Perry, Iowa
Perry, Iowa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Motto: Make yourself at home! | |
 Location of Perry, Iowa | |
| Coordinates: 41°50′24″N 94°6′0″W / 41.84000°N 94.10000°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Dallas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.49 sq mi (14.22 km2) |
| • Land | 5.49 sq mi (14.21 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 954 ft (291 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 7,836 |
| • Density | 1,428.36/sq mi (551.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 50220 |
| Area code | 515 |
| FIPS code | 19-62355 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396183[2] |
| Website | http://www.perryia.org/ |
Perry is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States, along the North Raccoon River. The population was 7,836 at the time of the 2020 Census.[3] It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Formerly a major railroad junction, Perry is home to the Historic Hotel Pattee, with themed rooms including many related to the railroad.
History[edit]
Perry was laid out as a town in 1869.[4] The original townsite was bounded by Estella Street on the south, 8th Street on the east, 3rd Street on the west, and Dewey Avenue on the north.
On January 4, 2024, a school shooting occurred at Perry High School leaving an 11-year-old boy dead and seven other people injured. The 17-year-old male shooter was also found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.[5][6][7]
Geography[edit]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km2), of which 4.17 square miles (10.80 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[8]
Climate[edit]
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Perry has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.
| Climate data for Perry, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
76 (24) |
89 (32) |
95 (35) |
105 (41) |
105 (41) |
110 (43) |
111 (44) |
104 (40) |
95 (35) |
83 (28) |
73 (23) |
111 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 51.7 (10.9) |
56.9 (13.8) |
72.4 (22.4) |
83.3 (28.5) |
89.2 (31.8) |
93.1 (33.9) |
95.0 (35.0) |
93.8 (34.3) |
90.7 (32.6) |
84.3 (29.1) |
69.9 (21.1) |
56.1 (13.4) |
96.9 (36.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 29.5 (−1.4) |
34.0 (1.1) |
47.5 (8.6) |
61.3 (16.3) |
71.9 (22.2) |
81.9 (27.7) |
85.4 (29.7) |
83.3 (28.5) |
77.1 (25.1) |
64.0 (17.8) |
47.8 (8.8) |
35.0 (1.7) |
59.9 (15.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 19.8 (−6.8) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
36.6 (2.6) |
49.0 (9.4) |
60.5 (15.8) |
70.9 (21.6) |
74.5 (23.6) |
72.1 (22.3) |
64.3 (17.9) |
51.5 (10.8) |
37.3 (2.9) |
25.7 (−3.5) |
48.9 (9.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10.2 (−12.1) |
14.1 (−9.9) |
25.8 (−3.4) |
36.7 (2.6) |
49.0 (9.4) |
59.8 (15.4) |
63.5 (17.5) |
60.8 (16.0) |
51.5 (10.8) |
39.1 (3.9) |
26.8 (−2.9) |
16.5 (−8.6) |
37.8 (3.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −11.8 (−24.3) |
−7.0 (−21.7) |
5.7 (−14.6) |
21.8 (−5.7) |
34.9 (1.6) |
47.3 (8.5) |
52.9 (11.6) |
50.9 (10.5) |
36.0 (2.2) |
23.8 (−4.6) |
10.2 (−12.1) |
−3.6 (−19.8) |
−15.6 (−26.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −32 (−36) |
−33 (−36) |
−30 (−34) |
6 (−14) |
20 (−7) |
34 (1) |
42 (6) |
34 (1) |
22 (−6) |
−8 (−22) |
−13 (−25) |
−34 (−37) |
−34 (−37) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.95 (24) |
1.14 (29) |
1.96 (50) |
4.10 (104) |
5.15 (131) |
4.88 (124) |
4.42 (112) |
4.14 (105) |
3.44 (87) |
2.70 (69) |
1.86 (47) |
1.38 (35) |
36.12 (917) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.6 (12) |
5.1 (13) |
3.8 (9.7) |
0.9 (2.3) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
1.8 (4.6) |
7.2 (18) |
23.5 (59.85) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.1 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 12.3 | 9.6 | 10.3 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 114.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.1 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.7 | 12.4 |
| Source 1: NOAA (average snowfall, snow days 1981–2010)[9][10] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service[11] | |||||||||||||
Demographics[edit]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 952 | — |
| 1890 | 2,880 | +202.5% |
| 1900 | 3,986 | +38.4% |
| 1910 | 4,630 | +16.2% |
| 1920 | 5,642 | +21.9% |
| 1930 | 5,881 | +4.2% |
| 1940 | 5,977 | +1.6% |
| 1950 | 6,174 | +3.3% |
| 1960 | 6,442 | +4.3% |
| 1970 | 6,906 | +7.2% |
| 1980 | 7,053 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 6,652 | −5.7% |
| 2000 | 7,633 | +14.7% |
| 2010 | 7,702 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 7,836 | +1.7% |
| Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census[12][3] | ||
2010 census[edit]
At the 2010 census there were 7,702 people, 2,792 households, and 1,920 families living in the city. The population density was 1,847.0 inhabitants per square mile (713.1/km2). There were 3,180 housing units at an average density of 762.6 per square mile (294.4/km2). The racial makup of the city was 79.1% White, 1.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40.0%.[13]
Of the 2,792 households 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.0% were non-families. 28.2% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.29.
The median age was 33.3 years. 29.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
2000 census[edit]
At the 2000 census there were 7,633 people, 2,831 households, and 1,942 families living in the city. The population density was 2,060.4 inhabitants per square mile (795.5/km2). There were 2,994 housing units at an average density of 808.2 per square mile (312.0/km2). The racial makup of the city was 82.84% White, 1.06% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 13.19% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.54%.[14]
Of the 2,831 households 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.3% of households were one person and 14.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median household income was $35,429 and the median family income was $41,771. Males had a median income of $27,610 versus $21,839 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,935. About 8.9% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy[edit]
In April 2018, a video showcasing Perry's economy in 1979 and 1980 was released by Iowa State University.[15]
The primary employer in Perry is the Tyson Foods pork plant.[16][17][18]
Education[edit]
The Perry Community School District operates local area public schools.[19]
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines operates St. Patrick School in Perry. The school was dedicated on February 21, 1921.[20] The local Catholic high school is Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.
Media[edit]
Notable people[edit]
- William Bell (1902–1971), premier American tuba player and teacher[21]
- Sam Brinton (born c. 1988), nuclear engineer and LGBTQ activist[22][23]
- George W. Clarke (1906–2006), Washington State Legislator
- Gertrude Mary Cox (1900–1978), influential American statistician[24]
- Dan Grimm (1941–2018), American football offensive lineman in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins
- V. T. Hamlin (1900–1993), cartoonist and creator of Alley Oop[25]
- Dwight D. Opperman (1923–2013), CEO of West Publishing, later known as Thomson Reuters
- Jessica Reznicek (born 1981), Catholic Worker Movement and environmental activist[26]
See also[edit]
- Raccoon River Valley Trail
- BRR - Bicycle Ride to Rippey
- Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Swimsuit Special: American Beauty (2004)
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the meat industry in the United States
References[edit]
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Perry, Iowa
- ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ The History of Dallas County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Higginson Book Company. 1879. pp. 457.
- ^ Dvorak, Gina (January 5, 2024). "Perry school shooting update: Iowa officials release name of slain student". WOWT. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sixth grade student killed in Perry school shooting; five other victims shot". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Osborne, Mark; Margolin, Josh (January 4, 2024), At least 1 dead in shooting at Iowa high school; scene now 'secured': Officials, ABC News, retrieved January 4, 2024
- ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Cauflield, Jim (April 18, 2018). Perry video from late '70s stirs old memories for retirees. The Perry News. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
- ^ "Tyson Foods Locations". Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Large Private and Publicly Held Employers, Greater Des Moines" (PDF). Retrieved June 19, 2012.[dead link]
- ^ FOLEY, RYAN J. (May 5, 2020). "Nearly 1,400 Tyson workers at 3 Iowa plants get coronavirus". KGAN. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "FY20 PERRY" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ O'Malley, George. "The Founding Of St. Patrick's School". St. Patrick School. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Longden, Tom. "Famous Iowans Bell, Bill". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ^ Basu, Rekha (April 16, 2016). "Basu: Surviving torture of anti-gay 'therapy'". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ Compton, Julie (January 19, 2017). "OutFront: LGBTQ Activist Fights to End Conversion Therapy". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Gertude Mary Cox". MacTutor biography. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
- ^ V.T. Hamlin Collection in University of Missouri Special Collections Archived 2013-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Schaeffer-Duffy, Claire (July 9, 2021). "Catholic activist sentenced for Dakota Access pipeline vandalism". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Perry Online
- The Perry News
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Perry
- Raccoon Valley Radio
Municipalities and communities of Dallas County, Iowa, United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Townships | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
