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Luzerne, Iowa
Location of Luzerne, Iowa
Location of Luzerne, Iowa
Country  United States
State  Iowa
County Benton
Area
 • Total 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
 • Land 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
938 ft (286 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 112
 • Density 848.48/sq mi (328.04/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
52257
Area code(s) 319
FIPS code 19-47505
GNIS feature ID 0464635

Luzerne is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 112 at the time of the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Luzerne was founded following construction of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway through the territory. Luzerne was named and platted as a town on the railroad by Isaac B. Howe, the Superintendent of the Iowa Div. of the railway, in 1868.

In October of 1867 it was determined to relocate a station at "Buckeye" to an empty place in the plains midway between Blairstown and Belle Plaine. This move was a mere 2 miles to the east. The new station was named Luzerne, named by IB Howe for the Swiss town that he longed to visit. Buckeye no longer exists but would now be an empty place 2 miles to the west of Luzerne.

It might seem strange that there would be some advantage moving a station 2 miles; plus also a number of buildings that needed moving as well. The Buckeye station was run by railroad magnate John I Blair’s railroad group who owned the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River railroad which had originally planned the road to Omaha. The DR&MR was now under permanent lease to the Chicago & North Western, who wanted any excuse to squeeze out Blair if it could be to their benefit. Taking full advantage of the Luzerne station, Howe purchased the land and platted a new town there on 17 April 1868. This was shortly after the C&NW had connected with the Union Pacific's Transcontinental railroad in Council Bluffs, giving Luzerne a direct connection with the Pacific Coast the following year.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year Pop. ±%
1880 265 —    
1900 169 −36.2%
1910 160 −5.3%
1920 180 +12.5%
1930 149 −17.2%
1940 135 −9.4%
1950 186 +37.8%
1960 136 −26.9%
1970 134 −1.5%
1980 114 −14.9%
1990 110 −3.5%
2000 105 −4.5%
2010 96 −8.6%
2020 112 +16.7%
Source: U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 112 people, 31 households, and 29 families residing in the city. The population density was 849.6 inhabitants per square mile (328.0/km2). There were 35 housing units at an average density of 265.5 per square mile (102.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 1.8% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 0.0% of the population.

Of the 31 households, 48.4% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% were cohabitating couples, 9.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 6.5% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 6.5% of all households were non-families. 0.0% of all households were made up of individuals, 0.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 33.0 years. 33.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.5% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 33.9% were from 25 and 44; 17.0% were from 45 and 64; and 10.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 96 people, 34 households, and 26 families living in the city. The population density was 800.0 inhabitants per square mile (308.9/km2). There were 38 housing units at an average density of 316.7 per square mile (122.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 2.1% African American, 4.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.2% of the population.

There were 34 households, of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 20.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 28.5 years. 32.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 8.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.1% male and 46.9% female.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Luzerne (Iowa) para niños

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