Laurens, Iowa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laurens, Iowa
City
Downtown Laurens
Location of Laurens, Iowa
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Pocahontas
Incorporated	April 30, 1890
Area
• Total	0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2)
• Land	0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,309 ft (399 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,264
• Density	1,669.75/sq mi (644.79/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	50554
Area code(s)	712
FIPS code	19-43725
GNIS feature ID	0458243

Laurens is a small city located in Pocahontas County, Iowa, in the United States. In 2020, about 1,264 people lived there.

A Look Back: History of Laurens

Laurens was officially planned and marked out in 1881. It was named after Henry Laurens and John Laurens, a father and son. They were French Huguenots who lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Both were very loyal to the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War.

Where is Laurens? Geography and Location

Laurens is located at 42°50′50″N 94°50′58″W / 42.84722°N 94.84944°W / 42.84722; -94.84944. This means it's in the northern part of the United States.

The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 0.73 square miles (1.9 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water inside the city limits.

Who Lives in Laurens? Population Facts

Laurens Population in 2020

In 2020, Laurens had 1,264 people living in 577 households. A household is a group of people living together. About 346 of these were families.

The city had about 1,670 people per square mile. Most residents, about 87%, were White. Other groups included Black or African American, Native American, and Asian people. About 7.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.

About 25.8% of households had children under 18. The average age in Laurens was 43.8 years. About 24.4% of residents were under 20 years old.

Laurens Population in 2010

In 2010, Laurens had 1,258 people living in 571 households. The population density was about 1,723 people per square mile.

Most residents (97.5%) were White. About 1.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino. The average age was 45.6 years. About 22% of residents were under 18 years old.

Learning in Laurens: Education

Laurens is part of the Laurens–Marathon Community School District. Before 1976, it was the Laurens Community School District. All students, from the youngest to the oldest, attend school in one building in Laurens.

In 2000, there were 423 students and about 40 full-time teachers. Since 2017, high school students from Laurens–Marathon attend Pocahontas Area High School.

Laurens' International Friend: Sister City

Laurens, Iowa, has a special connection with a town in France called Laurens, France. They became "sister cities" in 2007. This happened when Laurens, Iowa, was getting ready to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Being sister cities means they share cultural and educational ties.

Famous People from Laurens

Laurens has been home to several interesting people:

• Jesse Schmidt: He was a record-breaking wide receiver for the Iowa Barnstormers, a team in the Arena Football League.
• Alvin Straight: He became famous for traveling 240 miles on a lawnmower! His amazing journey was even made into a movie called The Straight Story.
• Fred C. Gilchrist: He was a politician who served in the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate. He also represented Iowa in the U.S. Congress for many years.
• Adrian Lynch: He was a pitcher for the St. Louis Browns baseball team. He played in the big leagues in 1920.

See also

In Spanish: Laurens (Iowa) para niños