CLARION, IOWA

'Clarion' is a city in Wright County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,968 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wright County.
Clarion is the birthplace of the four-leaf clover emblem used by the 4-H Clubs of America, conceived in 1907 by the local school superintendent. The year 2007 marks the 100th anniversuary since O.H. Benson, Superintendent of Schools designed the national emblem. The city is planning a celebration during Festival in the Park, second weekend in June.
Clarion is said to be the only county-seat in Iowa to be located in the exact center of the county.
Wright County and the Clarion area has the highest percentage of grade-A topsoil in the nation.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Population Trends

Housing

Economic Growth

Tourism

Education

Healthcare

Recreation

Information Technology

Religion

External links

Geography

Clarion is located at (42.731112, -93.731095).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.1 km² (2.7 mi²), all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,968 people, 1,255 households, and 786 families residing in the city. The population density was 418.2/km² (1,081.6/mi²). There were 1,355 housing units at an average density of 190.9/km² (493.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.67% White, 0.20% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 5.53% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.80% of the population.
There were 1,255 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,026, and the median income for a family was $47,083. Males had a median income of $28,281 versus $23,077 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,431. About 5.3% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

Population Trends

From 1990 to 2000 the population of Clarion increased from 2,703 to 2,968. School enrollment is at the highest levels it has been for the past 25 years.

Housing

The city offers a wide array of housing. The city is pursuing annexation of more land for additional housing developments. A few lots are still available in the Southpointe Housing Subdivision.

Economic Growth

Clarion is actively seeking economic development. The Clarion Industrial Park features a 12,000 sq. ft. spec building. The park has railroad access, water and sewer already on site, Tax Increment Financing, and "will build to suit". 4 lots of the 40 acre park are still available. One company, Clarion Packaging LLC, is building a 114,000 sq. ft. egg carton factory that will manufacture egg cartons out of recycled paper. The project will bring 80 new jobs to the community. A new paved access road was recently completed to and through the park. The community welcomes new business and industry. Clarion is home to such industry as Hagie Manufacturing (Clarion's "home-grown" company), EDS, Monsanto, Team Effort, Sports Graphics, Stronhold, DeCoster, North Central Cooperative, etc. There is a wide array of quality retail and service businesses throughout the community as well. Hagie Manufacturing has now announced plans to build a 75,000 square foot expansion and add about 60 new jobs. They have added 130 jobs in the past 6 years. Wright Medical Center has also expanded significantly as they are dealing with a lot of growth. Clarion offers a quality shopping experience of a vast variety of products.
Clarion Partnership for Growth
Wright County Website

Tourism

Heartland Museum is Clarion's hidden treasure. The museum is located on the western edge of Clarion on Highway 3. Features include the large agriculture hall with lots of antique farm equipment, balcony level farm toy displays, and displays from other Wright County towns. One of the newest exhibits is the Early Farming display. The museum is home to Alvina Sellers' Iowa Hat Lady collection of over 6,000 hats. Alvina was from Clarion and gave 5,636 programs including an appearance in the David Letterman Show. The Artist Teddy Bear Museum was completed in 2005 to accommodate the fourth Teddy Bear Reunion in the Heartland in Clarion. The celebration has been held every 5 years since 1990. Another feature of the museum is the period streetscapes that recreate businesses in Clarion from years gone by. The Wright County Historical Library in the museum is a history and research library of information all about Wright County located in the 1920's-1930's streetscape. The Heartland Museum also has a newly renovated community room available for rent and is home to the Clarion Historical Society and Clarion Arts Council.
The 4-H Schoolhouse Museum is another attraction located on Highway 3 in Gazebo Park. The restored Rock Island Depot is home to the Clarion Partnership for Growth (Chamber and Development Commission).
Heartland Museum

Education

Clarion-Goldfield Community School District is a leader of education in the state of Iowa. Clarion-Goldfield has over 950 students in grades K-12 and 100 preschool students. Clarion and Goldfield were in a whole grade sharing arrangement from 1981-1993 and consolidated in 1993, becoming Clarion-Goldfield. In 2005 a 10 year whole grade sharing agreement began with the Dows Community School District. Dows students in grades 6-12 now attend Clarion-Goldfield. The district maintains three elementary schools in Clarion, Goldfield, and Dows, one middle school (6-8) and one high school both in Clarion.
In May 2006 a bond issue was approved by 72% of voters. This has allowed the school district to continue a major facilities improvement plan. In recent years the district has built a 1993 elementary/middle school addition, 1993 elementary renovations, 2002 middle school addition, new weight room, playground, wind turbine, 2004 high school addition, geothermal heating and cooling, locker room renovations and a new press box and renovations to the football stadium. The current projects involve both the middle school and high school. The high school addition and renovated areas will include a large new Library Media Center, ICN Room, Computer Lab, Chemistry/Physics Lab, several additional classrooms, new offices, additional hallway and locker space, and a new front entrance. The new facilities will house a continuing education center through Buena Vista University and Iowa Central Community College. The high school project also includes renovating the academic wing and expanding the geothermal heating and cooling to the entire building. The other project associated with the bond issue is an addition and extensive renovation project to the middle school. By building an addition and renovating existing space, the construction will add 3 additional classrooms, new offices, and a conference room. The renovations include new ceilings, lights, floors, paint, lockers, doors, cabinets, marker boards, tact boards, etc. Both projects are well underway. The middle school project is scheduled to be completed by the start of classes in August 2007. The high school project will be completed by the time classes resume after Christmas Break. The district has plans to build a new wind turbine to replace the one that collapsed this year and other possible projects. The next phase of the school building project is to build a 650-seat auditorium addition to the high school.
Clarion-Goldfield is a Class 2A school in the North Central Conference and is the largest school district in Wright County. Together, the Clarion-Goldfield and Dows Community Schools serve nearly 1,100 students. Enrollment at Clarion-Goldfield steadily increased in the 90's and remains steady while most districts in Iowa have experienced severe declining enrollment. Many students from surrounding school districts open enroll to Clarion-Goldfield which has also fueled the increased enrollment in recent years. The Clarion, Goldfield, and Dows communities have a strong history of supporting their educational programs.
Clarion-Goldfield Community School District

Healthcare

Wright Medical Center will serve your healthcare needs. The hospital has recently been awarded such prestigious awards as the Firestarter Award by the Studer Group and the Summit Award by Press Ganey Associates. In 2006 a major expansion and renovation project was completed making facilities state-of-the-art. The hospital enjoys patient satisfaction ratings of 99% and serves patients from a 75 mile radius of Clarion. WMC employs about 300 people and is experiencing significant growth. Wright County Public Health & Hospice is another healthcare provider in Clarion.
Wright Medical Center

Recreation

In 2006 the new Clarion Aquatic Center was completed and opened in June. The aquatic center features 2 large slides, 2 deep-water drop-slides, zero-depth beach-style entrance with play features, 6-lane lap swimming area, and 2 diving boards. Clarion has several city parks, with planned improvements. Lake Cornelia is located just North of town and features a natural glacier lake, large conservation park including modern camping sites. Clarion also has a skating rink, bowling alley and movie theatre.

Information Technology

Clarion Wireless, the Information Technology Team of the Clarion Partnership for Growth, is working to provide broadband internet access throughout the community. The wireless service was recently added Downtown and will soon be available at the Aquatic Center Park/Football Stadium Area. CodeX Corporation, a software development company, located to Clarion in 2004.

Religion

Clarion is home to such Christian churches as; First United Methodist Church, First Lutheran Church, Clarion Church of Christ, United Church of Christ Congregational, St. John's Catholic Church, Church of the Nazarene, United Presbyterian Church, Holmes Baptist Church, Holmes Evangelical Lutheran Church, Immanuel Missouri-Synod Lutheran Church, Wright Christian Reformed Church (between Clarion and Kanawah), and St. Olaf Lutheran Church (between Clarion and Belmond) are located in the Clarion area.
The Mary's and Martha's (M&M's) are a Christian organization. They have received national recognition for their annual "60 Days to Make a Difference". Another Christian organization in Clarion is ECHO.

External links

Clarion, Iowa
CLARION RAGBRAI 2007
Wright County Monitor
Wright County, IA