# Lake City, Iowa

Lake City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States, founded in 1856. The population was 1,731 at the time of the 2020 census. The sign coming into town proudly proclaims that Lake City has "Everything but a Lake."

## History

Lake City was founded in 1856. Lake City took its name from Lake Creek. The town experienced growth with the advent of the railroad in 1881. On June 9, 1954, the city was struck by an F4 tornado, killing one. On July 14, 2021, the city was struck by an EF3 tornado.

## Geography

Lake City is located at 42°16′7″N 94°44′9″W﻿ / ﻿42.26861°N 94.73583°W﻿ / 42.26861; -94.73583 (42.268646, −94.735699).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.81 square miles (12.46 km$^2$), all land.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 1,731 people, 744 households, and 455 families residing in the city. The population density was 359.1 inhabitants per square mile (138.6/km$^2$). There were 822 housing units at an average density of 170.5 per square mile (65.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 1.5% of the population.
Of the 744 households, 22.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 7.7% were cohabitating couples, 28.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 18.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 38.8% of all households were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 49.2 years. 21.4% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.2% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 21.0% were from 25 and 44; 25.3% were from 45 and 64; and 28.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

### 2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,727 people, 757 households, and 451 families residing in the city. The population density was 359.0 inhabitants per square mile (138.6/km$^2$). There were 846 housing units at an average density of 175.9 per square mile (67.9/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 757 households, of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.4% were non-families. Of all households 37.1% were made up of individuals, and 20.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.74.
The median age in the city was 49.1 years. Residents under 19 composed of 20.2% of the city; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 26.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,787 people, 779 households, and 468 families residing in the city. The population density was 370.7 inhabitants per square mile (143.1/km$^2$). There were 874 housing units at an average density of 181.3 per square mile (70.0/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 98.88% White, 0.06% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 779 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. Of all households, 36.2% were made up of individuals, and 22.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.85.
Residents under 18 composed 22.6%.of the population, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 19.8% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 28.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,000, and the median income for a family was $37,941. Males had a median income of $27,128 versus $18,477 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,969. About 8.9% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.5% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

## Economy

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, which manufacturers and restores pipe organs, is located in Lake City.
Lake City also has many small businesses, including a hardware store, fitness center, restaurants, shopping and a theatre. Stewart Memorial Community Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, is the largest employer in Lake City with 291 employees.

## Education

Lake City is within the South Central Calhoun Community School District.
It was a part of the Lake City Community School District until July 1, 1993, when it merged into the Southern Cal Community School District, which, in turn, merged into South Central Calhoun on July 1, 2014.
In 2007, the Southern Cal district closed the Lincoln Elementary School building and later sold it for $22,000 to a private individual.