Garden Grove, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garden Grove
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Location of Garden Grove, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Decatur |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.68 sq mi (1.75 km2) |
| • Land | 0.68 sq mi (1.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,116 ft (340 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 174 |
| • Density | 257.40/sq mi (99.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50103
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-29775 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394852 |
Garden Grove is a small town located in Decatur County, Iowa, in the United States. In 2020, the town had a population of 174 people. It is known for its important role as a stop along the historic Mormon Trail.
Contents
History of Garden Grove
Early Settlement and the Mormon Trail
On April 24, 1846, a group of travelers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led by Brigham Young, set up a temporary camp. This camp was a "way station," or a resting and supply stop, halfway through their journey across Iowa. They named it Garden Grove because the area was full of wild onions.
In just three weeks, these pioneers fenced off and planted about 715 acres (2.9 square kilometers) of land. They created this village to help those who didn't have enough supplies or money to continue their trip. It also served as a place to support and provide for future groups of travelers.
When Brigham Young and the main group left Garden Grove on May 12, 1846, they left behind those who were the poorest and least prepared for the journey ahead.
The Mormon Battalion and Rescue Efforts
Later in 1846, after the Latter-day Saints arrived at Winter Quarters, orders came from President James Polk. He wanted to form a group of Mormon soldiers for the war with Mexico, known as the Mormon Battalion. Brigham Young encouraged men to join, and one man from Garden Grove, Edward Bunker, enlisted.
In the fall of 1846, the last group of Mormons were forced to leave Nauvoo, Illinois. They camped by the Mississippi River. Rescue teams were sent from Winter Quarters and Council Bluffs. An extra group was asked to come from Garden Grove. Luman Shurtliff led this third rescue party, bringing the most in-need travelers to the settlement at Garden Grove.
Life in Garden Grove and Later Years
During the winter of 1846-1847, about 600 Latter-day Saints lived in Garden Grove. By 1852, these settlers had moved on to Utah. They sold their land and improvements to other American pioneers. Today, Garden Grove is a recognized site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. A marker near the city shows where the old Mormon Cemetery used to be.
Garden Grove was also a shipping point for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, which helped transport goods and people.
Recent Events
On March 5, 2022, a strong tornado, known as an EF2 tornado, hit the town. It caused significant damage to several buildings.
Geography of Garden Grove
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Garden Grove covers a total area of about 0.69 square miles (1.79 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
Historical Population Trends
The population of Garden Grove has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1880 | 549 | — |
| 1890 | 554 | +0.9% |
| 1900 | 651 | +17.5% |
| 1910 | 611 | −6.1% |
| 1920 | 666 | +9.0% |
| 1930 | 558 | −16.2% |
| 1940 | 558 | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 417 | −25.3% |
| 1960 | 335 | −19.7% |
| 1970 | 285 | −14.9% |
| 1980 | 297 | +4.2% |
| 1990 | 229 | −22.9% |
| 2000 | 250 | +9.2% |
| 2010 | 211 | −15.6% |
| 2020 | 174 | −17.5% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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2020 Census Information
In 2020, the census showed that 174 people lived in Garden Grove. There were 80 households and 46 families. The population density was about 257.4 people per square mile (99.4 people per square kilometer).
Most of the residents, about 97.7%, were White. A small percentage were Black or African American (0.6%), or from two or more races (1.1%). About 0.6% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Of the 80 households, about 31.2% had children under 18 living with them. About 41.2% were married couples. The average age in the city was 40.5 years. About 25.3% of residents were under 20 years old, and 19.0% were 65 years or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (52.9%) and females (47.1%).
2010 Census Information
The 2010 census recorded 211 people in Garden Grove, living in 78 households. The population density was about 305.8 people per square mile (118.1 people per square kilometer).
The racial makeup was mostly White (97.6%), with small percentages of African American (0.9%) and people from two or more races (1.4%). About 0.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 2010, about 32.1% of households had children under 18. The average age was 38.1 years. About 27% of residents were under 18, and 8.1% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.
Education
The Mormon Trail Community School District is responsible for operating the schools that serve the community of Garden Grove.
See also
In Spanish: Garden Grove (Iowa) para niños
