Oskaloosa, Iowa
Encyclopedia : O : OS : OSK : Oskaloosa, Iowa
Oskaloosa is a city in Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 10,938 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mahaska County[Geographic references#6GR6]. William Penn University is located in Oskaloosa. Vennard College is located in the connected municipality of University Park, Iowa.
Oskaloosa is headquarters of MUSCO lighting, famous for providing permanent and temporary lights for athletic fields and stadiums around the country.
Another claim to fame is Clow Valve Company (400 employees), whose fire hydrants can be seen on street corners around the world.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²). 17.8 km² (6.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.29%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 10,938 people, 4,603 households, and 2,863 families residing in the city. The population density was 615.6/km² (1,593.8/mi²). There were 4,945 housing units at an average density of 278.3/km² (720.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.86% White, 1.16% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.There were 4,603 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.
Population spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,490, and the median income for a family was $42,138. Males had a median income of $33,830 versus $23,698 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,721. About 10.6% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Events
[link]Nelson Pioneer Farm, located just a couple miles northeast of the city, is the home of the Nelson Home and Barn. The farm, built in the 1850s, is on the National Registry of Historic Sites. The third week of September is a Pioneer Festival featuring exhibits, demonstrations, music, food, and more.[link] The Southern Iowa Fair is one of the largest traditional county fairs in Iowa. Midway rides, 4-H Fair booths, livestock exhibits, and a petting zoo are just a few of the aspects of this traditional fair. Campgrounds are also available to those wanting to stay at the fair site for days.
Art on the Square is an annual event held in the downtown on the city square. This event features local artists as well as artists from various locales.
Yet another annual event is the lighted Christmas parade, which usually takes place in early December.
External links
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