Iowa, Louisiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iowa, Louisiana
Town
Town of Iowa
Location of Iowa in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
Location of Louisiana in the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Calcasieu
Area
• Total	3.43 sq mi (8.89 km2)
• Land	3.40 sq mi (8.80 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,436
• Density	1,011.78/sq mi (390.64/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	70647
Area code(s)	337
FIPS code	22-37445

Iowa is a small town in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. In 2020, about 3,436 people lived there. It is part of the larger Lake Charles area.

Even though the state of Iowa is pronounced "EYE-oh-wah," the town of Iowa, Louisiana, is pronounced "EYE-uh-way."

History of Iowa, Louisiana

The area around Iowa has a rich history. It includes stories of early settlers from states like Kansas, Illinois, and Iowa. You can also find tales of the Acadians, who are also known as Cajuns, and even the famous pirate Jean Lafitte. The community of Iowa began to grow in the mid-1800s.

How the Railroad Shaped Iowa

A railroad line was built through this region, bringing many new settlers. They were drawn to the flat prairie land, which was perfect for rice farming and raising cattle. Later, oil fields were discovered, bringing even more people. Much of southwest Louisiana was developed by a company called North American Land and Timber Co.

In 1885, Seaman A. Knapp, who was the president of the Iowa State College of Agriculture, came to the area. He showed that the land was very good for growing rice. Because of his work, many people from the state of Iowa decided to move and settle here. They were encouraged by advertisements placed in newspapers in the Midwest.

The Oil Boom and Growth

Iowa saw a big increase in population when oil was found in 1930. Oil companies came to try their luck in the oil and gas fields of Iowa. This happened during the Great Depression, a time when many places struggled. However, Iowa thrived because more people came to work in the oil fields.

Today, oil is still a very important part of the town's economy. Farming and raising cattle also continue to be key industries for Iowa.

Geography of Iowa, Louisiana

Iowa is located on the eastern side of Calcasieu Parish. Its exact location is 30°14′15″N 93°0′51″W / 30.23750°N 93.01417°W / 30.23750; -93.01417. The eastern border of the town is also the border of Jefferson Davis Parish.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Iowa covers a total area of about 3.43 square miles (8.89 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 3.40 square miles (8.80 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 square kilometers), is water.

Population Changes in Iowa

Who Lives in Iowa?

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,436 people living in Iowa. These people lived in 1,211 households, and 812 of these were families.

Education in Iowa

Students in Iowa and the surrounding areas attend Iowa High School. This school is part of the Calcasieu Parish Public Schools system.

Transportation in Iowa

Several important roads pass through or near Iowa. U.S. Route 90 goes through the center of town and is known as 4th Street. Interstate 10 runs along the northern edge of town, with exits 43 and 44 providing access.

The southern end of U.S. Route 165 meets US 90 at the eastern border of town. Lake Charles is about 13 miles (21 km) to the west using Highways 90 or 10. Lafayette is about 63 miles (101 km) to the east. US 165 leads about 85 miles (137 km) northeast to Alexandria.

Notable People from Iowa

• Tierre Brown is a well-known person from Iowa. He was a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He was also named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the NBA Development League in 2004.

See also

In Spanish: Iowa (Luisiana) para niños