Graettinger, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Graettinger, Iowa
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Location of Graettinger, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Palo Alto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.75 sq mi (1.95 km2) |
| • Land | 0.75 sq mi (1.95 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,253 ft (382 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 832 |
| • Density | 1,103.45/sq mi (425.90/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
51342
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| Area code(s) | 712 |
| FIPS code | 19-31800 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0457009 |
Graettinger is a small city located in Palo Alto County, Iowa, in the United States. In 2020, the city had a population of 832 people. It's known for being home to the oldest Labor Day celebration in the entire state of Iowa!
Contents
History of Graettinger
Graettinger began in the 1880s. This happened after the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway built its tracks through the area. The land where the city now stands was first owned by Dr. Alois Graettinger. He was a German doctor who moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dr. Graettinger gave his land to the railway company. He had one important condition: the new town had to be named after him. That's how Graettinger got its unique name! Some members of the Graettinger family still live in the city today. They are descendants of Dr. Graettinger's brother, Blasius, who came to Iowa to farm.
Iowa's Oldest Labor Day Celebration
Graettinger is famous for hosting the oldest Labor Day celebration in Iowa. Every year, the city comes alive with fun activities. These include a big parade, a carnival with rides, and a street dance. There's also a variety show, a queen coronation, and a raffle drawing. Many other exciting events take place too!
About Dr. Alois Graettinger
Dr. Alois Graettinger was a German-American doctor. He was born in Passau, Bavaria, Germany, on January 10, 1834. He went to school and a special high school called a gymnasium in Passau. When he was 18, he started studying at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
After his studies, he worked as an assistant in the university's birthing clinic for a year. In 1857, he moved to Milwaukee, USA. He earned his medical degree from the Chicago Medical College in 1865. Later, in 1878, he also got a degree from the University of Munich.
In 1894, Dr. Graettinger was chosen to be the president of the Society of German Physicians in Milwaukee. Because of his health, he moved to California in 1898. He stopped practicing medicine and started farming. He passed away on October 23, 1907.
Geography and Location
Graettinger is located in Iowa at coordinates 43°14′17″N 94°45′4″W. It is situated near the Des Moines River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 0.77 square miles (1.95 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no water.
Population and People
Graettinger's population has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census years:
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1900 | 388 | — |
| 1910 | 556 | +43.3% |
| 1920 | 779 | +40.1% |
| 1930 | 777 | −0.3% |
| 1940 | 928 | +19.4% |
| 1950 | 1,016 | +9.5% |
| 1960 | 879 | −13.5% |
| 1970 | 907 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 923 | +1.8% |
| 1990 | 813 | −11.9% |
| 2000 | 900 | +10.7% |
| 2010 | 844 | −6.2% |
| 2020 | 832 | −1.4% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, the census showed that 832 people lived in Graettinger. There were 358 households and 204 families. The city had about 1,103 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Graettinger were White (93.9%).
About 29.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average age in the city was 37.2 years old. About 29.3% of residents were under 20 years old. The population was almost evenly split between males (50.5%) and females (49.5%).
Population in 2010
According to the census in 2010, there were 844 people living in Graettinger. There were 382 households. The population density was about 1,096 people per square mile. Most residents were White (98.5%).
About 28.3% of households had children under 18. The median age in the city was 37 years. About 24.5% of residents were under 18 years old. The gender makeup was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
Education in Graettinger
Students in Graettinger attend schools in the Graettinger–Terril Community School District. This school district was formed in 2010. It was created when the Graettinger Community School District and the Terril Community School District joined together.
See also
In Spanish: Graettinger (Iowa) para niños
