Gowrie, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gowrie, Iowa
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Location of Gowrie, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Webster |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.44 sq mi (3.73 km2) |
| • Land | 1.44 sq mi (3.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,142 ft (348 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 952 |
| • Density | 661.57/sq mi (255.45/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50543
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| Area code(s) | 515 |
| FIPS code | 19-31710 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0456991 |
Gowrie is a city located in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States. In 2020, about 952 people lived there. Gowrie offers fun places like a swimming pool and a golf course. It also has an athletic stadium for sports and well-maintained streets.
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History of Gowrie
Gowrie got its name from a place called Gowrie in Scotland. A post office opened here in 1871.
The city started as a stop along the railroad tracks. Many Swedish settlers came to Gowrie in its early days. They helped build the local economy by serving the farmers in the area. Over time, Gowrie grew into the community it is today.
In the 1970s, Gowrie was at its busiest. The downtown area had many different shops and services. Some of these included grocery stores, hardware shops, and even a movie theater. Many businesses helped the town thrive. Today, some of those original businesses are still open.
Geography of Gowrie
Gowrie is located at coordinates 42°16′47″N 94°17′29″W / 42.279715°N 94.291520°W. It covers a total area of about 1.45 square miles (3.73 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.
Population and People
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1880 | 261 | — |
| 1890 | 526 | +101.5% |
| 1900 | 681 | +29.5% |
| 1910 | 829 | +21.7% |
| 1920 | 895 | +8.0% |
| 1930 | 1,059 | +18.3% |
| 1940 | 1,028 | −2.9% |
| 1950 | 1,052 | +2.3% |
| 1960 | 1,127 | +7.1% |
| 1970 | 1,225 | +8.7% |
| 1980 | 1,089 | −11.1% |
| 1990 | 1,028 | −5.6% |
| 2000 | 1,038 | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 1,037 | −0.1% |
| 2020 | 952 | −8.2% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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Population in 2020
According to the 2020 census, Gowrie had a population of 952 people. There were 412 households in the city. The population density was about 661.6 people per square mile. Most residents were White, with smaller numbers of other racial backgrounds. About 5.9% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Gowrie was 43.3 years old. About a quarter of the residents were under 20 years old.
Population in 2010
In the 2010 census, Gowrie had 1,037 people living there. The population density was about 715.2 people per square mile. Most of the people were White. About 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in 2010 was 45.2 years. About 25.4% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Gowrie
Gowrie is part of the Southeast Valley Community School District. Students in Gowrie attend Southeast Valley High School, which is located right in the city.
Before this, Gowrie was served by the Prairie Valley Community School District. That district was formed in 1993 by combining two other school districts. In 2023, the Prairie Valley district joined with another to create the current Southeast Valley district.
Arts and Culture
Gowrie is famous for its annual Fourth of July Celebration. This event brings thousands of people to the town from all over Iowa. It features a big parade, exciting fireworks, a carnival, and live music performances.
The parade in Gowrie is very special because it has been held every year since 1873. This makes it the longest-running continuous parade in all of Iowa. Crowds of 10,000 to 20,000 people often come to enjoy the festivities. Over the years, the celebration has hosted famous guests. These include Patricia Nixon Cox, daughter of President Richard Nixon, in 1968. There have also been performances by the O's Gold Famous 40 Horse Hitch and a concert by opera singer Simon Estes.
Several churches are part of the Gowrie community. These include both Methodist and Lutheran churches. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church is a beautiful building with open arches. It was built by a local company, Johnson Lumber Company, and finished in 1931.
Notable People
Many interesting people have come from Gowrie, including:
- Darrell Huff, a well-known writer.
- Everett Franklin Lindquist, an educator who created the ACT college entrance exam.
- Ronald H. Lingren, a clinical psychologist and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- Carl A. Youngdale, a highly decorated Major General in the United States Marine Corps.
See also
In Spanish: Gowrie (Iowa) para niños
