Atlantic, Iowa
title: "Atlantic, Iowa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["atlantic,-iowa", "cities-in-cass-county,-iowa", "cities-in-iowa", "county-seats-in-iowa", "populated-places-established-in-1868", "1868-establishments-in-iowa"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic,_Iowa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| official_name | Atlantic, Iowa |
| settlement_type | City |
| mottoes | Coca-Cola Capital of Iowa, Christmas Capital of Iowa (2019) |
| image_skyline | {{multiple image |
| border | infobox |
| total_width | 280 |
| perrow | 1/2/2 |
| caption_align | center |
| image1 | Atlantic, Iowa.jpg |
| caption1 | Looking south down Chestnut Street |
| image2 | Cass Co IA Court House.jpg |
| caption2 | Cass County Courthouse |
| image3 | Atlantic IA Rock Island Station.jpg |
| caption3 | Atlantic station |
| image4 | Atlantic IA Carnegie Lib.jpg |
| caption4 | Carnegie Library |
| image5 | American Legion Atlantic IA.jpg |
| caption5 | American Legion Memorial Building |
| image_map | Cass_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Atlantic_Highlighted.svg |
| mapsize | 250x200px |
| map_caption | Location of Atlantic, Iowa |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | USA |
| subdivision_type1 | State |
| subdivision_name1 | Iowa |
| subdivision_type2 | County |
| subdivision_name2 | Cass |
| unit_pref | Imperial |
| area_footnotes | |
| area_total_km2 | 21.60 |
| area_total_sq_mi | 8.34 |
| area_land_km2 | 21.48 |
| area_land_sq_mi | 8.29 |
| area_water_km2 | 0.11 |
| area_water_sq_mi | 0.04 |
| population_as_of | 2020 |
| population_total | 6792 |
| population_density_km2 | 316.15 |
| population_density_sq_mi | 818.81 |
| timezone | Central (CST) |
| utc_offset | -6 |
| timezone_DST | CDT |
| utc_offset_DST | -5 |
| elevation_footnotes | |
| elevation_ft | 1299 |
| coordinates | |
| postal_code_type | ZIP code |
| postal_code | 50022 |
| area_code | 712 |
| blank_name | FIPS code |
| blank_info | 19-03520 |
| blank1_name | GNIS feature ID |
| blank1_info | 2394017 |
| website | |
| :: |
|official_name = Atlantic, Iowa |settlement_type = City |mottoes = Coca-Cola Capital of Iowa, Christmas Capital of Iowa (2019) |image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 280 | perrow = 1/2/2 | caption_align = center | image1 = Atlantic, Iowa.jpg | caption1 = Looking south down Chestnut Street | image2 = Cass Co IA Court House.jpg | caption2 = Cass County Courthouse | image3 = Atlantic IA Rock Island Station.jpg | caption3 = Atlantic station | image4 = Atlantic IA Carnegie Lib.jpg | caption4 = Carnegie Library | image5 = American Legion Atlantic IA.jpg | caption5 = American Legion Memorial Building |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_map = Cass_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Atlantic_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location of Atlantic, Iowa |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = USA |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Iowa |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Cass |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = |established_date = |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 21.60 |area_total_sq_mi = 8.34 |area_land_km2 = 21.48 |area_land_sq_mi = 8.29 |area_water_km2 = 0.11 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.04 |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_total = 6792 |population_density_km2 = 316.15 |population_density_sq_mi = 818.81 |timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_ft = 1299 |coordinates = |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 50022 |area_code = 712 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 19-03520 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2394017 |website = |footnotes =
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/Gingery_Log_cabin.JPG" caption="Gingery Log cabin, Atlantic, Iowa}}"] ::
Atlantic is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Iowa, United States, located along the East Nishnabotna River. The population was 6,792 in the 2020 census, a decline from the 7,257 population in 2000.
History
Atlantic was founded in October 1868 by Franklin H. Whitney, B.F. Allen, John P. Cook, and others. While historians cannot agree on how Atlantic got its name, local legend tells that the founding fathers estimated that the town was about halfway between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, so it led them to flip a coin and, clearly, Atlantic won. The nearby Rock Island Railroad was important in deciding the actual location of the town, and to this day, the old depot, built in 1898, sits at the north end of Chestnut Street. Today, the depot serves as the offices of the Chamber of Commerce.
A log cabin stands in Atlantic City Park with a historical plaque bearing the following inscription:
This 14 by 18 foot log cabin was built by John Gingery in 1863 in what was called Five Mile Grove located two miles northeast of Atlantic. John left Stark County where he had been raised and has become a school teacher. He was twenty-six years old and arrived just as Cass County was being organized. He was hired by Cass County to do their clerical work in organizing the county.
John Gingery married Mary Hyatt of Audubon County, Iowa on April 28, 1866. Ten children were born to them and all were born in this log house except the tenth and youngest child. This cabin may also have been used as the first school house in Pymosa Township until 1868 when a separate school building was erected.
The cabin was on the Gipple farm northeast of Atlantic when the Atlantic Rotary Club became interested in preserving and restoring it as the club's Bi-Centennial project in 1976. The Rotarians and Boy Scout troop 60 dismantled the cabin and numbered each log for rebuilding purposes. The Atlantic Soroptomists furnished the cabin much as it was originally furnished. It was the hope of the Atlantic Rotary Club that this cabin would typify the early history in Cass County and in the State of Iowa. Another story told about Atlantic is the way the main street was located. Someone asked Whitney where it should be placed. He marked the center at current day 6th and Chestnut and then plowed two furrows 100 ft apart all the way up to the railroad, just north of Second Street.
Since 1929, Atlantic is noted for the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which bottles and distributes drinks from The Coca-Cola Company to Iowa and parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.35 sqmi, of which 8.32 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi is water.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Atlantic has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.
|location = Atlantic, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present |single line = Yes |collapsed = Y |Jan record high F = 67 |Feb record high F = 76 |Mar record high F = 91 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 105 |Jun record high F = 106 |Jul record high F = 117 |Aug record high F = 111 |Sep record high F = 104 |Oct record high F = 96 |Nov record high F = 83 |Dec record high F = 72 |year record high =
|Jan avg record high F = 53.2 |Feb avg record high F = 58.5 |Mar avg record high F = 74.3 |Apr avg record high F = 84.1 |May avg record high F = 89.6 |Jun avg record high F = 93.4 |Jul avg record high F = 94.5 |Aug avg record high F = 93.5 |Sep avg record high F = 91.4 |Oct avg record high F = 85.0 |Nov avg record high F = 70.1 |Dec avg record high F = 57.0 |year avg record high F = 96.5
|Jan high F = 31.2 |Feb high F = 36.1 |Mar high F = 50.0 |Apr high F = 62.7 |May high F = 73.1 |Jun high F = 82.8 |Jul high F = 86.1 |Aug high F = 84.4 |Sep high F = 78.2 |Oct high F = 65.0 |Nov high F = 49.2 |Dec high F = 36.3 |year high F =
|Jan mean F = 20.6 |Feb mean F = 24.9 |Mar mean F = 37.4 |Apr mean F = 49.3 |May mean F = 61.2 |Jun mean F = 71.3 |Jul mean F = 74.8 |Aug mean F = 72.5 |Sep mean F = 64.5 |Oct mean F = 51.5 |Nov mean F = 37.3 |Dec mean F = 25.8 |year mean F =
|Jan low F = 9.9 |Feb low F = 13.7 |Mar low F = 24.8 |Apr low F = 35.9 |May low F = 49.3 |Jun low F = 59.8 |Jul low F = 63.5 |Aug low F = 60.6 |Sep low F = 50.8 |Oct low F = 38.1 |Nov low F = 25.4 |Dec low F = 15.3 |year low F =
|Jan avg record low F = -14.1 |Feb avg record low F = -8.7 |Mar avg record low F = 4.4 |Apr avg record low F = 18.9 |May avg record low F = 32.6 |Jun avg record low F = 44.6 |Jul avg record low F = 50.6 |Aug avg record low F = 48.2 |Sep avg record low F = 33.7 |Oct avg record low F = 20.5 |Nov avg record low F = 7.6 |Dec avg record low F = -6.8 |year avg record low F = -18.6
|Jan record low F = -37 |Feb record low F = -36 |Mar record low F = -32 |Apr record low F = 4 |May record low F = 17 |Jun record low F = 32 |Jul record low F = 37 |Aug record low F = 33 |Sep record low F = 17 |Oct record low F = 1 |Nov record low F = -16 |Dec record low F = -33 |year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 0.86 |Feb precipitation inch = 1.14 |Mar precipitation inch = 1.89 |Apr precipitation inch = 3.81 |May precipitation inch = 5.43 |Jun precipitation inch = 5.74 |Jul precipitation inch = 4.40 |Aug precipitation inch = 4.44 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.35 |Oct precipitation inch = 2.93 |Nov precipitation inch = 1.65 |Dec precipitation inch = 1.50 |year precipitation inch =
|Jan snow inch = 5.1 |Feb snow inch = 7.9 |Mar snow inch = 3.4 |Apr snow inch = 0.5 |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 = 0.7 |Nov snow inch = 2.0 |Dec snow inch = 7.7 |year snow inch =
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 6.1 |Feb precipitation days = 7.2 |Mar precipitation days = 7.8 |Apr precipitation days = 11.5 |May precipitation days = 13.6 |Jun precipitation days = 11.6 |Jul precipitation days = 10.1 |Aug precipitation days = 8.9 |Sep precipitation days = 8.6 |Oct precipitation days = 8.9 |Nov precipitation days = 6.4 |Dec precipitation days = 6.7
|unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan snow days = 5.0 |Feb snow days = 5.2 |Mar snow days = 1.8 |Apr snow days = 0.8 |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 = 0.4 |Nov snow days = 1.5 |Dec snow days = 4.6
|source 1 = NOAA |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&location=IA&station=USC00130364 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |access-date = July 23, 2022 |date = July 2022 |source 2 = National Weather Service |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=dmx |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data |access-date = July 23, 2022
Demographics
|1870= 1200 |1880= 3662 |1890= 4351 |1900= 5046 |1910= 4560 |1920= 5329 |1930= 5585 |1940= 5802 |1950= 6480 |1960= 6890 |1970= 7306 |1980= 7789 |1990= 7432 |2000= 7257 |2010= 7112 |2020= 6792 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/AtlanticIowaPopPlot.png" caption="The population of Atlantic, Iowa from US census data" alt="The population of Atlantic, Iowa from US census data"] ::
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 6,792 people, 3,106 households, and 1,749 families residing in the city. The population density was 818.8 inhabitants per square mile (316.2/km2). There were 3,379 housing units at an average density of 407.4 per square mile (157.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.0% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race comprised 2.9% of the population.
Of the 3,106 households, 24.1% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 7.0% were cohabitating couples, 31.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 19.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 43.7% of all households were non-families. 38.3% of all household were made up of individuals, 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.
The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 24.2% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.6% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 and 44; 24.7% were from 45 and 64; and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 7,112 people, 3,137 households, and 1,906 families living in the city. The population density was 854.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,399 housing units at an average density of 408.5 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6%.
Of the 3,137 households, 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.3% of households were one person and 15.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.80.
The median age was 44.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.9% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 7,257 people, 3,126 households, and 1,969 families living in the city. The population density was 890.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,354 housing units at an average density of 411.5 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 98.65% White, 0.25% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79%.
Of the 3,126 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of households were one person and 18.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.81.
Age spread: 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.
The median household income was $33,370 and the median family income was $41,168. Males had a median income of $30,691 versus $20,271 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,832. About 6.3% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
It is within the Atlantic Community School District. Atlantic High School is the local school district.
Media
;Newspaper Atlantic, Iowa is one of the smallest communities in Iowa to have a daily newspaper, the Atlantic News-Telegraph. The editor E.P. Chase of the newspaper was awarded the 1934 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. ;Radio Atlantic is home to three radio stations. KSOM 96.5 FM is a 100,000 watt station that reaches more than 22 counties with studios in Atlantic. KSOM features local news at the top of the hour as well as Bill O'Reilly news and commentary daily and 12 locally originated ag reports each weekday. KSOM broadcasts Iowa State Sports, NASCAR and high school sports coverage.
KS 95.7 offers classic rock music and is the home and away voice of the Atlantic High School Trojans. Many of the Atlantic High school sporting events are also live video streamed by KS 95.7.
Meredith Communications is the owner of KSOM and KS 95.7 and is also the publisher of the website westerniowatoday.com and a daily electronic newspaper called The Daily. KJAN 1220 AM which features a variety music format and is licensed to Wireless Communications Corp.. KJAN also broadcasts on FM translator 101.1. KJAN AM 1220/FM 101.1 features local news, sports, weather, farm and information 24 hours a day. Listen to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Kansas City Chiefs football on KJAN.
Transportation
Atlantic is served by Interstate 80 on 3 exits approximately 7–10 to the north, the primary one being a multiplex of US-6 and US-71. U.S. Route 71 turns south right as it gets to town, heading towards Kansas City. US-6 runs mostly east/west through downtown, providing connection to Council Bluffs/Omaha and Des Moines.
Railroads
Atlantic is served by the Iowa Interstate Railroad, a successor to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Until 1970 the Rock Island Railroad Atlantic depot served a daily Council Bluffs - Chicago train. The railroad has one daily job, a local known as “The Rover”, that starts and ends its shift in Atlantic. From Atlantic service is provided to customers between Hancock and Des Moines. The town also sees two daily through freights. Daily Amtrak service is in Omaha, 58 miles to the west and Creston, 58 miles to the southeast.
Major highways
Buses
Atlantic is served by daily intercity buses from Burlington Trailways. While the stop, located at 64975 Boston Rd, is named Atlantic, it is actually located over six miles from town, off Interstate 80.
Notable people
- Duane Acker (1931–2024), former president of Kansas State University
- Don A. Allen (1907–1983), member of California State Assembly and of Los Angeles City Council
- Harlan J. Bushfield (1882–1948), Republican U.S. senator and governor of South Dakota
- William G. Cambridge (1931–2004), former United States federal court judge
- Blake Curd (born 1967), Physician and South Dakota state legislator
- Jack Drake (1934–2015), state representative in Iowa
- Steve H. Hanke (born 1942), professor of economics, adviser to presidents
- Ryan Hawkins (born 1997), an American professional basketball player
- Frederick C. Loofbourow (1874–1949), U.S. representative from Utah
- Shannon McCormick (born 1971), actor and voice actor
- Ethel T. Wead Mick (1881–1957), founder of Masonic Job's Daughters
- Michael Peterson (born 1982), American football tight end.
- Ed Podolak (born 1947), football player for Iowa Hawkeyes
- Glen R. Smith, chairman and CEO, Farm Credit Administration (2019–2022)
- Guy D. Smith (1907–1981), Distinguished international soil scientist.
- William Appleman Williams (1921–1990), president of Organization of American Historians.
- M. L. Wilson (1885–1969), Former American Undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Jeff Worthington (1961–2023), gold medal-winning American paralympic athlete
- Lafayette Young (1848–1926), Republican senator from Iowa
References
References
- "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
- {{GNIS. 2394017
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
- "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". United states Census Bureau.
- "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]] American FactFinder.
- "Data from the 2010 Census". State Data Center of Iowa.
- *[http://www.atlanticiowa.com/visiting-atlantic/history Naming of Atlantic"] {{webarchive. link. (May 9, 2008)
- Quote from the plaque in front of the cabin.
- [https://www.atlanticbottling.com/about Atlantic Bottling Company - About]
- "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
- "2020 Census". United States Census Bureau.
- "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
- "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
- "Atlantic". [[Iowa Department of Education]].
- (May 1970). "Rock Island Lines, Table 1". National Railway Publication Company.
- Paul C. Nelson, University of Iowa, ‘Annals of Iowa,’ ca. 1971, “Rise and Decline of the Rock Island Passenger Train in the 20th Century,” Part II, p. 751 https://pubs.lib.uiowa.edu/annals-of-iowa/article/6748/galley/115521/view/
- [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/03/414.pdf Los Angeles Public Library reference file]
- [http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/5548 JoinCalifornia website, citing other sources]
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