Atkins, Iowa History, Economy and Politics
According to Beautyphoon, Atkins, Iowa is a small city located in Benton County, Iowa. The city is situated on the banks of the Cedar River and sits at an elevation of 895 feet above sea level. The city has a total area of 1.2 square miles with 0.6 square miles of land and 0.6 square miles of water.
Atkins is located in a rural area and is surrounded by farmlands and rolling hills with many small lakes nearby. To the west lies the Wapsipinicon River, which provides some recreational activities such as fishing, boating and canoeing. To the east are several prairies and wooded areas full of wildlife including deer, foxes, coyotes and other animals common to the Midwest region.
The climate in Atkins is typical for Iowa with hot summers and cold winters with moderate amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Summers are usually warm with temperatures reaching into the mid-80s while winters are typically cold with temperatures often dropping below freezing during this time of year.
Overall, Atkins has an attractive landscape that offers plenty of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing and hunting as well as plenty of natural beauty to admire while exploring this part of Iowa’s countryside.
History of Atkins, Iowa
Atkins, Iowa was founded in 1854 by Henry Atkins and his family. The first settlers of the area were mostly farmers, who came to the area looking for fertile land to farm. The city was originally named “Atkinsville” after the founder, but it was later changed to its current name.
In 1871, the Chicago Great Western Railway built a line through the city, connecting it to other parts of Iowa and beyond. This railway line helped to bring more people and businesses into Atkins, and it soon became a thriving agricultural center in Benton County.
In 1882, Atkins was incorporated as a city and soon after became a center for manufacturing. A number of factories opened up in the area including one that produced carriages and another that made farm machinery. Other businesses such as banks, stores and hotels also began to open up around this time.
In the early 20th century, Atkins began to experience growth due to its proximity to Cedar Rapids, which had become an important industrial hub in Iowa at this time. This growth continued until World War II when many of the factories that had been producing goods for the military closed down due to lack of demand after the war ended.
However, despite this setback Atkins continued to grow throughout the 1950s and 1960s thanks largely in part to its agricultural industry which remained strong during this period of time. Today Atkins is still an important agricultural center in Benton County with many farms still operating throughout the area as well as several small businesses located within city limits.
Economy of Atkins, Iowa
Atkins, Iowa is an agricultural center located in Benton County. Agriculture has always been the backbone of the local economy and continues to play an important role to this day. The majority of the farms in the area produce corn, soybeans, and hay as well as other crops such as wheat and oats. Livestock production is also a major part of the local economy with many farmers raising cattle, hogs, sheep, and poultry.
In addition to agriculture, Atkins has a number of small businesses located within city limits. These include automotive repair shops, hardware stores, restaurants, convenience stores and more. There are also several manufacturing facilities located in Atkins that produce items such as farm equipment and furniture.
The city also benefits from its close proximity to Cedar Rapids which is home to a number of large companies including Rockwell Collins and Alliant Energy. These companies provide employment opportunities for many residents of Atkins who commute to these larger cities for work each day.
Tourism is also an important part of Atkins’ economy as visitors come from all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty and outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. The city also hosts several annual events throughout the year including a county fair in September that draws thousands of people each year.
Overall, Atkins’ economy is diverse with agriculture playing an important role while businesses within city limits provide goods and services for local residents while tourism provides additional income for many businesses in the area.
Politics in Atkins, Iowa
Atkins, Iowa is a small town located in Benton County and is governed by a mayor-council form of government. The city’s mayor is elected to a four-year term and is responsible for setting the city’s budget, appointing department heads, and representing the city at public events. The mayor also serves as the chairperson of the City Council which consists of seven members elected to four-year terms.
The City Council is responsible for setting policy, approving ordinances and resolutions, and voting on various matters that affect the city. The council meets on the second Monday of each month at Atkins City Hall to discuss all matters related to the city.
Atkins also has several boards and commissions that provide advice and recommendations to the City Council on various issues including planning and zoning, economic development, parks and recreation, public safety, public health, library services, historic preservation, civil rights compliance, street maintenance and more.
Atkins residents are represented in Benton County by two state representatives who are elected every two years. Atkins also elects a state senator every four years who represents them in Des Moines. All representatives are subject to recall if enough signatures are collected from local voters.
Atkins residents have always been very active in politics both locally and statewide with many people taking part in campaigns for candidates they support as well as initiatives that they believe will benefit their community. This active involvement ensures that Atkins remains an important part of Benton County politics today.
