NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Mason City, Iowa

Mason City is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 29,172 at the 2000 census (2005 estimate 27,909) and has stayed close to 30,000 since 1995. It is the county seat of Cerro Gordo County^GR6. It is the home of the North Iowa Area Community College and Hamilton College. Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ...

Geography

Mason City is located at 43°8′55″N, 93°12′7″W (43.148747, -93.201916)^GR1. Adapted from Wikipedias IA county maps by Seth Ilys. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67.8 km² (26.2 mi²). 66.8 km² (25.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it (1.45%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (â‰ˆ1,609 m) in length. ...

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 29,172 people, 12,368 households, and 7,507 families residing in the city. The population density was 436.7/km² (1,131.3/mi²). There were 13,029 housing units at an average density of 195.1/km² (505.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.40% White, 1.17% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.07% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 12,368 households out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.90. This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ...

In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,852, and the median income for a family was $45,160. Males had a median income of $32,451 versus $21,756 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,899. About 7.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

Architecture

Mason City is widely known for its sizable amount of Prairie School architecture, the largest concentration in one location outside of Oak Park, Illinois. It has been suggested that Prairie Houses be merged into this article or section. ... Wrights home in Oak Park, Illinois Lake Theater and shops along Lake Street. ...

The Rock Glen and Rock Crest districts along Willow Creek feature homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin. Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867â€”April 9, 1959) was one of the most prominent and influential architects of his era. ... Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, in Sydney in 1930 Walter Burley Griffin (November 24, 1876 - February 11, 1937) was an American architect and landscape architect best known for his role in designing Canberra, Australias capital city. ...

Wright's Stockman House has been restored and is open to the public. Wright's Park Inn Hotel, which influenced Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius and other European Modern architects, is the only remaining hotel in the world designed by him still standing, and is in the process of being restored. Typography by Herbert Bayer above the entrance to the workshop block of the Bauhaus, Dessau, 2005. ... Walter Adolph Georg Gropius (May 18, 1883 â€“ July 5, 1969) was a German architect and founder of Bauhaus. ...

Transportation

The town is served by Iowa Highway 122, and U.S. Highway 65. U.S. Highway 18 now bypasses the town to the south. Interstate 35 (eight miles to the west) serves the town as well.

Mason City is home to the Iowa Traction Railroad. The IATR is one of the last surviving electric interurban railroads in the U. S., and the only one that still uses electric locomotives to haul freight in regular service. The Iowa Traction Railroad is an electric-powered freight railroad now operating in Mason City, Iowa. ...

The town also has a municipal airport, from which Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper took off from on the night of February 3, 1959 after a concert at the Surf Ballroom in nearby Clear Lake, IA, only to crash in a historic event later referred to as The Day the Music Died. Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 â€“ February 3, 1959), better known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and a pioneer of rock and roll. ... Richard Steven Valenzuela (May 13, 1941 â€“ February 3, 1959), was a pioneer of rock and roll. ... Jiles Perry Richardson, Jr. ... Monument at Crash Site, September 16, 2003. ... The Surf Ballroom is located in Clear Lake, Iowa. ... Clear Lake is a city located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. ... Monument at Crash Site, September 16, 2003. ...

Sports

Mason City has some history of minor league sports teams despite its relatively small size.

The North Iowa Outlaws junior hockey team began play in the North American Hockey League in 2005. The former North Iowa Huskies played in the United States Hockey League until 1999.

The Mason City Bats of the very short lived Great Central League played baseball here in 1994.

Industry

The largest employer is Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. Other major industry includes door manufacturer Curries/Graham Company and the Kraft Foods plant that produces the nation's entire supply of refrigerated ready-to-eat Jell-O gelatin and Jell-O pudding snacks. Mason City is also a major production center for Portland Cement. Kraft Foods Inc. ... A variety of pre-packaged gelatin dessert products for sale at a supermarket in the U.S. state of Wisconsin in 2004 Jelly, as sold in UK The most popular culinary use for gelatin is as a main ingredient in a variety of gelatin desserts. ...

Media

KIMT is a CBS affiliate serving Mason City, Iowa, Rochester, Minnesota, and Austin, Minnesota. ... CBS is one of the largest radio and television networks in the United States. ... The Mason City Globe-Gazette, known locally as the Globe, is a daily morning newspaper published in Mason City, Iowa in the United States. ... Not to be confused with clear channel radio stations, which are AM radio stations with certain technical parameters. ... Not to be confused with clear channel radio stations, which are AM radio stations with certain technical parameters. ... Three Eagles Communications, Inc. ... Three Eagles Communications, Inc. ... For other uses of Kiss FM, especially outside of the United States, see Kiss FM (disambiguation). ... Not to be confused with clear channel radio stations, which are AM radio stations with certain technical parameters. ... The Campanile, a major university landmark at the center of UNIs campus. ...

Notable Natives

Meredith Willson - American composer and playwright, best known as the writer of The Music Man, was born in Mason City. The fictional "River City" that was the setting for the musical was inspired by Willson's childhood memories of Mason City. The city features a multi-million dollar building called Music Man Square in dedication to him, as well as a footbridge bearing his name. Robert Meredith Willson (18 May 1902 â€“ 15 June 1984) was an American composer and playwright, best known as the writer of The Music Man. ... This article is about the Broadway musical. ...

Bil Baird - Puppeteer, grew up in Mason City; his creations were featured in The Sound of Music and are now exhibited at the MacNider Art Museum. William Britton Baird (August 15, 1904 - March 18, 1987), professional name Bil Baird, but often referred to as Bill Baird, was an American puppeteer of the mid- and late 20th century. ... Julie Andrews as Maria, seeks guidance from the Mother Abbess, played by Peggy Wood, in this scene from the 1965 film version. ...

Also from Mason City were book designer, author and concert impresario Merle Armitage; and Steven Clay, publisher of Granary Books (New York).

External links

	v • d • e State of Iowa Des Moines (capital)
Regions	Coteau des Prairies \| Coulee Region \| Des Moines metropolitan area \| Great River Road \| Iowa Great Lakes \| Loess Hills \| Omaha‑Council Bluffs metropolitan area \| Quad Cities \| Siouxland Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iowa. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties/Parishes/Boroughs, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Nickname: Hartford of the West, City of Skywalks, Raccoon City, DSM Location in the State of Iowa, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Iowa County Polk County Incorporated September 22, 1851 Government - Mayor Frank Cownie Area - City 77. ... Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... The Coteau des Prairies: orange arrows indicate paths of the two lobes of the glacier around either side of the formation. ... // The Coulee Region, as it is colloquially known (officially designated the Driftless Area by the USGS and popularly referred to as the Driftless Zone, or Driftless Region since the 1980s) is an area of about 20,000 square miles (52,000 kmÂ²) in western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and... The Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), as of 2000, consists of 5 counties, all in Iowa: Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, and Guthrie. ... The Great River Road is a collection of state, provincial, federal and local roads which follow the course of the Mississippi River through ten U. S. states and one Canadian province. ... The Iowa Great Lakes Region, showing Spirit Lake (top), West Okoboji Lake (left), and East Okoboji Lake (right). ... Snow geese flying in front of the loess hills at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge in the Missouri River bottoms near Mound City, Missouri The Loess Hills are a formation of wind-deposited loess soil in the westernmost part of Iowa and Missouri along the Missouri River. ... The Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area is a metropolitan area comprised of the cities of Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and surrounding areas. ... The I-74 Bridge, connecting Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Illinois is located near the geographic center of the Quad Cities. ... Siouxland is a general term for the area around Sioux City, Iowa, an area that includes much of northwestern Iowa, the northeast corner of Nebraska and the southeast corner of South Dakota. ...
Largest cities	Ames \| Ankeny \| Bettendorf \| Burlington \| Cedar Falls \| Cedar Rapids \| Clinton \| Council Bluffs \| Davenport \| Des Moines \| Dubuque \| Fort Dodge \| Iowa City \| Marion \| Marshalltown \| Mason City \| Muscatine \| Ottumwa \| Sioux City \| Urbandale \| Waterloo \| West Des Moines Main Street in downtown Ames in 2006 Ames is a city located in Central Iowa, about 30 miles North of Des Moines in Story County, Iowa, United States. ... Location in the State of Iowa Coordinates: Country United States State Iowa County Polk County Incorporated February 27, 1903 Government - Mayor Steven D. Van Oort Area - City 16. ... This article or section needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... U.S. 34 over the Mississippi River in Burlington. ... Location of Cedar Falls, Iowa Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa and is home to one of Iowas three Public Universities, the University of Northern Iowa. ... Nickname: Location in the State of Iowa Coordinates: Country United States State Iowa County Linn County Incorporated 1849 Government - Mayor Kay Halloran Area - City 64. ... View of downtown Clinton looking north Downtown Clinton closeup Alliant Energy Field Clinton Municipal Pool & Tennis Courts Mississippi Belle II Casino & Clinton Showboat Theater Clinton is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. ... The Grenville M. Dodge House, built in 1869 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ... Davenport is a city in the American state of Iowa that borders the Mississippi River. ... Nickname: Hartford of the West, City of Skywalks, Raccoon City, DSM Location in the State of Iowa, USA Coordinates: Country United States State Iowa County Polk County Incorporated September 22, 1851 Government - Mayor Frank Cownie Area - City 77. ... Nickname: The Key City, City of Five Flags, Masterpiece on the Mississippi Location in the State of Iowa Coordinates: Country United States State Iowa County Dubuque Incorporated 1833 Government - Type Council-Manager - Mayor Roy D. Buol - City manager Michael C. Van Milligen Area - City 71. ... Motto: The city with bright days ahead. ... Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, Iowa, USA. It is the principal city of the Iowa City, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of both Johnson and Washington counties. ... Marion is a city located in Linn County, Iowa. ... Marshalltown is a city located in Marshall County, Iowa. ... Sunrise over Mississippi River in Muscatine Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. ... Ottumwa (pronounced Uh-tuhm-wa) is a city in Wapello County, Iowa. ... Sioux City (IPA: ) is a city located in northwest Iowa in the United States. ... Urbandale is a city in Polk County, and partially in Dallas County, in the state of Iowa. ... Waterloo is the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. ... West Des Moines is a city located in Polk County, and partially in Dallas and Warren counties, in the state of Iowa. ...
Counties	Adair \| Adams \| Allamakee \| Appanoose \| Audubon \| Benton \| Black Hawk \| Boone \| Bremer \| Buchanan \| Buena Vista \| Butler \| Calhoun \| Carroll \| Cass \| Cedar \| Cerro Gordo \| Cherokee \| Chickasaw \| Clarke \| Clay \| Clayton \| Clinton \| Crawford \| Dallas \| Davis \| Decatur \| Delaware \| Des Moines \| Dickinson \| Dubuque \| Emmet \| Fayette \| Floyd \| Franklin \| Fremont \| Greene \| Grundy \| Guthrie \| Hamilton \| Hancock \| Hardin \| Harrison \| Henry \| Howard \| Humboldt \| Ida \| Iowa \| Jackson \| Jasper \| Jefferson \| Johnson \| Jones \| Keokuk \| Kossuth \| Lee \| Linn \| Louisa \| Lucas \| Lyon \| Madison \| Mahaska \| Marion \| Marshall \| Mills \| Mitchell \| Monona \| Monroe \| Montgomery \| Muscatine \| O'Brien \| Osceola \| Page \| Palo Alto \| Plymouth \| Pocahontas \| Polk \| Pottawattamie \| Poweshiek \| Ringgold \| Sac \| Scott \| Shelby \| Sioux \| Story \| Tama \| Taylor \| Union \| Van Buren \| Wapello \| Warren \| Washington \| Wayne \| Webster \| Winnebago \| Winneshiek \| Woodbury \| Worth \| Wright Iowa is divided into 99 counties. ... Adair County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Adams County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Allamakee County is the northeastern-most county located in the state of Iowa. ... Appanoose County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Audubon County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Benton County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Black Hawk County is a county located in the northeastern part of U.S. state of Iowa. ... Boone County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Bremer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Buchanan County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Buena Vista County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Butler County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Carroll County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Cass County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Cedar County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Cerro Gordo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Cherokee County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Chickasaw County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Clarke County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Clayton County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Crawford County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Dallas County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Davis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Decatur County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Des Moines County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Dickinson County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Dubuque County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Emmet County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Floyd County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Franklin County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Fremont County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Greene County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Grundy County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Guthrie County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Hamilton County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Hancock County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Hardon County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Harrison County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Henry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Howard County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Humboldt County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Ida County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Iowa County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Jackson County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Jasper County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Jefferson County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Jones County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Keokuk County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Kossuth County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Linn County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Louisa County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Lucas County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Lyon County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Holliwell Bridge, one of the six remaining covered bridges in Madison County Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Mahaska County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Marion County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Marshall County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Mills County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Mitchell County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Monona County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Monroe County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Montgomery County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Muscatine County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... OBrien County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Osceola County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Page County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Palo Alto County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Plymouth County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Pocahontas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Polk County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Location in the state of Iowa Formed Seat Council Bluffs and Avoca Area - Total - Water 2,486 kmÂ² (960 miÂ²) 15 kmÂ² (6 miÂ²) 0. ... Poweshiek County is a county located in the southeastern state of Iowa along Interstate 80, between Des Moines and Iowa City. ... Ringgold County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Sac County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Scott County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Shelby County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Sioux County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Story County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Tama County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Taylor County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Union County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Van Buren County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Wapello County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Warren County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Washington County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Wayne County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Webster County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Winnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. ... Winneshiek County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Woodbury County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Worth County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ... Wright County is a county located in the state of Iowa. ...
Other	List of Iowa state parks \| List of Iowa county seats Iowa has many recreational opportunites, a large part being state parks. ... List of Iowa county seats: Flag of Iowa Adair County - Greenfield Adams County - Corning Allamakee County - Waukon Appanoose County - Centerville Audubon County - Audubon Benton County - Vinton Black Hawk County - Waterloo Boone County - Boone Bremer County - Waverly Buchanan County - Independence Buena Vista County - Storm Lake Butler County - Allison Calhoun County - Rockwell...

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