Laurens, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Laurens is a city in Pocahontas County
, Iowa
, United States
. The population was 1,476 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,476 people, 656 households, and 400 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,999.4 people per square mile (770.1/km²). There were 711 housing units at an average density of 963.1 per square mile (371.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.68% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic [0.01% Brazilian] [0.02 French] or Latino of any race.
There were 656 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples
living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% 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 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,188, and the median income for a family was $43,661. Males had a median income of $31,063 versus $19,716 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,711. About 4.8% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Mr. Iner Joelson is the superintendent and David Ross is the principal of the school. The certified enrollment is 353 students with a certified staff of 34 and a support staff of 29.
, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling 240 miles on a lawnmower. His story was made into the film The Straight Story
(1999) directed by David Lynch
, starring Richard Farnsworth
(Nominated for Oscar), and Sissy Spacek
; the film was partly made in Laurens. "Laurens, Iowa" is also the title of an instrumental song in the film soundtrack.
, France, became a sister city to Laurens, Iowa during the preparations for the 2007 quasquicentennial (125th anniversary).
Pocahontas County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 7,310 in the county, with a population density of . There were 3,794 housing units, of which 3,233 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 1,476 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Laurens is located at 42°50′50"N 94°50′58"W (42.847105, -94.849542).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 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 1,476 people, 656 households, and 400 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 1,999.4 people per square mile (770.1/km²). There were 711 housing units at an average density of 963.1 per square mile (371.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.68% White, 0.14% Native American, 0.41% Asian, and 0.75% from two or more races. 1.08% of the population were Hispanic [0.01% Brazilian] [0.02 French] or Latino of any race.
There were 656 households out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% 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, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% 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 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,188, and the median income for a family was $43,661. Males had a median income of $31,063 versus $19,716 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 $16,711. About 4.8% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Laurens is home to the consolidated Laurens Marathon School. All grades are located in one building in Laurens. In 2000 the enrollment was 423 for all grades, and there were about 40 full time teaching staff.Mr. Iner Joelson is the superintendent and David Ross is the principal of the school. The certified enrollment is 353 students with a certified staff of 34 and a support staff of 29.
Laurens in popular culture
Laurens was the home of Alvin StraightAlvin Straight
Alvin Ray Straight was a resident of Laurens, Iowa. He gained fame for traveling on a 1966 John Deere riding lawn mower to visit his 80-year-old brother Henry in Blue River, Wisconsin who had recently had a stroke. At a top speed of , the journey took six weeks. The trip took place in the summer...
, a 73-year-old man famous for travelling 240 miles on a lawnmower. His story was made into the film The Straight Story
The Straight Story
The Straight Story is a 1999 film directed by David Lynch. The film was edited and produced by Mary Sweeney, Lynch's longtime partner and co-worker. She co-wrote the script with John E. Roach....
(1999) directed by David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
, starring Richard Farnsworth
Richard Farnsworth
Richard W. Farnsworth was an American actor and stuntman. His film career began in 1937; however, he achieved his greatest success for his performances in The Grey Fox and The Straight Story , for which he received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor.- Early life :Farnsworth was born...
(Nominated for Oscar), and Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek
Sissy Spacek is an American actress and singer. She came to international prominence for her for role as Carrie White in Brian De Palma's 1976 horror film Carrie for which she earned her first Academy Award nomination...
; the film was partly made in Laurens. "Laurens, Iowa" is also the title of an instrumental song in the film soundtrack.
Sister city
LaurensLaurens, Hérault
Laurens is a commune in the Hérault département in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.-See also:*Communes of the Hérault department...
, France, became a sister city to Laurens, Iowa during the preparations for the 2007 quasquicentennial (125th anniversary).
External links
- Laurens-Marathon School
- Unofficial Laurens Website
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Laurens