Winterset, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Winterset is a city in Madison County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 4,768 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Madison County
.
Winterset is part of the Des Moines
– West Des Moines
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. Winterset is the birthplace of actor John Wayne
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all of it land.
Winterset is located about 30 minutes southwest of the state capital of Des Moines
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 4,768 people, 1,884 households, and 1,230 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,357.9 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 1,998 housing units at an average density of 569.0 per square mile (219.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.13% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 1,884 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples
living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,142, and the median income for a family was $42,951. Males had a median income of $31,536 versus $22,146 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,274. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
Winterset is widely known for its covered bridges. A total of six covered bridges are located in Madison County, including one in Winterset City Park. The annual Covered Bridge Festival celebrates the bridges and local heritage every second full weekend in October. In 2006, the festival was held October 14 and 15.
Another notable landmark is Clark Tower
, located in Winterset City Park
, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Middle River Valley area.
The Madison County Courthouse
, in the middle of the town square, was built in 1868, and rebuilt in 1876 after being partially destroyed by fire.
The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is located near the downtown area at 216 South 2nd Street.
(1971), The Bridges of Madison County
(1995), and The Crazies
(2010).
Madison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 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 4,768 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 Madison County
Madison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 were occupied.-2000 census:...
.
Winterset 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...
. Winterset is the birthplace of actor John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
.
History
The city of Winterset was first plotted in 1849. This year is considered by the Madison County Historical Society and city government to be the year of Winterset's founding. Winterset's sesquicentennial (150 years) was celebrated in the summer of 1999. Among the original family names thought to be living in Winterset around the time of its founding were: Bilderback, Clark, Storck, Danforth, Guiberson, Weatayne, Percy, McDonald, Larson, Gentry, Bertholf, Tidrick, Pitzer, Gaff, Berger, Simpson, Ruby, Hornback, Dougherty, Wilhoit, Walkup, McPherson, Wilkinson, Rottenberger, Gaskill, Houk, and Hutchings.Geography
Winterset is located at 41°20′9"N 94°0′50"W (41.335901, -94.013981).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 3.5 square miles (9.1 km²), all of it land.
Winterset is located about 30 minutes southwest of the state capital of 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...
.
Demographics
Census
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 4,768 people, 1,884 households, and 1,230 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 1,357.9 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 1,998 housing units at an average density of 569.0 per square mile (219.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.13% 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 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
There were 1,884 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% 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, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,142, and the median income for a family was $42,951. Males had a median income of $31,536 versus $22,146 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 $17,274. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Another notable landmark is Clark Tower
Clark Tower
This article is about a structure in Winterset, Iowa. For the building commonly called Clark Tower in Memphis, Tennessee, see Clark Tower Executive Suites...
, located in Winterset City Park
Winterset City Park
Winterset City Park is a public, city-owned park in Winterset, Iowa.The park contains one of Madison County, Iowa's famed covered bridges and a stone bridge there was used in the movie The Bridges of Madison County...
, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Middle River Valley area.
The Madison County Courthouse
Madison County Courthouse (Iowa)
The Madison County Courthouse is in Winterset, Iowa. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
, in the middle of the town square, was built in 1868, and rebuilt in 1876 after being partially destroyed by fire.
The John Wayne Birthplace Museum is located near the downtown area at 216 South 2nd Street.
Popular culture
Winterset was used as a shooting location for the films Cold TurkeyCold Turkey (film)
Cold Turkey is a 1971 satirical comedy film. It stars Dick Van Dyke plus a long list of comedic actors, several of whom are well known to North American television audiences...
(1971), The Bridges of Madison County
The Bridges of Madison County (film)
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller. It was produced by Amblin Entertainment and Malpaso Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment...
(1995), and The Crazies
The Crazies (2010 film)
The Crazies is a 2010 American horror film directed by Breck Eisner. Written by Scott Kosar and Ray Wright, the film is a remake of the 1973 film of the same name by George A. Romero, who is also the executive producer and co-writer of the remake....
(2010).
Notable people
- John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
, actor - George Washington CarverGeorge Washington CarverGeorge Washington Carver , was an American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor. The exact day and year of his birth are unknown; he is believed to have been born into slavery in Missouri in January 1864....
, agricultural researcher - Fred ClarkeFred ClarkeFred Clifford Clarke was a Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. A Hall of Famer, Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a left fielder and left-handed batter.Of the nine pennants in Pittsburgh franchise...
, member of the Baseball Hall of Fame - Henry J. B. CummingsHenry J. B. CummingsHenry Johnson Brodhead Cummings was a lawyer, Civil War officer, editor and publisher, and one-term Republican Congressman from Iowa's 7th congressional district....
, U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from IowaIowaIowa 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... - Henry A. WallaceHenry A. WallaceHenry Agard Wallace was the 33rd Vice President of the United States , the Secretary of Agriculture , and the Secretary of Commerce . In the 1948 presidential election, Wallace was the nominee of the Progressive Party.-Early life:Henry A...
, Vice President of the United StatesVice President of the United StatesThe Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
External links
- City of Winterset Official website
- Madison County Historical Society
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Winterset