Eldon, Iowa

Eldon, Iowa
City
The Famous Painting
Location of Eldon, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°55′4″N 92°13′13″W / 40.91778°N 92.22028°WCoordinates: 40°55′4″N 92°13′13″W / 40.91778°N 92.22028°W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Wapello
Area[1]
• Total	1.12 sq mi (2.90 km^2)
• Land	1.11 sq mi (2.87 km^2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km^2)
Elevation	620 ft (189 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	927
• Estimate (2012[3])	916
• Density	835.1/sq mi (322.4/km^2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	52554
Area code(s)	641
FIPS code	19-24420
GNIS feature ID	0456263

Eldon is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The population was 927 at the 2010 census. Eldon is the site of the small Carpenter Gothic style house that has come to be known as the American Gothic House because Grant Wood used it for the background in his famous 1930 painting American Gothic.^[4]

Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold, who was born in nearby Ottumwa, operated Roseanne and Tom's Big Food Diner in Eldon from 1993 to 1995.^[5]

History

Eldon had its start in the year 1870 by the building of the Keokuk and Des Moines Railway through that territory.^[6] It was incorporated in 1872.^[7]

Geography

Eldon is located at 40°55′4″N 92°13′13″W / 40.91778°N 92.22028°W (40.917702, -92.220395).^[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.12 square miles (2.90 km²), of which, 1.11 square miles (2.87 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.^[1] The city is situated on the north bank of the Des Moines River.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1880	729	—
1890	1,725	+136.6%
1900	1,850	+7.2%
1910	2,024	+9.4%
1920	2,091	+3.3%
1930	1,788	−14.5%
1940	1,676	−6.3%
1950	1,457	−13.1%
1960	1,386	−4.9%
1970	1,319	−4.8%
1980	1,255	−4.9%
1990	1,070	−14.7%
2000	998	−6.7%
2010	927	−7.1%
2014	915	−1.3%
2015	915	+0.0%
Source:"American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census[9]

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 927 people, 406 households, and 260 families residing in the city. The population density was 835.1 inhabitants per square mile (322.4/km²). There were 448 housing units at an average density of 403.6 per square mile (155.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 406 households of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 42.3 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

2013 aerial photo of Eldon

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 998 people, 438 households, and 275 families residing in the city. The population density was 884.3 people per square mile (341.0/km²). There were 470 housing units at an average density of 416.5 per square mile (160.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.40% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.

There were 438 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,950, and the median income for a family was $37,250. Males had a median income of $29,261 versus $20,573 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,495. About 11.4% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

National Register of Historic Places

In addition to the American Gothic House the following properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Big 4 Fair Art Hall
• Eldon Public Library
• McHaffey Opera House

References

1. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
2. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
3. "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
4. American Gothic House Center | Home
5. "Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs". TV Acres. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
6. Waterman, Harrison Lyman (1914). History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume 1. S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 283.
7. Evans, Samuel B. (1901). History of Wapello County, Iowa, and Representative Citizens. Higginson Book Company. p. 139.
8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
10. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.

External links

• American Gothic House Center site Has links to area attractions
• City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Eldon
• Cardinal Community School District