DYSART IOWA THE STORY OF DYSART John Crisman laid out the town in 1872 and named it for Joseph Dysart. Dysart grew rapidly and by 1879 the population had reached 600. In 1881 the town was incorporated. The first school was built in March of 1878. Even back then there was a vision for growth, with the extra wide Main Street going to the park entrance. There are five known Dysarts in the world: Scotland, Pennsylvania, Canada, Australia, and Iowa. Of them, ours is the second largest. The continued efforts of volunteers, organizations, city administration and business people that have the desire to make a difference in the community ensure that “Dysart is a City on the Grow”. Dysart once accepted children from “The Orphan Train”. The Orphan Train was a social experiment that transported orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children from crowded coastal cities of the United States to the country’s Midwest for adoption. More information about the Orphan Train is available at the Dysart Historical Museum. Dysart’s annual celebrations include Spring on Main, Independence Day Celebration, Old Iron Days, Wine Tasting & Fall Festival, and Christmas on Main. Dysart also hosts a Farmers Market at the park on Tuesdays from the end of May to the beginning of October. Dysart City Hall 601 Wilson, Dysart, IA 52224 319-476-5690 dysart@fctc.coop www.dysartiowa.com
POPULATION
1,303
DEMOGRAPHICS White……………….…...…98.5% African American……………0.3% American Indian:…………….0.3% Asian: ……………………….0.2% Native Hawaiian……………0.2% Other race……………….….0.1% Two or more races…………..0.4% Hispanic or Latino (of any race)....0.5% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS High school grad or higher…...86% Bachelors degree or higher......17% Civilian veterans….....………..14% Disability status………….…...17% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
WORKFORCE In labor force (age 16+):.....58.5% Ave. travel time to work.....23.6min Median family income:…..$45,774 Families below poverty level:.4.4% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
www.tamacountyiowa.org
DYSART, IOWA FACTS | Page 2 GEOGRAPHY/CLIMATE:
HOUSING
Gently rolling mid-continent fertile/ high yield farmlands. Ave. High Low Precip. Snow Summer 83 61 13 0 Winter 31 14 4 21 Source: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, 2007
EMPLOYMENT: Corn, soybeans, cattle, & hogs anchor the agricultural economy. Larger payrolls: Elliott Brothers Truck Line………...80 Union School District …………….55 Dysart Trucking………………….50 Pioneer Hi-Bred…………………25 Peterson Trucking………………..14
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Security State Bank…..$64 million total deposits Dysart State Bank.…...$8.7 million total deposits Source: Federal Deposit Ins. Corp., 2008
TAXES: Sales tax:……..….….……… 7% State income tax......0.36%-8.98% (plus a base rate) Source: Iowa Department of Revenue, 2008
HEALTH CARE:
median value of single family house….…...$75,000 median mortgage:…………..$722
Covenant Clinic……….....1 physician Volunteer EMS……..…..…...14 crew Sunnycrest Nursing Center…50 beds
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
DYSART PUBLIC LIBRARY:
UTILITIES: Electric…..Dysart Municipal Utilities Natural gas………...Alliant Energy Water………….…. City of Dysart Sewer…….………...City of Dysart Phone…..Farmers Coop Telephone Internet....Farmers Coop Telephone Internet………....……...Mediacom TV Cable……….….…...Mediacom
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: Union Community School District Elementary…………….…..Dysart Middle school……………...Dysart High school…………..LaPorte City Enrollment………………..…1,259 Graduation rate………....94.37% Curriculum units taught……..67.25 Total units required………...18.50 Hawkeye Comm College…...18 mi Iowa State University…….....70 mi Uni of Northern Iowa…...…..25 mi University of Iowa………......52 mi
Books & serial volumes:…...12,633 Total circulation:……...…...24,316 Children’s materials:.……..10,014 Public internet terminals……..…..8 Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2005
HOUSES OF WORSHIP Assembly of God Baptist Lutheran United Methodist
RECREATION: City park, Dysart Family Aquatic Center. C.R. Roberts Memorial Trail. Swimming, fishing, boating, camping at Hickory Hills Park, 5 1/2 miles north of Dysart. 18 hole rolling hills golf course & clubhouse. Museum with a one-room country school. Downtown artist studios and boutique shops.
Source: Iowa Department of Education, 2008
“I’m constantly amazed and gratified at the number of volunteers that help make Dysart the great community that it is.” Ann Anniss Community Volunteer
“Family-owned businesses, offers the products and services needed with the personal feeling. Dysart also offers entertainment and events for all ages.” Anonymous
“Dysart is beautiful. From in-town trees, flower planters, and gardens, to the Arboretum, Memorial Rose Garden and attractive yards of proud homeowners“ Anonymous Updated 07/2009