Perry is a city in Dallas County, Iowa, United States, along the North Raccoon River. The population was 7,836 at the time of the 2020 Census.[3] It is part of the Des MoinesWest Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Perry, Iowa
Motto: 
Make yourself at home!
Location of Perry, Iowa
Location of Perry, Iowa
Coordinates: 41°50′19″N 94°06′18″W / 41.83861°N 94.10500°W / 41.83861; -94.10500
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyDallas
Area
 • Total5.49 sq mi (14.22 km2)
 • Land5.49 sq mi (14.21 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation954 ft (291 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,836
 • Density1,428.36/sq mi (551.47/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50220
Area code515
FIPS code19-62355
GNIS feature ID2396183[2]
Websitewww.perryia.org

History

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Perry was laid out as a town in 1869, named for "one of the owners of the road at that time. Col. Perry, of Keokuk".[4] The original town site was bounded by Estella Street on the south, 8th Street on the east, 3rd Street on the west, and Dewey Avenue on the north.

On January 4, 2024, a school shooting occurred at Perry High School leaving an 11-year-old boy in sixth grade dead and seven other people injured. The 17-year-old male shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the shooting.[5][6][7] The high school principal Dan Marburger, wounded critically after having spoken to the shooter trying to gain time for escaping students, died of his gun shot wounds, state governor Kim Reynolds announced on January 14. The governor praised his courage and ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff from January 14 until sunset on the day of his funeral and interment.[8]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.18 square miles (10.83 km2), of which 4.17 square miles (10.80 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[9]

Climate

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According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Perry has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Perry, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 67
(19)
76
(24)
89
(32)
95
(35)
105
(41)
105
(41)
110
(43)
111
(44)
104
(40)
95
(35)
83
(28)
73
(23)
111
(44)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 51.7
(10.9)
56.9
(13.8)
72.4
(22.4)
83.3
(28.5)
89.2
(31.8)
93.1
(33.9)
95.0
(35.0)
93.8
(34.3)
90.7
(32.6)
84.3
(29.1)
69.9
(21.1)
56.1
(13.4)
96.9
(36.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 29.5
(−1.4)
34.0
(1.1)
47.5
(8.6)
61.3
(16.3)
71.9
(22.2)
81.9
(27.7)
85.4
(29.7)
83.3
(28.5)
77.1
(25.1)
64.0
(17.8)
47.8
(8.8)
35.0
(1.7)
59.9
(15.5)
Daily mean °F (°C) 19.8
(−6.8)
24.1
(−4.4)
36.6
(2.6)
49.0
(9.4)
60.5
(15.8)
70.9
(21.6)
74.5
(23.6)
72.1
(22.3)
64.3
(17.9)
51.5
(10.8)
37.3
(2.9)
25.7
(−3.5)
48.9
(9.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 10.2
(−12.1)
14.1
(−9.9)
25.8
(−3.4)
36.7
(2.6)
49.0
(9.4)
59.8
(15.4)
63.5
(17.5)
60.8
(16.0)
51.5
(10.8)
39.1
(3.9)
26.8
(−2.9)
16.5
(−8.6)
37.8
(3.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −11.8
(−24.3)
−7.0
(−21.7)
5.7
(−14.6)
21.8
(−5.7)
34.9
(1.6)
47.3
(8.5)
52.9
(11.6)
50.9
(10.5)
36.0
(2.2)
23.8
(−4.6)
10.2
(−12.1)
−3.6
(−19.8)
−15.6
(−26.4)
Record low °F (°C) −32
(−36)
−33
(−36)
−30
(−34)
6
(−14)
20
(−7)
34
(1)
42
(6)
34
(1)
22
(−6)
−8
(−22)
−13
(−25)
−34
(−37)
−34
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.95
(24)
1.14
(29)
1.96
(50)
4.10
(104)
5.15
(131)
4.88
(124)
4.42
(112)
4.14
(105)
3.44
(87)
2.70
(69)
1.86
(47)
1.38
(35)
36.12
(917)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 4.6
(12)
5.1
(13)
3.8
(9.7)
0.9
(2.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.25)
1.8
(4.6)
7.2
(18)
23.5
(59.85)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 7.1 7.5 8.5 11.7 13.7 12.3 9.6 10.3 9.0 9.3 7.1 8.0 114.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.1 2.9 1.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 3.7 12.4
Source 1: NOAA (average snowfall, snow days 1981–2010)[10][11]
Source 2: National Weather Service[12]

Demographics

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Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1880952—    
18902,880+202.5%
19003,986+38.4%
19104,630+16.2%
19205,642+21.9%
19305,881+4.2%
19405,977+1.6%
19506,174+3.3%
19606,442+4.3%
19706,906+7.2%
19807,053+2.1%
19906,652−5.7%
20007,633+14.7%
20107,702+0.9%
20207,836+1.7%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center
Source: U.S. Decennial Census[13][3]

2020 census

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Perry, Iowa – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 5,561 4,709 4,348 72.85% 61.14% 55.49%
Black or African American alone (NH) 65 120 258 0.85% 1.56% 3.29%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 14 18 11 0.18% 0.23% 0.14%
Asian alone (NH) 55 60 84 0.72% 0.78% 1.07%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 2 10 4 0.03% 0.13% 0.05%
Other race alone (NH) 12 12 21 0.16% 0.16% 0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 51 81 208 0.67% 1.05% 2.65%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,873 2,692 2,902 24.54% 34.95% 37.03%
Total 7,633 7,702 7,836 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2010 census

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At the 2010 census there were 7,702 people, 2,792 households, and 1,920 families living in the city. The population density was 1,847.0 inhabitants per square mile (713.1/km2). There were 3,180 housing units at an average density of 762.6 per square mile (294.4/km2). The racial makup of the city (including Latinos in the racial counts) was 79.1% White, 1.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.0%.[17]

 
Perry High School

Of the 2,792 households 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.0% were non-families. 28.2% of households were one person and 13.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age was 33.3 years. 29.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.8% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 7,633 people, 2,831 households, and 1,942 families living in the city. The population density was 2,060.4 inhabitants per square mile (795.5/km2). There were 2,994 housing units at an average density of 808.2 per square mile (312.0/km2). The racial makup of the city was 82.84% White, 1.06% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 13.19% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.54%.[18]

Of the 2,831 households 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.3% of households were one person and 14.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median household income was $35,429 and the median family income was $41,771. Males had a median income of $27,610 versus $21,839 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,935. About 8.9% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

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In April 2018, a video showcasing Perry's economy in 1979 and 1980 was released by Iowa State University.[19]

The primary employer in Perry was the Tyson Foods pork plant.[20][21][22] In March 2024, due to budgetary reasons, Tyson announced the closing of the facility for June of that year, which laid off an estimated 1,300 jobs with 800 employees living in Perry losing their jobs.[23][24][25][26]

Education

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The Perry Community School District operates local area public schools.[27]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines operates St. Patrick School in Perry. The school was dedicated on February 21, 1921.[28] The local Catholic high school is Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines.

Media

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Perry, Iowa
  3. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. ^ The History of Dallas County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. via Internet Archive: Higginson Book Company. 1879. pp. 457-66.
  5. ^ Dvorak, Gina (January 5, 2024). "Perry school shooting update: Iowa officials release name of slain student". WOWT. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  6. ^ "Sixth grade student killed in Perry school shooting; five other victims shot". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  7. ^ Osborne, Mark; Margolin, Josh (January 4, 2024), At least 1 dead in shooting at Iowa high school; scene now 'secured': Officials, ABC News, archived from the original on January 4, 2024, retrieved January 4, 2024
  8. ^ Somasundaram, Praveena, "Iowa high school principal who tried to distract shooter dies, governor says", Washington Post, January 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  10. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1991–2020)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on August 4, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access (1981–2010)". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  12. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Perry city, Iowa". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Perry city, Iowa". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Perry city, Iowa". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ^ Cauflield, Jim (April 18, 2018). Perry video from late '70s stirs old memories for retirees Archived February 1, 2023, at the Wayback Machine. The Perry News. Perry, Iowa. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  20. ^ "Tyson Foods Locations". Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  21. ^ Greater Des Moines Partnership. "Large Private and Publicly Held Employers, Greater Des Moines" (PDF). Retrieved June 19, 2012.[dead link]
  22. ^ FOLEY, RYAN J. (May 5, 2020). "Nearly 1,400 Tyson workers at 3 Iowa plants get coronavirus". KGAN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  23. ^ "Tyson Foods pork plant in Perry, Iowa closing". KCCI. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tyson Foods' Iowa pork plant to permanently close, over 1,200 jobs affected". Fox Business. March 12, 2024.
  25. ^ Baskins, Kevin (March 28, 2024). "Planned Tyson closing in Perry results in additional layoffs at company that cleans plant". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Jacobson, Ophelie (June 27, 2024). "City shares how community can support Perry once Tyson pork plant closes Friday". KCCI. Des Moines, Iowa. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  27. ^ "FY20 PERRY" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  28. ^ O'Malley, George. "The Founding Of St. Patrick's School". St. Patrick School. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  29. ^ Longden, Tom. "Famous Iowans Bell, Bill". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  30. ^ Basu, Rekha (April 16, 2016). "Basu: Surviving torture of anti-gay 'therapy'". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  31. ^ Compton, Julie (January 19, 2017). "OutFront: LGBTQ Activist Fights to End Conversion Therapy". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  32. ^ "Gertude Mary Cox". MacTutor biography. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2010.
  33. ^ V.T. Hamlin Collection in University of Missouri Special Collections Archived 2013-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ Schaeffer-Duffy, Claire (July 9, 2021). "Catholic activist sentenced for Dakota Access pipeline vandalism". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
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