Mount Sterling, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mount Sterling, Iowa
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Location of Mount Sterling, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Van Buren |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.32 sq mi (0.82 km2) |
| • Land | 0.32 sq mi (0.82 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 33 |
| • Density | 104.76/sq mi (40.46/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52573
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| Area code(s) | 319 |
| FIPS code | 19-54750 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0459338 |
Mount Sterling is a small community in Van Buren County, Iowa, United States. It is known as a census-designated place, which means it's a specific area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. In 2020, only 33 people lived there.
Contents
History of Mount Sterling
Mount Sterling was first settled in the late 1830s. Two brothers, George and Horace Wood, started a sawmill and a "corn-cracker" mill. These mills helped the small farms in the area.
Early Names and Businesses
For a while, the village didn't have an official name. People often called it "Dogtown." This was because farmers brought many dogs to the mill. Also, Horace Wood had three hounds that loved to eat the corn meal.
Other early names for the village were Wood's Mill and Union Corners. Finally, the name Mount Sterling was chosen. In 1855, a flour mill was built, but it closed a few years later. Other businesses included a distillery, another sawmill, and a barrel hoop factory. There was also a blacksmith, general stores, a shoemaker, and a lumber yard.
George Wood, one of the first settlers, also built the town's first inn. He was also the first postmaster. The first child born in the town was to Dr. Joel Knight. He sold a special medicine called "Dr. Joel Knight's Celebrated Screw Auger Pills." The first school in the area opened in 1841.
Population Changes and Challenges
Mount Sterling never grew very large. Its highest population was 232 people in 1910, after it became an official town in 1907. Over the years, the number of people living there slowly decreased. This was especially true after World War II. Many businesses closed down.
Mount Sterling became a "bedroom community." This means people lived there but traveled to bigger towns for work. Towns like Keosauqua, Keokuk, and Fairfield, Iowa, offered more jobs. Today, Mount Sterling has only a few businesses. These include a bar and grill, an auto repair shop, and a hunting lodge.
In 2003, the town made national news. The mayor at the time, Jo Hamlett, jokingly suggested a rule. It would fine people for lying! Even though it was a joke, it showed that the town had very little money. Its yearly budget was usually less than $5,000. News outlets from far away, like Australia, even reported on the story.
Becoming Unincorporated
In April 2012, the city council of Mount Sterling made a big decision. They voted to disband the town. This meant it would no longer be an official city. Mount Sterling was the first town in Iowa to do this since 2005.
No one ran for mayor or city council in the November 2011 election. This led to the vote to become an unincorporated area of Van Buren County. Now, the county government takes care of the streets. The town's streetlights were turned off. However, the county still operates the sewer system. Mount Sterling officially became unincorporated on November 11, 2012.
Geography of Mount Sterling
Mount Sterling is located in the southern part of Van Buren County. It is less than one mile north of the border between Iowa and Missouri. The Fox River flows near the community's southwest side. The Fox River Water Management Area is also nearby to the south.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the community covers about 0.40 square miles (1.04 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population Data
Mount Sterling's population has changed a lot over the years. Here's a look at how many people lived there at different times:
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1910 | 232 | — |
| 1920 | 179 | −22.8% |
| 1930 | 165 | −7.8% |
| 1940 | 134 | −18.8% |
| 1950 | 144 | +7.5% |
| 1960 | 86 | −40.3% |
| 1970 | 87 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 96 | +10.3% |
| 1990 | 53 | −44.8% |
| 2000 | 40 | −24.5% |
| 2010 | 36 | −10.0% |
| 2020 | 33 | −8.3% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 36 people living in Mount Sterling. These people lived in 16 households, and 10 of these were families. The community had about 90 people per square mile. All the residents were White.
Out of the 16 households:
- 31.3% had children under 18 living with them.
- 43.8% were married couples.
- 12.5% had a female head of household with no husband.
- 6.3% had a male head of household with no wife.
- 37.5% were not families.
The average household had 2.25 people. The average family had 2.60 people. The median age in Mount Sterling was 47.5 years old.
- 16.7% of residents were under 18.
- 2.8% were between 18 and 24.
- 25.1% were between 25 and 44.
- 47.1% were between 45 and 64.
- 8.3% were 65 or older.
There were slightly more males (55.6%) than females (44.4%) in the community.
See also
In Spanish: Mount Sterling (Iowa) para niños
