Primghar, Iowa | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 43°5′16″N95°37′40″W / 43.08778°N 95.62778°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Iowa |
County | O'Brien |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-council |
• Mayor | Kurt Edwards |
Area | |
• Total | 1.34 sq mi (3.48 km2) |
• Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.48 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 1,526 ft (465 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 896 |
• Density | 667.16/sq mi (257.55/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code | 51245 |
Area code | 712 |
FIPS code | 19-64650 |
GNIS feature ID | 0460449 |
Website | www |
Primghar is a city in, and the county seat of, O'Brien County, Iowa, United States. [2] The population was 896 at the time of the 2020 census. [3] Primghar is 23.5 miles south of Iowa State Highway 9, 28 miles east of Sioux Center and 6.75 miles north of Iowa State Highway 10.
In a brief history of O'Brien County, Arthur M. Schierholz states: "the courthouse location in (the county of) O'Brien in the extreme southeast corner of the county became a growing issue. To resolve the matter, an election was held on November 11, 1872, to determine the location of the courthouse." A total of 360 votes were cast, with 307 voting to move the courthouse to the exact geographical center of the county. Another historian wrote, "Probably the only case in Iowa, perhaps anywhere, where a bare spot of raw prairie was actually voted to be the county seat." This eventually became the town of Primghar. The present O'Brien County Courthouse was completed in 1917. [4] The name Primghar was received from the first letter of eight people who had a major part in platting the town. [5] [6]
Primghar is located at 43°5′16″N95°37′40″W / 43.08778°N 95.62778°W (43.087722, -95.627892). [7]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2), all land. [8]
The only major highway that passes through Primghar is U.S. 59, going north-south. B40 road runs east-west through the town.
Primghar lies at an elevation of 1520 feet. This area of northwest Iowa is gently rolling. Today, fields are marred by few boggy areas and much of the land is terraced to reduce erosion. Until fill was hauled in, the south side of the courthouse square was a "boggy, muddy slough." When the first settlers arrived, there were few trees and almost without exception prairie grass grew to six foot.
In the immediate vicinity of Primghar the topsoils and subsoils are silty clay loam. (Galva, Marcus, Primghar, and Sac soils by name.) Clay loam glacial till is at a depth of 30 to 60 inches in most places. There are no mineral assets of commercial value, save rock and gravel. Back in 1873 this dearth of underground wealth was yet to be decided. There was a $1000 reward posted for anyone finding mineable coal reserves. No one claimed the prize.
There is an abandoned rock quarry, one mile south-southeast of Primghar, which was donated by the Tjossem family to Primghar in 1989 and is now known as Tjossem Park, a fishing area and public picnic/camp ground.
Climate data for Primghar, Iowa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1895−present) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 64 (18) | 70 (21) | 85 (29) | 93 (34) | 100 (38) | 103 (39) | 110 (43) | 101 (38) | 100 (38) | 93 (34) | 78 (26) | 66 (19) | 110 (43) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 43.9 (6.6) | 49.6 (9.8) | 67.8 (19.9) | 80.6 (27.0) | 87.9 (31.1) | 91.7 (33.2) | 92.2 (33.4) | 90.9 (32.7) | 87.6 (30.9) | 81.1 (27.3) | 64.8 (18.2) | 48.1 (8.9) | 94.4 (34.7) |
Average high °F (°C) | 26.7 (−2.9) | 31.8 (−0.1) | 45.5 (7.5) | 60.5 (15.8) | 71.9 (22.2) | 81.5 (27.5) | 84.6 (29.2) | 82.0 (27.8) | 76.2 (24.6) | 62.4 (16.9) | 45.3 (7.4) | 31.4 (−0.3) | 58.3 (14.6) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 18.0 (−7.8) | 22.8 (−5.1) | 35.6 (2.0) | 48.7 (9.3) | 60.6 (15.9) | 70.7 (21.5) | 74.3 (23.5) | 71.9 (22.2) | 64.7 (18.2) | 51.3 (10.7) | 36.0 (2.2) | 23.3 (−4.8) | 48.2 (9.0) |
Average low °F (°C) | 9.4 (−12.6) | 13.8 (−10.1) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 36.9 (2.7) | 49.3 (9.6) | 59.9 (15.5) | 63.9 (17.7) | 61.8 (16.6) | 53.2 (11.8) | 40.3 (4.6) | 26.7 (−2.9) | 15.3 (−9.3) | 38.0 (3.3) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | −15.6 (−26.4) | −11.3 (−24.1) | 0.5 (−17.5) | 19.1 (−7.2) | 32.9 (0.5) | 47.0 (8.3) | 52.0 (11.1) | 50.0 (10.0) | 35.6 (2.0) | 21.1 (−6.1) | 5.9 (−14.5) | −9.1 (−22.8) | −19.0 (−28.3) |
Record low °F (°C) | −30 (−34) | −38 (−39) | −20 (−29) | 2 (−17) | 22 (−6) | 34 (1) | 40 (4) | 38 (3) | 17 (−8) | 8 (−13) | −14 (−26) | −28 (−33) | −38 (−39) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.82 (21) | 0.89 (23) | 1.70 (43) | 3.30 (84) | 4.11 (104) | 4.98 (126) | 3.88 (99) | 3.58 (91) | 3.30 (84) | 2.28 (58) | 1.49 (38) | 1.02 (26) | 31.35 (796) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 8.4 (21) | 6.7 (17) | 6.2 (16) | 2.4 (6.1) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.4 (1.0) | 2.5 (6.4) | 8.2 (21) | 34.8 (88) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.7 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 9.8 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 77.2 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.4 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 14.1 |
Source: NOAA [9] [10] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 143 | — | |
1890 | 519 | 262.9% | |
1900 | 814 | 56.8% | |
1910 | 733 | −10.0% | |
1920 | 921 | 25.6% | |
1930 | 962 | 4.5% | |
1940 | 1,081 | 12.4% | |
1950 | 1,152 | 6.6% | |
1960 | 1,131 | −1.8% | |
1970 | 995 | −12.0% | |
1980 | 1,050 | 5.5% | |
1990 | 950 | −9.5% | |
2000 | 891 | −6.2% | |
2010 | 909 | 2.0% | |
2020 | 896 | −1.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [11] [3] |
As of the census [12] of 2010, there were 909 people, 392 households, and 247 families residing in the city. The population density was 658.7 inhabitants per square mile (254.3/km2). There were 444 housing units at an average density of 321.7 per square mile (124.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 392 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.77.
The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
As of the census [13] of 2000, there were 891 people, 391 households, and 233 families residing in the city. The population density was 643.9 inhabitants per square mile (248.6/km2). There were 437 housing units at an average density of 315.8 per square mile (121.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.11% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 391 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.
21.5% are under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,304, and the median income for a family was $40,982. Males had a median income of $30,134 versus $20,694 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,791. About 5.2% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.
Primghar is served by the South O'Brien Community School District. [14] The district was formed on July 1, 1993 by the merger of three school districts: Paullina, Primghar, and Sutherland. [15] Primghar houses the South O'Brien Elementary School. [16]
The transportation for Primghar is by road (U.S. 59, B40 road), or by air (Primghar Airport).
Osceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census the population was 6,192, making it the state's fifth-least populous county. It is named for Seminole war chief Osceola. The county seat is Sibley, named for H. H. Sibley of Minnesota.
O'Brien County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 14,182. The county seat is Primghar.
Louisa County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,837. The county seat is Wapello.
Hardin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,878. The county seat is Eldora. The county was named in honor of Col. John J. Hardin, of Illinois, who was killed in the Mexican–American War.
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,771. The county seat is Jefferson. The county is named in honor of General Nathanael Greene.
Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,127. Its county seat is Mason City. The county is named for the Battle of Cerro Gordo, which took place during the Mexican–American War.
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,760. Its county seat is Carroll. The county is named in honor of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Rockwell City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,240 in 2020. It is the county seat of Calhoun County.
Carroll is a city in, and the county seat of, Carroll County, Iowa, United States, along the Middle Raccoon River. The population was 10,321 in the 2020 census.
Spirit Lake is a city in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,439 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Dickinson County.
Knoxville is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,595 at the time of the 2020 census, an increase from 7,313 in the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Marion County. Knoxville is home of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, located next to the famous Knoxville Raceway dirt track.
Calumet is a city in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States. The population was 146 at the 2020 census.
Paullina is a city in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States. The population was 982 at the 2020 census.
Sutherland is a city in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States. The population was 629 at the time of the 2020 census.
Harris is a city in Osceola County, Iowa, United States. The population was 151 at the time of the 2020 census.
Neola is a city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 918 at the time of the 2020 census.
Montezuma is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,442 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Poweshiek County.
Harlan is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, along the West Nishnabotna River. The population was 4,893 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Shelby County.
Chest Township is a township in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 458 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.