Editing Readlyn, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Readlyn, Iowa
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| motto              = "857 Friendly People & One Old Grump!"
| image_skyline      = Readlyn IA, June 2015.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Main Street, Readlyn
| image_map          = Bremer_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Readlyn_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Readlyn, 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  = [[Bremer County, Iowa|Bremer]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = February 1, 1905<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/IncCities.pdf|accessdate=2024-11-05|title=List of Incorporated Cities|publisher=Iowa Secretary of State Paul D. Pate|date=2022-11-02}}</ref>
<!-- 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     = 0.85
| area_land_km2      = 0.85
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 0.33
| area_land_sq_mi    = 0.33
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 845
| population_density_km2 = 992.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 2568.39
<!-- 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       = 1040
| coordinates        = {{coord|42|42|13|N|92|13|30|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 50668
| area_code          = [[Area code 319|319]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 19-65910
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2396332<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396332}}</ref>
| website            = 
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Readlyn''' is a city in [[Bremer County, Iowa|Bremer County]], [[Iowa]], United States. The population was 845 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> It is part of the [[Waterloo, Iowa|Waterloo]]&ndash;[[Cedar Falls, Iowa|Cedar Falls]] [[Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The city is known for its culture surrounding the "[[Irritability|Grump]]", a [[title of honor]] and area [[folklore]] character inspired by a real resident of Readlyn in the early 20th century. A post office opened in Readlyn in 1904.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/NUKCNA|accessdate=2024-10-31|title=US Post Offices|publisher=Blevins, Cameron; Helbock, Richard W.|date=2021|doi=10.7910/DVN/NUKCNA |last1=Blevins |first1=Cameron |last2=Helbock |first2=Richard W. }}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.33|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]]|accessdate=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archivedate=2012-01-25}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1910|227
|1920|403
|1930|385
|1940|426
|1950|468
|1960|547
|1970|616
|1980|858
|1990|773
|2000|786
|2010|808
|2020|845
|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 845 people, 331 households, and 229 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 2,571.3 inhabitants per square mile (992.8/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 351 housing units at an average density of 1,068.1 per square mile (412.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 97.2% [[White Americans|White]], 0.0% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.0% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.0% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 0.5% from other races and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.

Of the 331 households, 32.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.5% were cohabitating couples, 21.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 13.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 30.8% of all households were non-families. 24.5% 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 36.4 years. 29.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.5% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 and 44; 19.4% were from 45 and 64; and 19.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% 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 808 people, 338 households, and 222 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2448.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 346 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1048.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.2% 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 338 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 28.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% 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 786 people, 322 households, and 223 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|2,444.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 326 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,013.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.35% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.38% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.13% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.64% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.51% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 322 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.

27.7% were under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,625, and the median income for a family was $52,308. Males had a median income of $32,313 versus $24,625 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,721. About 2.4% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The [[Wapsie Valley Community School District]] operates local public schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=WAPSIE VALLEY |url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_WAPSIE%20VALLEY_0.pdf |access-date=2020-08-06 |publisher=Iowa Department of Education}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:FI0001229.jpg|alt=Main Street, Readlyn, Iowa|thumb|Main Street through Readlyn in 1909]]

=== Grump ===
Readlyn's [[motto]] is "857 Friendly People & One Old Grump",<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Home of the Grump "857 Friendly People & One Old Grump"--Readlyn, IA - Welcome Signs on Waymarking.com |url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMAW70_Home_of_the_Grump_857_Friendly_People_One_Old_Grump_Readlyn_IA |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=www.waymarking.com}}</ref>{{Efn|The "857" number does not seem to change with the town's actual population.|group=lower-alpha}} as is prominently written on the city's sign on [[Iowa Highway 3]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Bingham |first=Elizabeth |date=2022-11-30 |title=Readlyn's Famous Grump: Traditional role brings honor and duties |url=https://www.communitynewspapergroup.com/waverly_newspapers/readlyn-s-famous-grump-traditional-role-brings-honor-and-duties/article_fe257702-4fce-5738-8eb9-3beabb25d36b.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Community Newspaper Group |language=en}}</ref> This refers to a local legend associated with Readlyn, as well as an actual [[title of honor]] given to a random senior resident of Readlyn in an annual ceremony by the Readlyn Community Club.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-18 |title=Iowa town honors 'Grump' at annual event |url=https://www.delcotimes.com/2021/07/18/iowa-town-honors-grump-at-annual-event/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Delco Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2003-03-19 |title=Iowa Town Seeks Its Grump-of-the-Year |url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Iowa-Town-Seeks-Its-Grump-of-the-Year-7203671.php |access-date=2024-02-13 |work=Midland Daily News}}</ref>

According to local legend, Readlyn's "Grump" originated early in the city's history, when a [[railroad]] passed through the area. In 1904, an unkempt elderly [[nomad]] whose real name is not known, who had been [[freighthopping]] since his youth, disembarked from a train that arrived in Readlyn with the intent of settling down there. However, within his first day of staying in Readlyn, residents noticed he would persistently ignore everyone who tried to greet him and never seemed to display much emotion aside from a fatigued frown, and soon he became known in Readlyn as the "Old Grump". The Old Grump's reputation held until roughly one year later when, upon experiencing an unclear amusing event in the city, he laughed "for the first time in years".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

The tradition of honorarily assigning a Grump began in 1990, when Sam Sickles volunteered to be the first honorary Grump, owing to his age and grumpy attitude.<ref name=":2" /> Every third week of June since then,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Anelia K. |first=Dimitrova |date=2022-05-26 |title=Grumpy's Spirits, Suds and Grub in Readlyn aims to become destination for food, fun |url=https://www.communitynewspapergroup.com/oelwein_daily_register/grumpy-s-spirits-suds-and-grub-in-readlyn-aims-to-become-destination-for-food-fun/article_febd3337-1e83-54e0-8f26-962253e80313.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Community Newspaper Group |language=en}}</ref> during a series of community events known as "Grump Days", a new Grump has been chosen from Readlyn residents aged 65 or older who submit their names for selection.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The only exception to this was in 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]; to compensate, two Grumps were crowned in 2021.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Though the title's name suggests it is given for poor behavior, the Grump title is considered a prestigious honor by Readlyn residents, and those who have been the Grump generally view it as a source of pride. The Grump is expected to participate in community events and parades, writes a monthly article about positive local events in the city newspaper, and is given benefits and goods such as a special hat and a custom [[license plate]]. Photos of the Grumps are preserved in the Readlyn Historical Society, as well as at Grumpy's Spirits, Suds & Grub, a local restaurant.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> The "Grump" as a character is also associated with Readlyn institutions such as a cartoon-styled statue of a "Grump", loosely based on the original Old Grump, on a bench serving as a local [[tourist attraction]].<ref name=":1" />

== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" />

==References==
<references />

{{Bremer County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Bremer County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Waterloo – Cedar Falls metropolitan area]]