Belmond, Iowa

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Belmond, Iowa
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Belmond, Iowa


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 =
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Wright
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 7.4
area_land_km2 = 7.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 2.9
area_land_sq_mi = 2.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2560
population_density_km2 = 346.3
population_density_sq_mi = 896.9

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 359
elevation_ft = 1178
latd = 42 |latm = 50 |lats = 50 |latNS = N
longd = 93 |longm = 36 |longs = 44 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 50421
area_code = 641
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 19-05680
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0454502
website =
footnotes =

Belmond is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. It is located along U.S. Highway 69, 14 miles by road from Clarion, the county seat. The population was 2,560 at the 2000 census.

On October 14, 1966, an F5 tornado ripped apart the community, destroying or damaging about 600 homes and 75 businesses. Six people were killed and large swaths of the town were left in ruins. [ "Twister Kills 6 at Belmond," Cedar Rapids Gazette, 1966-10-15, p. 1 (available at Newspaperarchive.com).] Most residents remained, damaged buildings were restored, and the City's population soon exceeded the pre-tornado level (of 2,506 residents).

Geography

Belmond is located at coor dms|42|50|50|N|93|36|44|W|city (42.847242, -93.612335)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.8 square miles (7.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,560 people, 1,119 households, and 675 families residing in the city. The population density was 896.9 people per square mile (346.8/km²). There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 421.1/sq mi (162.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.84% White, 0.23% African-American, 0.12% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 3.95% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.62% of the population.

There were 1,119 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.6% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,841, and the median income for a family was $43,393. Males had a median income of $30,270 versus $20,664 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,317. About 2.6% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Population trend

Belmond's population had remained at about 2,500 since the 1960's. The population of Belmond increased from 2,500 in 1990 to 2,560 in 2000. According to 2006 population estimates, its population has decreased to 2,406.

Education

Belmond-Klemme Community Schools are located in Wright and Hancock Counties and serve the communities of Belmond, Klemme, Goodell, and Rowan. Enrollment has decreased by nearly 350 students in the last ten years. Belmond-Klemme currently has an enrollment of over 600 students in grades K-12.

In September 2006 the district passed a bond referendum to build a new P/K-6 grade elementary building just north of the existing High School which houses grades 7-12. The district has already completed the phase of building new baseball/softball fields and has plans to install geothermal heating and cooling to the new elementary and high school and complete renovations and improvements to the high school facility.

Economic growth

Global Ethanol, in cooperation with Max Yield Cooperative and Midwest Grain Processors, announced its plans to build an ethanol plant near Belmond to produce 100 million US gallons (380,000 m³) per year. The plant will be built southwest of town, along the railroad tracks where they turn to go to Clarion. The $210 million project is expected to bring 50 new jobs to the area. There is an industrial park with a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m²). spec building. There are plans to build a truck station to suit the needs of the additional traffic from the ethanol plant. The Belmond Industrial Park is located on US Highway 69.

The community has and continues to complete several community projects including the ethanol plant, industrial park and spec building, new elementary school, high school renovations, renovated library, new city hall, new fire station, assisted living facility, street improvements, new water treatment facility, housing developments, several business expansions and developments, etc.

Health care

Belmond Medical Center, a 22-bed critical access hospital, serves the healthcare needs of the community. The hospital built a new medical clinic in 2000. In February 2007 the hospital began an agreement with Wright Medical Center of Clarion, a neighboring community. The agreement includes Wright Medical Center providing administration and medical physicians. Wright Medical Center has continued to experience significant growth in recent years making it one of the busiest hospitals in rural Iowa. This created the need to expand and team up with Belmond Medical Center and provide more services to Belmond and Wright County. The agreement between Clarion and Belmond is the first such in the state. BMC employs 100 people, WMC has grown to employ over 300 people.

The agreement and steady growth has led to plans to expand and renovate the Belmond Medical Center. Currently, land is being acquired as part of the planning of the expansion, planned to be completed within 3 years.

Housing

The Belmond Housing Council and the City of Belmond established the Dumond Estates 40-lot housing subdivision in 1997. There are two housing incentive programs available in Belmond, which emphasize building in Dumond Estates.

Retail businesses

Belmond has a wide main street with an arcade and many stores.

Community

Belmond maintains several well-kept city parks. In recent years the Belmond community has built a new fire station, city hall, walking trail, and a new clinic. There are plans to build a new water treatment facility. The Iowa River flows through Belmond, past a river park. Belmond has a country club and golf course. Luick Memorial Swimming Pool features a giant water slide. The City plans to improve the pool by creating a more modern aquatic center. The Franklin Grove Heritage Trail is an asphalt trail that runs through town. There are plans to build a walking trail from Mason City to Belmond that could eventually connect to the Three Rivers Trail in Eagle Grove. [ [http://www.belmond.com Belmond Area Chamber of Commerce] ]

Notable natives

Sean McLaughlin : former MSNBC meteorologist and "TODAY" show weather anchor, currently serving as weather anchor for CBS affiliate KPHO in Phoenix, AZ.

References

External links

* [http://www.belmondmedicalcenter.com Belmond Medical Center]
* [http://www.wrightmed.com Wright Medical Center]