Cedar Rapids and Kingston, Linn Co., Iowa 1868. Drawn by A. Ruger. Chicago Lith. Co.1868
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seat (1919) of Linn county, east-central Iowa, U.S. It lies astride the Cedar River adjacent to the cities of Marion (northeast) and Hiawatha (north), about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Iowa City. The east bank, settled in the late 1830s and surveyed in 1841, was called Rapids City for the rapids that supplied abundant waterpower. It was renamed when incorporated as a town in 1849. With the advent of the railroads in 1859, it developed as a grain and livestock market. Kingston (on the west bank) was annexed in 1870, and Kenwood Park was added in 1926. May’s Island (or Municipal Island) in the river’s main channel is the hub of the city’s civic plan. Cedar Rapids is the home of Coe College (1851), Mt. Mercy College (1928), and Kirkwood Community College (1966). Notable attractions include the Masonic Library and Museum (1845), which houses one of the largest collections of Masonic material in the world; Brucemore, a Queen Anne-style mansion (1886), where guided tours are given; the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, featuring primarily midwestern regionalists; and the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, which displays artifacts from the many central European settlers who came to the area. Nearby are several state parks: Pleasant Creek (northwest), Wapsipinicon (northeast), Palisades Kepler (southeast), and Lake Macbride (south). Inc. town, 1849; city, 1856. Pop. (1990) city, 108,751; Cedar Rapids MSA, 168,767; (2000) city, 120,758; Cedar Rapids MSA, 191,701.
Cedar Rapids sits on both banks of the Cedar River. Many City Government buildings before 2008 sit on Mays Island, only Paris has some on the Seine River. The Cedar River is a river in Iowa and Minnesota which is named after the juniper or also called red cedar trees growing there. The surrounding region is known officially as the Cedar River Valley, however it is more commonly referred to simply as the Cedar Valley. The headwaters of the Cedar River are located in Dodge County, Minnesota, consisting of a west fork and middle fork approximately three miles northeast of the town of Blooming Prairie, and an east fork approximately one mile south of the town of Hayfield. It then flows into Mower County, Minnesota through the townships of Udolpho, Lansing, Austin, where Turtle Creek and Dobbins Creek join it, and Lyle. It then flows into Mitchell County, Iowa and Floyd County, Iowa with the endpoint being located in Louisa County, Iowa at the town of Columbus Junction, where it joins with the Iowa River which then winds its way to the Mississippi River. The total length is approximately 300mi, or 483km. Palisades-Kepler State Park is located on the Cedar River near Cedar Rapids. Major cities with populations greater than 20,000 located along the Cedar River include Austin, Minnesota, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Waterloo, Iowa, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The great impact of the Cedar River upon the environment since the 2008 flood has been felt in many places including Cedar Rapids at a 31.1 foot crest. Mays Island is a small island in the Cedar River, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Functioning as a civic center rather much like the Île de la Cité of Paris, France, it is the site of the city hall, the Linn County, Iowa courthouse, the county jail, as well as the United States courthouse. The island and all of these buildings were devastated by the the 2008 flood of the Cedar River, with water reaching up to the second floor.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Statistics-The City of Five Seasons
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population at 126,396 in 2007
Cedar Rapids in 2007:
Median resident age: 34.7 years
Estimated median household income in 2007: $46,734 (it was $43,704 in 2000)
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $126,600 (it was $92,900 in 2000)
Median gross rent in 2007: $554.
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2007: 13.3%
2008 cost of living index in Cedar Rapids: 78.8 (low, U.S. average is 100
Ancestries: German (35.4%), Irish (17.1%), English (9.4%), Czech (7.8%), United States (5.5%), Norwegian (5.1%).
Time: CST and CDT time zone
Incorporated on 01/15/1849
Elevation: 727 feet
Land area: 63.1 square miles.
Population density: 2002 people per square mile
For population 25 years and over in Cedar Rapids:
High school or higher: 90.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 28.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.4%
Unemployed: 4.0%
Mean travel time to work: 16.6 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Cedar Rapids:
Never married: 27.6%
Now married: 53.9%
Separated: 1.2%
Widowed: 6.4%
Divorced: 10.8%
3,933 residents are foreign born (1.7% Asia, 0.7% Europe, 0.6% Latin America).
Nickname or alias (official or unofficial): The City of Five Seasons
Daytime population change due to commuting: +27,493 (+22.8%)
Workers who live and work in this city: 51,350 (80.6%)
Unemployment in December 2008: 3.6%
Most common industries for males (%):
Construction (9%)
Professional, scientific, and technical services (6%)
Accommodation and food services (5%)
Broadcasting and telecommunications (5%)
Administrative and support and waste management services (4%)
Computer and electronic products (4%)
Food (4%)
Most common industries for females (%):
Health care (13%)
Educational services (11%)
Finance and insurance (7%)
Accommodation and food services (7%)
Broadcasting and telecommunications (5%)
Administrative and support and waste management services (5%)
Professional, scientific, and technical services (5%)
Most common occupations for males (%)
Computer specialists (6%)
Other production occupations including supervisors (6%)
Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (5%)
Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (4%)
Engineers (4%)
Laborers and material movers, hand (4%)
Most common occupations for females (%)
Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (7%)
Secretaries and administrative assistants (6%)
Customer service representatives (5%)
Registered nurses (4%)
Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (4%)
Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (3%)
Full-time Law Enforcement Employees in 2006: 223 (189 officers).
Statistics have changed drastically since 2007 because of 2008 flood.
Hospitals/medical centers in Cedar Rapids:
MERCY MEDICAL CENTER (701 10TH ST SE)
ST LUKES HOSPITAL (1026 A AVE NE)
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Cedar Rapids:
THE EASTERN IOWA (about 8 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; ID: CID)
MARION (about 11 miles; MARION, IA; ID: C17)
Operable nuclear power plant near Cedar Rapids:
11 miles: Duane Arnold in Palo, IA.
Colleges/Universities in Cedar Rapids:
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 7,991; Location: 6301 KIRKWOOD BLVD SW; Public; Website: www.kirkwood.cc.ia.us)
COE COLLEGE (FT enrollment: 1,202; Location: 1220 FIRST AVE NE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.coe.edu; Offers Master's degree)
MOUNT MERCY COLLEGE (FT enrollment: 1,071; Location: 1330 ELMHURST DR NE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.mtmercy.edu)
HAMILTON COLLEGE-MAIN CAMPUS (FT enrollment: 331; Location: 1924 D ST SW; Private, for-profit)
CAPRI COLLEGE (FT enrollment: 88; Location: 315 SECOND AVE SE; Private, for-profit; Website: www.capricollege.com)
ST LUKES METHODIST HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF RAD TECHN (FT enrollment: 19; Location: 1026 A AVE NE; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.isrt.org/mstl.htm)
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HAIRSTYLING-CEDAR RAPIDS (FT enrollment: 9; Location: 1531 FIRST AVE SE; Private, for-profit; Website: americancollegeofhair.com)
SAINT LUKES HOSPITAL MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM (FT enrollment: 6; Location: 1026 A AVE NE; Private, not-for-profit)
Public high schools in Cedar Rapids:
Cedar Valley Christian School (Students: 9; Location: 3636 Cottage Grove Avenue SE; Grades: PK-12)
Xavier High School (Location: 6300 42nd Street NE; Grades: 9-12)
Prairie High School (Location: 401 76th Ave SW; Grades: 9-12)
Prairie Edge (Location: 401 76th Ave SW; Grades: KG-12)
John F Kennedy High School (Location: 4545 Wenig Rd NE; Grades: 9-12)
George Washington High School (Location: 2205 Forest Dr SE; Grades: 9-12)
Thomas Jefferson High School (Location: 1243 20th St SW; Grades: 9-12)
Metro High School (Location: 1212 7th St SE; Grades: 9-12)
Private high schools in Cedar Rapids:
XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 702; Location: 6300 42ND ST NE; Grades: 9 - 12)
CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 201; Location: 3636 COTTAGE GROVE AVE; Grades: PK - 12)
Biggest public elementary/middle schools in Cedar Rapids:
St Pius X Elementary School (Students: 114; Location: 4901 Council Street NE; Grades: PK-5)
Holy Family School St Ludmila Center (Students: 100; Location: 215 21st Avenue SW; Grades: PK-8)
All Saints School (Students: 99; Location: 720 29th Street SE; Grades: KG-5)
St Matthew School (Students: 68; Location: 125 24th Street NE; Grades: PK-5)
Summit Schools Inc (Students: 64; Location: 1010 Regent Street NE; Grades: PK-8)
Trinity Lutheran School (Students: 39; Location: 1361 7th Avenue SW; Grades: PK-8)
St Jude Elementary School (Students: 36; Location: 3700 1st Avenue NW; Grades: PK-3)
Jn Andrews Christian Academy (Students: 28; Location: 2773 Loggerhead Road; Grades: 3-8)
Holloway House (Students: 24; Location: 1147 Clifton Street NE; Grades: PK-KG)
Isaac Newton Christian Academy (Students: 8; Location: 1635 Linmar Drive NE; Grades: PK-8)
Biggest private elementary/middle schools in Cedar Rapids:
ST PIUS X ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 571; Location: 4901 COUNCIL STREET NE; Grades: PK - 8)
ST JUDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 414; Location: 3700 1ST AVE NW; Grades: PK - 5)
ALL SAINTS SCHOOL (Students: 409; Location: 720 29TH STREET SE; Grades: PK - 8)
ST MATTHE SCHOOL (Students: 313; Location: 125 24TH ST N E; Grades: PK - 8)
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 313; Location: 1361 7TH AVE SW; Grades: PK - 8)
ISAAC NEWTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 260; Location: 1635 LINN MAR DR. NE; Grades: PK - 8)
ST PATRICK MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 182; Location: 509 A AVENUE NW; Grades: 6 - 8)
ST LUDMILA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 141; Location: 215 21ST AVENUE SW; Grades: PK - 5)
CEDAR VALLEY MONTESSORI SCHOOL (Students: 116; Location: 145 TRANSIT WAY SE UNIT 1; Grades: PK - KG)
J N ANDREWS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 22; Location: 2773 LOGGERHEAD RD; Grades: KG - 8)
Notable locations in Cedar Rapids:
Twin Pines Golf Course, Cedar Rapids Country Club
Cedar Rapids North Bound Rest Area, Cedar Rapids South Bound Rest Area
Jones Park Golf Course, Ellis Golf Course, Elmcrest Country Club, Hawkeye Downs, Epley, Konigsmark, Saint Andrews Golf Club, Veterans Memorial Tennis Center, Bever Zoo, Indian Creek Nature Center, Ushers Ferry Historical Village, Brucemore, Czeck Village, Admissions Office, Greene Hall
Shopping Centers:
Mays Shopping Center, Lindale Plaza Shopping Center, Town and Country Shopping Center, Northland Spuare Shopping Center, Plaza West Shopping Center, Westdale Mall
Churches in Cedar Rapids include:
Seventh Day Church of God, Sevanth-Day Adventist Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, All Saints Catholic Church, Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church, Olivet Presbyterian Church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Cemeteries: Cedar Park Memorial Cemetery, Oak Hill Cemetery, Baker Cemetery, Bohemian Cemetery, Mount Calvary Cemetery, Moslem Cemetery, Saint Johns Cemetery
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Indian Creek, Prairie Creek, Cold Stream, Willow Creek
Parks in Cedar Rapids include: Reed Park, Iroquois Park, Seminole Valley Park, Tomahawk Park, Time-Check Park, Noelridge Park, Manhattan Robbins Lake Park, Marble Fountain in Cedar Rapids Historical Marker, Green Square Park
Tourist attractions:
Grand Lodge of Iowa AF & Am-Museum at 813 1st Avenue Southeast, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art at 410 3rd Avenue Southeast, Celebration Hall (Museums; 55 12th Avenue Southeast, History Center-Museums at 615 1st Avenue Southeast, African American Historical Mus & Cltrl Center of IWA-Museum at 55 12th Avenue Southeast, Czech Village Association-Cultural Attractions-Events-Facilities at 48 16th Avenue Southwest, St Andrews Golf Course-Amusement & Theme Parks at 1866 Blairs Ferry Road Northeast, Spacewalk of Cedar Rapids-Amusement & Theme Parks at 1000 Ellis Boulevard Northwest, Planet X-Amusement & Theme Parks at 255 Collins Road Northeast,
Hotels:
Howard Johnson (9100 Atlantic Drive SW) (1), Marriott Cedar Rapids (1200 Collins Road Northeast) (2), Clarion Hotel & Convention Center (525 33rd Avenue Southwest) (3), Residence Inn Cedar Rapids (1900 Dodge Road Northeast) (4), Howard Johnson Airport Express Inn (9100 Atlantic Dr SW) (5), Best Western Longbranch Hotel (90 Twixt Town Road Northeast) (6), Windows Restaurant (350 1st Avenue Northeast) (7), Holiday Inn Express Fax Line (3320 Southgate Court Southwest) (8), Econo Lodge (622 33rd Avenue Southwest)
Courts:
Iowa State - Courts- District Court (50 3rd Avenue Bridge) (1), United States Government - Courts- District Court- Us Probation Office (101 1st Street Southeast) (2), United States Government - Courts- District Court (101 1st Street Southeast) (3), United States Government - Courts- Bankrupcy Court (425 2nd Street Southeast) (4), Iowa State - Courts- Juvenile Court Office (305 2nd Avenue Southeast) (5), Iowa State - Public Defender (215 4th Avenue Southeast)
List of Local ATTRACTIONS:
African American Historical Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa
Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball Club
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Professional Hockey Club
Cedar Rapids Symphony
Downtown Cedar Rapids
Freedom Festival
Hawkeye Downs - All Agri Assoc.
Indian Creek Nature Center
Iowa Masonic Library & Museum
Legion Arts
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
The Science Station & IMAX® theatre
Theatre Cedar Rapids
U.S. Cellular Center
Ushers Ferry Historic Village