Iola, Kansas

city in and county seat of Allen County, Kansas, United States

Iola (pronounced /ˈlə/)[4] is a city along the Neosho River in the northwestern part of Allen County, in southeast Kansas, in the central United States. In 2020, 5,396 people lived there.[3] Iola is the county seat of Allen County.[5] It is named after Iola Colborn.[6]

Iola, Kansas
South side of the downtown square (2017)
South side of the downtown square (2017)
Location within Allen County and Kansas
Location within Allen County and Kansas
KDOT map of Allen County (legend)
Coordinates: 37°55′39″N 95°24′02″W / 37.92750°N 95.40056°W / 37.92750; -95.40056[1]
CountryUnited States
StateKansas
CountyAllen
Founded1859
Incorporated1870
Named forIola Colborn
Government
 • TypeMayor–Council
Area
 • Total4.74 sq mi (12.27 km2)
 • Land4.46 sq mi (11.56 km2)
 • Water0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2)
Elevation968 ft (295 m)
Population
 • Total5,396
 • Density1,100/sq mi (440/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
66749
Area code620
FIPS code20-34300
GNIS ID485599[1]
WebsiteCityOfIola.com

Geography change

Iola is at 37°55′N 95°24′W / 37.917°N 95.400°W / 37.917; -95.400 (37.923, -95.400).[7] The city is along the eastern bank of the Neosho River. it is between Deer Creek, to the north, and Rock Creek, to the south, with Coon Creek going through the city. U.S. Route 54 goes through Iola along Madison Street. It interchanges with U.S. Route 169, which goes near the east side of the city. The smaller cities of Gas and La Harpe are a few miles to the east along US-54. The tiny city of Bassett is near Iola's southern border. The city of Humboldt is about 7 miles (11 km) to the south along US-169.

The United States Census Bureau says that the city has a total area of 4.74 square miles (12.28 km2). Of that, 4.47 square miles (11.58 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km2) is water.[8]

Climate change

 
U.S. Weather Bureau (circa 1900)
 
Former Allen County Jail (2008)

Iola has hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. The Köppen Climate Classification system says that Iola has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]

People change

Historical population
Census Pop.
18801,096
18901,70655.7%
19005,791239.4%
19109,03256.0%
19208,513−5.7%
19307,160−15.9%
19407,2441.2%
19507,094−2.1%
19606,885−2.9%
19706,493−5.7%
19806,9386.9%
19906,351−8.5%
20006,302−0.8%
20105,704−9.5%
20205,396−5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
Kansas Population Data
2010-2020[3]

2020 census change

In 2020, there were 5,396 people, 2,291 households, and 1,254 families living in Iola. Of the households, 56.5% owned their home and 43.5% rented their home.

The median age was 37.7 years. Of the people, 86.7% were White, 2.6% were Black, 1.4% were Native American, 0.7% were Asian, 1.7% were from some other race, and 7.0% were two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.0% of the people.[10][11]

2010 census change

In 2010, there were 5,704 people, 2,357 households, and 1,418 families living in Iola.[12]

Culture change

Iola has its yearly Farm City Days in mid-October. It's a celebration. It has a parade and a carnival. It started in 1971 when Stanley Dreher, Gary Parker, and Leon Catron tried getting people to go out to the farm.[13] The reason for the event is to show appreciation to its farm-town qualities.

Education change

 
Map of Allen County

Unified school districts change

  • Iola USD 257 (Web site), home of the 2006 Kansas 4A Girls State Basketball Champions.

Colleges and universities change

Transportation change

Bus service is provided north towards Kansas City, Missouri and south towards Tulsa, Oklahoma by Jefferson Lines (subcontractor of Greyhound Lines).[14][15]

Allen County Airport is three miles south of the city. City bus and rail service have stopped.

Media change

The Iola Register is the local newspaper. It publishes on weekdays and Saturday.

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Iola, Kansas
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "QuickFacts: Iola city, Kansas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  4. William Allen White School of Journalism and Public Information (1955). A pronunciation guide to Kansas place names. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas. p. 13.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  6. Duncan, L. Wallace; Scott, Chas. F. (1901). History of Allen and Woodson Counties Kansas. Iola, KS: Iola Register. p. 74.
  7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  8. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  9. Climate Summary for Iola, Kansas
  10. "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  11. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  12. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  13. "Farm City Days". Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  14. Jefferson Lines
  15. Greyhound Lines - Bus stops in Kansas Archived 2010-08-28 at the Wayback Machine

Other websites change

City
Schools
Media
Maps