Eldora, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eldora, Iowa
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| Motto(s):
"Come and Explore"
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Location of Eldora, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Hardin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.28 sq mi (11.09 km2) |
| • Land | 4.28 sq mi (11.09 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,086 ft (331 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,663 |
| • Density | 622.05/sq mi (240.17/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50627
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-24465 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0456266 |
Eldora is a city in Iowa, United States. It is the main town, or "county seat," of Hardin County, Iowa. In 2020, about 2,663 people lived there.
Contents
Discovering Eldora's History
Eldora was first planned out in 1853. It officially became a city on July 1, 1895. A local mother named the town Eldora. She chose the name to remember her baby daughter who had passed away. The name 'Eldora' comes from a Spanish word meaning "the gilded," which suggests something shiny or valuable.
Eldora's Location and Landscape
Eldora is located in a special spot in Iowa. It covers about 4.33 square miles (11.2 square kilometers) of land. The city sits near the edge of something called the Altmont Moraine. This moraine is a hill of dirt and rocks left behind by a huge glacier long ago.
The town is also close to the Iowa River. The river has cut a deep path through the sandstone rock in this area.
Eldora's Climate
Eldora has a climate known as "humid continental." This means the weather changes a lot between seasons. Summers are usually warm to hot, and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. Rain and snow fall fairly evenly throughout the year.
Eldora's Population Over Time
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1870 | 1,268 | — |
| 1880 | 1,584 | +24.9% |
| 1890 | 1,577 | −0.4% |
| 1900 | 2,233 | +41.6% |
| 1910 | 1,995 | −10.7% |
| 1920 | 3,189 | +59.8% |
| 1930 | 3,200 | +0.3% |
| 1940 | 3,553 | +11.0% |
| 1950 | 3,107 | −12.6% |
| 1960 | 3,225 | +3.8% |
| 1970 | 3,223 | −0.1% |
| 1980 | 3,063 | −5.0% |
| 1990 | 3,038 | −0.8% |
| 2000 | 3,035 | −0.1% |
| 2010 | 2,732 | −10.0% |
| 2020 | 2,663 | −2.5% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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What the 2020 Census Shows
In 2020, there were 2,663 people living in Eldora. There were 1,096 households, which are groups of people living together. The city had about 622 people per square mile.
Most people in Eldora, about 89.6%, were White. About 2.3% were Black or African American. Other groups included Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islander people. About 3.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Eldora was 43.3 years old. About 27.3% of the people were under 20 years old. Many households (43.5%) were married couples. About 50.7% of the residents were male, and 49.3% were female.
What the 2010 Census Showed
In 2010, Eldora had 2,732 people. There were 1,079 households. The population density was about 631 people per square mile.
About 94.8% of the people were White. Other groups included African American, Native American, and Asian. About 3.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age was 41.6 years. About 26.5% of residents were under 18. About 51.7% of the people were male, and 48.3% were female.
Schools in Eldora
Eldora is part of the Eldora–New Providence Community School District. This district was formed in 1980. The district works with the Hubbard–Radcliffe Community School District. Together, they are known as "South Hardin Schools."
South Hardin High School is located in Eldora. South Hardin Middle School is in Hubbard, Iowa.
Local News
The Eldora Herald-Ledger is a weekly newspaper. It shares news about Eldora and Hardin County. This includes news from local schools like AGWSR, BCLUW, and South Hardin.
Fun and Recreation
Eldora is a great place for outdoor activities. It is located next to the Iowa River. It is also very close to Pine Lake State Park. This park offers many chances to enjoy nature.
Important Places
Eldora is home to the State Training School for Boys. This school helps young males who need special guidance and support.
Famous People from Eldora
Many notable people have connections to Eldora:
- George C. Armstrong – An Illinois state senator and newspaper editor.
- Thomas DeBaggio – A journalist and author.
- George Gardner Fagg – A senior United States federal judge.
- Jonathan Hole – An actor who worked in vaudeville, radio, TV, and movies.
- Mona Van Duyn – A famous poet who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. She also served as the United States Poet Laureate.
Eldora in the Movies
Eldora is famous for being a filming location for the 1996 movie Twister. The exciting final scene with the tornado was filmed at an old house in Eldora. This house is now a private home.
Images for kids
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Eldora Downtown
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Location of Eldora, Iowa
See also
In Spanish: Eldora (Iowa) para niños
