Chelsea, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chelsea, Iowa
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Chelsea City Hall and Library
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Location of Chelsea, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Tama |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2) |
| • Land | 1.01 sq mi (2.62 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 781 ft (238 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 229 |
| • Density | 226.06/sq mi (87.26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52215
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-12990 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0455368 |
Chelsea is a small city in Tama County, Iowa, United States. In 2020, about 229 people lived there. The city is in the Iowa River Valley. Because of its location, Chelsea has been badly damaged by floods many times.
Contents
History of Chelsea
Chelsea got its name from Chelsea, Massachusetts. A post office opened here in 1863. The town was planned out in 1863 and officially became a city in 1878.
In 1863, Charles Irish surveyed the land for Seneca C. Breese. Later, more land was added to the town. One of the first buildings was a log cabin. A warehouse was built in 1862. The first building made of wood was a blacksmith shop. W. H. Graham opened the first store in 1863. The railroad reached the area in 1861, and a small group of buildings called Otter Creek was the end of the line for about a year. Chelsea's first hotel opened in 1863.
Railroads and Chelsea
The Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was the first train line to reach Chelsea. In 1856, the state of Iowa gave land to a railroad company to build a railway. However, that company failed. In 1860, the state gave the land to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company instead.
This railroad built steadily. It crossed the Cedar River and reached Otter Creek by 1861. By 1862, the railroad had arrived in Chelsea. This railroad was important because it was the first to cross all of Iowa and reach the Missouri River.
Flooding in Chelsea
Chelsea is located in the low-lying areas near the Iowa River and Otter Creek. This means the city is very likely to flood often.
Some of the biggest floods in Chelsea's history happened in 1918, 1944, 1947, 1960, 1969, 1993, and 2008. Because of these frequent floods and the damage they cause, fewer people live in Chelsea now. The floods have also made life harder for the community.
Geography of Chelsea
Chelsea is located in the Iowa River Valley. It is surrounded by hills that have some forests.
The United States Census Bureau says that Chelsea covers about 1.01 square miles (2.62 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
People of Chelsea (Demographics)
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1880 | 263 | — |
| 1890 | 318 | +20.9% |
| 1900 | 419 | +31.8% |
| 1910 | 507 | +21.0% |
| 1920 | 557 | +9.9% |
| 1930 | 575 | +3.2% |
| 1940 | 540 | −6.1% |
| 1950 | 482 | −10.7% |
| 1960 | 453 | −6.0% |
| 1970 | 381 | −15.9% |
| 1980 | 376 | −1.3% |
| 1990 | 336 | −10.6% |
| 2000 | 287 | −14.6% |
| 2010 | 267 | −7.0% |
| 2020 | 229 | −14.2% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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Chelsea's Population in 2020
According to the census in 2020, 229 people lived in Chelsea. There were 88 households and 62 families. The city had about 226 people per square mile.
Most of the people (68.1%) were White. About 22.7% were from other races, and 7.9% were from two or more races. About 31.4% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
About 34.1% of households had children under 18. Many households (46.6%) were married couples living together. The average age in Chelsea was 39.1 years. About 27.1% of residents were under 20 years old.
Chelsea's Population in 2010
In the census of 2010, 267 people lived in Chelsea. There were 94 households and 60 families. The city had about 264 people per square mile.
Most of the people (79.0%) were White. About 17.2% were from other races. About 34.1% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
About 39.4% of households had children under 18. The average age in Chelsea was 30.8 years. About 29.6% of residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Chelsea
Students in Chelsea attend schools within the South Tama County Community School District.
See also
In Spanish: Chelsea (Iowa) para niños
