Albia, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albia, Iowa
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Monroe County Courthouse
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Location within Monroe County and Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Monroe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.23 sq mi (8.37 km2) |
| • Land | 3.23 sq mi (8.37 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,721 |
| • Density | 1,151.30/sq mi (444.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52531
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-00910 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0454114 |
Albia is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, in southern Iowa, United States. The population was 3,721 at the 2020 census.
Contents
History
Albia was incorporated as a town in 1856.
On Feb. 14, 1893, there was a coal mine explosion in Chicago and Iowa mine, about 2.5 miles west of Albia. This room and pillar mine opened around 1877, and by the time of the explosion, mining extended more than 1,000 yards from the hoisting shaft and the mine employed 60 miners and 20 other men. One miner was killed outright and seven died later of their injuries, after a "shot" (gunpowder charge used to bring down the coal) ignited a dust explosion in the mine. This was one of only two major mine disasters in Iowa between 1888 and 1913.
In the early 20th century, the region around Albia was dotted with coal mining camps and company towns. Of these, Buxton, 9 miles north, is the most widely studied. Other former coal camps in the area include Hiteman, Bluff Creek, Lockman, Coalfield, Hocking, and Hynes. Membership in the United Mine Workers union is a useful measure of the importance of mining in the region. In 1902, UMW Locals 692 and 793 in Albia had an aggregate membership of 216. By 1912, UMW Locals 407, 782 and 793 in Albia had an aggregate membership of 338 (about 7.2% of the 1910 population). Miners in Hiteman, 5 miles northwest of town, joined the UMWA in 1898; between 1902 and 1912, membership grew from 450 to 688. Miners in Hynes, 7 miles east, joined the UMWA in 1896; between 1902 and 1912, membership grew from 330 to 543.
Geography
Albia's longitude and latitude coordinates in decimal form are 41.026600, −92.805262.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.19 square miles (8.26 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 620 | — |
| 1870 | 1,621 | +161.5% |
| 1880 | 2,435 | +50.2% |
| 1890 | 2,359 | −3.1% |
| 1900 | 2,889 | +22.5% |
| 1910 | 4,969 | +72.0% |
| 1920 | 5,067 | +2.0% |
| 1930 | 4,425 | −12.7% |
| 1940 | 5,157 | +16.5% |
| 1950 | 4,838 | −6.2% |
| 1960 | 4,582 | −5.3% |
| 1970 | 4,151 | −9.4% |
| 1980 | 4,184 | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 3,870 | −7.5% |
| 2000 | 3,706 | −4.2% |
| 2010 | 3,766 | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 3,721 | −1.2% |
| Iowa Data Center Source: |
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2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,766 people, 1,540 households, and 960 families living in the city. The population density was 1,180.6 inhabitants per square mile (455.8/km2). There were 1,763 housing units at an average density of 552.7 per square mile (213.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 1,540 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.7% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.98.
The median age in the city was 40 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.
Activities
In Albia, there's the "Monroe Aquatic Center", "Washington Park", and the "City Park". The aquatic center has two water slides, low dive, high dive, children's area, basketball hoops above the water, and lockers. The city park includes a basketball court, a baseball field, a tennis court, and a playground with swings.
Education
Albia Community School District operates public schools serving the community.
Notable people
- George Bennard (1873–1958), composer of "The Old Rugged Cross"
- James W. Cattern (1867-1955), poet, privately printed volume of poetry Songs of Summer (1894).
- Nathan E. Kendall (1868–1936), politician and U.S. Representative from Iowa's 6th congressional district and the 23rd Governor of Iowa
- John Judge (born 1944), politician, served in the Iowa State Senate
- Patty Judge (born 1943), politician, served Iowa as State Senator, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, and Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
- Johnny Miler, né Miletich (1910–1976) Boxer, 1932 Summer Olympics. Defeated Joe Louis in amateur bout
- Wendell Nedderman (1921-2019), college administrator, president of The University of Texas at Arlington from 1972 to 1992
- James Stevens (1892–1971), musician and writer, most notably Paul Bunyan
- Fred Townsend (1862–1918), politician and Iowa legislator, football player
- Josiah T. Young (1831-1907), politician - Iowa Secretary of State, legislator and newspaper editor; mayor of Albia
Images for kids
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A parade outside Town Square, 1959
See also
In Spanish: Albia para niños
