Steamboat Rock was platted in 1855. It was named from a large rock onthe river bluff which is said to resemble a queue of steamboats from a distance.
Geography
Steamboat Rock is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
Climate
Designated as having a humid continental climate, this region typically has a large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round in many areas with this climate. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfa"..
As of the census of 2010, there were 310 people, 146 households, and 81 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 164 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.6% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.7% of the population. There were 146 households of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couplesliving together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.5% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.3% were from 45 to 64; and 20% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 336 people, 150 households, and 91 families living in the city. The population density was 617.6 people per square mile. There were 158 housing units at an average density of 290.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.45% White, 0.89% African American, 0.60% Asian, 4.17% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.25% of the population. There were 150 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.93. In the city, the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males. The median income for a household in the city was $28,125, and the median income for a family was $39,125. Males had a median income of $26,607 versus $25,156 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,777. About 12.9% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 17.7% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Steamboat Rock is a major producer of corn and producer of ethanol, which is made from corn. The city was covered on a segment of the 60 Minutes television news program on May 7, 2006, in regard to its production of ethanol. The long dormant railroad line through the town was reactivated in 2007 with the establishment of the Iowa River Railroad - a rail line that primarily serves the ethanol industry.
