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{{redirect|Postville}}
'''Postville''' is a city located in ] near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of US Highways 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,273.
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Postville, Iowa
| settlement_type = ]
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline = JewishMarketPostvilleIowa.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| motto = Hometown to the World<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofpostville.com/|title=City of Postville, Iowa - Hometown to the World|website=Cityofpostville.com|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/15/magazine/postville-iowa-is-up-for-grabs.html|title=Postville, Iowa, Is Up for Grabs|first=Maggie|last=Jones|date=11 July 2012|access-date=8 February 2022|website=Nytimes.com}}</ref>
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map = Allamakee_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Postville_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Location of Postville, Iowa
| coordinates = {{coord|43|5|6|N|91|34|10|W|region:US|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = ]
| subdivision_name = ]
| subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = ]
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| subdivision_name2 = ], ]
| subdivision_type3 = ]
| subdivision_name3 = ]
<!-- Established -->
| established_title = Settled
| established_date = June 1843
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1 = March 11, 1873
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 5.38
| area_total_sq_mi = 2.08
| area_land_km2 = 5.38
| area_land_sq_mi = 2.08
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 360
| elevation_ft = 1181
<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 2503
| population_as_of = ]
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_density_km2 = 465.29
| population_density_sq_mi = 1205.10
| timezone = ]
| utc_offset = -6
| timezone_DST = CDT
| utc_offset_DST = -5
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -->
| postal_code_type = ]
| postal_code = 52162
| area_code = ]
| blank_name = ]
| blank_info = 19-64290
| blank1_name = ] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0460373
| website = {{URL|http://www.cityofpostville.com}}
|pop_est_footnotes =
}}
'''Postville''' is a village in ] and ] counties in the ] of ]. It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes ] and ] and ], with airport facilities in the neighboring communities of ], ], ] and ]. The population was 2,503 at the time of the ], up from 2,273 in 2000.<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> The village is in Allamakee County's southwestern corner and Clayton County's northwestern corner in a quad county, or four-corner region, where four counties intersect. ] is just to the west and ] is just to the southwest of Postville.


==History== ==History==
Postville was ]ted in 1853.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/historywinneshi00citygoog | title=History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa | publisher=Western Publishing Company | author=Alexander, W. E. | year=1882 | pages=}}</ref> The city was named for Joel Post, a pioneer settler.<ref name="Hancock1913">{{cite book|author=Ellery M. Hancock|title=Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement|url=https://archive.org/details/pastpresentofall01hanc|year=1913|publisher=S. J. Clarke publishing Company|pages=}}</ref>
Predominantly ] and ] for much of its existence, a group of ] Jews of the ] movement from New York purchased a ] slaughterhouse there in ]. Since then, Postville has seen a large influx of many ethnic peoples, especially Ukrainians, Russians, Mexicans, Guatemalans and Filipinos. The town has been the focus of much attention in seeing the Postville natives interact with the very different newcomers of their town. A book on the town, ''Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America'' (ISBN 0151006520) was written by Stephen G. Bloom, a professor at the ]. full of mexicans and jewish people


In 1987, a group of ] Jews started ], a ] slaughterhouse, in Postville.<ref>"Kosher slaughterhouse owners surrounded by scandal." ''Los Angeles Times'', August 4, 2008</ref> After numerous accusations of mistreatment of cattle, pollution, and violations of labor law, the federal government ] the facility in May 2008, resulting in hundreds of arrests of undocumented workers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/17/AR2008051702474.html|title=Immigration Raid Jars a Small Town|last=Spencer S. Hsu|date=May 18, 2008|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Agriprocessors filed for bankruptcy on November 5, 2008; SHF Industries bought the plant at auction in July 2009 and it has resumed production under the new name ''Agri Star''.
Although there has rarely existed outright hostility between the Postville natives and newcomers, there has often been tension between them, especially among the ] community. In ] ], a Jew from Postville robbed a convenience store in ], seriously wounding the clerk. This event drew a lot of negative attention towards the new Jewish community moving into Postville. Another attempted murder within the Hasidic community and a murder within in Hispanic community in ] furthered disenchantment between Postville natives and newcomers. Other religious differences have existed as well. For example, the decision of putting up ] in the downtown district proved to be more difficult than before, and was a major argument on the city council in ].


==Geography==
Postville was also the boyhood home of ] Nobel laureate ].
According to the ], the city has an area of {{convert|2.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=]|access-date=2012-05-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-07-02}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| location = Postville, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)
| single line = Y
| width = auto
| Jan record high F = 58
| Feb record high F = 66
| Mar record high F = 83
| Apr record high F = 88
| May record high F = 105
| Jun record high F = 104
| Jul record high F = 108
| Aug record high F = 102
| Sep record high F = 99
| Oct record high F = 89
| Nov record high F = 76
| Dec record high F = 64
| year record high F = 108
| Jan high F = 25.7
| Feb high F = 29.9
| Mar high F = 43.0
| Apr high F = 57.5
| May high F = 69.4
| Jun high F = 79.0
| Jul high F = 82.8
| Aug high F = 80.8
| Sep high F = 74.0
| Oct high F = 60.6
| Nov high F = 44.7
| Dec high F = 31.4
| year high F = 56.6
| Jan mean F = 16.6
| Feb mean F = 20.2
| Mar mean F = 32.7
| Apr mean F = 45.8
| May mean F = 58.2
| Jun mean F = 68.4
| Jul mean F = 71.9
| Aug mean F = 69.5
| Sep mean F = 61.6
| Oct mean F = 48.8
| Nov mean F = 35.1
| Dec mean F = 22.7
| year mean F = 46.0
| Jan low F = 7.4
| Feb low F = 10.5
| Mar low F = 22.4
| Apr low F = 34.0
| May low F = 46.9
| Jun low F = 57.8
| Jul low F = 60.9
| Aug low F = 58.2
| Sep low F = 49.2
| Oct low F = 37.0
| Nov low F = 25.5
| Dec low F = 14.0
| year low F = 35.3
| Jan record low F = −35
| Feb record low F = −29
| Mar record low F = −18
| Apr record low F = 6
| May record low F = 20
| Jun record low F = 34
| Jul record low F = 39
| Aug record low F = 35
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = -7
| Nov record low F = −12
| Dec record low F = −27
| year record low F = −35
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.12
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.21
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.09
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.14
| May precipitation inch = 4.99
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.88
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.52
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.36
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.96
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.00
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.10
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.57
| year precipitation inch = 38.94
| Jan snow inch = 12.0
| Feb snow inch = 10.4
| Mar snow inch = 5.0
| Apr snow inch = 1.6
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.1
| Nov snow inch = 2.7
| Dec snow inch = 8.0
| year snow inch = 39.8
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 5.8
| Feb precipitation days = 5.4
| Mar precipitation days = 6.7
| Apr precipitation days = 10.1
| May precipitation days = 12.2
| Jun precipitation days = 11.2
| Jul precipitation days = 8.8
| Aug precipitation days = 9.0
| Sep precipitation days = 8.5
| Oct precipitation days = 7.7
| Nov precipitation days = 5.9
| Dec precipitation days = 6.1
| year precipitation days = 97.4
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 5.2
| Feb snow days = 4.5
| Mar snow days = 2.6
| Apr snow days = 0.9
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.2
| Nov snow days = 1.6
| Dec snow days = 4.5
| year snow days = 19.5
| source 1 = ]<ref name= nws >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=arx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 25, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00136766&format=pdf
| title = Station: Postville, IA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 25, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= right
|1880|732
|1890|884
|1900|984
|1910|952
|1920|1039
|1930|1060
|1940|1194
|1950|1343
|1960|1554
|1970|1546
|1980|1475
|1990|1472
|2000|2273
|2010|2227
|2020|2503
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>}}|footnote=Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} and
}}

===2020 census===
As of the ],<ref name="2020-census-1964290">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Postville city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1964290&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=1 July 2022}}</ref> the population was 2,503. The ] was {{convert|1,205.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 859 housing units at an average density of {{convert|413.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 52.7% ], 8.7% ] or ], 2.8% ], 0.6% ], 26.8% from ], and 8.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 43.0% ] or ] of any race.

===2010 census===
As of the ]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=]|access-date=2012-05-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 2,227 people, 744 households, and 497 families residing in the city. The ] was {{convert|1055.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 902 housing units at an average density of {{convert|427.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.0% ], 4.4% ], 0.6% ], 1.0% ], 0.7% ], 14.3% from ], and 2.0% from two or more races. ] or ] of any race were 32.0% of the population.

There were 744 households, of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were ] living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% 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 3.54.

The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 32.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 18.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

===Ethnic groups===
In 2017 about one quarter of Postville's population were recent immigrants from Latin America and Somalia; Greg Flakus of '']'' stated that this was ethnically diverse compared to most Iowa towns, which are almost uniformly non-Hispanic white, even though "Postville is not all that diverse" compared to major American metropolitan areas.<ref name=Flakus>{{cite web|author=Flakus, Greg|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/small-iowa-town-celebrates-diversity/3884931.html|title=Small Iowa Town Celebrates Its Diversity |publisher=]|date=2017-06-02|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref> The earliest immigrants were from England, Germany, and Scandinavia.<ref name=Flakus/>

Orthodox Jews established Agriprocessors circa 1987; its founders came from New York City.<ref name=Flakus/> At its peak, there were about 100 Orthodox Jewish families in Postville. After the 2008 raid, the number declined, and in 2017 there were about 50.<ref name=Tapper>{{cite news|author=Tapper, Josh|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/features/1.701107|title=Postville, Iowa's Jewish Community Bounces Back After Immigration Raid |newspaper=]|date=2016-02-03|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref> Postville has services for Jewish families typically seen in larger communities.<ref name=Flakus/> It also has a Jewish elementary school and a ]. A Judaic library opened in 2005, but closed after the raid.<ref name=Tapper/>

The 2008 raid led to the arrests of Hispanics; the resulting lack of labor drew Somalis to Postville from Minnesota and Wisconsin to work in the area kosher factory.<ref name=Tapper/> '']'' said this caused a "cultural shift".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Michaels, Samantha|url=https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2017/08/a-federal-judge-put-hundreds-of-immigrants-behind-bars-while-her-husband-invested-in-private-prisons/|title=A Federal Judge Put Hundreds of Immigrants Behind Bars While Her Husband Invested in Private Prisons|magazine=]|date=2017-08-24|access-date=2017-10-24}}</ref>


'']'' discusses the arrival of the Orthodox Jews.
The name of the ] ] in Postville is Congregation Ahavat Israel.


==Economy== ==Economy==
Postville's growth during the last 15 years has been due two the presence of two large meat processing plants, AgriProcessors and Iowa Turkey Products. AgriProcessors, the ] meat plant, is the largest of its type in the world, which as of December 2004 employs about 700 people and purchases $100 million worth of livestock annually. Iowa Turkey Products, which burnt in December 2003, was another major employer in the community. The plant hopes to rebuild in ]. Postville's growth was due to the presence of two large meat processing plants, ] and Iowa Turkey Products. The Iowa Turkey Products plant burned in December 2003; it was rebuilt in ], ].


Agriprocessors, a ] meat plant, was the largest of its type in the world. As of February 2008 it employed about 900 people and purchased $100 million worth of livestock annually. In May 2008, it was the target of a federal ] raid.<ref>]</ref> Subsequently, a criminal complaint was filed against Agriprocessors and its principal for alleged violations of ] laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/14/postville.raid/index.html|title=Mayor: Feds turned my town 'topsy turvy'|work=cnn.com|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> As a result of its legal problems, Agriprocessors became insolvent and was run by a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee until SHF Industries bought it at auction in July 2009. It resumed business as Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC under the new ownership.
AgriProcessors has often been shrouded with controversy. In 2004 a lawsuit was filed against Agriprocessors alleging that the producer violated the ] by dumping water with high salt concentrations into public water resovoirs. ] also released in December 2004 showing what they describe as "inhumane" practices in the Kosher slaughter of cattle. This has sparked the attention of the ], ] and ] to examine AgriProcessors' methods of slaughter.


{{As of|2017}}, 700 people, more than 30% of the total population, work at Agri Star; about 100 are of Somali origin.<ref name="Tapper" />
===Orthodox reaction to PETA===
The ] movement has come out in support of AgriProcessors and denounced PETA's tactics and aims. See the:
*Message from ] Dr. ], ] executive Vice President, and Rabbi ], OU Kashrut rabbinic administrator.
* Statement of Rabbis and certifying agencies on recent publicity on kosher slaughter.
*Rabbi Dr. ], international veterinary expert on kosher slaughter praising procedures at AgriProcessors.
*]'s Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge calls kosher slaughter at Agriprocessors' "humane".


Postville is also the home of a composites factory, ], started in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norplex-micarta.com/company-profile/|title=About Norplex-Micarta: history, technology, and capabilities|website=Norplex-Micarta|language=en-US|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> The Norplex factory produces laminated plastics plate, sheet, and profile shapes. As of 2007 it employed between 150 and 200 workers.<ref name="NOI">{{cite web|url=http://start.cortera.com/company/research/k2j6jys1p/norplex-oak-inc|title=CORTERA-NORPLEX OAK INC.|publisher=Cortera, Inc.|access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref>
==Geography==
]
Postville is located at 43°5'6" North, 91°34'10" West (43.085102, -91.569515){{GR|1}}.


==Education==
According to the ], the city has a total area of 5.4 ] (2.1 ]). 5.4 km² (2.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
] operates public schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_POSTVILLE.pdf|title=Postville Community School District Map|publisher=]|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> ] is the local high school.


] is the area ].<ref>. Mesivtapostville.org, Retrieved on October 24, 2017.</ref>
==Demographics==
As of the ]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 2,273 people, 792 households, and 548 families residing in the city. The ] was 421.9/km² (1,093.6/mi²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 153.0/km² (396.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.59% ], 0.00% ], 0.62% ], 0.70% ], 0.00% ], 17.03% from ], and 2.07% from two or more races. 20.63% of the population were ] or ] of any race.


==Notable people==
There were 792 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were ] living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.17.
* ] (1879–1964), 44th speaker of the ], raised in Postville<ref>{{cite book |last=Wixon |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/americanlegislat0000unse_j1x4 |title=American Legislative Leaders in the Midwest, 1911-1994 |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=1997 |editor-last1=Weatherly Sharp |editor-first1=Nancy |location=Westport, Connecticut |page=171 |chapter=Biographical Sketch of William McMinkey |access-date=September 12, 2022 |editor-last2=Sharp |editor-first2=James Roger |url-access=registration}}</ref>
* ] (1865–1955), recipient of the 1946 ], childhood resident of Postville<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.postville.k12.ia.us/high/|title=High School|publisher=]|date=2001-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010303075142/http://www.postville.k12.ia.us/high/|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-date=2001-03-03}} - The link for Mott </ref>
* ] (born 1968), ] player, childhood resident of Postville<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-06-20|title=Brett Szabo is Awarded Membership Into Postville's Hall of Fame|url=https://www.postvilleschools.com/brett-szabo|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Postville Community School District|language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
{{reflist}}


== Books on Postville ==
The median income for a household in the city was $32,667, and the median income for a family was $40,125. Males had a median income of $22,083 versus $16,596 for females. The ] for the city was $14,264. 12.7% of the population and 9.4% of families were below the ]. 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 10.5% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
* The interaction of long-time Postville residents with newcomers was the subject of a book about the town, '']'', by ], a professor at ].
* A more recent book about the community and its experience with diversity before and after the May 2008 federal immigration raid is ''Postville USA: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town America'' by Mark Grey, Michele Devlin, and Aaron Goldsmith.


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons}}<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
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{{Portal|Iowa}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|43.085102|-91.569515}}
*
*
* * Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Postville
*
*
*


] {{Allamakee County, Iowa}}
{{Clayton County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 20:46, 20 October 2024

"Postville" redirects here. For other uses, see Postville (disambiguation).

Village in Iowa, United States
Postville, Iowa
Village
Motto: Hometown to the World
Location of Postville, IowaLocation of Postville, Iowa
Coordinates: 43°5′6″N 91°34′10″W / 43.08500°N 91.56944°W / 43.08500; -91.56944
CountryUnited States
StateIowa
CountiesAllamakee, Clayton
TownshipPost
SettledJune 1843
IncorporatedMarch 11, 1873
Area
 • Total2.08 sq mi (5.38 km)
 • Land2.08 sq mi (5.38 km)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km)
Elevation1,181 ft (360 m)
Population
 • Total2,503
 • Density1,205.10/sq mi (465.29/km)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code52162
Area code563
FIPS code19-64290
GNIS feature ID0460373
Websitewww.cityofpostville.com

Postville is a village in Allamakee and Clayton counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51, with airport facilities in the neighboring communities of Waukon, Decorah, Monona and Prairie du Chien. The population was 2,503 at the time of the 2020 census, up from 2,273 in 2000. The village is in Allamakee County's southwestern corner and Clayton County's northwestern corner in a quad county, or four-corner region, where four counties intersect. Winneshiek County is just to the west and Fayette County is just to the southwest of Postville.

History

Postville was platted in 1853. The city was named for Joel Post, a pioneer settler.

In 1987, a group of Hasidic Jews started Agriprocessors, a Kosher slaughterhouse, in Postville. After numerous accusations of mistreatment of cattle, pollution, and violations of labor law, the federal government raided the facility in May 2008, resulting in hundreds of arrests of undocumented workers. Agriprocessors filed for bankruptcy on November 5, 2008; SHF Industries bought the plant at auction in July 2009 and it has resumed production under the new name Agri Star.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 2.11 square miles (5.46 km), all land.

Climate

Climate data for Postville, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1897–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 58
(14) 		66
(19) 		83
(28) 		88
(31) 		105
(41) 		104
(40) 		108
(42) 		102
(39) 		99
(37) 		89
(32) 		76
(24) 		64
(18) 		108
(42)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 25.7
(−3.5) 		29.9
(−1.2) 		43.0
(6.1) 		57.5
(14.2) 		69.4
(20.8) 		79.0
(26.1) 		82.8
(28.2) 		80.8
(27.1) 		74.0
(23.3) 		60.6
(15.9) 		44.7
(7.1) 		31.4
(−0.3) 		56.6
(13.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 16.6
(−8.6) 		20.2
(−6.6) 		32.7
(0.4) 		45.8
(7.7) 		58.2
(14.6) 		68.4
(20.2) 		71.9
(22.2) 		69.5
(20.8) 		61.6
(16.4) 		48.8
(9.3) 		35.1
(1.7) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		46.0
(7.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 7.4
(−13.7) 		10.5
(−11.9) 		22.4
(−5.3) 		34.0
(1.1) 		46.9
(8.3) 		57.8
(14.3) 		60.9
(16.1) 		58.2
(14.6) 		49.2
(9.6) 		37.0
(2.8) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		14.0
(−10.0) 		35.3
(1.8)
Record low °F (°C) −35
(−37) 		−29
(−34) 		−18
(−28) 		6
(−14) 		20
(−7) 		34
(1) 		39
(4) 		35
(2) 		20
(−7) 		−7
(−22) 		−12
(−24) 		−27
(−33) 		−35
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.12
(28) 		1.21
(31) 		2.09
(53) 		4.14
(105) 		4.99
(127) 		5.88
(149) 		4.52
(115) 		4.36
(111) 		3.96
(101) 		3.00
(76) 		2.10
(53) 		1.57
(40) 		38.94
(989)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 12.0
(30) 		10.4
(26) 		5.0
(13) 		1.6
(4.1) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.25) 		2.7
(6.9) 		8.0
(20) 		39.8
(101)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.8 5.4 6.7 10.1 12.2 11.2 8.8 9.0 8.5 7.7 5.9 6.1 97.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 5.2 4.5 2.6 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.6 4.5 19.5
Source: NOAA

Demographics

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1880732—    
1890884+20.8%
1900984+11.3%
1910952−3.3%
19201,039+9.1%
19301,060+2.0%
19401,194+12.6%
19501,343+12.5%
19601,554+15.7%
19701,546−0.5%
19801,475−4.6%
19901,472−0.2%
20002,273+54.4%
20102,227−2.0%
20202,503+12.4%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center
Source: U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 2,503. The population density was 1,205.7 inhabitants per square mile (465.5/km). There were 859 housing units at an average density of 413.8 per square mile (159.8/km). The racial makeup of the city was 52.7% White, 8.7% Black or African American, 2.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 26.8% from other races, and 8.3% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 43.0% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,227 people, 744 households, and 497 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,055.5 inhabitants per square mile (407.5/km). There were 902 housing units at an average density of 427.5 per square mile (165.1/km). The racial makeup of the city was 77.0% White, 4.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 14.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 32.0% of the population.

There were 744 households, of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.2% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% 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 3.54.

The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 32.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.6% were from 25 to 44; 18.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.4% male and 49.6% female.

Ethnic groups

In 2017 about one quarter of Postville's population were recent immigrants from Latin America and Somalia; Greg Flakus of Voice of America stated that this was ethnically diverse compared to most Iowa towns, which are almost uniformly non-Hispanic white, even though "Postville is not all that diverse" compared to major American metropolitan areas. The earliest immigrants were from England, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Orthodox Jews established Agriprocessors circa 1987; its founders came from New York City. At its peak, there were about 100 Orthodox Jewish families in Postville. After the 2008 raid, the number declined, and in 2017 there were about 50. Postville has services for Jewish families typically seen in larger communities. It also has a Jewish elementary school and a yeshiva. A Judaic library opened in 2005, but closed after the raid.

The 2008 raid led to the arrests of Hispanics; the resulting lack of labor drew Somalis to Postville from Minnesota and Wisconsin to work in the area kosher factory. Mother Jones said this caused a "cultural shift".

Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America discusses the arrival of the Orthodox Jews.

Economy

Postville's growth was due to the presence of two large meat processing plants, Agriprocessors and Iowa Turkey Products. The Iowa Turkey Products plant burned in December 2003; it was rebuilt in Marshall, Minnesota.

Agriprocessors, a kosher meat plant, was the largest of its type in the world. As of February 2008 it employed about 900 people and purchased $100 million worth of livestock annually. In May 2008, it was the target of a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid. Subsequently, a criminal complaint was filed against Agriprocessors and its principal for alleged violations of child labor laws. As a result of its legal problems, Agriprocessors became insolvent and was run by a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee until SHF Industries bought it at auction in July 2009. It resumed business as Agri Star Meat & Poultry, LLC under the new ownership.

As of 2017, 700 people, more than 30% of the total population, work at Agri Star; about 100 are of Somali origin.

Postville is also the home of a composites factory, Norplex-Micarta, started in 1975. The Norplex factory produces laminated plastics plate, sheet, and profile shapes. As of 2007 it employed between 150 and 200 workers.

Education

Postville Community School District operates public schools. John R. Mott High School is the local high school.

Mesivta of Postville is the area yeshiva.

Notable people

References

  1. "City of Postville, Iowa - Hometown to the World". Cityofpostville.com. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  2. Jones, Maggie (July 11, 2012). "Postville, Iowa, Is Up for Grabs". Nytimes.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  5. Alexander, W. E. (1882). History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa. Western Publishing Company. pp. 398.
  6. Ellery M. Hancock (1913). Past and Present of Allamakee County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement. S. J. Clarke publishing Company. pp. 477.
  7. "Kosher slaughterhouse owners surrounded by scandal." Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2008
  8. Spencer S. Hsu (May 18, 2008). "Immigration Raid Jars a Small Town". Washington Post.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  10. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  11. "Station: Postville, IA". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. "2020 Decennial Census: Postville city, Iowa". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  15. ^ Flakus, Greg (June 2, 2017). "Small Iowa Town Celebrates Its Diversity". Voice of America. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  16. ^ Tapper, Josh (February 3, 2016). "Postville, Iowa's Jewish Community Bounces Back After Immigration Raid". Haaretz. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  17. Michaels, Samantha (August 24, 2017). "A Federal Judge Put Hundreds of Immigrants Behind Bars While Her Husband Invested in Private Prisons". Mother Jones. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  18. Postville Raid
  19. "Mayor: Feds turned my town 'topsy turvy'". cnn.com. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  20. "About Norplex-Micarta: history, technology, and capabilities". Norplex-Micarta. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  21. "CORTERA-NORPLEX OAK INC". Cortera, Inc. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  22. "Postville Community School District Map" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  23. Home. Mesivtapostville.org, Retrieved on October 24, 2017.
  24. Wixon, Richard (1997). "Biographical Sketch of William McMinkey". In Weatherly Sharp, Nancy; Sharp, James Roger (eds.). American Legislative Leaders in the Midwest, 1911-1994. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 171. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  25. "High School". Postville Community School District. March 3, 2001. Archived from the original on March 3, 2001. Retrieved April 7, 2020. - The link for Mott goes to this page
  26. "Brett Szabo is Awarded Membership Into Postville's Hall of Fame". Postville Community School District. June 20, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2021.

Books on Postville

  • The interaction of long-time Postville residents with newcomers was the subject of a book about the town, Postville: A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America, by Stephen G. Bloom, a professor at University of Iowa.
  • A more recent book about the community and its experience with diversity before and after the May 2008 federal immigration raid is Postville USA: Surviving Diversity in Small-Town America by Mark Grey, Michele Devlin, and Aaron Goldsmith.

External links

Municipalities and communities of Allamakee County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Waukon
Cities
Map of Iowa highlighting Allamakee County
Townships
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Municipalities and communities of Clayton County, Iowa, United States
County seat: Elkader
Cities
Map of Iowa highlighting Clayton County
Townships
Unincorporated
communities
Footnotes‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
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