Clear Lake is a city located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,161.

Contents

1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 The death of rock 'n' roll 4 External links

Geography

Clear Lake is located at 43°8'11" North, 93°22'48" West (43.136479, -93.379927)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.7 km² (13.0 mi²). 27.0 km² (10.4 mi²) of it is land and 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 19.95% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 8,161 people, 3,461 households, and 2,239 families residing in the city. The population density is 302.1/km² (782.4/mi²). There are 4,156 housing units at an average density of 153.8/km² (398.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.99% White, 0.27% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. 1.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 3,461 households out of which 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.4% are married couples living together, 9.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% are non-families. 31.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.86.

In the city the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,097, and the median income for a family is $45,589. Males have a median income of $30,266 versus $21,356 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,213. 7.6% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 5.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

The death of rock 'n' roll

On February 2, 1959, after a show in Clear Lake, a small plane carrying Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens took off from the local runway on its way to the next show. Unfortunately, the plane crashed soon after takeoff, killing all aboard. This event was later eulogized by folk singer Don McLean in his famous song, "American Pie", in which the death of these 50's icons is said to have paved for the way for bands like the Beatles and serves as a metaphor for greater changes within American society as a whole.

External links

Maps and aerial photos

Street map http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=NaodW29-item60 811651ac1b9a9&longitude=-93.379927&zoom=6 | Topographic map http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=43.136479&lon=NaodW29-ite m2856eea71b4c8eb7&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100 | Aerial photograph http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=NaodW29-item79e92ba073f59 247&lat=43.136479&w=750&h=500