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Postville, Iowa

Coordinates:43°5′6″N91°34′10″W/ 43.08500°N 91.56944°W/43.08500; -91.56944
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"Postville" redirects here. For other uses, seePostville (disambiguation).

Postville, Iowa
Village
Motto:
Hometown to the World[1][2]
Location of Postville, Iowa
Location of Postville, Iowa
Coordinates:43°5′6″N91°34′10″W/ 43.08500°N 91.56944°W/43.08500; -91.56944
CountryUnited States
StateIowa
CountiesAllamakee,Clayton
TownshipPost
SettledJune 1843
IncorporatedMarch 11, 1873
Area
[3]
• Total2.08 sq mi (5.38 km2)
• Land2.08 sq mi (5.38 km2)
• Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,181 ft (360 m)
Population
(2020)
• Total2,503
• Density1,205.10/sq mi (465.29/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6(Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)UTC-5(CDT)
ZIP code
52162
Area code563
FIPS code19-64290
GNISfeature ID0460373
Websitewww.cityofpostville.com

Postvilleis a village inAllamakeeandClaytoncounties in theU.S. stateofIowa.It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes18and52andIowa Highway 51,with airport facilities in the neighboring communities ofWaukon,Decorah,MononaandPrairie du Chien.The population was 2,503 at the time of the2020 census,up from 2,273 in 2000.[4]The village is in Allamakee County's southwestern corner and Clayton County's northwestern corner in a quad county, or four-corner region, where four counties intersect.Winneshiek Countyis just to the west andFayette Countyis just to the southwest of Postville.

History

[edit]

Postville wasplattedin 1853.[5]The city was named for Joel Post, a pioneer settler.[6]

In 1987, a group ofHasidicJews startedAgriprocessors,aKosherslaughterhouse, in Postville.[7]After numerous accusations of mistreatment of cattle, pollution, and violations of labor law, the federal governmentraidedthe facility in May 2008, resulting in hundreds of arrests of undocumented workers.[8]Agriprocessors filed for bankruptcy on November 5, 2008; SHF Industries bought the plant at auction in July 2009 and it has resumed production under the new nameAgri Star.

Geography

[edit]

Postville's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 43.085102, -91.569515.[9]

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has an area of 2.11 square miles (5.46 km2), all land.[10]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Postville, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 58
(14) 		66
(19) 		83
(28) 		88
(31) 		105
(41) 		104
(40) 		108
(42) 		102
(39) 		99
(37) 		89
(32) 		76
(24) 		64
(18) 		108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 25.7
(−3.5) 		29.9
(−1.2) 		43.0
(6.1) 		57.5
(14.2) 		69.4
(20.8) 		79.0
(26.1) 		82.8
(28.2) 		80.8
(27.1) 		74.0
(23.3) 		60.6
(15.9) 		44.7
(7.1) 		31.4
(−0.3) 		56.6
(13.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 16.6
(−8.6) 		20.2
(−6.6) 		32.7
(0.4) 		45.8
(7.7) 		58.2
(14.6) 		68.4
(20.2) 		71.9
(22.2) 		69.5
(20.8) 		61.6
(16.4) 		48.8
(9.3) 		35.1
(1.7) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		46.0
(7.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 7.4
(−13.7) 		10.5
(−11.9) 		22.4
(−5.3) 		34.0
(1.1) 		46.9
(8.3) 		57.8
(14.3) 		60.9
(16.1) 		58.2
(14.6) 		49.2
(9.6) 		37.0
(2.8) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		14.0
(−10.0) 		35.3
(1.8)
Record low °F (°C) −35
(−37) 		−29
(−34) 		−18
(−28) 		6
(−14) 		20
(−7) 		34
(1) 		39
(4) 		35
(2) 		20
(−7) 		−7
(−22) 		−12
(−24) 		−27
(−33) 		−35
(−37)
Averageprecipitationinches (mm) 1.12
(28) 		1.21
(31) 		2.09
(53) 		4.14
(105) 		4.99
(127) 		5.88
(149) 		4.52
(115) 		4.36
(111) 		3.96
(101) 		3.00
(76) 		2.10
(53) 		1.57
(40) 		38.94
(989)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 12.0
(30) 		10.4
(26) 		5.0
(13) 		1.6
(4.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.25) 		2.7
(6.9) 		8.0
(20) 		39.8
(101)
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) 5.8 5.4 6.7 10.1 12.2 11.2 8.8 9.0 8.5 7.7 5.9 6.1 97.4
Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) 5.2 4.5 2.6 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.6 4.5 19.5
Source:NOAA[11][12]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1880732—
1890884+20.8%
1900984+11.3%
1910952−3.3%
19201,039+9.1%
19301,060+2.0%
19401,194+12.6%
19501,343+12.5%
19601,554+15.7%
19701,546−0.5%
19801,475−4.6%
19901,472−0.2%
20002,273+54.4%
20102,227−2.0%
20202,503+12.4%
Source:"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 29,2020.andIowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[13][4]

2020 census

[edit]

As of thecensus of 2020,[14]the population was 2,503. Thepopulation densitywas 1,205.7 inhabitants per square mile (465.5/km2). There were 859 housing units at an average density of 413.8 per square mile (159.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 52.7%White,8.7%BlackorAfrican American,2.8%Native American,0.6%Asian,26.8% fromother races,and 8.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 43.0%HispanicorLatinoof any race.

2010 census

[edit]

As of thecensus[15]of 2010, there were 2,227 people, 744 households, and 497 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,055.5 inhabitants per square mile (407.5/km2). There were 902 housing units at an average density of 427.5 per square mile (165.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 77.0%White,4.4%African American,0.6%Native American,1.0%Asian,0.7%Pacific Islander,14.3% fromother races,and 2.0% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 32.0% of the population.

There were 744 households, of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% weremarried couplesliving together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.54.

The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 32.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 18.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

Ethnic groups

[edit]

In 2017 about one quarter of Postville's population were recent immigrants from Latin America and Somalia; Greg Flakus ofVoice of Americastated that this was ethnically diverse compared to most Iowa towns, which are almost uniformly non-Hispanic white, even though "Postville is not all that diverse" compared to major American metropolitan areas.[16]The earliest immigrants were from England, Germany, and Scandinavia.[16]

Orthodox Jews established Agriprocessors circa 1987; its founders came from New York City.[16]At its peak, there were about 100 Orthodox Jewish families in Postville. After the 2008 raid, the number declined, and in 2017 there were about 50.[17]Postville has services for Jewish families typically seen in larger communities.[16]It also has a Jewish elementary school and ayeshiva.A Judaic library opened in 2005, but closed after the raid.[17]

The 2008 raid led to the arrests of Hispanics; the resulting lack of labor drew Somalis to Postville from Minnesota and Wisconsin to work in the area kosher factory.[17]Mother Jonessaid this caused a "cultural shift".[18]

Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland Americadiscusses the arrival of the Orthodox Jews.

Economy

[edit]

Postville's growth was due to the presence of two large meat processing plants,Agriprocessorsand Iowa Turkey Products. The Iowa Turkey Products plant burned in December 2003; it was rebuilt inMarshall,Minnesota.

Agriprocessors, akoshermeat plant, was the largest of its type in the world. As of February 2008 it employed about 900 people and purchased $100 million worth of livestock annually. In May 2008, it was the target of a federalImmigration and Customs Enforcementraid.[19]Subsequently, a criminal complaint was filed against Agriprocessors and its principal for alleged violations ofchild laborlaws.[20]As a result of its legal problems, Agriprocessors became insolvent and was run by a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee until SHF Industries bought it at auction in July 2009. It resumed business as Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC under the new ownership.

As of 2017,700 people, more than 30% of the total population, work at Agri Star; about 100 are of Somali origin.[17]

Postville is also the home of a composites factory,Norplex-Micarta,started in 1975.[21]The Norplex factory produces laminated plastics plate, sheet, and profile shapes. As of 2007 it employed between 150 and 200 workers.[22]

Education

[edit]

Postville Community School Districtoperates public schools.[23]John R. Mott High Schoolis the local high school.

Mesivta of Postvilleis the areayeshiva.[24]

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"City of Postville, Iowa - Hometown to the World".Cityofpostville.com.RetrievedDecember 1,2015.
  2. ^Jones, Maggie (July 11, 2012)."Postville, Iowa, Is Up for Grabs".Nytimes.com.RetrievedFebruary 8,2022.
  3. ^"2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMarch 16,2022.
  4. ^ab"2020 Census State Redistricting Data".census.gov.United states Census Bureau.RetrievedAugust 12,2021.
  5. ^Alexander, W. E. (1882).History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa.Western Publishing Company. pp.398.
  6. ^Ellery M. Hancock (1913).Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement.S. J. Clarke publishing Company. pp.477.
  7. ^"Kosher slaughterhouse owners surrounded by scandal."Los Angeles Times,August 4, 2008
  8. ^Spencer S. Hsu (May 18, 2008)."Immigration Raid Jars a Small Town".Washington Post.
  9. ^"US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990".United States Census Bureau.February 12, 2011.RetrievedApril 23,2011.
  10. ^"US Gazetteer files 2010".United States Census Bureau.Archived fromthe originalon July 2, 2012.RetrievedMay 11,2012.
  11. ^ "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data".National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 25,2021.
  12. ^ "Station: Postville, IA".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.RetrievedJune 25,2021.
  13. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  14. ^"2020 Decennial Census: Postville city, Iowa".data.census.gov.U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  15. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedMay 11,2012.
  16. ^abcdFlakus, Greg (June 2, 2017)."Small Iowa Town Celebrates Its Diversity".Voice of America.RetrievedOctober 24,2017.
  17. ^abcdTapper, Josh (February 3, 2016)."Postville, Iowa's Jewish Community Bounces Back After Immigration Raid".Haaretz.RetrievedOctober 24,2017.
  18. ^Michaels, Samantha (August 24, 2017)."A Federal Judge Put Hundreds of Immigrants Behind Bars While Her Husband Invested in Private Prisons".Mother Jones.RetrievedOctober 24,2017.
  19. ^Postville Raid
  20. ^"Mayor: Feds turned my town 'topsy turvy'".cnn.com.RetrievedDecember 1,2015.
  21. ^"About Norplex-Micarta: history, technology, and capabilities".Norplex-Micarta.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
  22. ^"CORTERA-NORPLEX OAK INC".Cortera, Inc.RetrievedApril 22,2011.
  23. ^"Postville Community School District Map"(PDF).Iowa Department of Education.RetrievedApril 6,2020.
  24. ^Home.Mesivtapostville.org, Retrieved on October 24, 2017.
  25. ^Wixon, Richard (1997). "Biographical Sketch of William McMinkey". In Weatherly Sharp, Nancy; Sharp, James Roger (eds.).American Legislative Leaders in the Midwest, 1911-1994.Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 171.RetrievedSeptember 12,2022.
  26. ^"High School".Postville Community School District.March 3, 2001. Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2001.RetrievedApril 7,2020.- The link for Mottgoes to this page
  27. ^"Brett Szabo is Awarded Membership Into Postville's Hall of Fame".Postville Community School District.June 20, 2005.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.

Books on Postville

[edit]
  • The interaction of long-time Postville residents with newcomers was the subject of a book about the town,Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America,byStephen G. Bloom,a professor atUniversity of Iowa.
  • A more recent book about the community and its experience with diversity before and after the May 2008 federal immigration raid isPostville USA: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town Americaby Mark Grey, Michele Devlin, and Aaron Goldsmith.
[edit]
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