Cedar Rapids is the county seat of Linn
County, Iowa, United States. The population was 120,758 at the 2000 census, with an
estimated 2006 population of 124,417[1], making it the
second largest city in Iowa after Des Moines; the 2006 estimated population of the
three-county metropolitan area is 249,320.[2] Combined with the Iowa City area to the immediate
south, this area is commonly referred to as the "Corridor", and the combined population of the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor
brings the area's population to 360,326. The city is named after the Cedar River.
Cedar Rapids has been residence to famous figures, including American artist Grant Wood,
journalist and historian William L. Shirer, writer and photographer Carl Van Vechten, actors Ashton Kutcher, Elijah Wood, Ron Livingston, and Dr. Alexander Lippisch. See also Notable natives on this
page.
A unique attribute of Cedar Rapids is that its city hall and county courthouse are located on Mays Island, an island on the
Cedar River running through the city.
Cedar Rapids is known as the City of Five Seasons; the traditional four seasons and a "fifth season" is "a time to enjoy" the
other four.[3] The symbol of the five seasons is the Tree
of Five Seasons sculpture in downtown Cedar Rapids. The name "Five Seasons" and representations of the sculpture appear in many
forms.
Geography
Cedar Rapids is located at 41°58′59″N, 91°40′7″W (41.983100,
-91.668529)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area
of 166.8 km² (64.4 mi²). 163.5 km² (63.1 mi²) of
it is land and 3.3 km² (1.3 mi²) of it (1.99%) is water.
ZIP codes
Cedar Rapids is divided into fourteen ZIP Codes. Mays Island and the downtown area are
covered by 52401. The northeast quadrant is covered by 52402 and 52411. The southeast quadrant is covered by 52403. The southwest
quadrant is covered by 52404. The northwest quadrant is covered by 52405. Post office
boxes are covered by ZIP codes 52406, 52407, 52408, 52409, and 52410. Several other ZIP codes are for specific business
(Aegon USA, Rockwell Collins, etc.).
Streets and addresses
The city is divided into four quadrants. For addresses, from north to south the city is divided by 1st Avenue (Business
Highway 151), and east to west by the Cedar River. A street address in Cedar Rapids usually
consists of the house number, the street name, and the quadrant. For example, 123 Example
St NW. The quadrants are one of four labels; NE, SE, SW, or NW. The only exception would be government addresses on Mays
Island, which have no quadrant label.
1st Avenue and the Cedar River (as well as the downtown area) tend to run diagonally instead of straight
north/south/east/west. (In fact, 1st Avenue runs directly west-east on the west side of the city, SW to NE in the middle, and
south-north on the east side.) Thus, the area designated NE is geographically the northern section from east to west. NW is a
small western contingent, SE is the eastern contingent, and SW is the southern contingent. There are some areas in western Cedar
Rapids where some NW addresses are actually south of some SW addresses.
Transportation
Cedar Rapids is served by The Eastern Iowa Airport (formerly known as the
Cedar Rapids Municipal Airport), a regional airport that connects with other regional and international airports.
Interstate 380, part of the Avenue of
the Saints, runs north-south through Cedar Rapids. U.S. Highways 30,
151, and 218 and Iowa Highway 13 and Iowa Highway 100 also serve the city.
Cedar Rapids is served by four major railroads. They are the Union Pacific,
the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (Crandic), the
Canadian National, and the Iowa Northern Railway Company [IANR]. The Iowa
Northern Railway has its headquarters in the historic Paramount Theater Building. The Crandic and the Iowa Interstate Railroad
also are headquartered in Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Interstate reaches the city via the Crandic tracks, running a daily train from
Rock Island, Illinois to Cedar Rapids.
The city is also served by public transportation consisting of buses and taxis, as well as a series of skywalks connecting several downtown buildings for foot traffic.
Neighborhoods
Czech Village November 18, 2006.
The Czech Village in Cedar Rapids is located on 16th Avenue SW. It is home to such
Czech-related businesses as Zindrick's Czech Restaurant, Sykora Bakery, Polehna's Meat Market, Boženka's, Czech Feather &
Down Company, and Czech Cottage. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is one of
the major tourist attractions in Cedar Rapids.
The Cedar Rapids Czech Heritage Foundation [1] is one of many local organizations working to promote and preserve Czech heritage in Cedar Rapids. They
support and sponser many programs and events throughout the year. One of these programs is the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa
pageant.
Two Miss Czech-Slovak USA queens can claim this community as home: Lisa Volesky and Stasia Krivanek. Olga Drahozal is the
famed band leader of the Czech Plus Polka Band, a performing group that frequents the Kosek Band Stand. She, along with Bessie
Duggena and Leona Poduška, taught Czech School (Česká škola) at Wilson Middle School.
In addition, there are twelve active neighborhood associations in Cedar Rapids. These neighborhoods include Wellington
Heights, and Moundview Heights, two neighborhoods in the south side of Cedar Rapids. These neighborhoods have low mean incomes,
and are commonly known as the "ghetto" of Cedar Rapids. In addition to the neighborhood associations in Cedar Rapids, there are
many informal, unofficial neighborhoods, such as Bever Woods, and Vernon Heights.
Metropolitan area
The Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of
Linn, Benton, and Jones counties. The MSA had a 2000 census population of 237,230, with an estimated 2006 population of
249,320.[2] (Linn County was the only
county in the MSA before MSA definitions were redefined after the 2000 census.)
Cedar Rapids' main suburbs are Marion and Hiawatha. A number of small towns have experienced growth as bedroom
communities of Cedar Rapids. These include Ely, Swisher, Shueyville, Palo,
Fairfax, Walford, Robins and Bertram.
Although a separate MSA, the Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty area to the south in adjacent Johnson County add another
111,006 (2000 pop. estimate) bringing the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City corridor area population to 360,326 and one of the few
population areas in Iowa that is steadily growing.
Landmarks
Tree of Five Seasons sculpture, downtown Cedar Rapids.
The Tree of Five Seasons sculpture is the city's centerpiece, located where 1st Avenue crosses the Cedar River. It was constructed in the mid-nineties by a local businessman who commissioned a
three-dimensioned version of the city's logo. Also located near the center of the city along the Cedar River is the historical Czech Village, a business
district composed of several ethnic businesses and historical buildings, thus helping to maintain the city's Czech heritage.
Cedar Rapids is also home to National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. In 2003, the
African-American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa opened its doors. Cedar Rapids is
also home to the historical 26 acre (105,000 m²) Brucemore Estate, on which sits a 21-room
mansion. Cedar Rapids is home to the Iowa Masonic Library and Museum.
The downtown includes a Science Center and an Art Museum housing the largest collection of Grant Wood paintings in the world.
The 1920s Paramount Theatre is home to the Cedar Rapids Symphony
Orchestra, the Cedar Rapids Area Theatre Organ Society and Community Concerts. Concerts and events such as high school
graduations, sporting events, exhibitions, and political rallies are held in The U.S.
Cellular Center, formerly known as The Five Seasons Center, located in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids is
also home to the Mother Mosque of America (built in 1934), which is believed to
be the oldest purpose-built mosque in the U.S.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 120,758 people, 49,820 households, and 30,838 families
residing in the city. The population density was 738.4/km² (1,912.6/mi²). There were
52,240 housing units at an average density of 319/km² (827/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.86% White, 3.71% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.77% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 49,820 households out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were
non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or
older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from
45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $43,704, and the median income for a family was $54,286. Males had a median
income of $37,217 versus $26,251 for females. The per capita income for the city was
$22,589. About 4.9% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty
line, including 8.8% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Government
City commission government
City Hall, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
From April 6, 1908, to December
31, 2005, Cedar Rapids used the city
commission form of government. It was one of the few larger cities remaining to operate under this model. Under this form
of government, the council was made up of a public safety commissioner, a streets commissioner, a finance commissioner, a parks
commissioner, and a mayor. The council members worked on a full-time basis, and served two year terms, and were considered
department heads. The last mayor of Cedar Rapids under this form of government was Paul Pate.
After 2005 the city changed to a mayor-council-manager form of government.
Mayors of Cedar Rapids since 1969
| Mayor |
From |
To |
| Don Canney |
1969 |
1992 |
| Larry Serbousek |
1992 |
1995 |
| Lee Clancey |
1995 |
2002 |
| Paul Pate |
2002 |
2005 |
| Kay Halloran |
2005 |
present |
- Under Iowa law, municipal elections are non-partisan.
New form of government
In 2005, a movement began to change the commission form. A panel was created to study the issue, and has recommended that
voters be presented with three options:
- Stay with the current commission form of government.
- Adopt a "strong mayor form" where the council would be part time, the mayor would be full time, and a city manager would run
the day to day affairs of the city.
- Adopt a "weak mayor form" of government, in this form the mayor and council would both work on a part-time basis. A full-time
city manager would run the day-to-day operations of the city.
In 1994, voters were also asked if they would like to change the form of government. At that
time, voters decided to keep the commission form.
On June 14, 2005, voters went to the polls to decide whether to
adopt a new form of government or continue with the commission form. This time, with very low turnout, voters decided to change
the government — 17,064 voted to change the government to 7,741 who wanted to stay with the commission form.
The new form of government features a part-time council made of eight members and a part-time mayor. The city has been divided
into five districts, with one council member elected from each district. The remaining three members were elected on an at-large
basis. Initially the terms for some of the council members will be shorter so that the elections will be staggered. In the
following election cycle the term for the council members will be four years long. The mayor will also have a four-year term. The
mayor will be paid $30,000 and the members of the council will be paid $15,000.
The current city council divided the city into five districts. Once that was done over 30 candidates ran for election on
November 8, 2005. Kay Halloran, a retired attorney and state
legislator, became the first mayor elected under the new system. Several members of the city council were elected outright;
however, the remaining races were close enough to require a runoff election, which took
place in December.
The new council and mayor hired Jim Prosser as city manager in the summer of 2006. Prior to hiring Prosser, Mr. James Flitz,
formerly the city attorney, served as interim city manager. Department directors will report to the city manager, who will have
the authority to hire and fire these heads except in the case of the police and fire chiefs, which would require council approval
for hiring and firing. The new council met officially for the first time on January 3,
2006.
Business and industry
Cedar Rapids is home to several large businesses and industries, including General
Mills, Cargill, Alliant Energy, GE Commercial Finance, Rockwell Collins,
Quaker Oats, AEGON, McLeodUSA, Archer Daniels Midland, Qwest, GreatAmerica Leasing, RuffaloCODY and Cedar
Rapids Steel Transport (CRST). Square D has a major factory
facility south of town. Although many of these companies have been located in Cedar Rapids for quite some time, a larger number
of high-tech industries are locating in or around Cedar Rapids because it is part of the Technology Corridor, a region of the
state that also includes the Iowa City metro area to the south. Much of Iowa's
technological businesses and industries operate from this corridor.
Education
Universities & Colleges
Cornell College in Mount Vernon and the
University of Iowa's main campus in Iowa
City are both within 30 miles of Cedar Rapids.
Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
The largest school district serving the metropolitan area is the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Its high schools
include
Middle Schools include
Elementary Schools include
Other public school districts serving Cedar Rapids, Marion, and the surrounding area include:
Private Elementary and Secondary Schools
including High Schools
Middle School
Sports
Cedar Rapids is home of the minor-league baseball team Cedar Rapids Kernels, a member of the Midwest League since
1962. The Kernels are a Class-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The
ice hockey team Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
are a member of the USHL and were once Clark Cup Champions. There is also a
junior hockey league, the Cedar Rapids Hockey Association, with mini-mite-high school teams. Sports facilities include
Veterans Memorial Stadium for baseball, Kingston Stadium for
football and track, the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena for hockey, and the
U.S. Cellular Center (formerly the Five Seasons Center) for basketball. This arena
also hosts the Iowa High School volleyball championships and many concerts.
Art
Cedar Rapids is home to The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, The Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and Brucemore-A
National Trust Historic Site, among others.
Cedar Rapids is also home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Legion Art's CSPS Museum, the National Czech & Slovak Museum,
the African American Historical Museum, Kirkwood Community College's Iowa
Hall Gallery, and the legendary Grant Wood Studio at 5 Turner Alley. These Cedar Rapids
venues have recently hosted world class and award nominated exhibitions, including the works of Andy Warhol, Grant Wood, and the Iowa
Biennial, among others.
Notable natives
People from Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area.
Real people
- Walter Donald Douglas, first class passenger of the Titanic, did not survive
the sinking
- Elijah Wood, actor (The Lord of the
Rings trilogy)
- Ron Livingston, actor (Office Space)
Grew up in Marion, Iowa
- Zach Johnson, pro golfer, 2007 Masters champion
- Grant Wood, artist (Born in Anamosa IA, grew up and lived in Cedar Rapids)
- Terry Farrell, actress (Star
Trek: Deep Space Nine, Becker)
- Marvin D. Cone, artist
- Fran Allison, former TV Star
- Paul Conrad, Pulitzer Prize winner, cartoonist
- Cal Eldred, former Major League Baseball
pitcher
- Michael Emerson, actor on Lost,
grew up in Toledo, Iowa
- Trent Green, Miami Dolphins quarterback
- John Hench, Disney animator and
Imagineer for 65 years.
- Ashton Kutcher, actor and producer (That '70s
Show, Punk'd)
- Marv Levy, Coe College graduate, led Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls in early '90s
- Dow Mossman, author
- Riley Smith, actor
- Paul Tibbets, Pilot in command of the B-29
that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima,
Japan. Lived in Cedar Rapids until 1927
- Arthur A. Collins, Inventor and Founder of Collins Radio Company (Now known as Rockwell Collins).
- Carl Van Vechten, novelist and photographer
- Dedric Ward, NFL wide receiver who
played for the New York Jets and the Miami
Dolphins
- Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals quarterback,
MVP with St. Louis Rams for 1999 NFL season and Super Bowl XXXIV
- Peter Harris. guitar player (Wayne Newton, Bruce Hornsby and the Range)
- Don DeFore, actor
- Mike Boddicker, baseball player, pitcher. Actually from Norway, Iowa [2]
- Michael Daugherty, classical composer
- Paul Engle, poet
- David Hilker, Wild Whirled Music, musician, producer, film/TV composer, music
executive
- Ryan Sweeney Professional baseball player for the Chicago White Sox
Fictional characters from Cedar Rapids
References
External links
Coordinates:
41.9831° N 91.668529°
W
