Cedar Rapids (pop. 137,710; met. area pop. 276,520) is a manufacturing and distributing city in Iowa, and the center of a large farming area. It is the second largest city in Iowa. Only Des Moines is larger. Cedar Rapids lies on the Cedar River in Linn County, in east-central Iowa. Oatmeal mills, established in the 1870’s, were the start of the city’s thriving cereal-processing industry. Other foods processed include corn, meat, and soybeans. Industries in the city produce machinery, flight control equipment, and computer systems. Such service industries as health care, education, and telemarketing (selling by phone) employ many workers in the region.
Cultural attractions in the city include a symphony orchestra, a community theater, and the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Cedar Rapids is the home of Coe College and Mount Mercy University. The Iowa Masonic Library has a large collection of books on Freemasonry.
Cedar Rapids was first settled as Rapids City in 1841 and was incorporated under the present name in 1849. The rapids in the Cedar River inspired both names. The city has a council-manager form of government, and it is the seat of Linn County.
In 2008, heavy rains led to a devastating flood in which the Cedar River overflowed its banks. Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as the river reached record high levels.
