Adel, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Adel is a city along the North Raccoon River
in Dallas County
in the U.S. state
of Iowa
. The population was 3,435 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Dallas County
and the birthplace of 1939 Heisman Trophy
winner Nile Kinnick
.
Adel is part of the Des Moines
–West Des Moines
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
In 1855 there were about twenty-five houses in Adel, and only three stores. From that time onward, the city began to grow at a faster rate.
Situated along the river, Adel had a good supply of water-power for a flour mill. It was to be situated on a section of property owned by Noeingerl Cantrel & Co. J. H. Strong of Des Moines, and H. H. Moffatt built the mill in 1856-57 at a cost of $20,000. The dam was constructed with about eight feet of head water.
The mill was kept in good repair, able to average from twelve to fifteen bushels per hour, with a capability of thirty per hour.
An item of historical interest occurred on March 6, 1895. Two men entered town in a buggy and attempted to rob the bank. They shot a teller, who, though wounded, managed to close the vault and turn the tumblers, preventing the thieves from taking off with a substantial amount. George W. Clarke, a lawyer, had an office on the second floor. As Clarke descended the stairs, a robber fired his gun. However, the weapon misfired, sparing Clarke's life, who went on to be elected as lieutenant governor for four years and governor from 1913-1917.
Adel's history was enhanced when the city decided to keep its brick streets. In addition, the Dallas County Courthouse, an edifice dedicated in 1902 at a cost of about $109,000, sits center stage, dominating downtown Adel. The image to the left gives a good view of the French architecture with the accompanying rounded corners and windows.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) of it is land and 0.30% is water.
of 2000, there were 3,435 people, 1,369 households, and 898 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,050.1 people per square mile (405.6/km²). There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of 433.8 per square mile (167.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% White, 0.15% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.52% from other races
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 1,369 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,423, and the median income for a family was $47,065. Males had a median income of $34,234 versus $26,516 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,743. About 3.1% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Raccoon River
The Raccoon River is a tributary of the Des Moines River in central Iowa in the United States. As measured using the longest of its three forks, its length increases to...
in Dallas County
Dallas County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 66,135 in the county, with a population density of . There were 27,260 housing units, of which 25,240 were occupied.-2000 census:...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The population was 3,435 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Dallas County
Dallas County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 66,135 in the county, with a population density of . There were 27,260 housing units, of which 25,240 were occupied.-2000 census:...
and the birthplace of 1939 Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Nile Kinnick
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
.
Adel is part of the Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
–West Des Moines
West Des Moines, Iowa
West Des Moines is a city in Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 53,889 residents lived there in...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Des Moines metropolitan area
The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines-West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area , consists of five counties in central Iowa, United States: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, and Guthrie...
.
History
Originally called Penoach, Adel was Incorporated in 1847, and changed its name sometime in 1849, although no specific information can be located within the city records. The town is situated on the west bank of the North Raccoon River, and at the time of its founding, along the only county road, making Adel the oldest town within Dallas County.In 1855 there were about twenty-five houses in Adel, and only three stores. From that time onward, the city began to grow at a faster rate.
Situated along the river, Adel had a good supply of water-power for a flour mill. It was to be situated on a section of property owned by Noeingerl Cantrel & Co. J. H. Strong of Des Moines, and H. H. Moffatt built the mill in 1856-57 at a cost of $20,000. The dam was constructed with about eight feet of head water.
The mill was kept in good repair, able to average from twelve to fifteen bushels per hour, with a capability of thirty per hour.
An item of historical interest occurred on March 6, 1895. Two men entered town in a buggy and attempted to rob the bank. They shot a teller, who, though wounded, managed to close the vault and turn the tumblers, preventing the thieves from taking off with a substantial amount. George W. Clarke, a lawyer, had an office on the second floor. As Clarke descended the stairs, a robber fired his gun. However, the weapon misfired, sparing Clarke's life, who went on to be elected as lieutenant governor for four years and governor from 1913-1917.
Adel's history was enhanced when the city decided to keep its brick streets. In addition, the Dallas County Courthouse, an edifice dedicated in 1902 at a cost of about $109,000, sits center stage, dominating downtown Adel. The image to the left gives a good view of the French architecture with the accompanying rounded corners and windows.
“In that era it was a competition almost between the counties to erect an edifice that would be of importance and of character to their becoming of age.” Mark A. Hanson, Dallas County Supervisor
Geography
Adel's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.616773, -94.021731.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which, 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) of it is land and 0.30% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,435 people, 1,369 households, and 898 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,050.1 people per square mile (405.6/km²). There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of 433.8 per square mile (167.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.76% White, 0.15% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.52% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
There were 1,369 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,423, and the median income for a family was $47,065. Males had a median income of $34,234 versus $26,516 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $19,743. About 3.1% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- George W. ClarkeGeorge W. ClarkeGeorge Washington Clarke served two terms as the 21st Governor of Iowa from 1913-17.-Biography:...
, the 21st Governor of Iowa and grandfather of Nile KinnickNile KinnickNile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II... - Eric CutlerEric CutlerEric Cutler is an American tenor notable for his performances of bel canto repertoire and Mozart operas in particular. He is a native of Adel, Iowa, and a graduate of Luther College. Cutler is an alumnus of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and was a winner of the...
, operaOperaOpera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
tenor - Nile KinnickNile KinnickNile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
, Iowa Hawkeyes footballIowa Hawkeyes footballThe Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
player, winner of 1939 Heisman TrophyHeisman TrophyThe Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
, United States Naval AviatorUnited States Naval AviatorA United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - Charles R. ScottCharles R. ScottCharles Ray Scott was an American lawyer and judge.Scott was born in Adel, Iowa. He received his LL.B. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1934. In 1925, he was title clerk at the Chicago Title & Trust Company in Chicago. From 1926 to 1960, he was in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida...
, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and judgeJudgeA judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open... - Ralph WattsRalph WattsRalph Watts is the Iowa State Representative from the 47th District. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2003. He received his BS from the University of Wyoming....
, member of the Iowa House of RepresentativesIowa House of RepresentativesThe Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 100 members of the House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 29,750 for each constituency... - Van Harden talk radio host
External links
- City website
- City history
- City Information
- Discover Adel Current News and Events, Business Directory, Visitor Information
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Adel