Welcome to Calumet!

Contact:

Diane Cargin
City Clerk
P.O. Box 131
Calumet, Iowa 51009
Phone: (712) 446-2490

 

A charming, quiet community tucked into the southeastern corner of O'Brien County, Iowa. Our shady streets and friendly people offer opportunity as a safe and wonderful place to live and work.

 

Calumet, Iowa

 

LOCATION: 

Calumet, Iowa is located on Highway 59, 15 miles north of Cherokee, Iowa and 75 miles northwest of Sioux City, Iowa.

BRAGGING RIGHTS:

It’s a David and Goliath kind of story. The basketball team from Calumet became known as THE GIANT KILLERS when the team from this tiny O'Brien County community went up against the likes of Ames and Davenport, Iowa in 1961. Calumet’s team had the entire region cheering as it defeated both powerhouses before losing to Marshalltown in the championship game. Calumet’s rich history as a basketball town is reflected in their participation in the state tournaments in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1961.

We use this story to illustrate the typical Calumet way of thinking  - nothing is impossible and anything is probable in our town.

RECREATION AND TOURISM:

Calumet has a lovely city park with playground and picnicking. Camping, fishing, hunting and canoeing can be found near the town. Calumet’s residents play host to school alumni every five years at a grand all-school reunion. The Community Club sponsors a summertime family picnic and a local church hosts a turkey dinner in November. In February Calumet’s volunteer fire department hosts a delicious soup or pancake supper for the public.

SCHOOLS:

Your student will get excellent attention from  teachers in the South O'Brien School District with an average teacher to student ratio of 1 : 12. K-6th Graders attend the Primghar facility;  7th through 12th grades are schooled in Paullina. Paullina is also home to a transitional kindergarten program. The school district provides busing of students to its various facilities.

HEALTH CARE:

Certified EMTs and First Responders Ambulance service from Sutherland -12 minutes to nearest hospital

DAYCARE:

Quality daycare is available in neighboring communities.

CHURCHES:

Zion United Church of Christ

110 W. 3rd Street

Calumet, IA 51009

(712) 446-2308

Other churches representing a wide variety of denominations can be found in neighboring communities

 

UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

Electricity:

Local Supplier: Mid-American

Electrical Source: Port Neal generating plant

Primary Voltage: 13,800

Average residential rate: Available upon request

Average commercial rate: Available upon request

Average industrial rate: Available upon request

 

WATER:

Water Operator: Tyler Sechler (712) 446-2269

Supplier: City of Calumet

Source of city water: well

Elevated storage capacity: all underground

Capacity of water plant: n/a

Average consumption: 272,666 gpd

Peak consumption: 42,904,290 gpd

 

NATURAL GAS:

Name of local distributor: Mid-American Energy

 

SANITATION:

Type sewage treatment plant: lagoon

Percent of community served 100%

 

TELEPHONE:

West Iowa Telecom with dial-up service

Internet: ISDN /DSL/T1-DS1

Cable TV: Yes

 

MUNICIPAL / GOVERNMENT INFORMATION:

 

Type of Government:

Mayor and 5 member city council. Mayor is elected every 2 years and Council members every 4 years on a staggered basis.

Mayor: Michael Jensen  (712) 446-2086

 

Management: City Administrator

Hours: Wednesdays, 7 - 11 AM at Community Building

 

Public Works Director

Zoning: Yes

Fire Department: member volunteer fire department

Fire Insurance

Classification: 7 inside city limits, 10 outside city limits

Police Protection: O'Brien County Sheriff’s Department

Industrial Waste Pickup: Yes

 

TYPES OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY:  

Agri-business

 

COMMENTS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS:

"Calumet is a great place to locate a business. We have a labor-friendly workforce, low taxes and virtually no crime." - Steve Loshman, CS Agrow

 

TAX STRUCTURE:

Assessed Value of property in city: $3,335,786

Tax rate per $1000 assessed value 24.476

Bonding capacity: $1,667,893

Future indebtedness plans -0-

 

INDUSTRIAL PARKS:

Calumet is willing to work with any business in fulfilling their needs.

 

AVAILABLE BUILDINGS:  

Available upon request.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

Air Service: 15 minutes to local airport with 4,000 ft. concrete runway, Unicom radio, non-directional beacon. 30 minutes to nearest regional airport in Sheldon featuring a 4,199 foot concrete runway with VOR, Unicom, non-directional beacon. Charter service available.

 

HIGHWAYS:

Served by Highway 59.

Interstate:  55 minutes from I-90  and 60 minutes from I-29

 

CRIME RATE:

Basically there isn't any in Calumet. Iowa is a very safe place to live and work, when compared to other states. According to the Uniform Crime Report, Iowa ranks 41st in the country with regard to violent crimes, with 39 states as having higher crimes rates. Statistics show violent crimes and property crimes have consistently gone down in Iowa over the past few years.

 

Click here for Calumet Census Data