Chapter 4: Community Profile/Character
Community Profile To understand where the future of the County and Cities are heading, it is good to examine its past. A community profile includes information on the demographic information which includes: total population, gender, race, ancestry, age, employment, income, economy, education, housing and natural/cultural resources. The data presented should provide an overall picture of the community. This data is meant to provide a resource for County and City officials and the public in the creation of policy, implementation of capital improvement projects, and making of business decisions. Much of the data for this chapter comes from the 2010 Census, Iowa Workforce Development, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa State University Extension and the American Community Survey. It should be noted that the American Community Survey produces population, demographic and housing data using estimates, while the 2010 Census provides official counts. To show relevance and significance of the data presented, comparisons are made between Delaware County and other counties that are similar. The same comparison will be conducted for the Cities of Earlville, Edgewood and Hopkinton. Delaware County: Peer City Reasoning Comparing the Delaware County to the peer counties identified in the Iowa State University Retail Sales Analysis and Report for Delaware County, Iowa Fiscal Year 2011 can help identify the County’s strengths and weaknesses relative to similar counties in the state. The counties used in the Retail Sales Analysis as peer counties are the counties Buchanan, Carroll, Cedar, Crawford, Hardin, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Poweshiek and Tama. Population History and Characteristics Examination of the population history reveals important changes in the personality and characteristics of Delaware County. Table 1.1 summarizes the historical population changes in that have occurred over time in the county. Table 1.2 includes a comparison of the peer counties with Delaware County. Table 1.1 Historic Population Change in Delaware, 1880-2010 Year Population Decade Percent Change between Decade 1850 1,759 1860 11,024 1850-1860 84.04% 1870 17,432 1860-1870 36.80% 1880 17,950 1870-1880 2.89% 1890 17,349 1880-1890 -3.46% 1900 19,185 1890-1900 9.57%