Montezuma, Iowa
Montezuma, Iowa | |
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 Location of Montezuma, Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 41°35′5″N 92°31′31″W / 41.58472°N 92.52528°WCoordinates: 41°35′5″N 92°31′31″W / 41.58472°N 92.52528°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Poweshiek |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jacki Bolen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.49 sq mi (6.46 km2) |
| • Land | 2.48 sq mi (6.43 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 951 ft (290 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,442 |
| • Density | 578.1/sq mi (223.22/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 50171 |
| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-53490 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0459191 |
| Website | montezumaiowa |
Montezuma is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,442 at the time of the 2020 census.[2] It is the county seat of Poweshiek County.[3]
Geography[]
Montezuma's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.584737, -92.525258.[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.49 square miles (6.45 km2), of which 2.48 square miles (6.42 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[5]
History[]
 | This section does not cite any sources. (April 2020) |
Montezuma was first established in 1848, when local veterans of the Mexican-American War named the city after Monteuczomah, the last Aztec emperor of Mexico. Once a hub of regional railroad transport, Montezuma has continued to evolve and grow in a variety of ways. Montezuma was also a major stop on the stagecoach line between Iowa City and Des Moines on the original Diamond Trail.
Located on the southwest corner of Montezuma's square is the Poweshiek County Historical and Genealogical Society, located in the historic Carnegie library. Housed in the former Poweshiek County Jail is the Poweshiek County History Museum.
The Scott Township School No. 7, also known as the Fitzsimmons School was moved from the original country landscape to the campus of the Poweshiek County Historical Society.
Demographics[]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 564 | — |
| 1870 | 555 | −1.6% |
| 1880 | 921 | +65.9% |
| 1890 | 1,062 | +15.3% |
| 1900 | 1,210 | +13.9% |
| 1910 | 1,172 | −3.1% |
| 1920 | 1,273 | +8.6% |
| 1930 | 1,257 | −1.3% |
| 1940 | 1,477 | +17.5% |
| 1950 | 1,460 | −1.2% |
| 1960 | 1,416 | −3.0% |
| 1970 | 1,353 | −4.4% |
| 1980 | 1,485 | +9.8% |
| 1990 | 1,651 | +11.2% |
| 2000 | 1,440 | −12.8% |
| 2010 | 1,462 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 1,442 | −1.4% |
| Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: | ||
2010 census[]
As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 1,462 people, 632 households, and 399 families living in the city. The population density was 589.5 inhabitants per square mile (227.6/km2). There were 692 housing units at an average density of 279.0 per square mile (107.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.
There were 632 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.9% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.83.
The median age in the city was 42.5 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.
2000 census[]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 1,440 people, 601 households, and 390 families living in the city. The population density was 586.9 people per square mile (226.9/km2). There were 641 housing units at an average density of 261.3 per square mile (101.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.75% White, 0.28% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.35% Asian, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.42% of the population.
There were 601 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.91.
23.6% were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,820, and the median income for a family was $43,083. Males had a median income of $31,483 versus $21,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,806. About 3.8% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education[]
Montezuma is home to the Montezuma Community School District, a K-12 school district. The mascots are the Braves and Bravettes and the school colors are blue and white.
Girls State Basketball Champions: 1969, 1970
Boys State Basketball Champions: 1971, 1990, 2021
Attractions[]
Montezuma's agricultural heritage is celebrated in barn quilt art and renewed interest in local preservation has inspired many to continue living out that history. Montezuma is the inaugural home to the first town square Bill of Rights monument in the United States.
Poweshiek County Freedom Rock
Freedom Rock painter Raymond “Bubba” Sorensen II of Greenfield finished the Poweshiek County Freedom Rock in 2016, and is located on the southeast corner of the courthouse square.
Recreational and Residential Lakes
The development of Diamond Lake, Lake Ponderosa, and Lake Silverado add to the scenic beauty and recreational opportunities of the area. Green spaces and wildlife areas like Fox Forest offer hiking and equestrian trails, as well as observation of native vegetation and wildflowers. Nearby Fleming Woods State Preserve offers sanctuary to many species of other indigenous plant life and animals. It is believed that Chief Poweshiek and other Native Americans once lived in these areas.
Infrastructure[]
Transportation[]
Montezuma is located approximately 8 miles south of the exit 191 on Interstate 80 on U.S. Route 63. The city is also serviced by Iowa Highway 85 and county road F57.[9]
Healthcare[]
Montezuma residents have access to Montezuma Medical Clinic, located at 101 West Washington. When hospitalization is required the closest and most convenient hospital for residents is Grinnell Regional Medical Center, located at 210 4th Avenue in Grinnell, Iowa.
Notable people[]
- Robin Brown (born 1961) teacher and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives[10]
- Pete Brownell (American businessman) (born 1969) is the CEO of Brownells, founded by his grandfather, in Montezuma, Iowa. He served as the president of National Rifle Association from May 2017 to May 2018.
- Thomas Jefferson Cowie (1857–1936) Rear admiral in the United States Navy with the destroyer USS Cowie (DD-632) named in his honor.[11]
- Marsena E. Cutts (1833–1883) teacher, lawyer, and politician serving in both the Iowa House and Senate and the U.S. House.[12]
- Dan Johnston (1938-2016), Iowa lawyer and state legislator[13]
- Thomas Harris MacDonald (1881–1957) highway advocate and bureaucrat, chief of the Iowa State Highway Commission and both chief and commissioner of the Bureau of Public Roads.[14]
See also[]
- 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
- Poweshiek County Courthouse
- Central Iowa Railway
References[]
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Montezuma, Iowa". mapquest. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ "Brown Robin". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ "Thomas Jefferson Cowie". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ "CUTTS, Marsena Edgar". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ 'Attorney in Tinker free speech case dies,' Des Moines Register, MacKenzie Elmer, October 21, 2016
- ^ Weingroff, Richard F. (1996). "Man of the Century". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
External links[]
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Wikisource has the text of a 1905 New International Encyclopedia article about "Montezuma, Iowa". |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Montezuma, Iowa. |
- City of Montezuma Portal style website, Government, Businesses, Recreation and more
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Montezuma
| show Municipalities and communities of Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States |
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- Cities in Iowa
- County seats in Iowa
- Cities in Poweshiek County, Iowa