Winterset, Iowa
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Winterset is a city in and the
county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
of
Madison County, Iowa Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,548. The county seat is Winterset. Madison County is included in the Des Moines– West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Ar ...
. The population was 5,353 at the time of the 2020 census. Winterset is part of the
Des Moines metropolitan area The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is located at the confluence of the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River. Des Moines serves as the capital and larges ...
.


History

Winterset was
plat In the United States, a plat ( or ) (plan) is a cadastral map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. United States General Land Office surveyors drafted township plats of Public Lands Survey System, Public Lands Surveys to ...
ted during a cool spell in the summer of 1849. The name was originally to be "Summerset", but the unseasonable coldness made the commissioners reverse this to "Winterset". On March 5, 2022, a low-end EF4 tornado struck the areas just outside the city, killing six people.


Geography

Winterset is located in central Madison County at the intersection of U.S. Route 169 and Iowa State Highway 92. Middle River flows past the south side of the city. It is approximately 30 miles southwest of the state capital of
Des Moines Des Moines is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Iowa, most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County, Iowa, Polk County with parts extending into Warren County, Iowa, Wa ...
. According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water.


Climate

According to the
Köppen Climate Classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
system, Winterset has a
hot-summer humid continental climate A humid continental climate is a climatic region defined by Russo-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1900, typified by four distinct seasons and large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers, and cold ...
, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.


Demographics


2020 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2020, there were 5,353 people, 2,231 households, and 1,354 families residing in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was 1,166.9 inhabitants per square mile (450.5/km2). There were 2,451 housing units at an average density of 534.3 per square mile (206.3/km2). The
racial Race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 16th century, when it was used to refer to groups of va ...
makeup of the city was 94.3%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 0.5% from other races and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 2.7% of the population. Of the 2,231 households, 27.8% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 7.0% were cohabitating couples, 29.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 16.3% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.3% of all households were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older. The median age in the city was 40.1 years. 26.7% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 and 44; 22.7% were from 45 and 64; and 20.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.


2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 5,190 people, 2,062 households, and 1,336 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 2,267 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0%. Of the 2,062 households 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.7% of households were one person and 16% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 38.4 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female.


2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 4,768 people, 1,884 households, and 1,230 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,998 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.87% White, 0.06% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59%. Of the 1,884 households 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.1% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.5% of households were one person and 18.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.01. Age spread: 25.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males. The median household income was $33,142 and the median family income was $42,951. Males had a median income of $31,536 versus $22,146 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,274. About 5.8% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.


Arts and culture

Winterset is widely known for its
covered bridges A covered bridge is a timber- truss bridge with a roof, decking, and siding, which in most covered bridges create an almost complete enclosure. The purpose of the covering is to protect the wooden structural members from the weather. Uncovered wo ...
. A total of six covered bridges are located in Madison County, including one in Winterset City Park. The annual Covered Bridge Festival celebrates the bridges and local heritage every second weekend in October. The Winterset Stage is Madison County's live theatre venue providing family friendly dinner theatre, including musicals and concerts while offering a variety of children's theatre and educational programming. The Winterset Stage is a nonprofit
501(c)(3) A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, Trust (business), trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of ...
organization located at 405 East Madison in Winterset. Another notable landmark is Clark Tower, located in Winterset City Park, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding Middle River Valley area. The Madison County Courthouse, in the middle of the town square, was built in 1868, and rebuilt in 1876 after being partially destroyed by fire.


Museums

In 2015, the
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
Birthplace Museum opened kitty-corner from Wayne's birthplace home. The $2.5million, 6,000-sq. ft. facility houses scripts, costumes, set pieces, posters, personal correspondence, an original Andy Warhol painting and a custom-made 1972 Pontiac station wagon. The museum is divided into three exhibitions: "The Actor", "The Family Man", and "The American". It is located at 205 S. John Wayne Dr. in Winterset. The Iowa Quilt Museum offers seasonal exhibits and regular workshops. The current president of the museum, Marianne Fons, is the founder of the well known quilting show
Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting ''Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting'' is a magazine and television program focusing on the art and technique of piecing and quilting quilts. The show was hosted by Liz Porter (Katie Porter’s mother) and Marianne Fons. Both have retired and occa ...
. The museum is located on the south side of the town square at 68 E. Court Ave. The Madison County Historical Society is an 25-acre complex on the south side of town featuring a museum and 14 restored and historical buildings. The focal point of the complex is the Victorian Bevington Mansion. Built in 1856, the mansion, barn and 3-hole privy have been fully restored and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The complex is open May through October and is located at 815 S. 2nd Ave.


Education

The Winterset Community School District operates local public schools.


Popular culture

Winterset was used as a shooting location for the films ''
Cold Turkey "Cold Turkey" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1969 by the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apples 1001 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1813 in the United States. It is the second solo single issued by Lennon ...
'' (1971), ''
The Bridges of Madison County ''The Bridges of Madison County'' (also published as ''Love in Black and White'') is a 1992 best-selling Romance novel, romance novel by American writer Robert James Waller that tells the story of an Italian-American World War II war bride livi ...
'' (1995), and '' The Crazies'' (2010).


Notable people

* Robert O. Bare, Marine Corps lieutenant general * William D. Bond, racing driver and
mechanical engineer Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations o ...
for
General Motors General Motors Company (GM) is an American Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The company is most known for owning and manufacturing f ...
*
Fred Clarke Fred Clifford Clarke (October 3, 1872 – August 14, 1960) was an American Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a le ...
, member of the
Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...
* Henry J. B. Cummings,
U.S. representative The United States House of Representatives is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the lower house, with the U.S. Senate being the upper house. Together, the House and Senate have the authority under Article One of th ...
from
Iowa Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...
* Gail Huff, American
broadcast journalist Broadcast journalism is the field of news and journals which are broadcast by electronic methods instead of the older methods, such as printed newspapers and posters. It works on radio (via air, cable, and Internet), television (via air, cable, ...
; wife of former U.S. senator and ambassador Scott Brown * Mark Pearson, TV and radio personality * Edward McMurray Smith, Iowa secretary of state * George L. Stout, art conservation pioneer, World War II " Monument Man" * Henry Cantwell Wallace, US Secretary of Agriculture *
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...
, actor


References


External links


City of Winterset
Official website
Madison County Historical Society
Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Winterset {{authority control Cities in Madison County, Iowa Cities in Iowa County seats in Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area Populated places established in 1849 1849 establishments in Iowa