Rochester, Iowa

Rochester, Iowa
Census-designated place
Rochester United Methodist Church
Rochester Location within the state of Iowa
Coordinates: 41°40′24″N91°09′29″W / 41.67333°N 91.15806°W / 41.67333; -91.15806
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Cedar
Area [1]
• Total	0.98 sq mi (2.53 km2)
• Land	0.95 sq mi (2.46 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation	665 ft (203 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	142
• Density	149.16/sq mi (57.61/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	52772
FIPS code	19-67890
GNIS feature ID	0460704

Rochester is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Rochester Township, Cedar County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 142.

History

Rochester is near Rochester, New York, the city's namesake known for its flour mills, due to its location on the Cedar River. ^[2] Rochester's population was 53 in 1902. ^[3]

Geography

Rochester is located in eastern Iowa in south-central Cedar County, along the north bank of the Cedar River. County Road F44 crosses the river just south of the community, and Interstate 80 at Exit 265 is 2 miles (3 km) to the south.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, ^[4] there were 142 people, 60 households, and 46 families residing in the community. The population density was 149.2 inhabitants per square mile (57.6/km²). There were 60 housing units at an average density of 63.0 per square mile (24.3/km²). The racial makeup of the community was 97.2% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.

Of the 60 households, 25.0% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 11.7% were cohabitating couples, 5.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 15.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 23.3% of all households were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the community was 50.3 years. 24.6% of the residents were under the age of 20; 2.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 17.6% were from 25 and 44; 31.0% were from 45 and 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the community was 52.8% male and 47.2% female.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2010	133		—
2020	142		6.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]

Notable sites

Rochester Cemetery is one of the largest and most notable cemetery prairies in the United States. ^[6] More than 350 species of indigenous American plants, some quite uncommon, are found in Rochester Cemetery, which contains one of the few remaining original North American prairie remnants in the state of Iowa. The cemetery has divided many in the community that think that it looks overgrown, while others appreciate the native feel. ^[7]

References

• Iowa portal

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. The History of Cedar County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, etc. Western Historical Company. 1878. p. 526.
3. Cram's Modern Atlas: The New Unrivaled New Census Edition. J. R. Gray & Company. 1902. pp. 203–207.
4. "2020 Census". United States Census Bureau.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
6. Samuels, Sam Hooper (July–August 2009). "Hallowed Prairie" (PDF). Iowa Outdoors . Photographs by Clay Smith. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. pp. 29–35.
7. "Hallowed Prairie" (PDF). iowadnr.gov. 2009.