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Wilton, Iowa
Buildings on the north side of West Fourth Street
Buildings on the north side of West Fourth Street
Motto(s): 
"Welcome Home!"
Location of Wilton, Iowa
Location of Wilton, Iowa
Country  United States
State  Iowa
Counties Muscatine, Cedar
Founded 1855
Government
 • Type Mayor-council government
Area
 • Total 2.06 sq mi (5.33 km2)
 • Land 2.06 sq mi (5.32 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
679 ft (207 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,924
 • Density 1,422.87/sq mi (549.49/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
52778
Area code(s) 563
FIPS code 19-86070
GNIS feature ID 0465185
Website City of Wilton, Iowa

Wilton (formerly Wilton Junction) is a city in Cedar and Muscatine counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 2,924 at the time of the 2020 census. The Muscatine County portion of Wilton is part of the Muscatine Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The first white settler to build a home the area that was to be known as Wilton in the new state of Iowa (1846) was Mr. Christian Marolf who came in July 1849, and erected of a small log house opposite the German Lutheran church. When he built his home Mr. Marolf could only see one the home of Mr. Stearns just west of town on the south side of the Moscow road. Mr. Marolf was soon followed by Mr. Ben Maurer in 1850 whose land now comprises North Wilton and Peter Marolf in 1851, which is now known as Marolf's addition. North Wilton is at present (1947) not within the corporate limits of Wilton. The city was once home to the Wilton German English College from 1894 to 1905. The campus of the college was later turned into City Park, and some of the college's buildings remain to this day.

Geography

Wilton is at 41°35′22″N 91°1′3″W / 41.58944°N 91.01750°W / 41.58944; -91.01750 (41.589350, -91.017487).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.95 square miles (5.05 km2), all of it land. The city sits at an elevation of 679 feet.

Demographics

Historical populations
Year Pop. ±%
1870 1,317 —    
1880 1,431 +8.7%
1890 1,212 −15.3%
1900 1,233 +1.7%
1910 1,157 −6.2%
1920 1,178 +1.8%
1930 1,104 −6.3%
1940 1,146 +3.8%
1950 1,446 +26.2%
1960 1,750 +21.0%
1970 1,873 +7.0%
1980 2,502 +33.6%
1990 2,577 +3.0%
2000 2,829 +9.8%
2010 2,802 −1.0%
2020 2,924 +4.4%
Source: and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,802 people, 1,155 households, and 767 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,436.9 inhabitants per square mile (554.8/km2). There were 1,231 housing units at an average density of 631.3 per square mile (243.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 1,155 households, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

Arts and culture

Wilton City Hall
Wilton City Hall

Witon has a library/community center building in the northeast section of the city, near the high school that provides numerous resources to residents.

Historic sites include the Wilton Candy Kitchen, which is the oldest ice cream parlor in the world, and the former Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad depot built in 1898. Both are in the downtown area and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Parks and recreation

Wilton has four parks. The City Park in the heart of the town has an indoor swimming pool as well as a playground, shelter house, and baseball field. Westview Park is on the west side of town and has tennis courts, playground equipment, a walking path, and a ball field. Elder Park is in the downtown area and has a small picnic area. Cherrydale Park on the southside contains three baseball fields and a playground.

Religion

Wilton is home to many fine churches including St. Mary's Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Grace United Church of Christ, Heartland Fellowship Church, United Methodist Church, and the Zion Lutheran Church.

Education

Public schools

The Wilton Community School District, home to the Wilton Beavers, and is part of the River Valley Conference, serves Wilton, Moscow, and the surrounding rural areas. The school district includes an elementary school and a junior/senior high school.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Wilton is three miles (5 km) south of Interstate 80, at the junction of County Highway F58 and Iowa Highway 38, within driving distance of Muscatine, the Quad Cities, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Interstate Railroad passes through the city and provides service to local industries. The Quad City International Airport is 30 miles east of Wilton providing non-stop flights to destinations throughout the country.

Utilities

Electricity is provided by Wilton Municipal Light and Power Company and water by the city water department, which operates its own water treatment plant. The city has a 500,000 gallon water tower on the west side of town near the industrial park, and another 300,000-gallon tower in the center of the city.

Healthcare

Trinity Medical Center in Muscatine has a "physicians' clinic" located in Wilton. The closest hospitals are located in Muscatine (Trinity-Muscatine), the Quad Cities (Genesis West, Genesis East, Trinity-Bettendorf), and Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Mercy Hospital, and the Veteran's Hospital).

Notable people

  • Hymnwriter Charles H. Gabriel was born and raised in Wilton.
  • Wally Hilgenberg; played in NFL for the Detroit Lions and Super Bowls with Minnesota Vikings and was raised partly in Wilton.
  • Actor Eddy Chandler was born and raised in Wilton.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Wilton (Iowa) para niños

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