PROFILE OF DAVENPORT, IOWA

Davenport, Iowa is a bustling, vibrant community with a rich history closely related to one of the world's mightiest rivers, the picturesque Mississippi.

The city of Davenport was incorporated in 1839 and is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the census of 2000, there are 98,359 people, 39,124 households, and 24,804 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city is 83.68% White, 9.24% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.32% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 5.36% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 39,124 households out of which 31.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.6% are non-families. 29.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.03.

The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,242, and the median income for a family is $45,944. Males have a median income of $34,153 versus $24,634 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,828. 14.1% of the population and 10.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.2% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

The city is part of the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois. The city borders the Mississippi River. Davenport is the home of Palmer Chiropractic College, the birthplace of chiropractic medicine and wellness technique. Saint Ambrose University is also located in Davenport. Davenport is the county seat of Scott County.

This is a friendly Midwest community where, contrary to popular belief, the vigorous river runs east and west. Davenport offers professional theatre, the Quad City Symphony, historic riverboat cruises and riverboat gaming, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and the Quad City Air Show.

Davenport often makes national headlines when the Mississippi River floods. It is the only city over 20,000 people bordering the Mississippi that has no permanent floodwall or levee. Davenport prefers the open access to the river for parks and vistas over having access cut off by dikes and levees. Davenport has adopted ordinances that any new construction in the floodplain must be elevated above the 100 year flood level or protected with walls. As a result, feasibility studies done by the United States Army Corps of Engineers have determined that building a floodwall along Davenport's riverfront is not feasible. Two examples of buildings that are elevated or floodproofed in Davenport are John O'Donnell Stadium and the Figge Art Museum.

Several well-known annual festivals take place in Davenport. Notable festivals are the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, The Mississippi Valley Fair, and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, dedicated to Davenport native Bix Beiderbecke. An internationally known seven-mile foot race called the Bix 7 is run during the festival.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is based out of Davenport. This diocese covers the southeast quarter of the state of Iowa. The current Bishop of the Diocese is Bishop William Edwin Franklin. The Cathedral parish for this Diocese is Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Cultural programs and recreational activities play an active role in the lives of Davenport citizens as it is home to the RiverCenter/Adler Theatre, Putnam Museum of History and Natural Sciences, a 50 year old children's theatre program, and one of the largest art institutions in the state of Iowa, the Figge Art Museum. The Figge has a magnificent collection of paintings and prints by American Regionalist Grant Wood. The Davenport Public Library serves as a resource center for all citizens of Davenport while assuring maximum access to information for lifelong learning.

Top quality golf courses, swimming pools, tennis courts, scenic biking trails and athletic fields offer abundant opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors including the grandeur of the riverfront.

The City of Davenport provides a full, high quality of life for its citizens. There is always something to do, historical attractions to visit and great events to experience. For a current calendar of events visit the Quad Cities Convention and Visitor's Bureau.