Montezuma, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Montezuma, Iowa
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Location of Montezuma, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Poweshiek |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.48 sq mi (6.44 km2) |
| • Land | 2.47 sq mi (6.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 951 ft (290 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,442 |
| • Density | 583.81/sq mi (225.37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50171
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-53490 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0459191 |
Montezuma is a small city in Iowa, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Poweshiek County. In 2020, about 1,442 people lived there.
Contents
Geography of Montezuma
Montezuma is located in Iowa at these coordinates: 41.584737 degrees north and -92.525258 degrees west.
The city covers a total area of about 2.49 square miles (6.44 square kilometers). Most of this area, 2.48 square miles (6.40 square kilometers), is land. Only a tiny part, 0.01 square miles (0.04 square kilometers), is water.
History of Montezuma
Montezuma was founded in 1848. Veterans from the Mexican–American War named the city. They chose the name after Monteuczomah, who was the last Aztec emperor of Mexico.
In the past, Montezuma was an important stop for trains. It was also a major stop for stagecoaches. These stagecoaches traveled between Iowa City and Des Moines on a route called the original Diamond Trail.
Today, you can learn about the area's past at two museums. The Poweshiek County Historical and Genealogical Society is in the old Carnegie library. The Poweshiek County History Museum is in the former county jail.
A historic building, the Scott Township School No. 7, also known as the Fitzsimmons School, was moved. It now sits on the grounds of the Poweshiek County Historical Society.
Population and People
Montezuma has seen its population change over the years. Here's how many people have lived there at different times:
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 564 | — |
| 1870 | 555 | −1.6% |
| 1880 | 921 | +65.9% |
| 1890 | 1,062 | +15.3% |
| 1900 | 1,210 | +13.9% |
| 1910 | 1,172 | −3.1% |
| 1920 | 1,273 | +8.6% |
| 1930 | 1,257 | −1.3% |
| 1940 | 1,477 | +17.5% |
| 1950 | 1,460 | −1.2% |
| 1960 | 1,416 | −3.0% |
| 1970 | 1,353 | −4.4% |
| 1980 | 1,485 | +9.8% |
| 1990 | 1,651 | +11.2% |
| 2000 | 1,440 | −12.8% |
| 2010 | 1,462 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 1,442 | −1.4% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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Montezuma's Population in 2020
In 2020, Montezuma had 1,442 people living in 615 households. About 379 of these were families. The city had about 583.7 people per square mile.
Most residents, about 96%, were White. A small number were from other racial backgrounds. About 2% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 28.9% of households had children under 18. The average age in Montezuma was 39.1 years old. About 25.1% of residents were under 20 years old.
Montezuma's Population in 2010
In 2010, Montezuma had 1,462 people living in 632 households. About 399 of these were families. The city had about 589.5 people per square mile.
Most residents, about 98.2%, were White. A small number were from other racial backgrounds. About 1.4% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 29.4% of households had children under 18. The average age in Montezuma was 42.5 years old. About 23.5% of residents were under 18 years old.
Education in Montezuma
Montezuma has its own school district, the Montezuma Community School District. This district serves students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school teams are called the Braves and Bravettes. Their school colors are blue and white.
Montezuma schools have a strong sports history:
- Girls State Basketball Champions: 1969, 1970
- Boys State Basketball Champions: 1971, 1990, 2021
Attractions and Local Sights
Montezuma celebrates its farming history with special barn quilt art. People are also working to preserve local history.
Poweshiek County Freedom Rock
The Poweshiek County Freedom Rock was painted in 2016 by Raymond “Bubba” Sorensen II. It is located on the southeast corner of the courthouse square. This rock honors veterans and military families.
Lakes and Nature Areas
Montezuma offers many outdoor activities. You can visit Diamond Lake, Lake Ponderosa, and Lake Silverado for recreation.
Green spaces like Fox Forest have trails for hiking and horseback riding. You can also see native plants and wildflowers there. Nearby, Fleming Woods State Preserve protects different kinds of plants and animals. It is believed that Chief Poweshiek and other Native Americans once lived in these areas.
Local Media and Churches
Montezuma has a local newspaper called The Record. It is published every week. The newspaper is an official source for news about Poweshiek County, the City of Montezuma, the City of Deep River, and the Montezuma Community School District.
Churches in Montezuma
Montezuma is home to several churches. These include:
- Community Hope Assembly of God
- First Evangelical Presbyterian
- United Methodist Church
- Jackson Church of Christ
- Faith Christian Center
- West Liberty Church
Many of these churches offer services on Sundays and during the week. They also have Bible study groups, programs for children, youth activities, and opportunities to help others.
City Services and Transportation
Self-Sustaining Services
Montezuma manages its own Water Department. The water comes from the nearby Diamond Lake.
In 2024, Montezuma became the first "microgrid community" in the nation. This project is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and Iowa State University. A microgrid is a small, local energy system that can work independently.
Transportation in Montezuma
Montezuma is easy to reach by road. It is about 8 miles south of exit 191 on Interstate 80. You can also get there using U.S. Route 63, Iowa Highway 85, and county road F57.
Healthcare Access
Residents of Montezuma can visit the UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Montezuma Medical Clinic. If someone needs to go to a hospital, the closest one is Grinnell Regional Medical Center. It is located in Grinnell, Iowa.
Notable People from Montezuma
Many interesting people have come from Montezuma:
- Robin Brown (born 1961) – A teacher who became a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
- Pete Brownell (born 1969) – He is the CEO of Brownells, a company started by his grandfather in Montezuma.
- Thomas Jefferson Cowie (1857–1936) – A Rear admiral in the United States Navy. A destroyer, the USS Cowie (DD-632), was named in his honor.
- Marsena E. Cutts (1833–1883) – A teacher, lawyer, and politician. He served in both the Iowa House and Senate, and the U.S. House.
- Dan Johnston (1938-2016) – An Iowa lawyer and state politician.
- Thomas Harris MacDonald (1881–1957) – A key figure in highway development. He led the Iowa State Highway Commission and the Bureau of Public Roads.
See also
In Spanish: Montezuma (Iowa) para niños
