Bonaparte, Iowa

Bonaparte, Iowa
City
Location of Bonaparte, Iowa Location of Bonaparte, Iowa
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Van Buren
Area
• Total	0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2)
• Land	0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	548 ft (167 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	433
• Estimate (2012)	425
• Density	1,170.3/sq mi (451.9/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	52620
Area code(s)	319
FIPS code	19-07345
GNIS feature ID	0454744

Bonaparte is a city in Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. The population was 433 at the 2010 census.

The town is located on the Des Moines River and contains a number of historical buildings, including a large pottery.

History

The area was established in 1837 by William Meek, and named Meek's Mill. The lots were resurveyed in 1841, and the name was changed to Bonaparte. Another townsite called Napoleon was established across the river, though it was never developed. William Meek was an admirer of the Emperor, and was responsible for both names. The town was incorporated in 1899.

The town was flooded during the Flood of 1851.

Bonaparte is located along the historic Mormon Trail, and there are five sites in or near Bonaparte listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Aunty Green Hotel
• Bonaparte Historic Riverfront District
• Bonaparte Pottery Archeological District
• Meek's Flour Mill
• Des Moines River Locks No. 5 and No. 7

Charles E. Pickett, who served two-terms as a U.S. Representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district, was born near Bonaparte.

Geography

Bonaparte's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 40.699914, -91.800837.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.37 square miles (0.96 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1880	689	—
1890	762	+10.6%
1900	898	+17.8%
1910	597	−33.5%
1920	656	+9.9%
1930	678	+3.4%
1940	653	−3.7%
1950	642	−1.7%
1960	574	−10.6%
1970	517	−9.9%
1980	489	−5.4%
1990	465	−4.9%
2000	458	−1.5%
2010	433	−5.5%
2014	425	−1.8%
Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 433 people, 190 households, and 117 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,170.3 inhabitants per square mile (451.9/km²). There were 212 housing units at an average density of 573.0 per square mile (221.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.3% White, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 190 households of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.3 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 458 people, 190 households, and 121 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,254.2 people per square mile (477.9/km²). There were 212 housing units at an average density of 580.6 per square mile (221.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 190 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.3% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,438, and the median income for a family was $33,750. Males had a median income of $30,057 versus $19,479 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,479. About 16.5% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.

In the news

On October 14, 2006, five Bonaparte natives were murdered in their home. Michael Bentler, 53, his wife Sandra, 47, and their three daughters: Sheena, 17, Shelby, 15 and Shayne, 14, were pronounced dead at the scene. The family's oldest and surviving child, Shawn Michael Bentler, 22, was arrested in Illinois on unrelated drug charges. The following Sunday afternoon, he was charged with five counts of first-degree murder, in what has been characterized by the media as one of the worst mass murders in Iowa history. Shawn was found guilty on May 24, 2007.

Further reading

• History of Bonaparte, from Van Buren County Historical Society.

External links

• Bonaparte webpage
• The Old Bonaparte Pottery
• City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Bonaparte