Elkhart is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 882 at the time of the 2020 census.[3] It is part of the Des MoinesWest Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Elkhart, Iowa
City hall
City hall
Location of Elkhart, Iowa
Location of Elkhart, Iowa
Coordinates: 41°47′39″N 93°31′23″W / 41.79417°N 93.52306°W / 41.79417; -93.52306
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyPolk
Area
 • Total
1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2)
 • Land1.78 sq mi (4.62 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation974 ft (297 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
882
 • Density494.67/sq mi (191.01/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50073
Area code515
FIPS code19-24735
GNIS feature ID2394654[2]
Websitewww.elkhartiowa.com

History

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Elkhart was founded in 1853[4] by settlers from Elkhart, Indiana. After a decline in the population of the original town, the Elkhart Post Office was moved to the nearby town of Ottawa. In a few years, the name would be moved once again to its current location.[5] It was incorporated as a city on July 27, 1904.[6]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.58 square miles (4.09 km2), all land.[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1910132—    
1920196+48.5%
1930218+11.2%
1940215−1.4%
1950222+3.3%
1960260+17.1%
1970269+3.5%
1980256−4.8%
1990388+51.6%
2000362−6.7%
2010683+88.7%
2020882+29.1%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2020. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[8][3]
 
The population of Elkhart, Iowa from US census data
 
Elkhart Community Center
 
Fire department

2020 census

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As of the census of 2020,[9] there were 882 people, 335 households, and 233 families residing in the city. The population density was 494.7 inhabitants per square mile (191.0/km2). There were 359 housing units at an average density of 201.4 per square mile (77.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.0% White, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.6% from other races and 8.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 7.0% of the population.

Of the 335 households, 46.3% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% were cohabitating couples, 14.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 23.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.4% of all households were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 30.8 years. 33.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.8% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 35.0% were from 25 and 44; 20.1% were from 45 and 64; and 6.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.6% male and 46.4% female.

2010 census

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As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 683 people, 256 households, and 175 families living in the city. The population density was 432.3 inhabitants per square mile (166.9/km2). There were 269 housing units at an average density of 170.3 per square mile (65.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 256 households, of which 46.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.6% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.27.

The median age in the city was 30.6 years. 32.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.9% were from 25 to 44; 19.2% were from 45 to 64; and 7.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.

2000 census

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As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 362 people, 158 households, and 91 families living in the city. The population density was 306.3 inhabitants per square mile (118.3/km2). There were 163 housing units at an average density of 137.9 per square mile (53.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.07% White, 1.38% African American, 0.28% Native American, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.

There were 158 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.96.

22.9% are under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,000, and the median income for a family was $51,042. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $23,438 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,397. None of the families and 4.7% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 8.6% of those over 64.

Education

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The community is within the North Polk Community School District.[12]

References

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  Media related to Elkhart, Iowa at Wikimedia Commons

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Elkhart, Iowa
  3. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. ^ The History of Polk County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Union Historical Company. 1880. pp. 643.
  5. ^ Tom Savage (August 2007). A Dictionary of Iowa Place-Names. p. 80. ISBN 9781587297595.
  6. ^ Henning, Barbara Beving Long; Patrice K. Beam (2003). Des Moines and Polk County: Flag on the Prairie. Sun Valley, California: American Historical Press. ISBN 1-892724-34-0.
  7. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "2020 Census". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "North Polk" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved April 2, 2020.