Johnston, Iowa

Johnston is a city in Polk County, Iowa, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that 14,513 residents lived there in 2006.¹ It is part of the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. Johnston is the location of the headquarters of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Iowa Public Television. The Camp Dodge Military Reservation is also located here.

HISTORY

Johnston was established in 1905 as a station on the interurban railway between Des Moines and Perry known as Johnston Station. It was named for the railway's freight supervisor, John F. Johnston.²

Incorporation did not come until September 18, 1969. At the time, the Johnston Station area did not become part of the incorporated city because of a state law that prevented a town within three miles of another city from incorporating. The neighboring cities of Des Moines and Urbandale were also interested in that land, but in April 1970, Johnston and Urbandale reached an agreement that allowed Johnston to annex the Johnston Station area.³

GEOGRAPHY

Johnston is located at 41n40, 93w42 (41.671337, -93.705800)⁴.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.5 square miles (40.1 km), of which 14.4 square miles (37.2 km) is land and 1.1 square miles (3.0 km) (7.36%) is water.

The city is bordered on the east by the Des Moines River and the city's area includes part of Saylorville Reservoir. On the south the city is bordered by Interstate 80 and on the west the city limits extend to a half mile east of Highway 141. The city is bisected by Beaver Creek, which flows southerly through the city until it nearly reaches Interstate 80, at which point the course turns easterly and flows to the Des Moines River.

DEMOGRAPHICS

As of the census⁵ of 2000, there were 8,649 people, 3,216 households, and 2,318 families residing in the city. The population density was 602.8 people per square mile (232.7/km). There were 3,406 housing units at an average density of 237.4/sq mi (91.6/kma). The racial makeup of the city was 96.20% White, 0.58% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $76,094, and the median income for a family was $97,322. Males had a median income of $61,585 versus $36,008 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,407. About 2.0% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

REFERENCES

 ¹ United States Census Bureau. "Population Estimates For All Places: 2000 to 2006".
 ² Henning, Barbara Beving Long; Patrice K. Beam (2003). Des Moines and Polk County: Flag on the Prairie. Sun Valley, California: American Historical Press. ISBN 1-892724-34-0.
 ³ Lutz, Renda (2004-09-14). "Town's Early Years Proved Bumpy", The Des Moines Register.
 ⁴ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
 ⁵ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

LINKS

 * City of Johnston http://www.cityofjohnston.com/
 * Johnston Chamber of Commerce http://www.johnstonchamber.com/
 * Johnston Community School District http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/