Editing Webster City, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Webster City
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = Downtown Webster City, IA.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Downtown Webster City
| image_map = Hamilton_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Webster_City_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Webster City, 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        = [[Hamilton County, Iowa|Hamilton]]
<!-- 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           = 23.07
| area_land_km2            = 23.03
| area_water_km2           = 0.04
| area_total_sq_mi         = 8.91
| area_land_sq_mi          = 8.89
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 7825
| population_density_km2   = 339.73
| population_density_sq_mi = 879.91
<!-- 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             = 1037
| coordinates              = {{coord|42|27|44|N|93|49|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 50595
| area_code                = [[Area code 515|515]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 19-83145
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 468965<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|468965}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.webstercity.com}}
| footnotes                = 
}}
'''Webster City''' is a city in [[Hamilton County, Iowa|Hamilton County]], [[Iowa]], United States. The population was 7,717 at the [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/webstercitycityiowa 2023 census].<ref name="cen2020">{{cite web |title=2023 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/webstercitycityiowa |access-date= |website=census.gov |publisher=}}</ref> It is the [[county seat]] of Hamilton County.<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> Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country', as the [[Boone River]] meanders along the east side of the city.

== History ==

Webster City was originally called Newcastle by settlers of European descent. Under the latter name it was [[plat|changed]] in 1854 by Wilson Brewer.<ref name="history">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA137 | title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways | author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company | year=1908 | page=137}}</ref><ref name="collection">{{cite web|url=http://webstercity.weebly.com | title=Building Webster City | year=2016}}</ref>  In 1855, Walter C. Willson came to Newcastle.

[[File:Webster City IA.jpg|thumb|A main street in Webster City, Iowa was captured in a real photo postcard]]

Willson was elected to the Iowa State House the next year and, with John F. Duncombe, crafted a bill to divide the very large Webster County in half. Newcastle would be renamed "Webster City," named after Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and would become the county seat of the new county. Willson suggested "Hamilton County" after William W. Hamilton, the president of the State Senate. He helped pass the legislation. The law took effect on January 1, 1857, renaming Webster City and designating it as the county seat of the newly organized Hamilton County. Willson was also instrumental in getting the Dubuque & Sioux City rail line to be constructed through Webster City on its way to [[Fort Dodge]]. He personally oversaw the laying of track.<ref name="collection" />

== Geography ==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|8.88|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|8.86|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|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]]|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===

According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Webster City has a [[hot-summer humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.
{{Weather box
|location = Webster City, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high F = 72
|Feb record high F = 72
|Mar record high F = 89
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 107
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 109
|Sep record high F = 103
|Oct record high F = 96
|Nov record high F = 81
|Dec record high F = 69

|Jan avg record high F = 48.9
|Feb avg record high F = 53.2
|Mar avg record high F = 71.2
|Apr avg record high F = 82.5
|May avg record high F = 88.2
|Jun avg record high F = 92.1
|Jul avg record high F = 93.0
|Aug avg record high F = 91.2
|Sep avg record high F = 89.5
|Oct avg record high F = 83.3
|Nov avg record high F = 68.6
|Dec avg record high F = 53.5
|year avg record high F = 94.6

|Jan high F = 26.2
|Feb high F = 30.8
|Mar high F = 44.1
|Apr high F = 58.9
|May high F = 70.0
|Jun high F = 79.5
|Jul high F = 82.8
|Aug high F = 80.5
|Sep high F = 74.8
|Oct high F = 61.9
|Nov high F = 45.4
|Dec high F = 31.7
|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 16.6
|Feb mean F = 20.9
|Mar mean F = 33.7
|Apr mean F = 46.4
|May mean F = 58.3
|Jun mean F = 68.3
|Jul mean F = 71.8
|Aug mean F = 69.2
|Sep mean F = 61.8
|Oct mean F = 49.2
|Nov mean F = 34.8
|Dec mean F = 22.5
|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 6.9
|Feb low F = 10.9
|Mar low F = 23.3
|Apr low F = 33.9
|May low F = 46.7
|Jun low F = 57.2
|Jul low F = 60.8
|Aug low F = 58.0
|Sep low F = 48.9
|Oct low F = 36.5
|Nov low F = 24.1
|Dec low F = 13.3
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -15.2
|Feb avg record low F = -10.5
|Mar avg record low F = 1.9
|Apr avg record low F = 19.8
|May avg record low F = 32.0
|Jun avg record low F = 44.8
|Jul avg record low F = 50.1
|Aug avg record low F = 48.1
|Sep avg record low F = 33.7
|Oct avg record low F = 20.6
|Nov avg record low F = 7.5
|Dec avg record low F = -7.5
|year avg record low F = -19.0

|Jan record low F = -33
|Feb record low F = -34
|Mar record low F = -29
|Apr record low F = 4
|May record low F = 17
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 39
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = -8
|Nov record low F = -16
|Dec record low F = -28
|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.87
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.34
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.05
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.72
|May precipitation inch = 5.27
|Jun precipitation inch = 5.76
|Jul precipitation inch = 4.41
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.75
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.36
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.65
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.70
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.36
|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 7.9
|Feb snow inch = 9.8
|Mar snow inch = 4.4
|Apr snow inch = 1.0
|May snow inch = 0.2
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 1.4
|Dec snow inch = 8.1
|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 5.9
|Feb precipitation days = 6.3
|Mar precipitation days = 7.4
|Apr precipitation days = 9.9
|May precipitation days = 12.8
|Jun precipitation days = 11.6
|Jul precipitation days = 8.5
|Aug precipitation days = 9.0
|Sep precipitation days = 7.7
|Oct precipitation days = 7.9
|Nov precipitation days = 5.6
|Dec precipitation days = 6.1

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 4.5
|Feb snow days = 4.7
|Mar snow days = 2.3
|Apr snow days = 0.9
|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 = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 1.5
|Dec snow days = 4.1

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00138806&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
|access-date = August 4, 2022
}}
</ref>
|source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=dmx
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data
|access-date = August 4, 2022
}}
</ref>
}}

== Demographics ==

{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1870|1339
|1880|1848
|1890|2829
|1900|4613
|1910|5208
|1920|5657
|1930|7024
|1940|6738
|1950|7611
|1960|8520
|1970|8488
|1980|8572
|1990|7894
|2000|8176
|2010|8070
|2020|7825
|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]
}}

===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 7,825 people, 3,320 households, and 1,992 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 879.9 inhabitants per square mile (339.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 3,734 housing units at an average density of 419.9 per square mile (162.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 80.8% [[White Americans|White]], 1.0% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.7% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 3.9% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 7.4% from other races and 6.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 15.2% of the population.

Of the 3,320 households, 28.0% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.2% were cohabitating couples, 27.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 21.8% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.0% of all households were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 40.7 years. 25.6% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 and 44; 24.5% were from 45 and 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% 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]]|access-date=2012-05-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 8,070 people, 3,433 households, and 2,096 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|910.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,800 housing units at an average density of {{convert|428.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.4% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 3.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.4% of the population.

There were 3,433 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.

The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% 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 8,176 people, 3,502 households, and 2,227 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|955.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,679 housing units at an average density of {{convert|430.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.41% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.33% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.45% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.48% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.06% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 3,502 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

Age spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,582, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,404 versus $23,163 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,057. About 5.2% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

== Business and industry ==
Webster City is the headquarters of several companies, including [[Vantec]],{{clarify|date=January 2014}}Van Diest Supply Company, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, Webster City Custom Meats, and Tasler. Webster City's top industries are advanced manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, food processing, agricultural related products, and warehousing and distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buildwebstercity.com/Our-Leading-Employers.aspx|title=Leading Employers|work=Build WebsterCity.com|access-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>

Since 2010, Webster City has attracted new projects and business expansions, including the Van Diest Medical Center, a $35 million critical access hospital; and a $13 million competition gym at the high school<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buildwebstercity.com/About-Us-Recent-Investments.aspx|title=Recent Investments|work=BuildWebsterCity.com|access-date= 18 January 2012}}</ref>

==Education==
Public education in Webster City is provided by [[Webster City Community School District]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_WEBSTER%20CITY.pdf|title=Webster City|publisher=[[Iowa Department of Education]]|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> with Webster City High School, Webster City Middle School, and Pleasant View or Sunset Heights for elementary education. A private Catholic school at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church offers a preschool through 6th grade elementary education.

== Transportation ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2020}}

[[U.S. Route 20 in Iowa|U.S. Route 20]], a four-lane east-west corridor through north central [[Iowa]], was built along Webster City. Approximately 12 miles east is [[Interstate 35 in Iowa|Interstate 35]]. The city has a municipal airport with a {{convert|4,007|ft}} runway and full-time Fixed-base operator. A junction of lines of the [[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] and [[Union Pacific Railroad]]s is located in Webster City. There is no [[Uber]] in the community.

== Recreation ==

Webster City has eleven parks, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor community swimming pools, a recreation center, more than seven miles of walking trails, and many camping areas:

*  Kendall Young Park, along the Boone River, has 4 shelter houses, 6 picnic areas, a baseball diamond, 2 shuffle board courts, a volleyball court, [[horseshoe pit]], playground, walking trail and fishing area.
*  Twin Parks, located in downtown Webster City, features a new shelter house, picnic tables, modern playground, sun shelter, and a [[skatepark]].
*  Nokomis Park features a canoe access point.
*  Middleton Sports Complex has 2 softball fields and an ice rink.
*  Lions Park includes a play area, picnic area and basketball court.
*  Riverside Park is located off East Second Street.
*  Brewer Creek Park is open year-round and includes a shelter house with picnic tables along Brewer Creek.  Brewer Creek is home to a 2.2-mile nature/walking trail, volleyball court and nine-hole [[disc golf]] course.  In the winter "Hospital Hill" is a popular public sledding location.
*  Sketchly Park features a picnic area and playground.
*  E.V. Wehrhelm Park is a neighborhood park with play equipment and a shelter.
*  Boone River Recreational Trail is a 5.7-mile trail from the Webster City Links Golf Course in the north part of the city limits to Briggs Woods Park in the south of the city limits.  The trail winds along the Boone River and features a 10-foot-wide concrete pathway for biking, walking, running, and [[rollerblading]].
*[[Briggs Woods]] Park is a 550-acre park with an 18-hole [[golf course]], 81 campsites, 3 shelters, 4 cabins and a 62-acre lake for fishing, boating and swimming.
*  Webster City Municipal Swimming Pool is an outdoor [[swimming pool]] with a [[Swimming pool#Zero-entry swimming pools|zero-depth entry]], 25-meter lap lanes, a diving well with high and low [[Springboard|diving boards]], and a [[waterslide]].
* Fuller Hall Recreation Center is partially endowed and managed by the Fuller Hall Trust. It features activities for adults, children, and families, including a [[swimming pool]] with 25-meter lap lanes, a [[fitness center|fitness room]], a [[game room]] with [[Pool (cue sports)|pool tables]], television lounge, [[basketball]] court, locker rooms, two [[racquetball]] courts, and a remodeled conference facility.
*  Briggs Woods Golf Course is a public 18-hole golf course located south of town.
*  The Webster City Links Golf Course is a nine-hole public course situated along the Boone River. It was formerly the private Webster City Country Club.

== Events and activities ==

Webster City is home to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which holds the county fair every July. In addition, the fairgrounds is home to the Historic Hamilton County Speedway.

Webster City's annual community celebration is the Boone Bash River Dash, which features a cardboard regatta.  It is held every June.

== Media ==

The local radio stations are [[KZWC]] and [[KQWC-FM]]. The ''[[Daily Freeman Journal]]'' is the city's local newspaper and is published Monday through Friday.

== Notable people ==
* [[Jeremy Ferguson]] (Jinxx), [[Black Veil Brides]]' rhythm guitarist and violinist
* [[John Gregory (American football coach)|John Gregory]], football coach and player
* [[Asher Howard]], lawyer and Minnesota state legislator
* [[MacKinlay Kantor]], writer and [[1956 Pulitzer Prize]] winner for fiction for his novel ''Andersonville<ref name="DML">{{cite book |last1=Kidd |first1=Robin L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZnuYKJSoHCMC&pg=PP1 |title=Dictionary of Midwestern Literature |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-253-33609-5 |editor1-last=Greasley |editor1-first=Philip A. |volume=One: The Authors |location=Bloomington, IN |pages=251 |chapter=MacKinlay Kantor |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZnuYKJSoHCMC&pg=PA292}}</ref>''
* [[Chuck Lamson]], professional [[American football|football]] player
* [[Alan Larson]] (born 1949), diplomat and ambassador
* [[Faye Cashatt Lewis]], doctor and writer
* [[Clark R. Mollenhoff]], journalist and [[1958 Pulitzer Prize]] winner for journalism in the category of National Reporting.
* [[Carla Nelson]], Minnesota state Senator, candidate for [[United States House of Representatives]] in 2018
* [[Rod Rust]], football coach
* [[Jennifer Simpson]], distance runner, medalist at Olympics and World Championships
* [[Abastenia St. Leger Eberle]], sculptor

== References ==

<references />

== External links ==
{{Commons}}<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* [http://www.webstercity.com City website]
* [http://www.freemanjournal.net ''Freeman Journal'' newspaper]
* [http://www.visitwebstercityiowa.com Webster City Tourism website]
* [http://www.buildwebstercity.com Webster City Economic Development]

{{Hamilton County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Hamilton County, Iowa]]
[[Category:County seats in Iowa]]