Davenport, Iowa

Davenport is a city located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 98,359. The city borders the Mississippi River. Every year the Mississippi river rises, and sometimes overflows its banks in a flood, causing millions of dollars in property damage in Davenport. Davenport is the only city over 20,000 people bordering the Mississippi that has no permanent floodwall or levee. The United States Army Corps of Engineers has continually expressed frustration at the fact that Davenport refuses to build a permanent flood-protection system like literally every other significant city on the entire Mississippi. Davenport prefers the open access to the river for parks and vistas over having access cut off by dikes and levees.

Davenport is also the home of a large and well-known Blues festival, as well as a jazz festival dedicated to Davenport native Bix Beiderbecke. An internationally known seven-mile foot race called the Bix 7 is run during the festival. Saint Ambrose University is also located in Davenport.

Buffalo Bill Cody was a native of Davenport. The city is also the birthplace of actress Lara Flynn Boyle.

Davenport is the county seat of Scott County.

Geography

Davenport is located at 41°32'35" North, 90°35'27" West (41.542982, -90.590745)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 168.2 km² (64.9 mi²). 162.6 km² (62.8 mi²) of it is land and 5.6 km² (2.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.31% water.

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there are 98,359 people, 39,124 households, and 24,804 families residing in the city. The population density is 604.8/km² (1,566.5/mi²). There are 41,350 housing units at an average density of 254.3/km² (658.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 83.68% White, 9.24% African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 5.36% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 39,124 households out of which 31.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% are non-families. 29.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.03.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,242, and the median income for a family is $45,944. Males have a median income of $34,153 versus $24,634 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,828. 14.1% of the population and 10.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 19.2% are under the age of 18 and 6.4% are 65 or older.