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Ellston, Iowa
Ellston, IA.jpg
Location of Ellston, Iowa
Location of Ellston, Iowa
Country  United States
State  Iowa
County Ringgold
Area
 • Total 0.25 sq mi (0.64 km2)
 • Land 0.25 sq mi (0.64 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,230 ft (370 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 19
 • Density 76.31/sq mi (29.51/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50074
Area code(s) 641
FIPS code 19-25005
GNIS feature ID 2394666

Ellston is a city in Ringgold County, Iowa, United States. The population was 19 at the time of the 2020 census.

History

In 1881, anticipating the railroad, Cochran & Le Fever built a general store, giving birth to the village of Wirt. The business failed and was sold six months later, but in March 1882 the Humeston & Shenandoah Railroad established a station here. In 1895 the town's name of Wirt was changed to Ellston so mail would be correctly received, rather than confused with the nearby northeasterly town of Van Wert.

The westerly border of Ellston is county road P-64. This road was originally part of the Dragoon Trace.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 242
1910 205 −15.3%
1920 212 3.4%
1930 212 0.0%
1940 195 −8.0%
1950 158 −19.0%
1960 115 −27.2%
1970 76 −33.9%
1980 60 −21.1%
1990 44 −26.7%
2000 57 29.5%
2010 43 −24.6%
2020 19 −55.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
EllstonIowaPopPlot
The population of Ellston, Iowa from US census data

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 19 people, 9 households, and 5 families residing in the city. The population density was 76.4 inhabitants per square mile (29.5/km2). There were 13 housing units at an average density of 52.3 per square mile (20.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races and 0.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 0.0% of the population.

Of the 9 households, 22.2% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% were married couples living together, 0.0% were cohabitating couples, 66.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 0.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 44.4% of all households were non-families. 44.4% of all households were made up of individuals, 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 61.5 years. 5.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 0.0% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 15.8% were from 25 and 44; 42.1% were from 45 and 64; and 36.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.1% male and 57.9% female.

Education

Mount Ayr Community School District operates public schools serving the community.

Notable person

  • Harley A. Wilhelm, Manhattan Project chemist who invented the Ames process for purifying uranium making the atomic bomb possible, was born on a farm near Ellston.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ellston (Iowa) para niños

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