Editing Columbus Junction, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Columbus Junction, Iowa
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Columbus junction iowa.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Columbus Junction
|image_map = Louisa_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Columbus_Junction_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Columbus Junction, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Iowa]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Louisa County, Iowa|Louisa]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 5.42
|area_land_km2            = 5.42
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.09
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.09
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1830
|population_density_km2   = 337.38
|population_density_sq_mi = 873.93
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 630
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|16|50|N|91|22|20|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 52738
|area_code                = [[Area code 319|319]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 19-15420
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2393612<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393612}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://columbusjunctioniowa.org City of Columbus Junction Website]
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Columbus Junction''' is a city in [[Louisa County, Iowa|Louisa County]], [[Iowa]]. The population was 1,830 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> It is part of the [[Muscatine, Iowa|Muscatine]] [[Muscatine, Iowa micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

Columbus Junction is home of the historic Swinging Bridge, found one block south of [[Iowa Highway 92|Highway 92]] near downtown. The 262-foot-long steel cable and wood suspension bridge was built in 1922 as an elevated walkway connecting Third and Fourth streets.

The Columbus Community School District (which serves Columbus Junction, Columbus City, Fredonia, Cotter, Conesville, and other surrounding townships) is based in Columbus Junction. The school's colors are blue and white and their mascot is a wildcat.

The city's largest employer is a [[Tyson Foods]] meat processing plant located just north of the city on [[Iowa Highway 70|Highway 70]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nearly 1,400 Tyson workers at 3 Iowa plants get coronavirus|url=https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/nearly-1400-tyson-workers-at-3-iowa-plants-get-coronavirus-05-05-2020|last=FOLEY|first=RYAN J.|date=2020-05-05|work=KGAN|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>

==History==
Columbus Junction began as a settlement located at the intersection of two railroad lines. The [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]] (also known as the Rock Island [Line]) built an east–west line through the area in 1858, and the perpendicular north–south [[Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railway|Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad]] (BCR&M) line was built in 1870.

The first local business, a restaurant and boarding house imported via the Rock Island from [[Muscatine, Iowa]], opened the day after a BCR&M train made the inaugural stop and crossing of the newly completed intersection. Just a month later, on March 12, 1870, the town was [[plat]]ted.

Neighboring [[Columbus City, Iowa|Columbus City]] had been established before the railroads arrived and both the Rock Island and BCR&M had built their lines over a mile's distance away. Because they had invested in the latter line, they were permitted to name the new town, and so it became Columbus Junction.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=SoEUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA626 Portrait and Biographical Album of Louisa County, Iowa], Acme, Chicago, 1889; page 626.</ref>

The largest sustained period of growth for Columbus Junction was from 1960 to 2000, driven primarily by job creation in meat processing. From 1961 to 1982 [[Rath Packing Company]] operated a hog processing plant just north of the city. In 1985 the facility reopened under the ownership of [[IBP, Inc.|IBP]], and in 2001 was bought by [[Tyson Foods]].

Immigration has played a strong role in the history of Columbus Junction. The most recent wave of immigrants includes refugees from the [[Chin State]] of [[Myanmar (Burma)]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2015/06/13/columbus-junction-burma-refugees/28502047/|title=Columbus Junction accommodates newcomers from Burma|website=Des Moines Register|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11}}</ref> Many of them work in the meat processing plants.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 21, 2020|title=Iowa's Burmese Community Devastated By COVID-19|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/21/881173373/iowas-burmese-community-devastated-by-covid-19|access-date=2020-06-21|website=NPR News|language=en}}</ref>

The [[Iowa Flood of 2008]] impacted Columbus Junction along with many other towns and cities. The damage dealt by the inundation affected 29 businesses and non-profits, but the community has since been able to recover.

==Geography==
Columbus Junction is located between the cities of [[Columbus City, Iowa|Columbus City]] and [[Fredonia, Iowa|Fredonia]]. It lies at the confluence of two rivers, the [[Iowa River|Iowa]] and the [[Cedar River (Iowa River)|Cedar]].<ref>''Iowa Atlas & Gazetteer,'' DeLorme, 7th Edition, 2021 p. 51 {{isbn|1946494003}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.19|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| collapsed = Y
| location    = Columbus Junction, Iowa (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =29.9
| Feb high F  =34.3
| Mar high F  =48.0
| Apr high F  =61.5
| May high F  =71.5
| Jun high F  =80.1
| Jul high F  =83.9
| Aug high F  =82.4
| Sep high F  =76.3
| Oct high F  =63.1
| Nov high F  =48.4
| Dec high F  =35.2
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =20.4
| Feb mean F  =24.1
| Mar mean F  =36.9
| Apr mean F  =49.7
| May mean F  =60.5
| Jun mean F  =69.6
| Jul mean F  =73.4
| Aug mean F  =71.6
| Sep mean F  =63.9
| Oct mean F  =51.4
| Nov mean F  =37.7
| Dec mean F  =26.2
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =10.9
| Feb low F  =14.0
| Mar low F  =25.8
| Apr low F  =37.9
| May low F  =49.5
| Jun low F  =59.2
| Jul low F  =62.9
| Aug low F  =60.7
| Sep low F  =51.5
| Oct low F  =39.7
| Nov low F  =26.9
| Dec low F  =17.2
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.17
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.94
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.33
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.85
| May precipitation inch  =5.41
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.91
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.09
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.22
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.75
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.03
| Nov precipitation inch  =2.19
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.94
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =9.5
| Feb snow inch  =7.1
| Mar snow inch  =5.3
| Apr snow inch  =1.6
| May snow inch  =0.0
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.2
| Nov snow inch  =1.3
| Dec snow inch  =6.3
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00131731 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-30 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1860|519
|1870|850
|1880|793
|1890|953
|1900|1099
|1910|1185
|1920|988
|1930|867
|1940|975
|1950|1123
|1960|1016
|1970|1205
|1980|1429
|1990|1616
|2000|1900
|2010|1899
|2020|1830
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>}}|footnote=Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]
}}
[[File:Columbus JunctionIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|left|alt=The population of Columbus Junction, Iowa from US census data|The population of Columbus Junction, Iowa from US census data]]

===2020 census===
As of the [[United States census|census]] of 2020,<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 1,830 people, 655 households, and 438 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 873.8 inhabitants per square mile (337.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 719 housing units at an average density of 343.3 per square mile (132.6/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 49.5% [[White Americans|White]], 1.4% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 1.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 10.2% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 23.2% from other races and 14.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 45.4% of the population.

Of the 655 households, 34.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.3% were cohabitating couples, 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 16.9% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 33.1% of all households were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 37.4 years. 28.0% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.0% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 26.5% were from 25 and 44; 22.1% were from 45 and 64; and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-05-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,899 people, 687 households, and 468 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|867.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 760 housing units at an average density of {{convert|347.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 74.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 17.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 48.0% of the population.

There were 687 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.9% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.28.

The median age in the city was 35.9 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,900 people, 691 households, and 487 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|879.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 748 housing units at an average density of {{convert|346.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.32% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.58% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.05% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 12.37% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.58% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 39.00% of the population.

There were 691 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.24.

28.6% are under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,167, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $27,841 versus $22,566 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,314. About 9.7% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==
*[[Bill Orr (Nebraska first gentleman)|Bill Orr]], former [[First Gentleman]] of [[Nebraska]] (1987–1991), raised in Columbus Junction.<ref name=owh>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Cole |title='First gentleman' Bill Orr known for service, quick wit |url=http://www.omaha.com/article/20130505/NEWS/705069953 |work=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=2013-05-05 |access-date=2013-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615222830/http://www.omaha.com/article/20130505/NEWS/705069953 |archive-date=2013-06-15 }}</ref>
*[[Karl Weber (actor)|Karl Weber]], television and radio actor who starred in [[Maverick (TV series)|Maverick]], [[Perry Mason]], [[Dr. Kildare]] and other shows<ref name =imdb>{{cite news |title = 'Karl Weber'| url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0916646/ | access-date=2014-06-02}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}

*[[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the meat industry in the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.columbusjunctioniowa.org City website]

{{Louisa County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Louisa County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Muscatine, Iowa micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Iowa]]