| Official Name: | Pella, Iowa |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Motto: | "A Touch of Holland" |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Don DeWaard |
| Leader Title1: | Iowa House |
| Leader Name1: | Guy Vander Linden (R) |
| Leader Title2: | Iowa Senate |
| Leader Name2: | Ken Rozenboom (R) |
| Leader Title3: | U.S. Congress |
| Leader Name3: | Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map: | USA |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the United States |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Iowa |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Marion |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 24.20 |
| Area Land Km2: | 24.20 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.00 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 9.35 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 9.34 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.00 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 10464 |
| Population Density Km2: | 432.44 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1119.98 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation Ft: | 876 |
| Coordinates: | 41.4047°N -92.9181°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 50219 |
| Area Code: | 641 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 19-62040 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2396174 |
| Website: | cityofpella.com |
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States, with a population of 10,464 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census.[2] Founded by immigrants from the Netherlands, it is forty miles southeast of Des Moines. Pella is the home of Central College, as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.
In 1847, 800 Dutch immigrants led by Dominee (Minister) Hendrik "Henry" P. Scholte settled the area known as Pella. The name "Pella" is a reference to Pella of the Decapolis, where the Christians of Jerusalem had found refuge during the Roman–Jewish war of 70;[3] the name was selected because the Dominee and his followers sought religious freedom as well. Pella was the childhood home of Wyatt Earp, whose father Nicholas Porter Earp had settled on a farm near Pella. His brothers Warren and Morgan were born in Pella.
On July 19, 2018, a destructive EF3 tornado struck the Vermeer manufacturing plant in the city. Due to early warning, only seven of the thousands of people on-site were injured.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.73sqmi, all land.[4] Since 2013, it has been located in Iowa's 2nd congressional district. Before that year, it was part of Iowa's 3rd congressional district.
As of the census[5] of 2010, 10,352 people, 3,735 households, and 2,500 families resided in the city. The population density was 1185.8PD/sqmi. The 4,086 housing units averaged 468/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 0.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanics of any race were 1.7% of the population.
Of the 3,735 households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were not families. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 33.3 years. About 22.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.1% were from 25 to 44; 21.8% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.
As of the census[6] of 2000, 9,832 people, 3,497 households, and 2,395 families resided in the city. The population density was 1437.4sp=usNaNsp=us.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,496, and for a family was $56,321. Males had a median income of $40,344 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,674. About 3.2% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Pella is home to a number of local events and architectural sites.
The Vermeer Mill is a fully functional 1850s-style windmill, reaching 134feet high. The Vermeer Mill grinds wheat into flour using only wind power and is the tallest working windmill in the United States.
The Pella Opera House, built in 1900, was renovated in 1990 and is a popular entertainment destination, featuring stained-glass windows and ornate tin ceilings. A canal winds through nearby Molengracht Plaza, home to shops, restaurants, a hostelry, a movie theatre, and a full-size working drawbridge. On June 28, 2011, Sarah Palin visited the opera house for the premiere of The Undefeated, a documentary about her role in Alaska politics and rise to national attention.[7]
The annual Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Pella's Dutch heritage. It features tulip gardens, performances, crafters, music, food, Dutch costumes, and daily parades. The festival is held for three days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) during the first weekend in May. A queen and court are selected from the two high schools in the town to represent Pella and advertise the Festival. During the 2010 Festival, a world record was set for the most people dancing in wooden shoes. Over 2,600 people danced for more than six minutes to set the new standard.[8]
Pella Dutch is a dialect of the Dutch language and spoken in Pella.
The Pella Community School District operates local public schools.[9]
Pella Christian Grade School (Pre-K through 8) and Pella Christian High School (9-12) serve students in Pella and the surrounding areas.
In April 2011, Forbes rated Pella as third on its list of "The Best Schools For Your Real Estate Buck." Central College is located in Pella.
A few miles to the west is Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest reservoir,[10] a popular destination for biking, hiking, boating, and fishing. The Bos Landen golf club is also in the town. The Pella Tulip Festival is held annually, honoring Pella's Dutch heritage.[11]