Peosta is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, and an exurb of the city of Dubuque. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,908 in the 2020 census, an increase of 193% from 651 in 2000. Peosta experienced a 70% increase in population (estimated) from 2000 to 2007, making it the state's 10th fastest-growing city during that period. Peosta is currently the seventh-largest city in Dubuque County, but it will likely soon pass Farley (pop. 1,537) and Epworth (pop. 1,860) to become the fifth-largest. The community is home to the 2015 ASA D Northern Nationals Men's Slow Pitch Champions, Kass & Company, a large industrial park, the largest campus of Northeast Iowa Community College, and a handful of new commercial businesses. However, the city is increasingly becoming a bedroom community, much like nearby Asbury, made up of suburban subdivisions.
History
Peosta is named after the leader of a local Native American tribe that once lived in Dubuque County. Chief Peosta, of the Mesquakie tribe, was a close friend of Julien Dubuque, one of the first European settlers in the area. Dubuque was also the founder of the City of Dubuque, Iowa, and was allegedly married to Chief Peosta's daughter, who was reportedly named "Potosa".
For most of its history, and even as recently as 1990, Peosta was a quiet rural town of approximately 100 people. The groundwork for later growth was laid in the 1960s, when the new four-lane U.S. Route 20 opened along the city's southern edge, providing quick access to Dubuque. The city was also aided by the opening of Northeast Iowa Technical Institute (later NICC) in 1979. However, it was only when the city's industrial park began to flourish in the 1990s that the population began to soar. Peosta grew from 128 people in 1990 to over 1,300 today, and it continues to climb rapidly. This 1000% growth in 20 years has helped attract new businesses and services to Peosta as well. The city now boasts two elementary schools, its own community center, hotel, church, industrial park and expanding neighborhoods.
Law and government
Peosta has a mayor–council form of government, employing a full-time city clerk, and part-time city council (mayor and five at-large city council members). The city clerk is Karen Snyder, the current mayor is James Merten, and the council members are: Steve Gremmel, Gerry Hess, Ray Stephan, Jesse Begle, and Karen Lyons. The city council meets at 7 P.M. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Peosta Community Centre.
Peosta has three city departments: Public Safety (police and fire), Public Works, and Parks & Recreation. The Parks & Recreation Dept. operates the Peosta Community Centre and Peosta's city park.
In the Iowa General Assembly, Peosta is represented by Senator Tod Bowman (D) in the Iowa Senate, and Representative Shannon Lundgren (R) in the Iowa House of Representatives. At the federal level, Peosta is located within Iowa's 1st congressional district, represented by Ashley Hinson (R) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Peosta, and all of Iowa, are represented by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R) and Joni Ernst (R).
Geography
Peosta's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 42.449157, -90.846420.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Economy
Peosta is home to a large and growing industrial park. The city's manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping companies form the main part of the economy. Most of the companies in the city are relatively new, which has led to a significant number of commuters driving to Peosta's employers from Dubuque, Asbury, or Dyersville. Some of the larger employers in the city include: Berry Plastics, First Gear, Mi-T-M, Bodine Electric, and the Swiss Colony. Also, Northeast Iowa Community College employs hundreds of people at its Peosta Campus.
Demographics
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2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,377 people, 438 households, and 369 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 456 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 2.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 438 households, of which 61.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.8% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.46.
The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 38.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 35.8% were from 25 to 44; 16.1% were from 45 to 64; and 4.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 651 people, 223 households, and 183 families residing in the city. The population density was 482.9 people per square mile (186.2/km). There were 223 housing units at an average density of 165.4 per square mile (63.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 98.92% White, 0.15% African American, 0.31% Asian, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.
There were 223 households, out of which 49.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.5% were non-families. 14.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.24.
Age/gender spread: 34.9% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 38.2% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $56,250, and the median income for a family was $56,797. Males had a median income of $38,500 versus $23,516 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,499. About 1.2% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Education
All public school students living in Peosta are zoned to schools in the Western Dubuque Community School District. Elementary school students are zoned to Peosta Elementary School (in Peosta) for grades K-4. Middle school students are zoned to Drexler Middle School in Farley, and high school students are zoned to Western Dubuque High School, in nearby Epworth.
Like many other rural communities in Iowa, Peosta also has a private school. Seton Catholic Elementary School- Peosta is one of two buildings that comprise Seton Catholic Elementary School, and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque. For grades PreK-5, students attend the building in Peosta, and for grades 6–8, students attend the building in Farley. For high school, parochial students attend Beckman High School in Dyersville, Iowa or Wahlert High School in Dubuque, Iowa.
For higher education, Peosta benefits from a campus of Northeast Iowa Community College, which includes large nursing, welding, business, and computer programs, among other majors. Most of the students at the school transfer to other 4-year colleges, including many to the 3 small colleges in Dubuque: Clarke College, Loras College, and University of Dubuque.
