DeWitt, Iowa
Encyclopedia
DeWitt is a city in Clinton County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 5,049 at the 2000 census. DeWitt was named after DeWitt Clinton
(1769–1828), an early American politician who served as United States Senator and 7th Governor
of New York
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.6 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 5,049 people, 2,071 households, and 1,362 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,036.8 people per square mile (400.3/km²). There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of 443.1 per square mile (171.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.12% White, 0.22% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races
, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 2,071 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples
living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,720, and the median income for a family was $54,063. Males had a median income of $37,951 versus $25,457 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,717. About 2.8% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
. The mayor is Don Thiltgen, and the city council is currently composed of Carole Dunkin (First Ward), Peggy McAvan (Second Ward), Verlyn Scheckel (At-Large), Steve Hasenmiller (At-Large) and Kurt Ketelsen (At-Large).
, Low Moor
, and Welton
are also a part the school district.
The school's mascot is the Saber
, represented graphically by a shield
, two swords
, and a saber-toothed tiger
.
Clinton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 49,116 in the county, with a population density of . There were 21,733 housing units, of which 20,223 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,049 at the 2000 census. DeWitt was named after DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal...
(1769–1828), an early American politician who served as United States Senator and 7th Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Geography
DeWitt is located at 41°49′22"N 90°32′34"W (41.822684, -90.542643).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 4.9 square miles (12.6 km²), all land.
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 5,049 people, 2,071 households, and 1,362 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 1,036.8 people per square mile (400.3/km²). There were 2,158 housing units at an average density of 443.1 per square mile (171.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.12% White, 0.22% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.24% 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 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 2,071 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% 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, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,720, and the median income for a family was $54,063. Males had a median income of $37,951 versus $25,457 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 $19,717. About 2.8% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
DeWitt is governed by a mayor and five-member councilMayor-council government
The mayor–council government system, sometimes called the mayor–commission government system, is one of the two most common forms of local government for municipalities...
. The mayor is Don Thiltgen, and the city council is currently composed of Carole Dunkin (First Ward), Peggy McAvan (Second Ward), Verlyn Scheckel (At-Large), Steve Hasenmiller (At-Large) and Kurt Ketelsen (At-Large).
Education
DeWitt is home to Central Community Schools of Clinton County. In addition to DeWitt, the nearby cities of Grand MoundGrand Mound, Iowa
Grand Mound is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 676 at the 2000 census.-Education:Grand Mound is part of the Central Community School District, based in DeWitt. Until 2001, elementary-aged students attended Grand Mound Elementary School with older students being...
, Low Moor
Low Moor, Iowa
Low Moor is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 240 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Low Moor is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, and Welton
Welton, Iowa
Welton is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 159 at the 2000 census.The community is located adjacent to U.S. Route 61, which passes around Welton just to the east of the city. Prior to the expansion of Highway 61 to a four-lane highway, it passed directly through the...
are also a part the school district.
Ekstrand Elementary
Ekstrand Elementary School is located in DeWitt and serves students in pre-kindergarten through grade five. Built in 1970, the school is named for former principal and district superintendent Carl Ekstrand.Central Middle School
Located in DeWitt, the middle school was originally built in 1991 as an addition to Central High School. The attendance center houses 333 students in grades six, seven, and eight.Central High School
Located in DeWitt, Central High School houses grades nine through twelve. After being built in the 1950s, the school's need for increased space has resulted in a recent $1.891 million addition. Construction of the new facilities began in November 2007, and includes a new cafeteria, remodeled kitchen space, and new alternative classroom.Athletics
Central High School won state championships in boys basketball in 1981, girls basketball in 1994, and boys cross country in 2000 and 2001. During that two-year stretch, the Saber Boys' Cross Country team went 254-0, winning the team championship in an incredible 20 consecutive meets. They have a great rivalry with the Maquoketa Cardinals, especially in football, where the Sabers continuously beat the Cardinals.The school's mascot is the Saber
Saber-toothed cat
Saber-toothed cat or Sabre-toothed cat refers to the extinct subfamilies of Machairodontinae , Barbourofelidae , and Nimravidae as well as two families related to marsupials that were found worldwide from the Eocene Epoch to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch ,...
, represented graphically by a shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....
, two swords
Swords
A sword is a cutting/thrusting weapon made of metal. Sword or swords may also refer to:* Swords, County Dublin, Ireland* Suit of swords, a suit in Latin-suited playing cards and Tarot decks* SWORDS, a ground-based military robot...
, and a saber-toothed tiger
Saber-toothed cat
Saber-toothed cat or Sabre-toothed cat refers to the extinct subfamilies of Machairodontinae , Barbourofelidae , and Nimravidae as well as two families related to marsupials that were found worldwide from the Eocene Epoch to the end of the Pleistocene Epoch ,...
.
Media
The DeWitt Observer serves as DeWitt's primary local newspaper. In addition to DeWitt, The Observer also serves much of rural eastern Clinton County.Notable natives and residents
- David C. HilmersDavid C. HilmersDavid Carl Hilmers is a former NASA astronaut.Hilmers was born January 28, 1950, in Clinton, Iowa, but considers DeWitt, Iowa, to be his hometown. He is married to Angela Cayotopa Escalante of Lima, Peru. He has two grown sons. His recreational interests include playing the piano, gardening,...
, NASA astronaut - JoAnna M. Lund, author and cook
- Danny MoellerDanny MoellerDaniel Edward Moeller , was a professional baseball player.He was an outfielder in the Major Leagues from - and from -. During his career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians.-External links:...
, Major League Baseball player