Editing Primghar, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Primghar, Iowa
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = 
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_map = O'Brien_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Primghar_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Primghar, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[USA]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Iowa]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[O'Brien County, Iowa|O'Brien]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = Mayor-council
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 2012
<!-- 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           = 3.48
|area_land_km2            = 3.48
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.34
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.34
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 896
|population_density_km2   = 257.55
|population_density_sq_mi = 667.16
<!-- 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             = 1509
|coordinates              = {{coord|43|05|13|N|95|37|28|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 51245
|area_code                = [[Area code 712|712]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 19-64650
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396276<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396276}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.primghariowa.org/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Primghar''' is a city in, and the [[county seat]] of, [[O'Brien County, Iowa|O'Brien County]], [[Iowa]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 896 at the time of the [[United States Census 2020|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> Primghar is 23.5 miles south of [[Iowa Highway 9|Iowa State Highway 9]], 28 miles east of [[Sioux Center, Iowa|Sioux Center]] and 6.75 miles north of [[Iowa Highway 10|Iowa State Highway 10]].

==History==
In a brief history of O'Brien County, Arthur M. Schierholz states: "the courthouse location in (the county of) O'Brien in the extreme southeast corner of the county became a growing issue. To resolve the matter, an election was held on November 11, 1872, to determine the location of the courthouse." A total of 360 votes were cast, with 307 voting to move the courthouse to the exact geographical center of the county. Another historian wrote, "Probably the only case in Iowa, perhaps anywhere, where a bare spot of raw prairie was actually voted to be the county seat." This eventually became the town of Primghar.  The present [[O'Brien County Courthouse]] was completed in 1917.<ref name=iowacourts>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowacourtsonline.org/wfdata/frame1759-1464/pressrel99.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401005445/http://www.iowacourtsonline.org/wfdata/frame1759-1464/pressrel99.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-04-01|title=O'Brien County Courthouse|publisher=Iowa Judicial Branch|access-date=2011-03-07}}</ref> The name Primghar was received from the first letter of eight people who had a major part in platting the town.<ref>[http://obriencounty.com/history.htm History of O'Brien County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714223835/http://obriencounty.com/history.htm |date=2011-07-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tFtAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA402 | title=Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa, Volume 1 | publisher=B. F. Bowen | year=1914 | pages=402}}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.38|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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===Roads and highways===
The only major highway that passes through Primghar is [[U.S. Route 59 in Iowa|U.S. 59]], going north–south. B40 road runs east–west through the town.

===Topography===
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2009}}

Primghar lies at an elevation of 1520 feet. This area of northwest Iowa is gently rolling. Today, fields are marred by few boggy areas and much of the land is terraced to reduce erosion. Until fill was hauled in, the south side of the courthouse square was a "boggy, muddy slough." When the first settlers arrived, there were few trees and almost without exception prairie grass grew to six foot.

In the immediate vicinity of Primghar the topsoils and [[subsoil]]s are silty clay loam. (Galva, Marcus, Primghar, and Sac soils by name.) Clay loam glacial till is at a depth of 30 to 60&nbsp;inches in most places. There are no mineral assets of commercial value, save rock and gravel. Back in 1873 this dearth of underground wealth was yet to be decided. There was a $1000 reward posted for anyone finding mineable coal reserves. No one claimed the prize.

There is an abandoned rock quarry, one mile south-southeast of Primghar, which was donated by the Tjossem family to Primghar in 1989 and is now known as Tjossem Park, a fishing area and public picnic/camp ground.

===Climate===
{{Weather box 
|location = Primghar, Iowa (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1895−present)
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|width = auto
|Jan record high F = 64
|Feb record high F = 70
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 103
|Jul record high F = 110
|Aug record high F = 101
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 93
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 66
|year record high F = 110

|Jan avg record high F = 43.9
|Feb avg record high F = 49.6
|Mar avg record high F = 67.8
|Apr avg record high F = 80.6
|May avg record high F = 87.9
|Jun avg record high F = 91.7
|Jul avg record high F = 92.2
|Aug avg record high F = 90.9
|Sep avg record high F = 87.6
|Oct avg record high F = 81.1
|Nov avg record high F = 64.8
|Dec avg record high F = 48.1
|year avg record high F = 94.4

|Jan high F = 26.7
|Feb high F = 31.8
|Mar high F = 45.5
|Apr high F = 60.5
|May high F = 71.9
|Jun high F = 81.5
|Jul high F = 84.6
|Aug high F = 82.0
|Sep high F = 76.2
|Oct high F = 62.4
|Nov high F = 45.3
|Dec high F = 31.4
|year high F = 58.3
|Jan mean F = 18.0
|Feb mean F = 22.8
|Mar mean F = 35.6
|Apr mean F = 48.7
|May mean F = 60.6
|Jun mean F = 70.7
|Jul mean F = 74.3
|Aug mean F = 71.9
|Sep mean F = 64.7
|Oct mean F = 51.3
|Nov mean F = 36.0
|Dec mean F = 23.3
|year mean F = 48.2
|Jan low F = 9.4
|Feb low F = 13.8
|Mar low F = 25.6
|Apr low F = 36.9
|May low F = 49.3
|Jun low F = 59.9
|Jul low F = 63.9
|Aug low F = 61.8
|Sep low F = 53.2
|Oct low F = 40.3
|Nov low F = 26.7
|Dec low F = 15.3
|year low F = 38.0

|Jan avg record low F = -15.6
|Feb avg record low F = -11.3
|Mar avg record low F = 0.5
|Apr avg record low F = 19.1
|May avg record low F = 32.9
|Jun avg record low F = 47.0
|Jul avg record low F = 52.0
|Aug avg record low F = 50.0
|Sep avg record low F = 35.6
|Oct avg record low F = 21.1
|Nov avg record low F = 5.9
|Dec avg record low F = -9.1
|year avg record low F = -19.0

|Jan record low F = −30
|Feb record low F = −38
|Mar record low F = −20
|Apr record low F = 2
|May record low F = 22
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 38
|Sep record low F = 17
|Oct record low F = 8
|Nov record low F = −14
|Dec record low F = −28
|year record low F = -38
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.82
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.89
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.70
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.30
|May precipitation inch = 4.11
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.98
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.88
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.58
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.30
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.28
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.49
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.02
|year precipitation inch = 31.35
|Jan snow inch = 8.4
|Feb snow inch = 6.7
|Mar snow inch = 6.2
|Apr snow inch = 2.4
|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 = 0.4
|Nov snow inch = 2.5
|Dec snow inch = 8.2
|year snow inch = 34.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.7
|Feb precipitation days = 4.2
|Mar precipitation days = 5.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.0
|May precipitation days = 10.8
|Jun precipitation days = 9.8
|Jul precipitation days = 7.1
|Aug precipitation days = 7.0
|Sep precipitation days = 6.8
|Oct precipitation days = 6.1
|Nov precipitation days = 4.5
|Dec precipitation days = 4.1
|year precipitation days = 77.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 3.4
|Feb snow days = 3.1
|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 = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 1.6
|Dec snow days = 3.3
|year snow days = 14.1
|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=USC00136800&format=pdf
| title = Station: Primghar, 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==
{{US Census population
|1880= 143
|1890= 519
|1900= 814
|1910= 733
|1920= 921
|1930= 962
|1940= 1081
|1950= 1152
|1960= 1131
|1970= 995
|1980= 1050
|1990= 950
|2000= 891
|2010= 909
|2020= 896
|footnote=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/>
}}

===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 896 people, 381 households, and 237 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 667.0 inhabitants per square mile (257.5/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 421 housing units at an average density of 313.4 per square mile (121.0/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 93.3% [[White Americans|White]], 1.0% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% from other races and 3.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 3.8% of the population.

Of the 381 households, 31.2% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.6% were cohabitating couples, 26.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 18.4% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.8% of all households were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 42.3 years. 23.5% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 and 44; 24.8% were from 45 and 64; and 21.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 52.6% male and 47.4% 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 909 people, 392 households, and 247 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|658.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 444 housing units at an average density of {{convert|321.7|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.9% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 392 households, of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.77.

The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% 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 891 people, 391 households, and 233 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|643.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 437 housing units at an average density of {{convert|315.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.11% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.12% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.11% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 391 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.4% were non-families. 36.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.86.

21.5% are under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 28.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,304, and the median income for a family was $40,982. Males had a median income of $30,134 versus $20,694 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,791. About 5.2% of families and 9.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Primghar is served by the [[South O'Brien Community School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_SOUTH%20O%27BRIEN.pdf|title=South O'Brien|publisher=[[Iowa Department of Education]]|access-date=2020-03-27}}</ref> The district was formed on July 1, 1993, by the merger of three school districts: [[Paullina, Iowa|Paullina]], Primghar, and [[Sutherland, Iowa|Sutherland]].<ref name=Mergerlist>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124738/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66]." [[Iowa Department of Education]]. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.</ref> Primghar houses the South O'Brien Elementary School.<ref name="SOCSD">{{cite web|url=http://www.s-obrien.k12.ia.us/|title=South O'Brien Community School District|publisher=South O'Brien Community School District |access-date= January 21, 2012}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The transportation for Primghar is by road (U.S. 59, B40 road), or by air (Primghar Airport).

==Notable people==
*[[Keli McGregor]] (1963–2010), former NFL player and president of the [[Colorado Rockies]] baseball team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colorado baseball team president found dead|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/20/obit.keli.mcgregor/|publisher=CNN.com|access-date=March 6, 2014|date=April 20, 2010}}</ref> 
*Rick and Michael Mast, founders of [[Mast Brothers]] chocolate.<ref name=Moskin21Oct>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/dining/discussing-chocolate-with-the-mast-brothers.html|title=Discussing Chocolate With the Mast Brothers|work=The New York Times|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=December 26, 2015|first=Julia|last=Moskin}}</ref>
*[[Joseph N. Welch|Joseph Welch]] (1890–1960), special counsel to the [[United States Army]] during the Army-McCarthy hearings, in 1954.<ref>{{cite news|last=Longden|first=Tom|title=Joseph Welch|url=http://data.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/famous-iowans/joseph-welch|newspaper=Des Moines Register|access-date=March 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/38222791/ | title=Joseph Welch Obituary | publisher=Newspapers.com | work=Mason City Globe-Gazette | date=October 6, 1960 | access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://primghariowa.org/ Primghar Iowa] Portal style website, Government, Business, Recreation and more<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
*[http://www.primghar.com Whats happining in Primghar]
*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Primghar-Iowa.html City-Data] Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Primghar

{{O'Brien County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Primghar, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:Cities in O'Brien County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:County seats in Iowa]]