Eldora, Iowa

Eldora is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,663 at the time of the 2020 census.[3] It is the county seat of Hardin County.[4]

Eldora, Iowa
City
Motto(s): 
"Come and Explore"[1]
Location of Eldora, Iowa
Location of Eldora, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°21′37″N 93°6′5″W
Country United States
State Iowa
CountyHardin
Area
[2]
 • Total4.28 sq mi (11.09 km2)
 • Land4.28 sq mi (11.09 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,086 ft (331 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total2,663
 • Density622.05/sq mi (240.17/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50627
Area code641
FIPS code19-24465
GNIS feature ID0456266
Websitewww.eldoraiowa.com

History

Eldora was platted in 1853.[5] It was incorporated on July 1, 1895.[6]

The name Eldora was given to the town by a local mother in honor of her dead infant daughter.[7] It is derived from the Spanish name for "the gilded".[8]

Geography

Eldora is located at 42°21′37″N 93°6′5″W (42.360155, -93.101325).[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.33 square miles (11.21 km2), all land.[10]

Eldora is located on east edge of the Altmont Moraine, the glacial moraine that marks the east border of the Des Moines Lobe of the Wisconsin Glaciation. The town is just west of the gorge of the Iowa River that borders the moraine. The river here has cut through the sandstone bedrock underlying the moraine.[11]

Climate

Designated as having a humid continental climate, this region typically has a large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round in many areas with this climate. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Dfa" (Hot Summer Continental Climate).[12]

Demographics
Historical populations
YearPop.±%
18701,268—    
18801,584+24.9%
18901,577−0.4%
19002,233+41.6%
19101,995−10.7%
19203,189+59.8%
19303,200+0.3%
19403,553+11.0%
19503,107−12.6%
19603,225+3.8%
19703,223−0.1%
19803,063−5.0%
19903,038−0.8%
20003,035−0.1%
20102,732−10.0%
20202,663−2.5%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[13][3]
The population of Eldora, Iowa from US census data
The population of Eldora, Iowa from US census data

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 2,732 people, 1,079 households, and 671 families living in the city. The population density was 630.9 inhabitants per square mile (243.6/km2). There were 1,275 housing units at an average density of 294.5 per square mile (113.7/km2). The racial makup of the city was 94.8% White, 2.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7%.[14]

Of the 1,079 households 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.1% of households were one person and 17.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age was 41.6 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,035 people, 1,193 households, and 742 families living in the city. The population density was 698.4 inhabitants per square mile (269.7/km2). There were 1,314 housing units at an average density of 302.4 per square mile (116.8/km2). The racial makup of the city was 95.49% White, 1.32% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97%.[15]

Of the 1,193 households 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 17.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.

29.8% are under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median household income was $33,170 and the median family income was $39,421. Males had a median income of $31,545 versus $17,891 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,459. About 5.9% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The community is within the Eldora–New Providence Community School District,[16] which formed on July 1, 1980, with the merger of the Eldora and New Providence school districts.[17] As of 2019, it has a grade-sharing arrangement with Hubbard–Radcliffe Community School District and operates as "South Hardin Schools". South Hardin High School is located in Eldora. Mr. Michael Rundall serves as Principal (2016). South Hardin Middle School is located in Hubbard. Mrs. Sarah Nachazel serves as Principal (2019).

Media

The Eldora Herald-Ledger is a weekly newspaper covering both Eldora and Hardin County events including the schools AGWSR, BCLUW, and South Hardin. Since November 2014, it has been printed on Tuesdays by the Hampton, Iowa based Mid-America Publishing Corporation.[18]

Parks and recreation

Eldora is located adjacent to the Iowa River and Pine Lake State Park.

Infrastructure

The city is the location of the State Training School for Boys, a school for male juvenile delinquents.[19]

Notable people

Twister movie

The city is most famous for the shooting of the 1996 movie Twister on location. The true final part of the climactic F5 tornado was filmed at the old Follett house in Eldora which is now a private home.[22]

See also

Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

References
  1. "The official city website of Eldora Iowa". The official city website of Eldora Iowa. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  2. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. History of Hardin County, Iowa. Union Publishing Company. 1883. p. 613.
  6. "Eldora, Iowa". City-Data.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  7. Moir, William J. (1911). Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa. Unigraphic. p. 234.
  8. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 116.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  11. Samuel Walker Beyer, Geology of Hardin County, Iowa Geological Annual Report 10(1) 1899; pages 241-314, see map between 278,279, see pages 252-253 for topography and page 246 for historical woodland.
  12. Climate Summary for Eldora, Iowa
  13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. "Eldora-New Providence" (PDF). Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  17. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
  18. "Eldora Newspapers: About Us". eldoranewspapers.com (Eldora Herald-Ledger) website. Eldora, Iowa. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  19. Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Archived 2007-02-09 at the Wayback Machine
  20. 'Illinois Blue Book 1947-1948,' Biographical Sketch of George C. Armstrong, pp. 270–271
  21. "Biographical Directory of Federal Judges Fagg, George Gardner". Federal Judicial Center. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  22. "KCCI Archive: 'Twister' film crew buys supplies from Iowa farm". July 7, 2021.
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