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Kanawha, Iowa facts for kids

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Kanawha, Iowa
Location of Kanawha, Iowa
Location of Kanawha, Iowa
Country  United States
State  Iowa
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)
 • Total 658
 • Density 331.82/sq mi (128.11/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50447
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.

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 / 42.93667; -93.79417. 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
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:
U.S. Decennial Census

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.

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