Harlan, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Harlan is a city in Shelby County
, Iowa
, United States
, along the West Nishnabotna River
. The population was 5,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Shelby County
.
, James Harlan
. The town was incorporated on May 2, 1879. When Nelson G. Kraschel
was elected Governor of Iowa in 1936 he was a resident of Harlan. Harlan is also the home of DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund
, who won the Daytona 500
in 1963 and former NASCAR racer Johnny Beauchamp
(who came in 2nd at the 1959 Daytona 500 to Lee Petty
).
in decimal form are 41.654609, -95.322019.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 5,282 people, 2,204 households, and 1,498 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,209.8 people per square mile (466.7/km²). There were 2,306 housing units at an average density of 528.2 per square mile (203.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.30% White, 0.08% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.
There were 2,204 households of which 31.1% included children under the age of 18; 56.6% were married couples
living together, 8.9% consisted of a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,899, and the median income for a family was $45,888. Males had a median income of $31,365 versus $19,671 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,514. About 5.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
, Panama
, Portsmouth
, Earling
, and Westphalia
.
Shelby County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,167 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,542 housing units, of which 5,085 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the West Nishnabotna River
Nishnabotna River
The Nishnabotna River is a tributary of the Missouri River in southwestern Iowa, northwestern Missouri and southeastern Nebraska in the United States. It flows for most of its length as two parallel streams in Iowa, the East Nishnabotna River and the West Nishnabotna River...
. The population was 5,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Shelby County
Shelby County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 12,167 in the county, with a population density of . There were 5,542 housing units, of which 5,085 were occupied.-2000 census:...
.
History
Harlan was named for one of Iowa's early U.S. SenatorsUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, James Harlan
James Harlan (senator)
James Harlan was a member of the United States Senate and a U.S. Cabinet Secretary.-Biography:Harlan represented the state of Iowa in the United States Senate as a member of the Free Soil Party in 1855. In 1857 the Senate declared the seat vacant because of irregularities in the legislative...
. The town was incorporated on May 2, 1879. When Nelson G. Kraschel
Nelson G. Kraschel
Nelson George Kraschel was an American politician of the Democratic Party. He was born on a farm near Macon, Illinois in 1889 and died in Harlan, Iowa in 1957....
was elected Governor of Iowa in 1936 he was a resident of Harlan. Harlan is also the home of DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund
Tiny Lund
DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
, who won the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
in 1963 and former NASCAR racer Johnny Beauchamp
Johnny Beauchamp
Johnny Beauchamp was an American NASCAR driver from Harlan, Iowa. He is best known for finishing second in the 1959 Daytona 500 in a photo finish after being declared the unofficial winner...
(who came in 2nd at the 1959 Daytona 500 to Lee Petty
Lee Petty
Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
).
Geography
Harlan's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 41.654609, -95.322019.
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 4.4 square miles (11.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,282 people, 2,204 households, and 1,498 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,209.8 people per square mile (466.7/km²). There were 2,306 housing units at an average density of 528.2 per square mile (203.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.30% White, 0.08% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.17% from other races
Race (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 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.
There were 2,204 households of which 31.1% included children under the age of 18; 56.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% consisted of a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,899, and the median income for a family was $45,888. Males had a median income of $31,365 versus $19,671 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,514. About 5.3% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Sports
Harlan has won 12 Class 3-A state championships in football: 1972, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2009. Harlan also is home to Shelby County Speedway which holds the Tiny Lund Memorial races held in September.Education
The Harlan School District also serves residents of Jacksonville, Corley, DefianceDefiance, Iowa
Defiance is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States, along the West Branch of the West Nishnabotna River. The population was 346 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Defiance is located at ....
, Panama
Panama, Iowa
Panama is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States. The population was 212 at the 2000 census.- History :Began as a village known as “Crandall’s Station” during the construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway. The City was officially platted by the Milwaukee Land Co...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Iowa
Portsmouth is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States. The population was 225 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Portsmouth is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, Earling
Earling, Iowa
Earling is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States. The population was 437 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was platted in 1882 by the Milwaukee Land Company and was first known as Marthan. However there was already a town called Marathon in Iowa, so the name of the town was soon changed...
, and Westphalia
Westphalia, Iowa
Westphalia is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, United States. The population was 160 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Westphalia is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
.
Music
The Harlan Community School District excels in their musical abilities. The Harlan Community High School Jazz Band, nicknamed the Harlan Jazz Experience, has won the Iowa Jazz Championships in the class 3A for the past four years (2011, 2010, 2009, 2008) and hopes to win again this year.Notable people
- Mary Lincoln BeckwithMary Lincoln BeckwithMary Lincoln "Peggy" Beckwith was a prominent descendant of Abraham Lincoln. She was one of the last two descendants of Abraham Lincoln, along with herbrother Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith....
, great-grandchild of Abraham LincolnAbraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... - Billy CundiffBilly CundiffWilliam A. "Billy" Cundiff is an American football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, NFL Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Zach DaegesZach DaegesZach Daeges is an American professional baseball outfielder formerly in the Boston Red Sox organization. Daeges was drafted by Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. He last played with the Pawtucket Red Sox of the AAA International League in 2009, but missed most of 2009 and 2010 with a...
, Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"... - George Sabin GibbsGeorge Sabin GibbsGeorge Sabin Gibbs, American general, was born in Harlan, Iowa, in 1875. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1892, from the State University of Iowa in 1897, and by 1901 had earned a Masters degree in engineering....
, United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.... - Albert Hansen, College FootballCollege footballCollege football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach - Curt KaufmanCurt KaufmanCurt Gerard Kaufman was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Yankees and the California Angels in the 1980s....
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcherRelief pitcherA relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
for the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and the California Angels - Tiny LundTiny LundDeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
(1929–1975) NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Driver and 1963 Winner of the Daytona 500Daytona 500The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule.... - Raymond Eugene PlummerRaymond Eugene PlummerRaymond Eugene Plummer was an American lawyer and judge.Plummer was born in 1913 in Harlan, Iowa. He attended the University of Nebraska were he graduated with a B.A. in 1927 and a LL.B. in 1939. He went into private practice in Dallas, Texas 1939-1940 and Lincoln, Nebraska 1940-1944. Later, he...
, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and judgeJudgeA judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open... - JoAnn WilsonJoAnn WilsonJoAnn Wilson was the wife of Canadian politician Colin Thatcher who murdered her after the end of their marriage....
, Canadia politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
See also
Building on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
- St. Paul's Episcopal ChurchSt. Paul's Episcopal Church (Harlan, Iowa)St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is a parish church in the Diocese of Iowa. The church is located in Harlan, Iowa, United States, at 712 Farnham Street. The parish was founded in 1896. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Shingle style building was designed...
- Shelby County CourthouseShelby County Courthouse (Iowa)The Shelby County Courthouse in Harlan, Iowa, United States was built in 1859. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 as a part of the County Courthouses in Iowa Thematic Resource...
External links
- Harlan official website
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Harlan