Iola, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iola, Texas
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Location of Iola in the state of Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Grimes |
| Incorporated | 2007 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.03 sq mi (2.68 km2) |
| • Land | 1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 341 ft (104 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 311 |
| • Density | 301.9/sq mi (116.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
77861
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| Area code(s) | 936 |
| FIPS code | 48-36068 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2439046 |
Iola is a small city in Grimes County, Texas, United States. It is located on Farm to Market Road 39 and the Burlington-Rock Island Railroad. The city is found at the start of Ragan Creek in northwestern Grimes County. In 2020, the population of Iola was 311 people.
Contents
History of Iola
Iola officially became an incorporated city on November 6, 2007. This means its residents voted for it to become an official town with its own local government. It was the fifth city in Grimes County to do so.
People believe Iola was named after Edward Ariola. He was one of Stephen F. Austin's early settlers who came to this area in 1836.
Early Days and Growth
The community's first church, Zion Methodist, was built in 1852. This building also served as the local schoolhouse. The first gristmill, called Monroe's Gin, started working in the 1860s. A gristmill grinds grain into flour.
The post office opened in 1871. Even though it closed for a short time, it reopened permanently in 1877. A Masonic Lodge, a type of community group, was formed in 1876. By the 1880s, Iola had several churches, cotton gins, and gristmills. A cotton gin separates cotton fibers from their seeds. By 1890, about 109 people lived in Iola.
The Railroad Era
Between 1906 and 1907, two major railroads built lines through Iola. These were the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway and the Houston and Texas Central Railway. A new part of town was planned along these train tracks. The arrival of the railroad helped the community grow a lot.
A print shop opened, and a local newspaper, the Iola Enterprise, began publishing. In 1909, the Iola State Bank was created. The population grew to 300 people by 1910. By 1936, it was estimated that 500 people lived in Iola, and there were twelve businesses.
Modern Times
After World War II, the number of people living in Iola decreased a bit. In 1950, the population was around 300. It has stayed about the same since then. During the 1970s and 1980s, several oilfields opened nearby. In 1990, Iola had about 331 people and twelve businesses. By 2000, the population was still similar, but the number of businesses had grown to 39.
Geography of Iola
Iola is located in the northwestern part of Grimes County. It is about 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Bryan. It is also about 36 miles (58 km) east of Huntsville. Navasota, the largest city in Grimes County, is about 32 miles (51 km) to the south.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 401 | — | |
| 2020 | 311 | −22.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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The population of Iola has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 401 residents. By 2020, the population was 311 people.
Education in Iola
The Iola Independent School District serves the students in Iola. It has two main campuses:
- Iola High School: This school is for students in Grades 7 through 12.
- Iola Elementary School: This school is for younger students, from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Famous Person from Iola
- Chris Andersen: He is a professional basketball player.
