Eldon, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eldon, Iowa
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Clockwise from top left: Downtown viewing (Elm Street), Eldon Carnegie Public Library, and the Dibble House otherwise known as the American Gothic House
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Location of Eldon, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Wapello |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.10 sq mi (2.85 km2) |
| • Land | 1.09 sq mi (2.83 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 783 |
| • Density | 715.72/sq mi (276.36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52554
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-24420 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394637 |
Eldon is a small city in Wapello County, Iowa, United States. In 2020, about 783 people lived there. Eldon is famous for a special house. This house is known as the American Gothic House.
The famous artist Grant Wood used this house in his 1930 painting called American Gothic. This painting is known all over the world! Today, many people visit Eldon to see the American Gothic House. They also visit the old Rock Island Railway train station and the historic McHaffey Opera House.
Contents
History of Eldon
Eldon began in 1870. This was when the Keokuk and Des Moines Railway built train tracks through the area. The city officially became a town in 1872.
A fun fact about Eldon is that TV stars Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold once owned a diner there. It was called Roseanne and Tom's Big Food Diner. They ran it from 1993 to 1995.
Eldon is also home to the Wapello County Fair. This fair has been happening since 1868. It's a long-standing tradition!
Eldon's Location and Land
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Eldon is in the southeast part of Wapello County. It is about eleven miles southeast of Ottumwa. The city sits on the northeast bank of the Des Moines River. Iowa Highway 16 goes through Eldon.
The United States Census Bureau says Eldon covers about 1.12 square miles (2.90 km2) of land. Most of this area is land, with a very small part being water.
Schools in Eldon
Students in Eldon go to schools in the Cardinal Community School District. The main school campus is about 2.5 miles north of Eldon.
This school district also includes students from nearby towns. These towns are Agency and Batavia. It also includes the communities of Selma and Bladensburg.
The Cardinal Schools' sports teams are called the "Comets." They play in the South Central Conference.
Eldon's Population Over Time
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The population of Eldon has changed over many years. In 1880, there were 729 people. The highest population was in 1920, with 2,091 people. By 2020, the population was 783.
What the 2020 Census Showed
The 2020 census counted 783 people living in Eldon. There were 361 households, which are groups of people living together. Most residents, about 94.4%, were White. About 3.1% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Eldon was 45.3 years old. About 24.3% of the people were under 20 years old. Also, 22.6% were 65 years old or older. Slightly more than half of the residents were female (52.0%).
Historic Places in Eldon
Besides the famous American Gothic House, other buildings in Eldon are also very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected because of their history.
These places include:
- Big 4 Fair Art Hall
- Eldon Public Library
- McHaffey Opera House
See also
In Spanish: Eldon (Iowa) para niños
