Pella, Iowa

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pella, Iowa
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Pella, Iowa


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 =
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Marion
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 17.7
area_land_km2 = 17.7
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.8
area_land_sq_mi = 6.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 9832
population_density_km2 = 555.0
population_density_sq_mi = 1437.4

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 270
elevation_ft = 886
latd = 41 |latm = 24 |lats = 26 |latNS = N
longd = 92 |longm = 55 |longs = 2 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 50219
area_code = 641
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 19-62040
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0460063
website =
footnotes =

Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.

History and culture

Pella was founded in 1847 when eight hundred Dutch immigrants led by Dominee Hendrik (Henry) P. Scholte settled the area. Rev. Scholte named the town Pella after Pella in Asia Minor, which had been a city of refuge for early Christians [Van Klompenburg, Carol; Crum, Doroty (1996). "Dutch Touches, Recipes and Traditions". Penfield Press, Iowa. ISBN 1-57216-024-1.] . It was the childhood home of Wyatt Earp. His brothers Warren and Morgan were born in Pella.

Today, it is one of the most unusual towns in the state, featuring a number of local events and architectural sights. The Vermeer Mill is a fully functional 1850s-style windmill, reaching convert|134|ft|m high. The Vermeer Mill grinds wheat into flour using only wind power and is the tallest working windmill in the United States.

The Pella Opera House, built in 1900, was renovated in 1990 and is now a popular entertainment destination, featuring stained glass windows and ornate tin ceilings. A canal winds through nearby Molengracht Plaza, home to a number of shops, restaurants, lodging, a movie theatre, and a full-size working drawbridge.

The annual Tulip Time festival is a celebration of Pella's Dutch heritage. It features tulip gardens, performances, crafters, music, food, Dutch costumes, and daily parades. The festival is held for three days (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) during the first weekend in May.

A few miles to the west is Iowa's largest reservoir [ [http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/redrock/ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Lake Red Rock] ] , Lake Red Rock (Des Moines River), a popular destination for biking, hiking, boating, and fishing.

Geography

Pella is located at coor dms|41|24|26|N|92|55|2|W|city (41.407311, -92.917352)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.7 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,832 people, 3,497 households, and 2,395 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,437.4 people per square mile (555.0/km²). There were 3,691 housing units at an average density of 539.6/sq mi (208.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.32% White, 0.17% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 3,497 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% 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 2.95.

The population is spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 17.6% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,496, and the median income for a family was $56,321. Males had a median income of $40,344 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,674. About 3.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Famous residents

* Kory DeHaan — former Major League Baseball player
* Kyle Korver — forward/guard for the Utah Jazz
* Dave Keuning — guitarist for The Killers
* Louis LeCocq — Pella native, WWI era auto racer, killed in 1919 Indianapolis 500
* Wyatt Earp — lawman & gunfighter of OK Corral fame, spent some of his childhood in Pella.
* Paul Emerick - professional rugby player, MVP in 2006

References in Popular Literature

*In his 1989 book, "", travel author Bill Bryson stops in Pella, recounting his childhood visits to the town, and remarking different aspects of the town with his usual wry humor. Throughout the book, parts of Pella are referred back to as examples.

References

External links

* [http://www.pellacity.com City website]
* [http://www.pella.org Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau website]
* [http://www.kniakrls.com KNIA/KRLS]
* [http://www.pella.k12.ia.us Pella Community School District]