Boone, Iowa
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| Boone, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| Name | Boone, Iowa |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | "Birthplace of the First Lady of Radio" |
| Pushpin label | Boone |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | U.S. state |
| Subdivision name1 | Iowa |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Boone |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1865 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1866 |
| Government type | Mayor–Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | John Slight |
| Area total km2 | 23.66 |
| Area total sq mi | 9.14 |
| Area land km2 | 23.48 |
| Area land sq mi | 9.07 |
| Area water km2 | 0.18 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.07 |
| Elevation m | 346 |
| Elevation ft | 1135 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 12660 |
| Population density km2 | 539.27 |
| Population density sq mi | 1396.69 |
| Timezone | CST |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Coordinates | 42, 3, 47, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 50036 |
| Area code | 515 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 19-07480 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0454763 |
| Website | www.boonegov.com |
Boone, Iowa. Boone is a city in and the county seat of Boone County, Iowa, United States. Located along the Des Moines River, it is part of the Des Moines metropolitan area and is historically significant for its railroad heritage. The city is known as the birthplace of famed television and radio personality Mamie Eisenhower and for hosting the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Ioway and Sac and Fox peoples before European-American settlement. The city was platted in 1865 near the route of the transcontinental Chicago and North Western Railway, becoming a major division point and railroad hub. This development attracted workers and businesses, including the large Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad shops. Notable historical figures associated with the area include pioneer Kate Shelley, famed for her heroic rescue near the Honey Creek trestle in 1881. The Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace is preserved as a museum, commemorating the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.14 square miles, with the Des Moines River flowing along its western edge. The landscape features rolling hills and fertile plains characteristic of central Iowa. Major geographic features include the Des Moines River Valley and the recreational Ledges State Park, located just south of the city. The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad operates a heritage railway through this scenic topography, including a high bridge over the Bass Point Creek.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 12,660. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic white, with smaller populations of African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian residents. The population density was approximately 1,397 people per square mile. The median household income, as reported by the American Community Survey, is below the state average, with a portion of the population living below the poverty line.
Economy
The economy has historically been anchored by the railroad industry, manufacturing, and agriculture. Major employers have included the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, Fareway grocery stores, whose corporate headquarters is located here, and the Boone County Hospital. Manufacturing facilities for companies like Pella Corporation and Arctic Cat have also operated in the area. The city serves as a retail and service center for the surrounding agricultural region, producing corn and soybeans.
Culture and recreation
The city is home to the Iowa High School Athletic Association's Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament, held annually at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines but organized from here. Cultural sites include the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Birthplace, the Boone County Historical Center, and the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum. Recreational attractions feature the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad excursion trains, Ledges State Park, and the High Trestle Trail, a popular rail trail crossing the Des Moines River on a dramatic illuminated bridge. The Boone Speedway hosts weekly dirt track racing events.
Government
Boone operates under a mayor–council form of government. The city council consists of elected members representing wards, alongside an at-large mayor. Municipal services include the Boone Police Department, Boone Fire Department, and public works. The city falls within Iowa's 4th congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Randy Feenstra. At the state level, it is part of the Iowa Senate district represented by Jesse Green and the Iowa House of Representatives district represented by Phil Thompson.
Category:Cities in Iowa Category:County seats in Iowa Category:Des Moines metropolitan area