Clinton, Iowa


Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, United States. It borders the Mississippi River. The population was 24,469 as of 2020.
Clinton, along with DeWitt, was named in honor of the sixth governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton. Incorporated on January 26, 1857, Clinton is the principal city of the Clinton Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is coterminous with Clinton County.

History

Elijah Buell, among the first European-American settlers in the Clinton area, established the town of Lyons in 1837. It was named after the French city Lyon. It grew with the lumber and railroad industry through the century, and merged in 1895 with the City of Clinton.
Clinton was platted as the Town of New York in 1836 by Joseph Bartlett. He was looking for gold deposits in the area.
In 1855, the Chicago, Iowa, Nebraska Railroad announced it would build a bridge across the Mississippi River at Little Rock Island. The Iowa Land Company named the town as Clinton, in honor of DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York State. A general city charter was adopted in 1857. Lyons Female College was established in 1858.
Clinton's population grew to more than 1,000 as construction of the bridge continued. In 1859, the railroad line was completed to Cedar Rapids. Fifty years later, the single-track railroad bridge was replaced by a double-track bridge that was completed in 1909.
Between the 1850s and 1900, Lyons and Clinton quickly became centers of the lumber industry and together were regarded as the "Lumber Capital of the World". In the 1880s and 1890s, Clinton boasted more millionaires per capita than any other city in the nation.
In 1895, the town of Lyons officially merged with the city of Clinton.
By the end of 1900, the northern forests were depleted and the sawmills closed. The railroad and river, providing economical transportation in all directions, attracted manufacturing and heavy industry. The city still boasts a number of magnificent Victorian mansions built during that time. Among these is the George M. Curtis House.
In 1925, Clinton acquired Eagle Point Park as part of its park system.
In 1956, the Gateway Bridge was opened.
In 1965, the Mississippi River crested at 24.85 feet, effectively flooding the city of Clinton as well as many other cities along the Mississippi. The US Army Corps of Engineers began a seven-year, $28.9 million levee project. An 8.1-mile dyke, 4,330 feet of concrete flood wall, six pumping stations, seven closure structures, five major street crossings; 17,320 feet of new sewer; and 23 gate wells were completed and dedicated in June 1981.
In 2005, Clinton was awarded one of the inaugural Iowa Great Places designations. Under this award, Clinton received a $1 million state budget allocation for cultural and landscape improvements along the city's riverfront.
In 2009, Archer Daniels Midland began construction of a new cogeneration plant to Clinton. This has brought more jobs and workers to Clinton.
In 2016, the city obtained the certification for Lincolnway Industrial Rail and Air Park. The park is located adjacent to US Highway 30 and the Clinton Municipal Airport. The Union Pacific East-West Mainline runs to the south, with a dedicated spur running into the park. Targeted industries for the Clinton Region included chemicals processing, metal fabrication, and value-added agriculture. Rail.One, HeroBX, and Atlas Roofing Corporation were expected to occupy the Rail Park in 2025.
In the 2010s–2020s, many businesses expanded, adding hundreds of new jobs to the area. These businesses include Big River Packaging, Nestle Purina, and Archer Daniels Midland. They invested millions of dollars into the community. This catalyzed the development of new suburban housing developments, restaurants, and recreational attractions.
In 2020, Clinton received a grant from 'Iowa Great Places'. It dedicated to a project known as 'Even More Things to Do with a River View.' Funds were used to improve the city's riverfront and improve public access.
In 2023, the historic Clinton High School was torn down. The newly built Clinton High was opened for student use. Additionally, the 'Tailgate N' Tallboys' concert brought nearly 9,000 people to Clinton for a 3-day concert series.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
Clinton is on the western shore of the Mississippi River and is the easternmost city in Iowa. The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge passes through Clinton along the river.
The pool of the Mississippi River above Lock and Dam No. 13 is the widest section of the river at across.

Climate

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 24,469 people, 10,440 households, and 6,201 families residing in the city. The population density was 687.3 inhabitants per square mile. There were 11,864 housing units at an average density of 333.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 85.9% White, 5.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races and 6.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 4.3% of the population.
Of the 10,440 households, 26.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% were cohabitating couples, 29.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 21.4% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 40.6% of all households were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 24.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 and 44; 26.5% were from 45 and 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 26,885 people, 11,246 households, and 6,889 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 12,202 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 4.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.
There were 11,246 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 27,772 people, 11,427 households, and 7,358 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 12,412 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 93.80% White, 3.22% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 1.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.
There were 11,427 households, out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.
Age spread: 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
In the 2000 census 37.7% of the population reported they were of German ancestry, 15.3% of Irish ancestry, 11.4% of British ancestry, 7.8% of Scandinavian ancestry and 5.8% of Dutch ancestry.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,159, and the median income for a family was $43,157. Males had a median income of $34,210 versus $20,882 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,320. About 10.0% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Parks and recreation

  • Eagle Point Park is a 164-acre park located on the north side of the City. It is on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. It includes the Eagle Point Lodge, Soaring Eagle Nature Center, Flannery one-room schoolhouse, many playgrounds, Prairie Pastures Dog Park, A Disc Golf Course, Equestrian Center and trails, Mississippi River Overlook, Picnic Areas, a restored prairie and butterfly gardens, approximately 3 miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, and a large stone castle.
  • Riverview Park is a 65-acre park overlooking the Mississippi River encompassing several features including a marina and restaurant, public boat ramps, Pickleball courts, sand volleyball courts, ball diamonds, Lubbers Fountain, large municipal swimming pool, picnic areas, Riverview Bandshell, skate park, playground, RV Park, bike path, Showboat theatre, and prospect league baseball stadium.
  • Other parks in the City of Clinton are Dewitt Park, Clinton Park, Chancy Park, Rotary Park, Hawthorne Park, Emma Young Park, and Lyons Four Square Park.
  • The Clinton Fitness Court is part of a nationwide effort launched by the National Fitness Campaign to get people excited about health and wellness. Located on the Riverfront, it is accessible to those of all needs and abilities.
  • The Parks and Recreation Department offers over 170 recreation programs designed for all ages from preschoolers to young adults, adults, and seniors.
  • Clinton is home to many walking and biking trails all across town.
  • The Parks and Recreation Department and Administrative Office, better known as the Ericksen Community Center, is located on the northernmost part of 148 acres of Emma Young Park. There are three USA Softball certified softball fields, four tennis courts, a cross country running trail, a playground, and a public pond.
  • The Jurgensen Soccer Complex was re-opened in the fall of 2020 following a major expansion. The previously featured 3-Tiered playing field limited the ability to grow, and was not accessible for everyone. The new renovation features flattened fields so that children, parents, and families of all ages and abilities may enjoy the game of soccer.