Editing Milford, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Milford, Iowa
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Sams 018n2.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Welcome sign on U.S. Highway 71
|image_map = Dickinson_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Milford_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Milford, 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        = [[Dickinson County, Iowa|Dickinson]]
<!-- 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           = 5.66
|area_land_km2            = 5.64
|area_water_km2           = 0.03
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.19
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.18
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 3321
|population_density_km2   = 588.93
|population_density_sq_mi = 1525.49
<!-- 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             = 1434
|coordinates              = {{coord|43|20|14|N|95|08|20|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 51351
|area_code                = [[Area code 712|712]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 19-52095
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395324<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395324}}</ref>
|website                  = {{#statements:official website|Q1928296}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
[[File:FI0010549.jpg|alt=Waterfall, Milford, Iowa|thumb|upright|Waterfall, Milford, IA]]

'''Milford''' is a city in [[Dickinson County, Iowa|Dickinson County]], [[Iowa]], United States. The population was 3,321 at the time of 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>  The town includes many businesses related to its location in the [[Iowa Great Lakes]] region and is often referred to as the southern gateway to the Iowa Great Lakes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://milford.ia.us/about.milford | title = About Milford | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061735/http://milford.ia.us/about.milford | archivedate = 2014-02-22 }} City of Milford website. Retrieved 4 February 2014.</ref>

== History ==

The [[Iowa Great Lakes]] Area was settled in the 1850s. It attracted many colonists because of the rich black soil, water from the lakes, and an abundance of wild game and fish. As the population increased at these times, there was a need for a good flouring mill because the nearest mills were those in [[Mankato, Minnesota|Mankato]], [[Minnesota]] and [[Fort Dodge, Iowa|Fort Dodge]], [[Iowa]]. In 1861, there was an attempt to build one on Mill Creek, at the outlet of the Great Lakes but the attempt was abandoned after the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862 and the extremely low water level that year. In 1868 one was successfully built, and sawmill was built and put into operation in 1869. The mills began to attract many customers, and the small community began to grow around Old Town. In 1870, the company that operated the mill bought a section of land northwest of Old Town and laid out a plan for the town of Milford.<ref>Milford, Iowa Centennial Book pages 5-14</ref>

On March 14, 1892, the first Town Council meeting was held. Some buildings were moved from Old Town to New Town and many more businesses and residences were constructed. In 1921, the [[Flag of the United States|U.S. flag]] was flown at the new city hall for the first time and that year a vote approved to pave Okoboji Avenue (Main Street of Milford). The Milwaukee rail line which ran through Milford supplied the town with mail, groceries, clothing, lumber, coal, and machinery before automobiles could get to the Great Lakes. Two passenger trains made daily trips from [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]] to [[Spirit Lake, Iowa|Spirit Lake]], as well as another from [[Spencer, Iowa|Spencer]]. Until 1910, excursion trains came to the Lakes Area from Des Moines, [[Algona, Iowa|Algona]], and other towns on weekends and holidays. The last passenger train left Milford for Spencer in 1951. The last freight train left Milford for Spencer in 1976. The tracks were dismantled in 1978<ref>Milford, Iowa Centennial Book pages 25-36</ref> and later became a part of the Iowa Great Lakes Recreational Trail.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.29|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.28|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<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]]|accessdate=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=2012-07-02}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box 
|location = Milford, Iowa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1919−present)
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|width = auto
|Jan record high F = 63
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 102
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 92
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 67
|year record high F = 103

|Jan avg record high F = 43.5
|Feb avg record high F = 48.1
|Mar avg record high F = 67.1
|Apr avg record high F = 80.7
|May avg record high F = 88.4
|Jun avg record high F = 91.5
|Jul avg record high F = 92.5
|Aug avg record high F = 90.7
|Sep avg record high F = 87.9
|Oct avg record high F = 80.6
|Nov avg record high F = 64.2
|Dec avg record high F = 47.5
|year avg record high F = 94.7

|Jan high F = 24.4
|Feb high F = 28.9
|Mar high F = 41.9
|Apr high F = 57.2
|May high F = 69.5
|Jun high F = 79.0
|Jul high F = 82.6
|Aug high F = 80.0
|Sep high F = 73.9
|Oct high F = 60.0
|Nov high F = 43.1
|Dec high F = 29.0
|year high F = 55.8
|Jan mean F = 15.9
|Feb mean F = 20.3
|Mar mean F = 32.7
|Apr mean F = 46.2
|May mean F = 58.6
|Jun mean F = 68.8
|Jul mean F = 72.5
|Aug mean F = 70.0
|Sep mean F = 62.8
|Oct mean F = 49.3
|Nov mean F = 33.8
|Dec mean F = 21.1
|year mean F = 46.0
|Jan low F = 7.5
|Feb low F = 11.6
|Mar low F = 23.6
|Apr low F = 35.2
|May low F = 47.7
|Jun low F = 58.5
|Jul low F = 62.4
|Aug low F = 60.0
|Sep low F = 51.8
|Oct low F = 38.5
|Nov low F = 24.5
|Dec low F = 13.2
|year low F = 36.2

|Jan avg record low F = -16.4
|Feb avg record low F = -10.6
|Mar avg record low F = -0.8
|Apr avg record low F = 18.4
|May avg record low F = 31.9
|Jun avg record low F = 46.2
|Jul avg record low F = 50.3
|Aug avg record low F = 47.8
|Sep avg record low F = 34.8
|Oct avg record low F = 20.6
|Nov avg record low F = 4.3
|Dec avg record low F = -10.1
|year avg record low F = -19.6

|Jan record low F = −34
|Feb record low F = −28
|Mar record low F = −22
|Apr record low F = 2
|May record low F = 18
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 35
|Sep record low F = 24
|Oct record low F = -10
|Nov record low F = −14
|Dec record low F = −29
|year record low F = -34
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.70
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.74
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.61
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.25
|May precipitation inch = 4.21
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.47
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.40
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.47
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.21
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.22
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.38
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.84
|year precipitation inch = 29.50
|Jan snow inch = 8.7
|Feb snow inch = 9.3
|Mar snow inch = 5.3
|Apr snow inch = 2.5
|May snow inch = 0.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.5
|Nov snow inch = 3.0
|Dec snow inch = 8.6
|year snow inch = 38.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.8
|Feb precipitation days = 6.6
|Mar precipitation days = 6.2
|Apr precipitation days = 8.2
|May precipitation days = 10.5
|Jun precipitation days = 9.2
|Jul precipitation days = 8.2
|Aug precipitation days = 7.6
|Sep precipitation days = 7.1
|Oct precipitation days = 6.2
|Nov precipitation days = 5.6
|Dec precipitation days = 6.0
|year precipitation days = 88.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.7
|Feb snow days = 4.6
|Mar snow days = 1.8
|Apr snow days = 0.7
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 2.1
|Dec snow days = 3.9
|year snow days = 18.1
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fsd
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = October 18, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00135493&format=pdf
| title = Station: Milford 4 NW, IA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = October 18, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1880|235
|1900|485
|1910|575
|1920|908
|1930|1062
|1940|1202
|1950|1375
|1960|1476
|1970|1668
|1980|2076
|1990|2170
|2000|2474
|2010|2898
|2020|3321
|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|accessdate=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]
}}

===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 3,321 people, 1,416 households, and 879 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,525.3 inhabitants per square mile (588.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,566 housing units at an average density of 719.3 per square mile (277.7/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 92.5% [[White Americans|White]], 0.8% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.4% from other races and 4.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 3.7% of the population.

Of the 1,416 households, 29.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.1% were cohabitating couples, 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 19.1% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.9% of all households were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 41.0 years. 26.7% of the residents were under the age of 20; 3.8% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 and 44; 22.9% were from 45 and 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% 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]]|accessdate=2012-05-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,898 people, 1,276 households, and 802 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1271.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of {{convert|620.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 1,276 households, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.1% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 41 years. 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,474 people, 1,042 households, and 670 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,095.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,128 housing units at an average density of {{convert|499.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 99.07% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.12% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.36% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.12% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.16% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 1,042 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,063, and the median income for a family was $42,371. Males had a median income of $28,239 versus $20,815 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,680. About 4.3% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

== Parks and recreation ==
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:westboji2.jpg|frame|View of South Emerson Bay from Lighthouse Point.]] -->

Florence Park is located near the high school and offers picnic areas, a large playground, and sessional shelter house available for rent.
Memorial Park boasts three ball diamonds, two tennis courts, a basketball court, a horseshoe pitch, volleyball court, playground, two shelters, and a picnic area.
Buchanan Park has a playground, a shelter, a basketball court, and a chess table.

===Recreational Trails===
The Iowa Great Lakes Trails are a series of recreational trails in the [[Iowa Great Lakes]] area that cover almost 30 miles and give citizens and visitors a place to walk, bike, skate, rollerblade, run, and cross-country ski. One end of the 14-mile "spine" of the trail begins in Milford and travels through Arnolds Park and Okoboji to Spirit Lake. Another begins Northwest of Milford and follows Highway 86 along the west side of [[West Okoboji Lake]].<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://dickinsoncountytrails.com | title = Iowa Great Lakes Trails}} Retrieved 4 February 2014.</ref><ref>{{ cite web | url = http://dickinsoncountyiowa.org/trails/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/06/DICKINSON-COUNTY-TRAILS-11X17-TEAR-MAP-2013.pdf | title = Dickionson County Trails Map}} Iowa Great Lakes Trails website (6 March 2013). Retrieved 4 February 2014.</ref>

===Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area===
Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area is a {{convert|180|acre|km2|adj=on}} county park located approximately five miles southwest of Milford. The park includes picnic areas and a shelter house with modern restroom facilities available for rent. There are 12 primitive campsites, over four miles of mowed trails for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The park also offers a canoe launch and fishing on the Little Sioux River. On the south end of the park is a winter sports area with skiing and tubing facilities, lifts, and a lodge with modern restroom facilities.<ref>Milford, Iowa Centennial Book pages 44-45</ref><ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Dickinson/Park/Horseshoe-Bend-Recreational-Area.aspx | title = Horseshoe Bend Recreational Area}} mycountyparks.com. Retrieved on 4 February 2014.</ref>

===Iowa Great Lakes===
Milford lies on the south end of the [[Iowa Great Lakes]], a popular area that swells the summer population in Dickinson County to about 100,000. visitors and residents enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming in the seven lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes chain.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.okobojifoundation.org/visioning/docs/Arts-Culture.pdf |title=Okoboji Foundation, Community Foundation for Iowa Great Lakes area in Dickinson County, Iowa |access-date=2008-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222223800/http://www.okobojifoundation.org/visioning/docs/arts-culture.pdf |archive-date=2014-02-22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Businesses ==

===Gravel===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:035n2.jpg|frame|Gravel.]] -->
'''"Milford's Hidden Gold"'''<br />Since 1910, businesses have taken advantage of the huge amounts of gravel that is under and surrounds Milford, and was first mined by the Milwaukee Railroad. To the east, west, and south of town there are gravel pits either exhausted and abandoned-some used as junkyards or ones still used that change the face of the Earth almost overnight. Milford Sand & Gravel is one company that mines and washes the gravel for industrial use.<ref>Milford, Iowa Centennial Bood page 39</ref>

===Milford Grain Elevator===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:021n2.jpg|thumb|Milford Elevator.]] -->
The Milford Elevator has served the Milford Community is a greatly needed accommodation for the farmers of the Milford area. It was owned by Great Lakes Cooperative until April 3, 2008 when it merged with [[Green Plains Renewable Energy]].<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/4008/gpre-great-lakes-cooperative-complete-merger | title = GPRE, Great Lakes Cooperative complete merger}} Ethanol Producer Magazine (8 April 2008). Retrieved on 4 February 2014.</ref> The grain elevator is now owned and operated by [[The Andersons]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://iowa.andersonsgrain.com/index.cfm?show=10&mid=45 | title = The Andersons Grain, Milford Iowa | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140209211221/http://iowa.andersonsgrain.com/index.cfm?show=10&mid=45 | archivedate = 2014-02-09 }}. Retrieved on 4 February 2014.</ref>

== Education ==
[[Image:Okobojihigh2.jpg|frame|[[Okoboji High School]]]]
Milford is served by the [[Okoboji Community School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_OKOBOJI.pdf|title=Okoboji|publisher=[[Iowa Department of Education]]|accessdate=2020-03-24}}</ref> The district was established on July 1, 1988 by the merger of the Arnolds Park and Milford school districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124738/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-02-09|title=REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66|publisher=[[Iowa Department of Education]]|accessdate=2020-03-22}}</ref>

The district operates three schools in the city: [[Okoboji High School|Okoboji Community High School]], Okoboji Community Middle School, and Okoboji Community Elementary School all of which are part of the Okoboji Community School District. The schools mascot is the Okoboji Pioneer.  School colors are maroon and white.

The town also has a [[library]], the Milford Memorial Library.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://milfordlibrary.weebly.com | title = Milford Memorial Library}} Retrieved 5 February 2014.</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[John L. Bascom]], attorney and Iowa State Representative
* [[Paul Nesbitt]], physician and Oklahoma State Legislator

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{Commons}}<!--for current and future use if material is uploaded-->
{{Portal|Iowa}} 
*[http://milford.ia.us City of Milford]
{{Dickinson County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Dickinson County, Iowa]]