Forest City is a city in Hancock and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa, and the county seat of Winnebago County. The population was 4,151 in the 2010 census, a decline from the 4,362 population in the 2000 census.
History
Forest City was platted in 1856. It was incorporated as a city on June 14, 1878.
Geography
Forest City's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 43.262077, -93.640302.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.64 square miles (12.02Â km2), all of it land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,151 people, 1,686 households, and 1,008 families residing 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 makeup 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% of the population.
There were 1,686 households of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.
The median age in the city 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 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,362 people, 1,692 households, and 1,084 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,049.7 people per square mile (404.9/km²). There were 1,809 housing units at an average density of 435.3 per square mile (167.9/km²). The racial makeup 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% of the population.
There were 1,692 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the city was $40,031, and the median income for a family 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, is located in Forest City.
Forest City is also home to the #1 dealer of motor homes in the state of Iowa - Lichtsinn RV.
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.
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.
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).
Notable people
- Bob Baker (1910-1975), actor, singing cowboy in western films
- Lute Barnes (b. 1947) played Major League Baseball for the New York Mets
- Mike Stensrud (b. 1956) American football defensive lineman who played in the NFL
- Henry Teigan (1881â€"1941) a labor leader, editor and a U.S. Representative from Minnesota
References
External links
- Official Forest City website
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Forest City
- Forest City Police Department