Sioux City, Iowa

Perched at the convergence of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota where the Big Sioux and Floyd rivers meet the Missouri, Sioux City was a rough-and-tumble steamboat town and meatpacking capital. It's home to the only gravesite on the Lewis and Clark Trail — Sergeant Charles Floyd, the expedition's sole fatality.

Founded 1854 | Population 85,000 | Peak 85,000 (2024) | County Woodbury County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Sioux City, Iowa

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1854Founded: Sioux City was founded at the confluence of the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers.

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1804Sgt. Floyd Dies: Sergeant Charles Floyd of the Lewis and Clark Expedition died near here — the only death on the journey. His monument stands today.

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1892Meatpacking Peak: Sioux City became one of the largest meatpacking centers in the nation, with massive stockyards.

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1989United Flight 232: United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed at Sioux Gateway Airport. Of 296 aboard, 185 survived thanks to heroic crew actions.

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2011Missouri Flooding: Record Missouri River flooding forced evacuations and caused extensive damage across the Sioux City area.

Complete Historical Timeline

1854 Culture

Founded

1804 Culture

Sgt. Floyd Dies

1892 Industry

Meatpacking Peak

1989 Disaster

United Flight 232

2011 Disaster

Missouri Flooding

Did You Know?

United Flight 232's crash-landing in 1989 was a miracle of pilot skill — 184 of 296 survived.

Sioux City sits at the junction of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City is in the historic Battery Building.

Sioux City is located in Woodbury County, Iowa.

Sioux City was founded in 1854.

Famous People from Sioux City, Iowa

Alan J. Heeger

Engineer, Physicist · Born Jan 22, 1936 · Age 90

W. Edwards Deming

Composer, Engineer · Born Oct 14, 1900 · Died Dec 20, 1993 (age 93)

Harry Hopkins

Politician, Diplomat · Born Aug 17, 1890 · Died Jan 29, 1946 (age 55)

Tommy Bolin

Composer, Guitarist · Born Aug 1, 1951 · Died Dec 4, 1976 (age 25)

Kirk Hinrich

Basketball Player · Born Jan 2, 1981 · Age 45