.1 9.3 11.6 11.3 8.5 8.8 7.7 7.6 5.0 5.3 91.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.1 3.8 2.9 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.7 4.8 19.1
Source 1: NOAA[11]
Source 2: National Weather Service[12]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870155—
1880688343.9%
189089530.1%
19001,75896.4%
19101,691−3.8%
19202,14526.8%
19302,016−6.0%
19402,54526.2%
19502,7668.7%
19602,9305.9%
19703,84131.1%
19804,27011.2%
19904,4303.7%
20004,362−1.5%
20104,151−4.8%
20204,2853.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[13][4]
The population of Forest City, Iowa from US census data
The population of Forest City, Iowa from US census data

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 4,151 people, 1,686 households, and 1,008 families living in the city. The population density was 894.6 inhabitants per square mile (345.4/km2). There were 1,909 housing units at an average density of 411.4 per square mile (158.8/km2). The racial makup of the city was 94.9% White, 1.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0%.[14]

Of the 1,686 households 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.0% of households were one person and 14.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age was 38.6 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 16.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 4,362 people, 1,692 households, and 1,084 families living in the city. The population density was 1,049.7 inhabitants per square mile (405.3/km2). There were 1,809 housing units at an average density of 435.3 per square mile (168.1/km2). The racial makup of the city was 95.97% White, 0.57% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.47% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.26%.[15]

Of the 1,692 households 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.1% of households were one person and 13.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.

Age spread: 24.3% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.2 males.

The median household income was $40,031 and the median family income was $50,699. Males had a median income of $30,430 versus $21,883 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,285. About 4.7% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The headquarters of Winnebago Industries, a manufacturer of motorhomes founded by local resident John K. Hanson,[16] is located in Forest City. In August, 2021, Winnebago announced that it will be moving its corporate headquarters to Eden Prairie, Minnesota, effective December 1, but that the company's manufacturing presence will be maintained in Forest City.[17]

Parks and recreation

Pilot Knob State Park is located a few miles east of the city.

There are three bike trails located in Forest City. The Hanson Trail (9.0 miles), Hynes Spur (2.0 miles) and The Pilot Knob Loop (4.0 miles).

Forest City has a disc golf course consisting of 21 holes.

Education

The Forest City Community School District operates a wind turbine that provides 60% of the energy needs of elementary, middle, and high school.[18]

Forest City Christian School is an independent school district located in Forest City.

Forest City is the home of Waldorf University, a four-year liberal arts, for-profit university, owned by Mayes Education Inc.[19]

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Forest City Municipal Airport located 2 miles south of the Forest City business district serves general aviation in the area. The airport was activated in 1958 and as of 2011 has two asphalt paved runways, one is 5,796 by 100 feet (1,767 x 30 m) and the other is 2,708 by 60 feet (825 x 18 m).[20]

Notable people


References
  1. "LIST OF INCORPORATED CITIES" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State - Matt Schultz. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 27, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  5. History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa. Pioneer Publishing Company. 1917. pp. 125.
  6. “Forest City, IA.” Destination Small Town, Destination Small Town, https://www.destinationsmalltown.com/towns/forest-city-ia.
  7. Lewis, Riley. “Our History.” Forest City, Iowa, Forest City, https://www.cityofforestcity.com/ourhistory.
  8. Walker, Errin. “Forest City History.” Winnebago Co.. IAGENWEB - History, IA Gen Web Project, http://iagenweb.org/winnebago/History/ForestCity.htm.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  12. "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. "John K. Hanson". The Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship. Babson College. Archived from the original on September 6, 2006.
  17. "Winnebago moves headquarters from Iowa to Minnesota". Associated Press. August 20, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  18. "Forrest City Community School District". Home. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  19. "Waldorf College sale to Mayes Education finalized".
  20. "Forest City Municipal Airport". AirNav, LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  21. "BASEBALL-REFERENCE". Lute Barnes. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  22. "National Football League". Mike Stensrud. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
  23. "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress". Teigan, Henry George. Retrieved December 14, 2010.
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