Kanawha, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kanawha, Iowa
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![]() Location of Kanawha, Iowa
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Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
County | Hancock |
Area | |
• Total | 1.98 sq mi (5.14 km2) |
• Land | 1.98 sq mi (5.14 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 1,181 ft (360 m) |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 658 |
• Density | 331.82/sq mi (128.11/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
ZIP code |
50447
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Area code(s) | 641 |
FIPS code | 19-40260 |
GNIS feature ID | 0458021 |
Kanawha is a small city located in Hancock County, Iowa, in the United States. It's a friendly place where people live and work. In 2020, about 658 people called Kanawha home. This makes it a close-knit community.
Contents
History of Kanawha
How Kanawha Began
Kanawha was officially planned out in 1899. This happened when a new railroad line was built. The railroad came all the way from Belmond, Iowa.
When the railroad arrived, many businesses and buildings moved. They came from smaller towns nearby. These towns were a few miles away from the new railroad. Moving closer to the train made it easier for people and goods to travel.
Naming the City
The person who helped start Kanawha was George Casper Call. He wanted to name the new town "Luzon." He asked a Congressman to help get a post office for the town with this name.
However, the name "Luzon" was not approved. There was already another town in Iowa called Luzerne. It was too similar and could cause confusion.
So, George Call needed a new name. A railroad engineer, who was from West Virginia, suggested "Kanawha." This name was liked by everyone. That's how Kanawha got its unique name!
Geography of Kanawha
Where is Kanawha Located?
Kanawha is found in the state of Iowa. Its exact location is 42°56′12″N 93°47′39″W / 42.93667°N 93.79417°W. This helps people find it on a map.
The city covers a total area of about 2.01 square miles. This entire area is land. There are no large bodies of water within the city limits.
Population and People
How Many People Live Here?
Kanawha is a small city. In 2020, the population was 658 people. This means there are about 331.8 people living in each square mile.
The city has 279 households. A household is like a home where people live together. Many of these are families.
Who Lives in Kanawha?
Most people in Kanawha are White, making up about 85.1% of the population. There are also people from other backgrounds. About 14.0% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Kanawha is about 42.1 years old. This means there's a mix of younger and older people. About 25.7% of residents are under 20 years old. Also, 25.1% are 65 years or older.
The number of males and females is almost equal. About 49.8% of the people are male, and 50.2% are female.
Historical populations | ||
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Year | Pop. | ±% |
1910 | 398 | — |
1920 | 659 | +65.6% |
1930 | 609 | −7.6% |
1940 | 767 | +25.9% |
1950 | 747 | −2.6% |
1960 | 735 | −1.6% |
1970 | 822 | +11.8% |
1980 | 756 | −8.0% |
1990 | 763 | +0.9% |
2000 | 739 | −3.1% |
2010 | 652 | −11.8% |
2020 | 658 | +0.9% |
Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
Education in Kanawha
Public Schools
Students from Kanawha attend public schools through the West Hancock Community School District. This district serves students from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade.
The West Hancock Community School District was created in 1994. It was formed when the Britt and Kanawha school districts joined together.
Kanawha Christian School
Kanawha also has a private school called Kanawha Christian School. This school teaches students from kindergarten to 8th grade. It welcomes students from within a 35-mile area around Kanawha.