| Official Name: | Webster City |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Hamilton |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Km2: | 23.07 |
| Area Land Km2: | 23.03 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.04 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 8.91 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 8.89 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.01 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 7825 |
| Population Density Km2: | 339.73 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 879.91 |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation M: | 317 |
| Elevation Ft: | 1040 |
| Coordinates: | 42.4664°N -93.8206°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 50595 |
| Area Code: | 515 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 19-83145 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0462774 |
Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,825 at the 2020 census.[2] It is the county seat of Hamilton County.[3] Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country', as the Boone River meanders along the east side of the city.
Webster City was originally called Newcastle by settlers of European descent. Under the latter name it was changed in 1854 by Wilson Brewer.[4] [5] In 1855, Walter C. Willson came to Newcastle.
Willson was elected to the Iowa State House the next year and, with John F. Duncombe, crafted a bill to divide the very large Webster County in half. Newcastle would be renamed "Webster City," named after Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and would become the county seat of the new county. Willson suggested "Hamilton County" after William W. Hamilton, the president of the State Senate. He helped pass the legislation. The law took effect on January 1, 1857, renaming Webster City and designating it as the county seat of the newly organized Hamilton County. Willson was also instrumental in getting the Dubuque & Sioux City rail line to be constructed through Webster City on its way to Fort Dodge. He personally oversaw the laying of track.
Webster City is located at 42.4664°N -93.8206°W (42.466300, -93.820582).[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.88sqmi, of which 8.86sqmi is land and 0.02sqmi is water.[7]
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Webster City has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.
As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 8,070 people, 3,433 households, and 2,096 families residing in the city. The population density was 910.8PD/sqmi. There were 3,800 housing units at an average density of 428.9/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.8% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 3.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.
There were 3,433 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 8,176 people, 3,502 households, and 2,227 families residing in the city. The population density was 955.5sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 3,679 housing units at an average density of 430sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 95.41% White, 0.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 2.45% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.
There were 3,502 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.
Age spread: 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,582, and the median income for a family was $44,342. Males had a median income of $30,404 versus $23,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,057. About 5.2% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Webster City is the headquarters of several companies, including Vantec,Van Diest Supply Company, Mary Ann's Specialty Foods, Webster City Custom Meats, and Tasler. Webster City's top industries are advanced manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, food processing, agricultural related products, and warehousing and distribution.[10]
Since 2010, Webster City has attracted new projects and business expansions, including the Van Diest Medical Center, a $35 million critical access hospital; and a $13 million competition gym at the high school[11]
Public education in Webster City is provided by Webster City Community School District,[12] with Webster City High School, Webster City Middle School, and Pleasant View or Sunset Heights for elementary education. A private Catholic school at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church offers a preschool through 6th grade elementary education.
U.S. Route 20, a four-lane east-west corridor through north central Iowa, was built along Webster City. Approximately 12 miles east is Interstate 35. The city has a municipal airport with a runway and full-time Fixed-base operator. A junction of lines of the Canadian National and Union Pacific Railroads is located in Webster City. There is no Uber in the community.
Webster City has eleven parks, two golf courses, indoor and outdoor community swimming pools, a recreation center, more than seven miles of walking trails, and many camping areas:
Webster City is home to the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, which holds the county fair every July. In addition, the fairgrounds is home to the Historic Hamilton County Speedway.
Webster City's annual community celebration is the Boone Bash River Dash, which features a cardboard regatta. It is held every June.
The local radio stations are KZWC and KQWC-FM. The Daily Freeman Journal is the city's local newspaper and is published Monday through Friday.