Editing Storm Lake, Iowa

{{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Storm Lake, Iowa
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = Buena Vista County Courthouse, Storm Lake, Iowa.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = [[Buena Vista County Courthouse (Iowa)|Buena Vista County Courthouse]]
| image_map                = Buena_Vista_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Storm_Lake_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location of Storm Lake, Iowa
| pushpin_map              = USA
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in the United States
<!-- 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        = [[Buena Vista County, Iowa|Buena Vista]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = February 28, 1873
<!-- 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           = 13.92
| area_land_km2            = 13.92
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi         = 5.38
| area_land_sq_mi          = 5.38
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 11269
| population_density_km2   = 809.30
| population_density_sq_mi = 2096.17
<!-- 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             = 1437
| coordinates              = {{coord|42|37|52|N|95|12|57|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 50588
| area_code                = [[Area code 712|712]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 19-75630
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 468754<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|468754}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|www.stormlake.org}}
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Storm Lake''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Buena Vista 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 11,269 in the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], an increase from 10,076 in the [[2000 United States Census|2000 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> Located along the northern shore of Storm Lake, the city is home to [[Buena Vista University]], King's Pointe Waterpark Resort, the [[Living Heritage Tree Museum]], and the Santa's Castle holiday attraction. It is the principal city of the [[Micropolitan statistical area|Storm Lake micropolitan area]].

== History ==
Storm Lake's first European settler, Abner Bell, arrived in 1856, and the city was officially incorporated in 1873.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.stormlake.org/532/Storm-Lake-History | title=Storm Lake History | publisher=City of Storm Lake | access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref> Though early settlers found no natives permanently occupying the land, the area around the lake was likely used for fishing and hunting by tribes traveling from the north. Centuries prior to European colonization, the area was home to the Mill Creek indigenous culture.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://buenavistacounty.iowa.gov/about/ | title=About | date=January 11, 2021 | publisher=Buena Vista County | access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> Railroad magnate [[John Insley Blair]] platted out land in Storm Lake in the 1870s. During the same decade, the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] was constructed through the town.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stormlake.com/articles/aspects-of-town-and-farm-life-in-the-very-early-days-of-storm-lake-township/ | title=Aspects of Town and Farm Life in the Very Early Days of Storm Lake Township | date=July 29, 2022 | publisher=Storm Lake Times Pilot | access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref>

The city of Storm Lake is named for the lake where it is said a [[Animal trapping|trapper]] experienced a severe storm.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_bH8HtIwXzdcC | title=History of Western Iowa, Its Settlement and Growth | publisher=Western Publishing Company | year=1882 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_bH8HtIwXzdcC/page/n441 442]}}</ref> An alternate story claims the lake took its name after two star-crossed lovers from opposed Native American bands paddled out for a secret rendezvous, only to be drowned as a sudden storm blew in.<ref name="auto"/>

The 1920s and 1930s saw economic and industrial growth, with the town remaining relatively unaffected by the [[Great Depression]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://iagenweb.org/buenavista/History/WPAHistory/12WPA1942History.html | title=Chapter 12: The Modern Scene | publisher=Iowa Writer’s Project | access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> During the 1940s, a [[prisoner-of-war camp]] was temporarily established in Storm Lake.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stormlake.com/articles/returning-to-our-roots/ | title=Returning to Our Roots | date=October 2, 2015 | publisher=Storm Lake Times | access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> In 1956, the main building of the Buena Vista University campus burned down. The central brick archway was salvaged and remains standing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bvu.edu/news/remembering-burning-old-main | title=Remembering the Burning of Old Main | publisher=Buena Vista University | access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref>

Storm Lake was a landing place of [[Hmong people|Hmong]] and [[Tai Dam people|Tai Dam]] refugees following the [[Vietnam War]].<ref>{{cite news |title= They Crossed an Ocean to Butcher Pigs. It Was No American Dream. |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/13/us/iowa-pork-micronesia-workers.html  |work=The New York Times |date= October 13, 2019 |access-date=1 January 2023 |last1= Healy |first1= Jack }}</ref> Meat packing jobs have drawn thousands of migrant workers, predominantly from Latin America.<ref>{{cite web |title= Embracing diverse populations helps Storm Lake grow |url= https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-ideas/embracing-diverse-populations-helps-storm-lake-grow/ |publisher=The Gazette |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref> Work vouchers and other factors have also drawn immigration from [[Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia]]. Storm Lake is currently one of ten cities in the mainland United States to host a polling location for Micronesian elections.<ref>{{cite web |title= Turning Out The Vote For Micronesia |date= November 17, 2023 |url= https://www.stormlake.com/articles/turning-out-the-vote-for-micronesia/  |publisher=The Storm Lake Times |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> A 2017 ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' profile analyzed the positive effects of immigration on the Storm Lake community.<ref>{{cite news |title= Immigrants Keep an Iowa Meatpacking Town Alive and Growing |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/business/economy/storm-lake-iowa-immigrant-workers.html  |work=The New York Times |date= May 29, 2017 |access-date=24 November 2023 |last1= Cohen |first1= Patricia }}</ref> Also that year, journalist [[Katie Couric]] interviewed Storm Lake residents for a ''[[National Geographic]]'' story on the town’s diversity.<ref>{{cite web |title= This Tiny Town Is Embracing Its Diversity |date= May 2, 2018 |url= https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/immigration-america-white-storm-lake-iowa-culture  |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref> A 2020 article in [[Fox News]] highlighted Storm Lake as an example of the positive economic impacts of immigration on rural communities.<ref>{{cite web |title= Small Iowa city sees economic boom amid immigration surge |date= February 5, 2020 |url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/iowa-storm-lake-immigration-economy |publisher=Fox News |access-date=24 November 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
Storm Lake is located in the northwestern part of the state, along the north shore of its namesake Storm Lake, a [[glacial lake]].<ref>[https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Where-to-Fish/Lakes-Ponds-Reservoirs/Lake-Details?lakeCode=STL11 Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)]. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Accessed 2 September 2023.</ref><ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref> It directly borders [[Lakeside, Iowa|Lakeside]], a smaller community located on the east shore of the lake.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.09|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>

Due to its location, Storm Lake is a popular campaign trail stop during presidential elections, having drawn visits from [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Barack Obama]], [[Bill Clinton]], [[Mitt Romney]], [[Kamala Harris]], and [[Bernie Sanders]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Campaign Scrapbook: The Greening of Obama |url= https://archive.nytimes.com/thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/campaign-scrapbook-the-greening-of-obama/ |work=The New York Times|date= November 3, 2008 |access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= We Went All in: Inside Bernie Sanders' Plan to Win by Reaching Latino Voters |date= January 31, 2020 |url= https://time.com/5774967/bernie-sanders-iowa-latino-voters/ |publisher=Time|access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Bill Clinton Campaigns For Hillary in Iowa |date= December 31, 2007 |url= https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/former-u-s-president-bill-clinton-speaks-at-a-campaign-news-photo/78678665 |publisher=Getty|access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Harris Campaign Press Release - Kamala Harris' Iowa Campaign Announces Latinx Steering Committee |url= https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/harris-campaign-press-release-kamala-harris-iowa-campaign-announces-latinx-steering |publisher=The American Presidency Project|access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= When George H.W. Bush came to Storm Lake |url= https://www.stormlake.com/aureliastar/stories/when-george-hw-bush-came-to-storm-lake,35223? |publisher=The Aurelia Star|date=7 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA): Iowa Visits |url= https://p2008.org/ia08/iavromney.html |publisher=Democracy In Action|date=2008}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Storm Lake, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893&ndash;present
| collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 66
|Feb record high F = 66
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 93
|May record high F = 107
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 91
|Nov record high F = 78
|Dec record high F = 66

|Jan avg record high F = 46.3
|Feb avg record high F = 51.2
|Mar avg record high F = 69.3
|Apr avg record high F = 80.9
|May avg record high F = 88.2
|Jun avg record high F = 91.8
|Jul avg record high F = 92.6
|Aug avg record high F = 90.9
|Sep avg record high F = 88.5
|Oct avg record high F = 82.7
|Nov avg record high F = 65.9
|Dec avg record high F = 50.4
|year avg record high F = 94.5

<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =25.8
| Feb high F  =30.2
| Mar high F  =43.4
| Apr high F  =58.1
| May high F  =69.1
| Jun high F  =79.2
| Jul high F  =82.3
| Aug high F  =79.9
| Sep high F  =74.1
| Oct high F  =60.6
| Nov high F  =44.3
| Dec high F  =31.1
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =17.3
| Feb mean F  =21.7
| Mar mean F  =34.2
| Apr mean F  =47.5
| May mean F  =59.3
| Jun mean F  =69.7
| Jul mean F  =73.0
| Aug mean F  =70.6
| Sep mean F  =63.3
| Oct mean F  =50.1
| Nov mean F  =35.5
| Dec mean F  =23.2
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =8.8
| Feb low F  =13.3
| Mar low F  =25.1
| Apr low F  =36.9
| May low F  =49.4
| Jun low F  =60.2
| Jul low F  =63.7
| Aug low F  =61.4
| Sep low F  =52.6
| Oct low F  =39.6
| Nov low F  =26.6
| Dec low F  =15.3

|Jan avg record low F = -12.4
|Feb avg record low F = -7.9
|Mar avg record low F = 2.8
|Apr avg record low F = 20.6
|May avg record low F = 34.1
|Jun avg record low F = 47.4
|Jul avg record low F = 52.0
|Aug avg record low F = 50.3
|Sep avg record low F = 36.9
|Oct avg record low F = 23.5
|Nov avg record low F = 8.5
|Dec avg record low F = -6.0
|year avg record low F = -14.9

|Jan record low F = -31
|Feb record low F = -34
|Mar record low F = -24
|Apr record low F = 2
|May record low F = 20
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 42
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 22
|Oct record low F = 2
|Nov record low F = -11
|Dec record low F = -29

<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =0.77
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.01
| Mar precipitation inch  =1.74
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.53
| May precipitation inch  =4.87
| Jun precipitation inch  =5.33
| Jul precipitation inch  =3.83
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.43
| Sep precipitation inch  =2.96
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.42
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.75
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.11

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.0
|Feb precipitation days = 3.4
|Mar precipitation days = 5.9
|Apr precipitation days = 9.2
|May precipitation days = 10.7
|Jun precipitation days = 10.8
|Jul precipitation days = 8.7
|Aug precipitation days = 8.6
|Sep precipitation days = 8.2
|Oct precipitation days = 7.4
|Nov precipitation days = 5.6
|Dec precipitation days = 4.0

|Jan snow inch = 6.7
|Feb snow inch = 6.7
|Mar snow inch = 6.4
|Apr snow inch = 2.7
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = trace
|Oct snow inch = 0.4
|Nov snow inch = 4.7
|Dec snow inch = 8.8
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.0
|Feb snow days = 3.4
|Mar snow days = 2.9
|Apr snow days = 1.2
|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 = 2.0
|Dec snow days = 4.0

<!-- Snowfall -->
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA (precip days, snow/snow days 1981&ndash;2010)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00137979 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2022-11-30 }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00137979&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Storm Lake 2E, IA
|access-date = February 18, 2023
}}
</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=fsd
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Sioux Falls
|access-date = February 18, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical population
|type= USA
|align= right
|state= Iowa
|shading= 
|percentages= 
|1880|1034
|1890|1682
|1900|2169
|1910|2428
|1920|3658
|1930|4157
|1940|5274
|1950|6954
|1960|7728
|1970|8591
|1980|8814
|1990|8769
|2000|10076
|2010|10600
|2020|11269
|align-fn= center
|source=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>
|footnote=Iowa Data Center<ref name="IADC">{{cite web|url= http://www.iowadatacenter.org/archive/2011/02/feb10|title= Data from the 2010 Census|publisher= State Data Center of Iowa|access-date= 2011-06-24|archive-date= July 18, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718201045/http://www.iowadatacenter.org/archive/2011/02/feb10|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Storm Lake's population was estimated at 11,269, up from 10,600 for the 2010 Census and 10,078 in 2000. Citing steady growth and other sources, city officials suggest that an accurate population count would be 13,000 or more. Storm Lake is considered the most ethnically diverse city in Iowa, with over 60% of the population self identifying as non-white,<ref>{{cite web |title=Quick Facts Storm Lake City, Iowa |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/stormlakecityiowa 
 |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref> a dramatic change from 80% identifying as white in the 2000 census (although 21% were of Latin-American origin).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.iowadatacenter.org/DemographicProfiles/PlacesIndividual/scstormlake/scstormlakedp2000.pdf | title=Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 | website=www.iowadatacenter.org}}</ref>

The median home valuation is $142,000, and median rent is $695 per month. Median household income is estimated at just under $49,000. The community has an estimated 250 businesses.

Storm Lake is one of two cities in Iowa where [[List of U.S. communities where English is not the majority language spoken at home|English is not the majority language spoken at home]].

==Economy==
[[Tyson Foods]] operates a hog slaughterhouse, meat packing plant, and turkey processing plant in the city. As of 2020, the plant employed over 2,500 workers and accounted for about 3.5% of US pork production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tyson Pork Plant In Iowa Shuts After Hundreds Of Workers Test Positive for COVID-19|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tyson-meatpacking-22-percdent-covid-19_n_5ed08cd0c5b600dfee30d5c9|last=Papenfuss|first=Mary|date=2020-05-29|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Tyson Foods will shut US pork plant as more workers catch COVID-19|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/tyson-foods-will-shut-us-pork-plant-as-more-workers-catch-covid-19|date=2020-05-28|agency=Reuters|via=Fox Business|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-29}}</ref> The plant originally opened in 1935 and was purchased by Hygrade Food Products in 1952. In 1982, it was sold to [[IBP, Inc.|Iowa Beef Processors]], which was subsequently acquired by Tyson in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MEATPACKING AND THE MIGRATION OF REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT LABOR TO STORM LAKE, IOWA|url=https://migration.ucdavis.edu/cf/more.php?id=154|last=Grey|first=Mark|access-date=2023-11-25}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Storm Lake Public Library (NRHP 83000346) 20120930 IMG 8844.JPG|thumb|Santa's Castle holiday attraction]]

* The [[Living Heritage Tree Museum]] is located in Storm Lake.
* Santa's Castle, a seasonal display of antique holiday animation, is housed in a [[Storm Lake Public Library|former Victorian library]].
* The Buena Vista County Historical Society operates a museum.
* A concert bandshell is located in Sunset Park.
* The Witter Gallery features monthly exhibits from both local and non-local artists, and offers free art classes and events.
* The annual Star Spangled Spectacular takes place on [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]], and features food vendors, live music shows, games, rides, a fireworks show, and The Parade of Nations, which acknowledges various cultures of the community.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starspangledspectacular.net/schedule | title=Schedule | publisher=Star Spangled Spectacular | access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.starspangledspectacular.net/_files/ugd/cb8cb9_d5f2c1a39456405cb16f65c25a8e7d01.pdf | title=News Release: July 4 Big Parade Lineup | publisher=Star Spangled Spectacular | access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.salud-stormlake.com/parade-of-nations#:~:text=Every%204th%20of%20July%2C%20Storm,and%20they%20proudly%20do%20so. | title=Parade of Nations | publisher=Salud | access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref>
*Historical sites in Storm Lake include the [[Harker House (Storm Lake, Iowa)|Harker House]], the [[Old Storm Lake High School]], and the Cobblestone Inn and Ballroom, which hosted performances by jazz musicians [[Louis Armstrong]] and [[Duke Ellington]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/lifestyles/storm-lake-ballroom-will-enter-hall-of-fame/article_7bcfd87b-129c-5124-91fb-e677f1ce7a82.html | title=Storm Lake Ballroom Will Enter Hall of Fame | date=August 27, 2003 | publisher=Sioux City Journal | access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
* King's Pointe is a 100-room community-owned tourism resort located on the lakefront, with an indoor and oudoor [[water park]], multiple banquet facilities, a [[minigolf]] course,  and a restaurant.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.kingspointeresort.com/ | title=Welcome to King's Pointe Resort | publisher=King’s Pointe Resort | access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref>
* The city operates Sunrise Pointe, a nine-hole golf course.
* The city has five beach areas, and a recreation trail linking them.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stormlake.org/105/Things-to-Do | title=Things to Do | publisher=City of Storm Lake | access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
The [[Storm Lake Community School District]] operates five local public schools, including a high school, a middle school, an elementary school, an early elementary school, and an early childhood center.  As of the 2023 school year, the Storm Lake Community School District served 2,908 students. [[Spanish language|Spanish]] was the most spoken language within the school district, followed by [[English language|English]], [[Pohnpeian language|Pohnpeian]], [[Karenic languages|Karen]], and [[Lao language|Lao]].<ref>{{cite web |title=District Information |url=https://www.slcsd.org/page/district-information |publisher=Storm Lake Community School District |access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref>

St. Mary's Catholic Church operates a private K-12 school system, [[St. Mary's High School (Storm Lake, Iowa)|St. Mary's High School]], founded in 1912.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://stormlakesaintmarys.org/history |publisher=Storm Lake St. Mary's Catholic Schools |access-date=26 November 2023}}</ref>

[[Buena Vista University]] is located in Storm Lake. As of 2023, the university has 1,959 students on a {{convert|60|acre|ha|abbr=on|adj=on}} campus within Storm Lake. The city hosts a satellite campus for Iowa Central Community College, including an industrial training center established in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quick Facts |url=https://www.bvu.edu/about/quick-facts |publisher=Buena Vista University |access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref>

==Media==
The community has a twice-weekly newspaper, the [[Storm Lake Times|Storm Lake Times Pilot]]. The publication received the [[2017 Pulitzer Prize]] in Editorial Writing for a series on the Iowa agricultural industry.<ref name="EdW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/214|title=Editorial Writing|website=www.pulitzer.org}}</ref> Storm Lake's first newspaper, the Storm Lake Pilot-Tribune, was founded in 1896 and ran for over 125 years before being bought by the Storm Lake Times in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/news/2022/04/04/after-32-years-storm-lake-again-one-newspaper-town/7256555001/ | title=After 32 years of competition, Storm Lake is again a one-newspaper town | publisher=Des Moines Register| access-date=28 November 2023}}</ref> [[KAYL-FM|KAYL]] and [[KKIA (FM)|KKIA]] radio serve the community, as well as a university radio station, [[KBVU-FM|KBVU]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stormlakeradio.com/about-us/ | title=About Us | publisher=Storm Lake Radio| access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref> A Spanish-language newspaper, La Presna, also covers the area.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.laprensaiowa.com/about | title=About | publisher=La Presna Iowa| access-date=3 November 2023}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
The Storm Lake Police Department provides law enforcement services to the city. The department employs 21 sworn officers, and two community services officers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.stormlake.org/173/Police-Department |title=Police Department |access-date=2023-11-26 }}</ref>

Storm Lake is served by [[Buena Vista Regional Medical Center]], a 54-bed critical access hospital, and United Community Health Center.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bvrmc.org/getpage.php?name=quick_facts&sub=About%20Us |title=Buena Vista Regional Medical Center: BVRMC Quick Facts |access-date=2010-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725112115/http://www.bvrmc.org/getpage.php?name=quick_facts&sub=About%20Us |archive-date=2011-07-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Storm Lake Municipal Airport]] operates out of the city.

== Notable people ==
* [[Mary Foley Benson]] (1905–1992), artist, illustrator, and WWII pilot
* [[Nate Bjorkgren]], basketball coach
* [[Art Cullen]], editor of the ''Storm Lake Times''
* [[Janet Dailey]], romance novelist
* [[Joe Decker]] (1947–2003), [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] player<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/deckejo01.shtml|title=Joe Decker|publisher= BASEBALL-Reference|access-date=January 19, 2011}}</ref>
* [[George B. French]], actor
* [[Edmund B. Gregory]], [[Lieutenant General]] in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
* [[Julie Gutz]] (born 1926), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
* [[Gene Hackman]], Oscar-winning actor, attended Storm Lake High School<ref>{{cite web|title=1945 Storm Lake High Yearbook: The Hi-Breeze|url=http://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Storm-Lake-High-School/137921?page=32|website=classmates.com|access-date=5 November 2023}}</ref>
* [[Winton Hoch]], Oscar-winning [[Cinematography|cinematographer]]
* [[Marjorie Holmes]] (1910–2002), author of several novels, most notably ''[[Two From Galilee]]''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/99999999/FAMOUSIOWANS/41225014/Holmes-Marjorie|title=Holmes, Marjorie|newspaper=[[The Des Moines Register]]|last=Longden|first=Tom|date=December 25, 2004|access-date=2011-09-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730092203/http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/99999999/FAMOUSIOWANS/41225014/Holmes-Marjorie|archive-date=July 30, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Steve King]], former US Congressman, born in Storm Lake before moving to [[Denison, Iowa|Denison]].
* [[Frederic O. MacCartney]] (1864-1903), Massachusetts socialist politician, graduate of Storm Lake High School
* [[Reno H. Sales]] (1876–1969), Chief Geologist of [[Anaconda Corporation]], "father of mining geology"

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
{{Portal|Iowa}}
*{{Official website|http://www.stormlake.org/}}

{{Buena Vista County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Storm Lake, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Buena Vista County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Iowa]]
[[Category:County seats in Iowa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1873]]