Whitten, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Whitten, Iowa
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Location of Whitten, Iowa
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Hardin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| • Land | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,033 ft (315 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 100 |
| • Density | 201.21/sq mi (77.69/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
50269
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| Area code(s) | 641 |
| FIPS code | 19-85305 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0463014 |
Whitten is a small city located in Hardin County, Iowa, in the United States. According to the 2020 census, only 100 people lived there. It's a quiet place with an interesting past!
Contents
History of Whitten
The town of Whitten was planned in 1880 by C.C. Whitten. He was an official for the Northwestern Railway System. Whitten officially became a city in 1882. At that time, about 350 people lived there.
By 1914, Whitten was a busy place. It had schools and many businesses. There were three general stores, a blacksmith shop, and a restaurant. The town also had a bank, a place to buy farm products, and a store for farm tools. Whitten was also proud to have two doctors.
For a long time, Whitten always had a doctor. This continued until 1973. That's when Dr. George Blaha passed away. He had served the community for 60 years!
In the early 1900s, some big fires hit the city. These fires destroyed many buildings. After the fires, not much of the town was rebuilt.
Whitten also had a semi-pro baseball team called the Whitten Renegades. James Speas managed the team. They played for more than 20 years. Their last season was in 1996.
Geography and Location
Whitten is located in the state of Iowa. Its exact position is 42°15′41″N 93°0′27″W / 42.26139°N 93.00750°W.
The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 0.54 square miles (1.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People Living in Whitten
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1890 | 195 | — |
| 1900 | 217 | +11.3% |
| 1910 | 219 | +0.9% |
| 1920 | 225 | +2.7% |
| 1930 | 199 | −11.6% |
| 1940 | 227 | +14.1% |
| 1950 | 174 | −23.3% |
| 1960 | 184 | +5.7% |
| 1970 | 194 | +5.4% |
| 1980 | 168 | −13.4% |
| 1990 | 137 | −18.5% |
| 2000 | 160 | +16.8% |
| 2010 | 149 | −6.9% |
| 2020 | 100 | −32.9% |
| Source: and Iowa Data Center Source: |
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2020 Census Information
In 2020, the census counted 100 people living in Whitten. There were 42 households and 31 families. The city had about 201 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Whitten were White (94.0%). A small number were from other racial backgrounds. About 4.0% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
- 21.4% of households had children under 18.
- 47.6% were married couples.
- 26.2% of households were not families.
- The average age in Whitten was 43.3 years.
- 26.0% of residents were under 20 years old.
- The city had slightly more males (54.0%) than females (46.0%).
2010 Census Information
In 2010, the census showed 149 people living in Whitten. There were 60 households and 42 families. The city had about 276 people per square mile.
Most people were White (95.3%). A small number were African American or from other backgrounds. About 3.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
- 35.0% of households had children under 18.
- 53.3% were married couples.
- The average age was 37.3 years.
- 28.2% of residents were under 18.
- The city had slightly more females (51.0%) than males (49.0%).
Whitten in the Movie Twister
Did you know that part of the 1996 movie Twister was filmed near Whitten? This movie starred Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton.
One famous scene was shot at an old farmhouse in Whitten. This farmhouse belonged to the Haywood family. In the scene, Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton hide in a farm pumphouse. They strap themselves down with a leather belt to avoid being blown away by a tornado.
Education in Whitten
Public schools in Whitten are part of the BCLUW Community School District.
The schools that serve Whitten are:
Before 1992, Whitten had its own school district called Union-Whitten. But on July 1, 1992, it joined with BCLUW.
Notable People from Whitten
Some interesting people have come from Whitten:
- Ray Boynton (1883 – 1951), a talented artist.
- Denise Long Rife (1951 - ), a well-known sportswoman.
See also
- In Spanish: Whitten (Iowa) para niños
