Sioux, << soo, >> City (pop. 85,797; met. area pop. 144,334) is a commercial and manufacturing center in western Iowa. It lies on the Missouri River near where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet.
Sioux City is surrounded by a farm region, and much of its industry involves trading or processing farm products. Tyson Foods, Inc., operates a large beef processing plant across the river from Sioux City. Other industries include the processing of honey and popcorn, and production of animal feed, fertilizer, tools, and truck trailers. The city serves as a port for barge traffic on the Missouri. It is the home of Briar Cliff University and Morningside University.
The Sergeant Floyd Monument rises 100 feet (30 meters) on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. It marks the grave of Charles Floyd, a U.S. Army sergeant who died while exploring the area with the Lewis and Clark expedition in the early 1800’s. Sioux City was laid out in 1854 by John K. Cook, a surveyor. The city was named after the Sioux Indians, many of whom were friendly to white settlers in the area. It has a council-manager form of government and is the seat of Woodbury County. For the monthly weather in Sioux City, see Iowa (Climate).
