The city is named after a Muslim Algerian leader, Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri. When the community was platted in 1846, the founders, Timothy Davis, John Thompson and Chester Sage decided to name it for the young Algerian who was leading his people in resisting the French conquest of Algeria. The town is known for its bridge over the Turkey River, said to be the largest stone arch bridge west of the Mississippi River. It, and many of the local buildings, are made from locally quarried sandstone. The town's grocery store, Wilke's, is the oldest continuously operated grocery store west of the Mississippi, as well. Elkader also features a renovated Victorian-era opera house, and the Turkey River Mall, a 29-room hotel converted into antique stores. The town featured in a WAMUWorld View documentary; "Couscous and cultural diplomacy", a documentary that focuses on an openly gay couple, one of whom is Algerian, who settled in Elkader and opened an Algerian-American restaurant. The documentary describes how the couple have largely been accepted as part of the community yet wrestle with cultural adaptation, American identity, and small town politics, as well as many of the personal issues they experienced post 9/11. The city was one of many in Iowa affected by the Iowa Flood of 2008, with flood waters from the Turkey River reaching historic levels.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land. The lowest ever temperature of Iowa, was recorded on February 3, 1996.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 1,273 people, 577 households, and 342 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 627 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3%. Of the 577 households 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.7% of households were one person and 16.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.73. The median age was 49.8 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 32.4% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.2% male and 53.8% female.
At the 2000 census there were 1,465 people, 645 households, and 403 families living in the city. The population density was 1,049.0 people per square mile. There were 693 housing units at an average density of 496.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.25% White, 0.20% African American, 0.07% Native American, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.07%. Of the 645 households 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 35.0% of households were one person and 20.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.77. 20.6% are under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 27.0% 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.6 males. The median household income was $32,857 and the median family income was $41,830. Males had a median income of $28,235 versus $19,550 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,785. About 2.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.
