| Official Name: | Peterson, |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Mapsize: | 250x200px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Clay |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Brandon Steinkuehler |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 1.40 |
| Area Land Km2: | 1.34 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.06 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 0.54 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 0.52 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.02 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 322 |
| Population Density Km2: | 239.47 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 620.42 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation M: | 381 |
| Elevation Ft: | 1250 |
| Coordinates: | 42.9186°N -95.3414°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 51047 |
| Area Code: | 712 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 19-62625 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0460102 |
Peterson is a city in Clay County, Iowa, United States. The population was 322 in the 2020 census, a decline from 372 in 2000.[2]
The first settlement was made at Peterson in 1856.[3] In 1862, a fort was built in Peterson by settlers to defend against anticipated Dakota attacks during the Dakota War, though the fort was never attacked. The blockhouse from this fort still stands near its original location at the corner of Second and Park.
Peterson was platted in 1881 when the railroad was extended to that point.[4] The city was named for Adlie Peterson, an early settler.[5]
Peterson's longitude and latitude coordinates
in decimal form are 42.918490, -95.341502.[6]
It is situated near the Little Sioux River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.31sqmi, all land.[7]
As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 334 people, 156 households, and 95 families residing in the city. The population density was 1077.4PD/sqmi. There were 196 housing units at an average density of 632.3/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.4% White and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 156 households, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.1% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.78.
The median age in the city was 50.5 years. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 30.9% were from 45 to 64; and 26.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 372 people, 181 households, and 106 families residing in the city. The population density was 1208.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 200 housing units at an average density of 649.8sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.
There were 181 households, out of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 25.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.68.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 30.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $35,577. Males had a median income of $28,500 versus $20,179 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,932. About 2.9% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
The Peterson Patriot has been in print since 1880.
Sioux Central Community School District serves the community.[10]
Previously it was served by the Peterson School District. In the early 1960s it consolidated with the Linn Grove School District to form the Sioux Valley School District.[11] On July 1, 1993 the Sioux Valley district merged with the Sioux Rapids-Rembrandt School District to form the Sioux Central district.[12]