Schaller, Iowa

For other uses of the word, see Schaller (disambiguation).

Schaller is a city in Sac County, Iowa, United States. The population was 729 at the time of the 2020 census.

Schaller, Iowa
City
Eastward view along 2nd St.
Location of Schaller, Iowa
Schaller Location within Iowa Schaller Location within the United States
Coordinates: 42°29′50″N 95°17′39″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Sac
Township	Eureka
Area
• Total	1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2)
• Land	1.26 sq mi (3.26 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,411 ft (430 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	729
• Density	579.03/sq mi (223.59/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	51053
Area code	712
FIPS code	19-71085
GNIS feature ID	0465956

History

Grain elevators along W 1st St.

The city of Schaller, named after Phillip Schaller, was incorporated in 1882. The city had been founded in August 1879 as a station for the railroad under construction. The economy, then as now, was based on commercial support for surrounding farms. Settlers came mostly from Germany, England, Canada, New York, and eastern Iowa. Throughout the middle part of the twentieth century a major industry consisted of the packers of Bango and Jolly Time popcorn. The presence and size of these two companies helped Schaller become "The Popcorn Capital of the world." Popcorn is still a major area industry, but the companies moved on to other locations in the 1980s. The railroad ceased operations and pulled up tracks in the 1970s. Transportation connections are by U.S. Route 20 and Iowa Highway 110. Corn (seed and feed), soybeans, and feeder cattle are the major products of the area.

Geography

Schaller is located at 42°29′50″N 95°17′39″W (42.497325, -95.294219).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.26 square miles (3.26 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1890	333	—
1900	661	+98.5%
1910	646	−2.3%
1920	731	+13.2%
1930	724	−1.0%
1940	758	+4.7%
1950	841	+10.9%
1960	896	+6.5%
1970	835	−6.8%
1980	832	−0.4%
1990	768	−7.7%
2000	779	+1.4%
2010	772	−0.9%
2020	729	−5.6%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 772 people, 318 households, and 208 families living in the city. The population density was 612.7 inhabitants per square mile (236.6/km²). There were 341 housing units at an average density of 270.6 per square mile (104.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.6% of the population.

There were 318 households, of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

Post office on S Main St.

As of the census of 2000, there were 779 people, 321 households, and 216 families living in the city. The population density was 619.4 inhabitants per square mile (239.2/km²). There were 347 housing units at an average density of 275.9 per square mile (106.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.82% White, 0.13% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.08% of the population.

There were 321 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 27.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,365, and the median income for a family was $40,268. Males had a median income of $26,964 versus $17,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,520. About 2.6% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

It is a part of the Schaller-Crestland Community School District. The district formed on July 1, 1993, by the merger of the Schaller Community School District and the Crestland Community School District.