CHELSEA IOWA THE STORY OF CHELSEA… Less than a mile east of where the present Chelsea is located, Otter Creek Station once existed. By the end of 1861, the Chicago, Iowa, and Nebraska Railroad, later known as the Chicago and Northwestern, had extended westward that far into Iowa. When Otter Creek Station was moved about three-quarters of a mile west to the present location of Chelsea, and the railroad extended westward, the name was changed. One story has it that S.G. Breese, one of the original owners of land near the site, named it for Chelsea, MA, from where he had emigrated. Another is that John I. Blair named it for Chelsea, England. In the history of Chelsea, floods have often played havoc with the town and its environs but its citizens return and carry on the tradition of hardiness. Chelsea lies along the original Lincoln Highway route which was America’s first “coast-to-coast” highway. The original steel bridge on the Lincoln Highway in Chelsea was replaced in 1928-29 with the Otter Creek Bridge, which in turn had to be replaced in 2007. Citizens of Chelsea encouraged the preservation of the lamp posts which graced the old bridge railings. That action brought high accolades from the National Lincoln Highway Association. Chelsea City Hall 600 Station Street, Chelsea, IA 52215 641-489-2525 chelseacityhall@iowatelecom.net www.tamacountyiowa.org/chelsea
POPULATION
287
DEMOGRAPHICS White……………….…...…74.6% African American……………0.0% American Indian:…………….0.3% Asian: ……………………….0.7% Native Hawaiian……………0.0% Other race…………………22.3% Two or more races…………..2.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 31.4% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS High school grad or higher…...78% Bachelors degree or higher...... 6% Civilian veterans….....………...13% Disability status………….…....15% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
WORKFORCE In labor force (age 16+):.....66.1% Ave. travel time to work.....26.4 min Median family income:…..$36,750 Families below poverty level:.14.1% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
www.tamacountyiowa.org
CHELSEA, 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: Chelsea Savings Bank ..……….…3 Heartland Coop …………….…...3 Vavra Sand & Lumber ...………...2
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Chelsea Savings Bank ….$70 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
median value of single family house….…...$30.700 median mortgage:…………..$650 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
UTILITIES: Electric………...……Alliant Energy Natural gas………...Alliant Energy Water………….…. City of Chelsea Sewer…….………...City of Chelsea Phone……………….Iowa Telecom Internet ………….….Iowa Telecom Internet………....……...Mediacom TV Cable……….….…...Mediacom
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: South Tama Co. Comm. School District Elementary…………….…..Tama Middle school……………...Toledo High school………………...Tama Enrollment………………..…1,637 Graduation rate…………....87.5% Curriculum units taught……..60.75 Total units required………...25.0
CHELSEA PUBLIC LIBRARY: Books & serial volumes:…...6,980 Total circulation:……..…….3,173 Children’s materials:...……..1,585 Public internet terminals……..…..3 Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2005
HOUSES OF WORSHIP Catholic Methodist
RECREATION: Chelsea City Park. Iowa River runs through Chelsea, with several boat landings. Otter Creek State Marsh is a 3,600 acre state-managed wetland complex two miles west of Chelsea. Swimming, fishing, boating at Otter Creek Lake & Park, northwest of Chelsea.
Marshalltown Comm College ...30 mi Iowa State University………....65 mi Univ of Northern Iowa………...41 mi University of Iowa……….….....47 mi Source: Iowa Department of Education, 2008
“Living in Chelsea is a real treat, friendly people that are willing to work together to make our town safe and fun for all ages. It is nice to see how everybody looks out for and cares for each other.” Doris Frese
“My husband and I lived in Chelsea since we were married. We enjoyed living in our little town of Chelsea all these years.” Helen Kupka
“When Bill and I retired after living in Des Moines for 43 years, we moved to Chelsea into the house where he was born. We quickly discovered the advantages of our move. We are glad we made the switch to Chelsea!” Alice Kent “Chelsea is a wonderful place to bring up kids. From fishing in the creek to playing t-ball, softball, soccer or kickball. Kids Club at the Methodist Church is looked forward to each, never matters which church you go to.” Ed Johnston
Updated 07/2009