Storm Lake, Iowa

Storm Lake is a city in and the county seat of Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States.[2] The population was 11,269 in the 2020 census, an increase from 10,076 in the 2000 census.[3] Located along the northern shore of the Storm Lake reservoir, the city is home to Buena Vista University, King's Pointe Waterpark Resort, the Living Heritage Tree Museum, and the Santa's Castle holiday attraction. It is the principal city of the Storm Lake micropolitan area.

Storm Lake, Iowa
City
Buena Vista County Courthouse
Buena Vista County Courthouse
Location of Storm Lake, Iowa
Location of Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake, Iowa is located in the United States
Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake, Iowa
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 42°38′37″N 95°12′7″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyBuena Vista
IncorporatedFebruary 28, 1873
Area
[1]
 • Total5.38 sq mi (13.92 km2)
 • Land5.38 sq mi (13.92 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,421 ft (433 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,269
 • Density2,096.17/sq mi (809.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50588
Area code712
FIPS code19-75630
GNIS feature ID0462017
Websitewww.stormlake.org

History

Storm Lake was incorporated in 1873. The city of Storm Lake was named from the lake where it is said a trapper experienced a severe storm.[4] A more romantic legend claims the lake took its name after two star-crossed lovers from opposed Native American bands paddled out for a secret rendezvous, only to be drowned as a sudden storm blew in.

As of the 2020 census, Storm Lake was the most ethnically diverse city in Iowa, with over 60% of the population self identifying as non-white. [5] Additionally, 86.5% of students enrolled in the public school district are non-Caucasian. [6] Storm Lake's diversity is the result of many factors, including refugee resettlement programs and an abundance of meat packing jobs drawing migrant workers to the town.[7][8]

Geography

Storm Lake is located in the northwestern part of the state, along the north shore of Storm Lake.[9][10] Much of the lakefront is open to the public in parks and preserves.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.09 square miles (10.59 km2), all land.[11]

Climate
Climate data for Storm Lake, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 66
(19)		 66
(19)		 85
(29)		 93
(34)		 107
(42)		 105
(41)		 109
(43)		 109
(43)		 101
(38)		 91
(33)		 78
(26)		 66
(19)		 109
(43)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 46.3
(7.9)		 51.2
(10.7)		 69.3
(20.7)		 80.9
(27.2)		 88.2
(31.2)		 91.8
(33.2)		 92.6
(33.7)		 90.9
(32.7)		 88.5
(31.4)		 82.7
(28.2)		 65.9
(18.8)		 50.4
(10.2)		 94.5
(34.7)
Average high °F (°C) 25.8
(−3.4)		 30.2
(−1.0)		 43.4
(6.3)		 58.1
(14.5)		 69.1
(20.6)		 79.2
(26.2)		 82.3
(27.9)		 79.9
(26.6)		 74.1
(23.4)		 60.6
(15.9)		 44.3
(6.8)		 31.1
(−0.5)		 56.5
(13.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 17.3
(−8.2)		 21.7
(−5.7)		 34.2
(1.2)		 47.5
(8.6)		 59.3
(15.2)		 69.7
(20.9)		 73.0
(22.8)		 70.6
(21.4)		 63.3
(17.4)		 50.1
(10.1)		 35.5
(1.9)		 23.2
(−4.9)		 47.1
(8.4)
Average low °F (°C) 8.8
(−12.9)		 13.3
(−10.4)		 25.1
(−3.8)		 36.9
(2.7)		 49.4
(9.7)		 60.2
(15.7)		 63.7
(17.6)		 61.4
(16.3)		 52.6
(11.4)		 39.6
(4.2)		 26.6
(−3.0)		 15.3
(−9.3)		 37.7
(3.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −12.4
(−24.7)		 −7.9
(−22.2)		 2.8
(−16.2)		 20.6
(−6.3)		 34.1
(1.2)		 47.4
(8.6)		 52.0
(11.1)		 50.3
(10.2)		 36.9
(2.7)		 23.5
(−4.7)		 8.5
(−13.1)		 −6.0
(−21.1)		 −14.9
(−26.1)
Record low °F (°C) −31
(−35)		 −34
(−37)		 −24
(−31)		 2
(−17)		 20
(−7)		 34
(1)		 42
(6)		 36
(2)		 22
(−6)		 2
(−17)		 −11
(−24)		 −29
(−34)		 −34
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.77
(20)		 1.01
(26)		 1.74
(44)		 3.53
(90)		 4.87
(124)		 5.33
(135)		 3.83
(97)		 4.43
(113)		 2.96
(75)		 2.42
(61)		 1.75
(44)		 1.11
(28)		 33.75
(857)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.7
(17)		 6.7
(17)		 6.4
(16)		 2.7
(6.9)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 trace 0.4
(1.0)		 4.7
(12)		 8.8
(22)		 36.4
(91.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 3.0 3.4 5.9 9.2 10.7 10.8 8.7 8.6 8.2 7.4 5.6 4.0 85.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 4.0 3.4 2.9 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 2.0 4.0 17.7
Source: NOAA (precip days, snow/snow days 1981–2010)[12][13][14]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
18801,034—    
18901,682+62.7%
19002,169+29.0%
19102,428+11.9%
19203,658+50.7%
19304,157+13.6%
19405,274+26.9%
19506,954+31.9%
19607,728+11.1%
19708,591+11.2%
19808,814+2.6%
19908,769−0.5%
200010,076+14.9%
201010,600+5.2%
202011,269+6.3%
Iowa Data Center [15][3]
Source: U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2020 census

As of the 2022 U.S. Census, Storm Lake's population was estimated at 11,269, up from 10,600 for the 2010 Census and 10,078 in 2000. Citing steady growth and other sources, city officials suggest that an accurate population count would be 13,000 or more. The community is considered one of the state's most ethnically diverse. The community celebrates its populations from around the world in a Parade of Nations each July 4 and public art installations.

The median home valuation is $142,000, median rent is $695 per month. Median household income is estimated at just under $49,000. The community has an estimated 250 businesses.

Economy

Tyson Foods operates a large hog slaughterhouse, meat packing plant, and turkey processing plant in the city.[17][18]

Arts and culture
  • Living Heritage Tree Museum is located on the shore of Storm Lake, and contains a library and the Witter Art Gallery
  • Santa's Castle is a seasonal display of antique holiday animation, housed in a former Victorian library.
  • The Buena Vista County Historical Society operates a museum.
  • King's Pointe is a 100-room community-owned tourism resort located on the lakefront, with waterparks, banquet facilities and a restaurant.
  • A concert bandshell is located in Sunset Park.

Parks and recreation

The city operates Sunrise Pointe, a nine-hole golf course. The city has five beach areas, and a recreation trail linking them.

Education

The Storm Lake Community School District operates five local public schools, including a high school, a middle school, and an elementary school. As of the 2020-21 school year, the Storm Lake Community School District served 2,841 students.

St. Mary's Catholic Church operates a private K-12 school system, St. Mary's High School.

Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake. As of 2022, the university has 1,982 students on a 60-acre (24 ha) campus within Storm Lake. The city hosts a satellite campus for Iowa Central Community College, including an industrial training center established in 2021.

Media

The community has a twice-weekly newspaper, the Storm Lake Times Pilot, which merged with the Pilot-Tribune in 2022. KAYL/KKIA radio serves the community, as well as a university radio station, KBVU. A Spanish-language newspaper also covers the area.

Infrastructure

Emergency services

The Storm Lake Police Department provides law enforcement services to the city. The department employs 21 sworn officers, and two community services officers.

Health care

Storm Lake is served by Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, a 54-bed critical access hospital, and United Community Health Center.

Notable people

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth. Western Publishing Company. 1882. pp. 442.
  5. "Quick Facts Storm Lake City, Iowa". US Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  6. "District Information". Storm Lake Community School District. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  7. "Embracing diverse populations helps Storm Lake grow". The Gazette. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  8. "They Crossed an Ocean to Butcher Pigs. It Was No American Dream". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  9. Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed 2 September 2023.
  10. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  12. "NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". NOAA. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  13. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Storm Lake 2E, IA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  14. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Sioux Falls". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  15. "Data from the 2010 Census". State Data Center of Iowa. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  17. Papenfuss, Mary (May 29, 2020). "Tyson Pork Plant In Iowa Shuts After Hundreds Of Workers Test Positive for COVID-19". HuffPost. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  18. "Tyson Foods will shut US pork plant as more workers catch COVID-19". Reuters. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020 – via Fox Business.
  19. "Joe Decker". BASEBALL-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  20. Longden, Tom (December 25, 2004). "Holmes, Marjorie". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
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