Durant, Iowa
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| Durant, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| Name | Durant |
| Settlement type | City |
| Pushpin label position | left |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Iowa |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Cedar |
| Subdivision type3 | Township |
| Subdivision name3 | Durant Township |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1854 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1867 |
| Government type | Mayor-Council |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Area total sq mi | 1.01 |
| Area land sq mi | 1.01 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Elevation ft | 702 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 1842 |
| Population density sq mi | 1823.76 |
| Timezone | Central (CST) |
| Utc offset | -6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | -5 |
| Coordinates | 41, 36, 1, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 52747 |
| Area code | 563 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 19-22890 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0456081 |
| Website | https://www.durantiowa.org/ |
Durant, Iowa. Durant is a city in Cedar County, situated along the historic route of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Founded in the mid-19th century, it has grown from a railroad town into a stable community known for its agricultural base and small-town character. The city is part of the Davenport–Moline–Rock Island Quad Cities metropolitan area.
History
The town was platted in 1854 by William F. Durant, a prominent land speculator and railroad promoter, following the extension of the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad through the area. Its early growth was directly tied to the expansion of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which established a significant presence and spurred commercial development. A pivotal event in its early history was the Spirit Lake Massacre of 1857, which caused widespread panic and led to the construction of a local blockhouse for defense. The city was officially incorporated in 1867, and throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it served as a vital shipping point for grain and livestock from the surrounding Midwestern farms. The arrival of the Lincoln Highway in the 1910s further connected it to national automobile travel routes, supplementing its railroad economy.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.01 square miles, all of it land. It is located in eastern Iowa, within the Driftless Area, a region known for its steep hills and river valleys untouched by glaciation. The terrain is characterized by rolling farmland, and the city lies near the headwaters of the Wapsipinicon River. Its coordinates place it approximately 25 miles southeast of Davenport and 15 miles west of the Mississippi River. The climate is classified as humid continental, with cold winters and warm, humid summers, typical of the Upper Midwest.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,842. The population density was approximately 1,824 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller percentages of other races. Historically, population growth was steady through the early 20th century, peaking around 1960 before experiencing a gradual decline, a trend common to many rural Midwestern communities. The median household income has traditionally been slightly below the state average, reflecting its agricultural and light industrial economic base. Housing is primarily owner-occupied single-family homes.
Economy
The economy has historically been anchored by agriculture, with local elevators handling corn and soybeans from Cedar County and surrounding areas. Manufacturing and light industry have also played a role, with companies producing items such as truck bodies and agricultural equipment. The city's location near Interstate 80 provides access to major markets in the Quad Cities and beyond, supporting transportation and logistics businesses. Local commerce is served by a mix of small retail shops, services, and restaurants catering to residents and travelers on U.S. Route 6. The Lincoln Highway Association and local historical groups promote heritage tourism related to the iconic transcontinental road.
Education
The city is served by the Durant Community School District, which operates Durant Elementary School and Durant Middle School/High School in a single building complex. The district's athletic teams are known as the Wildcats and compete in the River Valley Conference. For post-secondary education, residents have access to nearby institutions such as Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Eastern Iowa Community College District, and St. Ambrose University in Davenport. The Durant Public Library provides community resources and programming.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the community include William F. Durant, the town's founder and a key figure in early Iowa railroad development. John H. Gear, who served as a U.S. Representative, Governor of Iowa, and U.S. Senator, practiced law in the city early in his career. Baseball player Clyde Milan, an outfielder and manager for the Washington Senators who led the American League in stolen bases three times, was born here. More recently, NASA astronaut and United States Air Force Colonel James S. Voss, a veteran of five Space Shuttle missions and an extended stay on the International Space Station, graduated from Durant High School.
Category:Cities in Iowa Category:Cedar County, Iowa