Grinnell, Iowa

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Merchants' National Bank, architect Louis Sullivan.

Grinnell is a city in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,105 at the 2000 census. Grinnell was named after Josiah Bushnell Grinnell and is the home of Grinnell College.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy
- 3.1 Grocery Stores
- 3.2 Movies and Videos
4 History
- 4.1 Downtown Renovations of 2005
- 4.2 Influential Former Residents
5 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 km² (5.0 mi²). 12.9 km² (5.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.80%) is water.

Grinnell is located at 41°44′37″N, 92°43′29″W (41.743750, -92.724742)^GR1.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 9,105 people, 3,498 households, and 2,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 704.5/km² (1,825.7/mi²). There were 3,725 housing units at an average density of 288.2/km² (746.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.88% White, 1.04% African American, 0.29% Native American, 2.01% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.

There were 3,498 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 19.9% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $48,991. Males had a median income of $33,956 versus $23,864 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,939. About 8.9% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

Grinnell's economy is mainly based on slight manufacturing and education reforms are evidence that the community is supported and provided by services from Grinnell College.

[edit] Grocery Stores

There are four grocery stores serving Grinnell.

Hy-Vee Food Stores - Located on the southern edge of town. There is no sidewalk or other way for bikers and pedestrians to get to Hy-Vee. Hy-Vee offers drive-up service upon request (you drive to the side of the store and they will load your car with your packages for you). Hy-Vee is open on Sundays.
McNally's - This locally owned, independent store is the most centrally located, and most expensive grocery store in town. Its niche is providing the harder to find gourmet food products as well its a large (though also somewhat expensive) alcohol section. This store caters to the College crowd and to those looking for upscale or smaller-market products. McNally's has carry-out clerks and will also deliver and is open on Sundays.
Fareway - This store is by far the cheapest in town, located slightly west of McNally's, but still fairly centrally located. The meat dept. is renowned for its freshness and economy. Fareway has carry-out clerks who will also load your vehicle with your purchases.
Super Wal*Mart - Opened in the Spring of 2006, the Super Wal*Mart is the only grocery store open 24 hours a day. It is the farthest store south of downtown.

[edit] Movies and Videos

There is one theatre accessible to the public and two video rental stores serving Grinnell.

The Strand Theatre was closed for many years but was renovated in the fall of 2004 and reopened with three screens. It has been very popular in the town for both residents and college students.
Loops Movies & More has a much smaller selection than its competition, Family Video. They also offer tanning services and supplies.
Family Video is a relative newcomer to the town, but is proving to be successful.
Faculty, staff, and students of Grinnell College are also served by the Harris Cinema, operated by the College and located on campus. Though events in this theater are rarely advertised to the public, they are generally open to anyone.

[edit] History

[edit] Downtown Renovations of 2005

Downtown renovation plan design for the city of Grinnell

In the spring of 2005, Grinnell embarked upon a renovation project designed to make its downtown area more inviting for residents and tourists. Features of the renovation include:

new water mains
two way streets
brick crosswalks in the middle of each block
a median strip at each intersection created with Grinnell's distinctive Jewel Box pattern
more uniform parking spaces in front of downtown businesses

[edit] Influential Former Residents

Josiah Bushnell Grinnell, town founder and abolitionist to whom Horace Greeley is quoted as having said : "Go West, young man, go West."
Hallie Flanagan, Federal Theater Project head
Harry Hopkins, one of FDR's advisors and New Deal architect
Robert Noyce, inventor and Intel co-founder
Billy Robinson, early aviator
Thomas R. Cech, Nobel Laureate in chemistry, graduate of Grinnell College
Benjamin Barber, political theorist, professor at the University of Maryland, and graduate of Grinnell College