Johnston was established in 1905 as a station on the interurban railway between Des Moines and Perry known as Johnston Station. It was named for the railway's freight supervisor, John F. Johnston. Voters passed a resolution to incorporate on June 23, 1969. On September 8, the first Mayor and Council were sworn in. Incorporation papers were signed by the Clerk of the District Court on December 11, 1969. At the time, the Johnston Station area did not become part of the incorporated city because of a state law that prevented a town within three miles of another city from incorporating. The neighboring cities of Des Moines and Urbandale were also interested in that land, but in April 1970, Johnston and Urbandale reached an agreement that allowed Johnston to annex the Johnston Station area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water. The city is bordered on the east by the Des Moines River and the city's area includes part of Saylorville Reservoir. On the south, the city is bordered by Interstate 80 and to the west, the city limits extend to a half mile east of Iowa Highway 141. The city is bisected by Beaver Creek, which flows southerly through the city until it nearly reaches Interstate 80, at which point the course turn easterly and flows to the Des Moines River.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 17,278 people, 6,369 households, and 4,720 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 2.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.6% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0%. Of the 6,369 households 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.4% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.9% were non-families. 20.7% of households were one person and 6.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 36.9 years. 29.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
At the 2000 census there were 8,649 people, 3,216 households, and 2,318 families living in the city. The estimated population of Johnston in 2009 was 16,161 people. The population density was 602.8 people per square mile. There were 3,406 housing units at an average density of 237.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.20% White, 0.58% African American, 0.10% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53%. Of the 3,216 households 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 5.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 23.3% of households were one person and 9.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13. Age spread: 29.7% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males. The median household income was $76,094 and the median family income was $97,322. Males had a median income of $61,585 versus $36,008 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,407. About 2.0% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
