Shenandoah, Iowa

This article is about the Iowa city. For other uses, see Shenandoah (disambiguation).

Shenandoah, Iowa
—  City  —
Location of Shenandoah, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°45′44″N 95°22′15″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
Counties	Page, Fremont
Area
• Total	3.75 sq mi (9.71 km2)
• Land	3.75 sq mi (9.71 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	981 ft (299 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	5,150
• Estimate (2012)	5,100
• Density	1,373.3/sq mi (530.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes	51601-51603
Area code(s)	712
FIPS code	19-72525
GNIS feature ID	0461566

Shenandoah is a city in Fremont and Page Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 5,150 at the 2010 census.

Once referred to as the "seed and nursery center of the world," Shenandoah is the home to Earl May Seed Company and the radio station KMA, founded by Earl May. The early live radio stations gave many performers their start, including The Everly Brothers and Charlie Haden.

Geography

Shenandoah is located at 40°45′44″N 95°22′15″W (40.762251, -95.370945) along Fourmile Creek near its confluence with the East Nishnabotna River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.75 square miles (9.71 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1880	1,387	—
1890	2,440	+75.9%
1900	3,573	+46.4%
1910	4,976	+39.3%
1920	5,255	+5.6%
1930	6,502	+23.7%
1940	6,846	+5.3%
1950	6,938	+1.3%
1960	6,567	−5.3%
1970	5,968	−9.1%
1980	6,274	+5.1%
1990	5,572	−11.2%
2000	5,546	−0.5%
2010	5,150	−7.1%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau.  and Iowa Data Center

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,150 people, 2,310 households, and 1,366 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,373.3 inhabitants per square mile (530.2 /km²). There were 2,611 housing units at an average density of 696.3 per square mile (268.8 /km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 2,310 households of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 37.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 44.4 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,546 people, 2,421 households, and 1,486 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,599.6 people per square mile (617.1/km²). There were 2,645 housing units at an average density of 762.9 per square mile (294.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.11% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.72% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.72% of the population.

There were 2,421 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% 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 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,435, and the median income for a family was $39,110. Males had a median income of $31,657 versus $18,588 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,301. About 11.0% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.9% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Tarkio Sloths

Recent excavations of at least three Jefferson’s ground sloths, Megalonyx jeffersonii, have been coordinated by the Iowa Museum of Natural History along West Tarkio Creek near Shenandoah.

Media

The Valley News is Shenandoah's community newspaper. Published twice weekly and distributed to homes throughout Page and Fremont Counties, the Valley News is the community's oldest continually-operated business. Its predecessors include the award-winning Evening Sentinel. Its website can be found at valleynewstoday.com

The radio stations KMA-AM and KFNF were early pioneering radio stations attracting listeners throughout the Mid-West and drawing thousands of visitors to the city in the 1920s. The radio station KMA-FM is in the same complex as KMA. The 2 stations share a simulcast, except for sporting events and other special programming. It is on 99.1FM.

Notable people

• James Ross Lightfoot, US Congressman
• The Everly Brothers, rock musicians
• Charlie Haden, jazz musician
• Gary Kellgren, founder of The Record Plant (Record Plant Studios)
• Leanna Field Driftmier, long-time radio host
• Jay Scheib, theatre director
• Jessie Field Shambaugh, founder of 4-H

External links

• Shenandoah's Chamber and Industry Homepage