Russell, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russell, Iowa
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Location of Russell, Iowa
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| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Lucas |
| Incorporated | April 25, 1887 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.02 sq mi (2.66 km2) |
| • Land | 1.02 sq mi (2.66 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,024 ft (312 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 472 |
| • Density | 460.49/sq mi (177.75/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50238
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-69285 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396456 |
Russell is a small city located in Lucas County, Iowa, United States. In 2020, about 472 people lived there. This number was a bit smaller than in 2000, when 559 people called Russell home.
Contents
History of Russell, Iowa
Russell officially became a city on April 25, 1887.
Early Settlers and Farming Life
The town was first settled in the 1850s. German and Irish families were among the first to arrive. By the early 1860s, Russell had grown into a busy farming community. It provided food for other towns nearby.
Growth with the Railway
After becoming a city, a railway was built near Russell. A tall grain-tower was also constructed. This allowed farmers to send their extra crops to other places. It helped the town grow and connect with the wider frontier.
The 1935 Fire
In 1935, a big fire happened in the town square. It burned down the eastern side of the square. Sadly, three people lost their lives in this fire.
Geography of Russell
Russell is located in Iowa. The city covers about 1.04 square miles (2.66 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the city limits.
Population and People of Russell
Russell's population has changed over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 175 | — | |
| 1880 | 345 | 97.1% | |
| 1890 | 443 | 28.4% | |
| 1900 | 636 | 43.6% | |
| 1910 | 612 | −3.8% | |
| 1920 | 633 | 3.4% | |
| 1930 | 571 | −9.8% | |
| 1940 | 642 | 12.4% | |
| 1950 | 566 | −11.8% | |
| 1960 | 577 | 1.9% | |
| 1970 | 591 | 2.4% | |
| 1980 | 593 | 0.3% | |
| 1990 | 531 | −10.5% | |
| 2000 | 559 | 5.3% | |
| 2010 | 554 | −0.9% | |
| 2020 | 472 | −14.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Russell's Population in 2020
In 2020, Russell had 472 residents. There were 202 households and 124 families. The city had about 460 people per square mile. Most residents (96%) were White. A small number (4%) were from two or more races. Less than 1% were Hispanic or Latino.
About 27% of households had children under 18. The average age in Russell was 45.6 years. About 25% of residents were under 20. Another 21% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (48.1%) and females (51.9%).
Russell's Population in 2010
In 2010, Russell had 554 people. There were 212 households and 146 families. The population density was about 533 people per square mile. Most residents (96.9%) were White. About 2.2% were Native American. About 2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 35% of households had children under 18. The average age was 39.4 years. About 30% of residents were under 18. About 18% were 65 or older. The population was nearly half male (49.8%) and half female (50.2%).
Schools in Russell
Russell is part of the Chariton Community School District. Students in Russell attend Chariton High School.
Russell's Former School District
Russell used to have its own school district. It had a K-12 school, meaning it taught students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school's sports teams were called the Trojans.
Why the School Closed
The Russell School District had to close in 2008. This was only the second time a school district in Iowa had to close like this. The Iowa Board of Education said the district had money problems. They felt the school could not give students a top-quality education anymore.
Famous People from Russell
- Rich Arnold (born 1945), a representative in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1995 to 2011.
- George McGill (1879–1963), a United States Senator for Kansas from 1930 to 1939.
- Paul McKinley, an Iowa Senator from 2001 to 2013.
See also
In Spanish: Russell (Iowa) para niños
