Grundy Center, Iowa

Grundy Center is a city in Grundy County, Iowa. The population was 2,796 at the time of the 2020 census, a 7.7% increase from 2,596 at the 2000 census. Grundy Center is also the county seat of Grundy County. Grundy Center is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Places of interest
Often simply called "Grundy", the town has three public education centers. Kindergarten through fourth grade is in the primary building, while grade levels 5-12 are located at the Jr-Sr High School. The community preschool is located in the former middle school building just next to the current primary building. The YMCA and early childhood center also share that building. The city of Grundy Center also has three public parks, Bel Pre, Orion, and Liberty Park. Located just south of the Liberty Park is the city swimming pool, that is open only in the summer months. The Herbert Quick School House is a historic building in Grundy Center, located within Orion city park.

History
Grundy Center was incorporated on April 17, 1877, and was named for the county, which was named for Felix Grundy, congressman and senator from Tennessee.

Education
Grundy Center Community School District operates area public schools. In 2023, Grundy Center Middle School was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School winner. Grundy Center Middle School is recognized as an Iowa High Performing School in a number of federal and state performance measures.

Athletics
Since 2019, the Spartans have made five consecutive state title-game appearances and have won two state championships over the past two years, last year's was in Class A before moving up to 1A in 2023. In 2023, Grundy Center Freshman Judd Jirovsky made history in Iowa High School golf with an impressive state performance. During the first round, Jirovsky shot an incredible 8 under par 63, followed by a 3 under par 68, earning him the 2A State medalist honors. This outstanding achievement set an all-class record of 11 under par 131. In addition to Jirovsky's individual victory, the Grundy Center boys' team also took home the Class 2A State title, with a record-breaking score of 597. This marks the fourth State team title for the Spartans in school history. Also in 2023, the girls' golf team from Grundy Center won the 15th overall state championship, with Abbie Lindeman taking the individual medalist title.

Geography
Grundy Center is located at 42.36111°N, -92.77361°W (42.361058, -92.773550).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.53 sqmi, all land.

Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Grundy Center has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 2,706 people in 1,162 households, including 739 families, in the city. The population density was 1069.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,256 housing units at an average density of 496.4 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 98.6% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4%.

Of the 1,162 households 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.4% of households were one person and 17.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age was 42.9 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 2,596 people in 1,103 households, including 737 families, in the city. The population density was 1,058.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,176 housing units at an average density of 479.7 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 99.23% White, 0.04% African American, 0.15% Asian, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54%.

Of the 1,103 households 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 30.5% of households were one person and 18.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.83.

22.4% are under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.5% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median household income was $37,222 and the median family income was $46,223. Males had a median income of $32,414 versus $23,788 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,859. About 3.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Media
The Grundy Register was formed in 1923, and is a weekly newspaper published in Grundy Center.

Notable people

 * Robert Hugh Willoughby, classical flutist
 * Ed Wilson, chief meteorologist for WHO-DT
 * Joe Crisman, American football guard/American football center for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
 * Ziggy Hasbrook, American professional baseball player for Chicago White Sox
 * Clarence Slifer, Academy Award-winning American special effects artist
 * Harvey Tschirgi, United States Marine with the rank of brigadier general
 * J. Morris Rea, Iowa Senator
 * W. L. Mooty, Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1961 until 1965
 * Daniel Kerr, politician
 * T. Cooper Evans, politician
 * Elisha Avery Crary, United States district judge