You've probably heard of Elkader City, Iowa - a small town in the northeast corner of the state and seat of Clayton County - but did you know its history has a surprising contemporary relevance? Elkader's founders named the town after a 19th-century Algerian jihadist who fought against French colonialism. Today, Elkader maintains a sister-city relationship with Mascara, Algeria. Residents of both towns communicate via email, while mayor Josh Pope shuttles between the two communities for events. Algerians recently sent aid to flood-stricken areas of eastern Iowa.
In terms of population, Elkader is home to 1,078 voters, or about 3% of the state's total population. Despite this, the population has declined over the last decade. The current population of Elkader is estimated to drop by -0.5% every year. The poverty rate in Elkader is 8.34%. The median house value is $109,500. The median age of residents is 46.3 years old, with males averaging that age and females a little over 47.
According to the census, the median age was 49.8 years old, while 18.9% of residents were under 18.6% were under the age of 18. Those between 25 and 44 were most likely to be married, with only 6.5% being single. Twenty-four percent of households were non-families, with only one adult living in them. Those 65 and older comprised a large minority.