Denison, Iowa

Denison, Iowa
City
Downtown Denison
Location of Denison, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°00′58″N95°21′10″W / 42.01611°N 95.35278°W / 42.01611; -95.35278
Country	USA
State	Iowa
County	Crawford
Government
•  Mayor	Pam Soseman
Area [1]
• Total	6.57 sq mi (17.03 km2)
• Land	6.55 sq mi (16.96 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,257 ft (383 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	8,373
• Density	1,278.91/sq mi (493.80/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	51442
Area code	712
FIPS code	19-19945
GNIS feature ID	2394514 [2]
Website	www.denisonia.com

Denison is a city in Crawford County, Iowa, United States, along the Boyer River, and located in both Denison Township and East Boyer Township. The population was 8,373 at the time of the 2020 census. ^[3] It is the county seat of Crawford County. ^[4]

History

Denison was laid out in 1856; the town was incorporated in 1875. ^[5] Denison was named for its founder, J. W. Denison. ^{[6] [7]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.57 square miles (17.02 km²), of which, 6.54 square miles (16.94 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water. ^[8]

Climate

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

Climate data for Denison, 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)	68 (20)	70 (21)	88 (31)	93 (34)	105 (41)	109 (43)	112 (44)	111 (44)	103 (39)	92 (33)	80 (27)	70 (21)	112 (44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	50.4 (10.2)	56.4 (13.6)	72.4 (22.4)	83.1 (28.4)	88.5 (31.4)	91.9 (33.3)	93.4 (34.1)	92.4 (33.6)	89.3 (31.8)	82.9 (28.3)	68.1 (20.1)	53.6 (12.0)	95.4 (35.2)
Average high °F (°C)	27.4 (−2.6)	32.1 (0.1)	45.3 (7.4)	58.4 (14.7)	69.5 (20.8)	79.7 (26.5)	83.1 (28.4)	81.0 (27.2)	74.8 (23.8)	61.5 (16.4)	45.5 (7.5)	32.4 (0.2)	57.6 (14.2)
Daily mean °F (°C)	18.6 (−7.4)	22.9 (−5.1)	35.1 (1.7)	47.0 (8.3)	59.0 (15.0)	69.4 (20.8)	73.1 (22.8)	70.8 (21.6)	63.2 (17.3)	50.4 (10.2)	35.8 (2.1)	24.1 (−4.4)	47.4 (8.6)
Average low °F (°C)	9.8 (−12.3)	13.7 (−10.2)	24.8 (−4.0)	35.6 (2.0)	48.5 (9.2)	59.2 (15.1)	63.0 (17.2)	60.6 (15.9)	51.7 (10.9)	39.3 (4.1)	26.1 (−3.3)	15.9 (−8.9)	37.4 (3.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−11.5 (−24.2)	−6.3 (−21.3)	4.8 (−15.1)	21.1 (−6.1)	35.2 (1.8)	47.6 (8.7)	52.7 (11.5)	51.0 (10.6)	36.9 (2.7)	23.8 (−4.6)	9.9 (−12.3)	−4.7 (−20.4)	−14.6 (−25.9)
Record low °F (°C)	−40 (−40)	−37 (−38)	−23 (−31)	5 (−15)	17 (−8)	31 (−1)	39 (4)	24 (−4)	18 (−8)	−1 (−18)	−16 (−27)	−26 (−32)	−40 (−40)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.74 (19)	0.98 (25)	1.88 (48)	3.38 (86)	4.62 (117)	4.92 (125)	4.13 (105)	4.43 (113)	3.27 (83)	2.64 (67)	1.45 (37)	1.20 (30)	33.64 (855)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	8.1 (21)	9.2 (23)	4.7 (12)	1.6 (4.1)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.5 (1.3)	2.4 (6.1)	7.9 (20)	34.5 (87.75)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	5.9	6.6	7.8	10.3	12.7	11.4	9.9	9.9	8.3	8.2	5.7	6.2	102.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	4.1	4.8	2.4	1.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.4	1.8	3.9	18.5
Source 1: NOAA [9]
Source 2: National Weather Service [10]

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1870	326	—
1880	1,441	+342.0%
1890	1,782	+23.7%
1900	2,771	+55.5%
1910	3,133	+13.1%
1920	3,581	+14.3%
1930	3,905	+9.0%
1940	4,361	+11.7%
1950	4,554	+4.4%
1960	4,930	+8.3%
1970	6,218	+26.1%
1980	6,675	+7.3%
1990	6,604	−1.1%
2000	7,339	+11.1%
2010	8,298	+13.1%
2020	8,373	+0.9%
Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 29, 2020. Source: U.S. Decennial Census [11] [3]

The population of Denison, Iowa from US census data

Aerial view of Denison from the southwest, 2012

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 8,298 people, 2,816 households, and 1,866 families living in the city. The population density was 1,268.8 inhabitants per square mile (489.9/km²). There were 2,968 housing units at an average density of 453.8 per square mile (175.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 70.6% White, 2.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 23.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 42.1%. ^[12]

Of the 2,816 households 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.7% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person and 13.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.36.

The median age was 32.6 years. 29% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 21.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 7,339 people, 2,674 households, and 1,756 families living in the city. The population density was 1,185.5 inhabitants per square mile (457.7/km²). There were 2,837 housing units at an average density of 458.3 per square mile (177.0/km²). The racial makeup as reported by the Census was 86.92% White, 1.59% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 9.02% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.36% of the population.

Racial diversity in Dension has been increasing since the mid-1980s. According to a New York Times article, 20% of Denison's high-school age children were nonwhite in 2005, compared to approximately 50% of kindergarteners. ^[14]

Of the 2,674 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.9% of households were one person and 15.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.08.

The age distribution was26.0% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median household income was $33,187 and the median family income was $41,362. Males had a median income of $30,145 versus $20,538 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,391. About 6.1% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Sites in Denison listed on the National Register of Historic Places include:

• Carey House
• Clarence D. Chamberlin House
• Crawford County Courthouse
• Park Motel
• William A. McHenry House
• Yellow Smoke Park Bridge

Government

Denison is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council ^{[15] [16]}

The Denison Mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and presiding officer of the city council. ^[17] The Denison Mayor serves a 2-year term. ^[16] The current mayor of Denison is Pam Soseman. (Elected: November 2019 | Term: December 31, 2021) ^[18]

Denison City Council members serve overlapping four-year terms. ^[19] The council consists of one representative from each of the city's three wards, plus two at-large representatives.

Denison's City Manager is Jessica Garcia. ^[20]

The City of Denison is organized into the following departments: Administration, Public Works, Library, Aquatic Center, Fire Department, Police Department, and Conference Center.

Education

The Denison Community School District operates area public schools. ^[21]

Notable people

• Kyle Borland, NFL player
• Charles Congden Carpenter, naturalist and herpetologist
• Clarence Duncan Chamberlin, aviation pioneer
• James Perry Conner (1851–1924) five-term US Representative from 1900 to 1909 ^[22]
• Chuck Darling, member of 1956 Summer Olympics basketball gold medalists, First team All-American at University of Iowa
• Jim Garrison, New Orleans District Attorney who investigated Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories
• Arthur C. Greene (1881-1958), member of the Iowa House of Representatives ^[23]
• James E. Hansen, head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies
• Donna Reed, Academy Award-winning actress; Donna Reed Foundation's headquarters are in Denison
• Brandon Scherff, offensive guard for the NFL's Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars
• L.M. Shaw (1848–1932) 17th Governor of Iowa and United States Secretary of the Treasury ^[24]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Denison, Iowa
3. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
5. History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth. Western Publishing Company. 1882. pp.  470–471.
6. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  104.
7. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 63.
8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
9. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
10. "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 11, 2012.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
14. In This Small Town in Iowa the Future Speaks Spanish, September 14, 2005 on NYTimes.com. Accessed Nov 24, 2006.
15. "American Legal Publishing - Online Library". Municipal Code of Denison, Iowa.
16. "Chapter 15". Municipal Code of Denison, Iowa. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
17. "Powers and Duties". Municipal Code of Denison, Iowa. City of Denison, Iowa.
18. "Locally Elected Officials" . Retrieved May 4, 2020.
19. "Number and Term of Council". Municipal Code of Denison, Iowa. City of Denison, Iowa. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
20. "Garcia takes over as city manager on Monday". denisonfreepress.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
21. "FY20_DENISON" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
22. "CONNER, James Perry". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
23. Journal of the House of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa. Iowa General Assembly. 1959. pp. 1779, 1780.
24. "Iowa Governor Leslie Mortier Shaw". National Governors Association . Retrieved August 2, 2011.

Further reading

• Denison, Iowa: Searching for the Soul of America Through the Secrets of a Midwest Town. Author Dale Maharidge depicts a changing Denison in the early twenty-first century.

External links

• Iowa portal

• Official website