Eldridge, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Eldridge is a city in Scott County
, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,651 at the 2010 census; Eldridge is a part of the Quad Cities
metropolitan area and is considered a suburb.
Eldridge faced several challenges during its early years. The railroad faltered financially during the 1880s and was re-located to Oxford Junction, while a smallpox
epidemic several years later was said to have totally isolated the city. A fire heavily damaged the city's business district in 1904, and in 1918 a tornado of unknown strength heavily damaged or destroyed several residences and the church, and killed one person. Each time, the city recovered, and the farming community maintained its status as a grain and livestock shipping center.
The city began growing in population during the 1950s, starting with the formation of the Scott County Library System
(a countywide network of libraries serving smaller communities in the area) in 1950, and the North Scott Community School District
in 1956. By the late 1960s, the population had grown to more than 1,000 residents, and with the creation of several industrial parks to encourage new business development, the city continued to grow.
along U.S. Route 61
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), all of it land.
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population.
There were 1,501 households out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,167, and the median income for a family was $62,401. Males had a median income of $45,407 versus $23,285 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,514. About 3.2% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
, North Scott Junior High and Ed White Elementary School are in Eldridge. The other four elementary schools in the district are in the outlying communities of Donahue
, Long Grove
, Park View
and Princeton
.
Residents are represented by a seven-member board of education, which conducts bi-monthly meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Administration Center.
Scott County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 165,224 in the county, with a population density of . There were 71,835 housing units, of which 66,765 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,651 at the 2010 census; Eldridge is a part of the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
metropolitan area and is considered a suburb.
History
Jacob M. Eldridge, the city's namesake, arrived in central Scott County in 1846, having purchased land for $1.25 per acre. Immigrants from Germany soon followed, and northern Scott County slowly began to develop. Railroads were developed during the 1860s, bringing more settlers. Eldridge Junction, built on land donated by Jacob Eldridge, was incorporated on July 2, 1871. A post office and a Presbyterian church were soon built.Eldridge faced several challenges during its early years. The railroad faltered financially during the 1880s and was re-located to Oxford Junction, while a smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic several years later was said to have totally isolated the city. A fire heavily damaged the city's business district in 1904, and in 1918 a tornado of unknown strength heavily damaged or destroyed several residences and the church, and killed one person. Each time, the city recovered, and the farming community maintained its status as a grain and livestock shipping center.
The city began growing in population during the 1950s, starting with the formation of the Scott County Library System
Scott County Library System
The Scott County Library System is the oldest library system in the State of Iowa. The library system's mission has been "to make available library materials and information in a variety of formats to people of all ages." The System is headquartered in Eldridge, Iowa, with branch locations in: Blue...
(a countywide network of libraries serving smaller communities in the area) in 1950, and the North Scott Community School District
North Scott Community School District
The North Scott School District is a public school district in Scott County, Iowa. Based in Eldridge, it spans in northern Scott County.North Scott consists of seven schools: a high school; a junior high school; and five elementary schools, each located in the main communities of the district...
in 1956. By the late 1960s, the population had grown to more than 1,000 residents, and with the creation of several industrial parks to encourage new business development, the city continued to grow.
Geography
Eldridge is located at 41°38′55"N 90°34′53"W (41.648697, −90.581492). It is located north of DavenportDavenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
along U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,159 people, 1,501 households, and 1,179 families residing in the city. The population density was 442.4 people per square mile (170.8/km²). There were 1,540 housing units at an average density of 163.8 per square mile (63.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.58% White, 0.24% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.17% from other racesRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population.
There were 1,501 households out of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $54,167, and the median income for a family was $62,401. Males had a median income of $45,407 versus $23,285 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,514. About 3.2% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Government
Eldridge has a mayor-council form of government with a mayor and five city council members. All council members are at-large. City council meetings are conducted bi-monthly on the first and third Mondays of each month at the city hall. The city is managed by a city administrator and assistant city administrator.Education
Eldridge hosts three of the seven public schools in the North Scott Community School District, which has its administrative offices there as well. The North Scott High SchoolNorth Scott High School
North Scott High School is a four-year comprehensive high school located in Eldridge, Iowa. The school is part of the North Scott Community School District, and has an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students in grades nine through 12....
, North Scott Junior High and Ed White Elementary School are in Eldridge. The other four elementary schools in the district are in the outlying communities of Donahue
Donahue, Iowa
Donahue is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 293 at the 2000 census. The city has a mayor-council form of government.- Education :...
, Long Grove
Long Grove, Iowa
Long Grove is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 597 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Long Grove is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Park View
Park View, Iowa
Park View is a census-designated place in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,169 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Park View is located at ....
and Princeton
Princeton, Iowa
Princeton is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 946 at the 2000 census.-History:The first known settlers in Princeton Township were Giles M. and Haswell H. Pineo and Daniel Hire, about two years later...
.
Residents are represented by a seven-member board of education, which conducts bi-monthly meetings on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Administration Center.
External links
- City of Eldridge
- North Scott Chamber of Commerce
- Scott County Library System
- City-Data Comprehensive statistical data and more about Eldridge