Dedham is a city in Carroll County, Iowa, United States. The population was 224 at the time of the 2020 census.

History Dedham got its start in the year 1881, following construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway through that territory. It was named for Dedham, Massachusetts.

St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1891 by German and English Catholics. They built the first church in 1892 with a new, larger church coming in 1904. The present church was dedicated on October 1, 1940, by Bishop Edmond Heelan.

Geography Dedham is located at the junction of Brushy and Dedham Creeks.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Government and politics

Dedham operates under a mayor-council government. The Mayor is Robert Sporrer. Along with the mayor is the five person city council. Council members are:[ Christopher John Hoffman, Mike Heinrichs, Rod Smith, Tony Derner, and Tony Seidl. The City Clerk is Heather Badding. City elections are held every two odd numbered years. The mayor serves a two-year term, while the members of the council serve four-year terms.

+ Mayor and city council Name Years serving First elected Notes Robert Sporrer 2018–present 2017 Eligible for re-election in 2019 Mike Heinrichs 2008–Present 2007 Eligible for re-election in 2019 Tony Derner 2015–Present 2017 Eligible for re-election in 2021 Chris Hoffman 2018–Present 2017 Eligible for re-election in 2021Rod Smith 2016–Present 2015 Eligible for re-election in 2019Tony Seidl 2013–? 2013 Eligible for re-election in 2021

Past mayors No. Name Years Length of term Notes 1 Charles Shefford 1883 1 year Resigned; was a federal officer 2 W. A. Lytton 1883-1884 2 years 3 J. A. Edgett 1884-1885 2 years 4 N. B. Coder 1885-1886 2 years 5 J. A. Edgett 1886-1887 2 years Second mayorship 6 John W. Niman 1887-1888 2 years 7 J. A. Edgett 1888-1889 2 years Third mayorship 8 J. A. Horton 1889-1890 2 years 9 A. W. Basom 1890-1892 3 years 10 J. A. Edgett 1893-1897 5 years Fourth mayorship 11 J. G. Caton 1897-1898 2 years 12 J. A. Edgett 1898-1900 2 years Fifth mayorship 13 Fred A. Toovey 1900-1910 10 years 14 M. Slife 1910-1911 1 year 15 Fred A. Toovey 1911-1922 11 years Second mayorship 16 Reed McMurray 1922-1924 2 years 17 A. J. Ayrhart 1924-1926 2 years 18 H. E. Qualheim 1926-1927 1 year 19 J. J. Klingseis 1927-1932 5 years 20 L. W. Chain 1932-1934 2 years 21 Fred A. Toovey 1934-1936 2 years Third mayorship 22 F. F. Schreck 1936-1940 4 years 23 Ben Roderick 1940-1942 3 years 24 Fred A. Toovey 1943-1945 2 years Fourth mayorship 25 J. T. Stangl 1945-1948 3 years 26 Norbert Koester 1948-1953 5 years City elections were moved from even numbered years to odd numbered years (1951) 27 Ed Soppe 1954-1963 10 years 28 John Werner 1964-1965 2 years 29 Merlin Nair 1966-1969 4 years 30 Herman Hathcock 1970-1973 4 years 31 Merlin Nair 1974-December 31, 1975 2 years Second mayorship 32 Clarence J. Rothmeyer January 1, 1976 – May 1, 1992 16 years Resigned due to health issues 33 Russell W. Axman May 1, 1992 – December 31, 2017 26 years Longest-serving mayor in Dedham history 34 Robert Sporrer January 1, 2018 – September 14, 2021 3 Years, 8 Months 35 Thomas L. Seidl January 1, 2022 – ?

Demographics

2020 census As of the census of 2020, there were 224 people, 83 households, and 56 families residing in the city. The population density was 405.5 inhabitants per square mile (156.5/km2). There were 100 housing units at an average density of 181.0 per square mile (69.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.1% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 0.0% of the population.

Of the 83 households, 41.0% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% were cohabitating couples, 19.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 21.7% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 32.5% of all households were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 32.0 years. 33.5% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 29.5% were from 25 and 44; 16.1% were from 45 and 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 266 people, 101 households, and 65 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 107 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.4% of the population.

There were 101 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.32.

The median age in the city was 32.3 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census As of the census of 2000, there were 270 people, 112 households, and 68 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 117 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 113 households, out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,125, and the median income for a family was $37,639. Males had a median income of $25,000 versus $15,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,505. About 7.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 9.4% of those 65 or over.

Education The public school district is the Carroll Community School District."Carroll ." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 18, 2018.

References

Works cited