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Kalona, Iowa
Left column: Downtown Kalona Right column: Kalona United Methodist Church, Kalona Welcome Sign
Left column: Downtown Kalona
Right column: Kalona United Methodist Church, Kalona Welcome Sign
Nickname(s): 
Quilt Capitol of Iowa
Location of Kalona, Iowa
Location of Kalona, Iowa
Country  United States
State  Iowa
County Washington
Area
 • Total 2.15 sq mi (5.58 km2)
 • Land 2.15 sq mi (5.58 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
659 ft (201 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,630
 • Density 1,220.42/sq mi (471.24/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
52247
Area code(s) 319 Exchange: 656
FIPS code 19-40170
GNIS feature ID 0458018
Kalona, Iowa
Aerial view of Kalona and the surrounding area

Kalona is a city in Washington County, Iowa. It is part of the Iowa City metropolitan area. The population was 2,630 at the time of the 2020 census. Kalona is the second-largest city in Washington County.

History

Amish settlement in what is now the Kalona area began in the 1840s, placing the Amish among the very first European settlers in the area. Other Amish groups came later. The Beachy Amish, for example, first arrived in the 1920s.

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway built a 66-mile branch from Iowa City to What Cheer via Kalona in 1879. Kalona was established by the railroad on August 6, 1879. The name was suggested to the railroad by a Mr. Myers, who owned a bull of that name. The town remained unincorporated until 1890.

Kalona is home to a burgeoning craft, antiques and local products industry. Its proximity to both Iowa City, Iowa and a large Amish settlement have allowed growth in population and industry in recent years. The town is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. This quaint city centers around the historic old town business section of Kalona, which features many local businesses that are popular with tourists.

Amish and Mennonites

Not far from Kalona is located one of the largest Amish settlements west of the Mississippi with 9 church districts and a population of roughly 1,200 people. It is the oldest in Iowa, founded in 1846. Kalona is the home of the Iowa Mennonite Archives, located at the Kalona Historical Village. The Iowa Mennonite School is located a few miles northwest of Kalona.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.04 square miles (5.28 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year Pop. ±%
1890 211 —    
1900 530 +151.2%
1910 466 −12.1%
1920 632 +35.6%
1930 704 +11.4%
1940 765 +8.7%
1950 947 +23.8%
1960 1,235 +30.4%
1970 1,488 +20.5%
1980 1,862 +25.1%
1990 1,942 +4.3%
2000 2,293 +18.1%
2010 2,363 +3.1%
2020 2,630 +11.3%
Source: and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,363 people, 1,053 households, and 657 families living in the city. The population density was 1,158.3 inhabitants per square mile (447.2/km2). There were 1,141 housing units at an average density of 559.3 per square mile (215.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 1,053 households, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.6% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 45.7 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.2% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

Education

The Mid-Prairie Community School District operates local area public schools.

Notable people

  • Bontrager Family Singers, 12-member family of musicians who originated in and reside in Kalona

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kalona para niños

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