Ottumwa is a city in Wapello County, Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 24,998. It is the county seat of Wapello County.
It is located in the southeastern part of Iowa, and the city is split into northern and southern halves by the Des Moines River.
Ottumwa was the birthplace of Tom Arnold, the home of notorious rare book thief Stephen Blumberg, and of the fictional character Radar O'Reilly from the television program M*A*S*H. Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr briefly owned a home together in Ottumwa before their divorce in 1994; they also owned a restaurant, the Big Food Diner, in nearby Eldon, Iowa, from 1993 through 1995. Also, future US President Richard Nixon was stationed here from October 1942 to May 1943 at the Ottumwa Naval Reserve Aviation Base where he served as Aide to the Executive Officer.
Ottumwa is located at 41°0'47"N, 92°24'53"W (41.012917, -92.414817).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 42.7 km2 (16.5 mi2). 40.9 km2 (15.8 mi2) of it is land and 1.7 km2 (0.7 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 4.07% water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 24,998 people, 10,383 households, and 6,530 families residing in the city. The population density is 610.9/km2 (1,582.2/mi2). There are 11,038 housing units at an average density of 269.7/km2 (698.6/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 95.33% White, 1.27% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.38% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 10,383 households out of which 28.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% are married couples living together, 11.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% are non-families. 31.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.31 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 88.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $30,174, and the median income for a family is $37,302. Males have a median income of $31,222 versus $20,934 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,040. 15.2% of the population and 10.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
OttumwaIA.com
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