Indianola, Iowa

Indianola, Iowa
City
National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa
National Balloon Classic in Indianola, Iowa
Location of Indianola, Iowa
Location of Indianola, Iowa
Indianola, Iowa is located in the United States
Indianola, Iowa
Indianola, Iowa
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°21′47″N 93°33′56″W / 41.36306°N 93.56556°W / 41.36306; -93.56556
CountryUnited States
State Iowa
CountyWarren
Government
 • TypeMayor–council[1]
 • MayorStephanie Erickson
Area
[2]
 • Total11.44 sq mi (29.62 km2)
 • Land11.44 sq mi (29.62 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[3]
958 ft (292 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total15,833
 • Density1,384.61/sq mi (534.60/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
50125
Area code515
FIPS code69-38280
GNIS feature ID468071[3]
Websitewww.indianolaiowa.gov

Indianola is a city in Warren County, Iowa, United States, located 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown Des Moines. The population was 15,833 at the time of the 2020 census.[4] It is the county seat of Warren County.[5] Indianola is home to the National Balloon Classic, a nine-day hot air balloon festival held annually in the summer, the Des Moines Metro Opera, a world renowned major American Summer Opera Festival, and Simpson College.

History

Indianola was founded in 1849 as the county seat of Warren County. The town was located near the geographic center of the new county. The town's name was taken from a newspaper account of a Texas ghost town of the same name.[6]

Indianola was incorporated in 1863.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.25 square miles (29.14 km2), all land.[8] The Summerset Trail's southern terminus is in Indianola.[9]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Indianola has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

Climate data for Indianola, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)
79
(26)
89
(32)
92
(33)
106
(41)
105
(41)
112
(44)
113
(45)
104
(40)
95
(35)
82
(28)
70
(21)
113
(45)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 54.9
(12.7)
59.0
(15.0)
74.3
(23.5)
82.7
(28.2)
88.0
(31.1)
91.5
(33.1)
94.5
(34.7)
93.4
(34.1)
90.4
(32.4)
84.6
(29.2)
70.9
(21.6)
58.6
(14.8)
96.0
(35.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 31.7
(−0.2)
36.3
(2.4)
49.5
(9.7)
62.1
(16.7)
71.9
(22.2)
81.4
(27.4)
85.5
(29.7)
84.0
(28.9)
77.6
(25.3)
64.8
(18.2)
49.6
(9.8)
36.9
(2.7)
60.9
(16.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 21.7
(−5.7)
25.8
(−3.4)
38.3
(3.5)
50.0
(10.0)
60.9
(16.1)
70.7
(21.5)
74.7
(23.7)
72.8
(22.7)
65.0
(18.3)
52.5
(11.4)
38.8
(3.8)
27.1
(−2.7)
49.9
(9.9)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 11.6
(−11.3)
15.2
(−9.3)
27.1
(−2.7)
37.9
(3.3)
49.9
(9.9)
60.0
(15.6)
64.0
(17.8)
61.6
(16.4)
52.4
(11.3)
40.1
(4.5)
27.9
(−2.3)
17.4
(−8.1)
38.8
(3.8)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −11.7
(−24.3)
−6.4
(−21.3)
7.0
(−13.9)
22.3
(−5.4)
34.7
(1.5)
46.5
(8.1)
53.5
(11.9)
51.1
(10.6)
36.5
(2.5)
23.8
(−4.6)
10.1
(−12.2)
−3.3
(−19.6)
−16.1
(−26.7)
Record low °F (°C) −33
(−36)
−35
(−37)
−20
(−29)
−2
(−19)
21
(−6)
36
(2)
40
(4)
38
(3)
23
(−5)
4
(−16)
−11
(−24)
−26
(−32)
−35
(−37)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.91
(23)
1.42
(36)
1.94
(49)
3.88
(99)
5.58
(142)
5.72
(145)
4.32
(110)
3.90
(99)
3.86
(98)
3.02
(77)
1.85
(47)
1.40
(36)
37.8
(961)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 8.5
(22)
8.2
(21)
3.7
(9.4)
1.0
(2.5)
0.3
(0.76)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.5
(1.3)
1.9
(4.8)
6.7
(17)
30.8
(78.76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.1 6.6 7.3 10.0 12.3 11.0 8.0 8.9 7.6 7.7 6.0 5.8 96.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.7 3.9 1.7 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.9 3.2 14.5
Source 1: NOAA[10]
Source 2: National Weather Service[11]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1860836—    
18701,428+70.8%
18802,146+50.3%
18902,254+5.0%
19003,261+44.7%
19103,283+0.7%
19203,628+10.5%
19303,488−3.9%
19404,123+18.2%
19505,145+24.8%
19607,062+37.3%
19708,852+25.3%
198010,843+22.5%
199011,340+4.6%
200012,998+14.6%
201014,782+13.7%
202015,833+7.1%
Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
Source: U.S. Decennial Census[12][4]

In 2005, a special census was conducted that revised Indianola's population to 14,156.[13][14]

As of 2013, there were 15,108 people, 5,477 households, and 3,579 families living in the city. The population density was 1,314.0 inhabitants per square mile (507.3/km2). There were 5,893 housing units at an average density of 523.8 per square mile (202.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

Of the 5,477 households 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.7% were non-families. 28.6% of households were one person and 13.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 34.1 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 15.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 12,998 people, 4,748 households, and 3,261 families living in the city. The population density was 1,414.7 inhabitants per square mile (546.2/km2). There were 4,981 housing units at an average density of 542.1/sq mi (209.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.92% White, 0.40% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85%.[15]

Of the 4,748 households 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 26.5% of households were one person and 12.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median household income was $43,725 and the median family income was $52,238. Males had a median income of $36,945 versus $24,401 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,574. About 5.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

21.4%-Catholic

64.5%-Protestant

14.1%-non affiliated

Current elected officials

City Council:

Position Name Term expires
Mayor Stephanie Erickson 2025
City Council Ward 1 John Parker Jr. 2023
City Council Ward 2 Ron Dalby 2025
City Council Ward 3 Gwen Schroder 2023
City Council Ward 4 Christina Beach 2025
City Council At-Large Josh Rabe 2023
City Council At-Large Steve Richardson 2025

Arts and culture

Indianola is also the home of the National Balloon Classic and National Balloon Museum.

Points of interest

Buxton Park Arboretum
Gazebo and flower gardens in Buxton Park Arboretum
National Balloon Museum
National Hot Air Balloon Museum

Education

Public school system

Indianola is served by the Indianola Community School District.

Indianola has four elementary schools:

  • Whittier Elementary
  • Emerson Elementary
  • Irving Elementary
  • Wilder Elementary

Indianola Middle School is the only middle school.
Indianola High School is the only senior high school.

Colleges and universities

Simpson College, a liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church, is in Indianola, and was founded in 1860.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

Iowa Highway 92 runs east and west through the city and crosses US Highways 65 and 69 southeast of the central business district.

Railroads

Indianola no longer has railroad service. At one time, it served as a terminus for a branch line of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad which came off the CB&Q mainline at Indianola Junction, which was four miles west of Chariton. There was a brick and stucco depot that stood across the tracks from the Rock Island depot. This line was abandoned in the early 1960s.

The other railroad was the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, which branched off a branch line from Carlisle, which is just southeast of Des Moines, to Summerset Junction, a few miles north of Indianola and on into Winterset. The Winterset to Summerset Junction portion of the line was discontinued in the early 1960s, leaving the Indianola to Carlisle line in place. There was a brick Rock Island depot just to the west of US Highway 65 & 69 in the center of Indianola. This line maintained sporadic service until the Rock Island went bankrupt in 1980. The line was then operated by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad until the early 1990s, at which point the line was abandoned back to Carlisle. The line was converted to the Summerset Trail from Indianola to Carlisle after abandonment.

The Rock Island and CB&Q lines both came in from the east and paralleled each other as they came into Indianola. They could interchange cars and there was at one point, first class Pullman passenger trains came down the Rock Island and then moved to the CB&Q railroad to Chariton and on to St. Joseph, Missouri.[16] The Rock Island purchased a portion of the CB&Q after it was abandoned. Freight cars were sometimes stored there.

Air service

Scheduled passenger service and general aviation services are provided by Des Moines International Airport, which is 13 miles northwest of Indianola. There are two privately-owned airports near Indianola: Nash Field is four miles south of Indianola and is open to the public. Laverty Field is three miles north of Indianola and requires prior permission to land.[17]

Notable people

Technology

  • Indianola has a municipal, Gigabit-capable, fiber optic network[33] and entrepreneurial development programs that links STEM-related activities at its schools and Simpson College to the local tech economy.

References

  1. ^ "City of Indianola, Iowa". Denman & Company, LLP. p. 20. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  3. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Indianola, Iowa
  4. ^ a b "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. ^ "Warren County". Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2009. Warren County History
  7. ^ The History of Warren County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c, Volume 1. Higginson Book Company. 1879. p. 482.
  8. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  9. ^ Warren County Conservation Board. Summerset Trail. Archived 2007-02-19 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data". National Weather Service. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "Revised 2000 Census Population and Housing Counts for Iowa Places and Counties" (PDF). iowadatacenter.org. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "Indianola - Iowa, United States". britannica.com. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Brown, Robert C; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Co. Iowa Mail Line and Branch Lines Depots and Towers; April 1999; No Publisher Listed; p 133
  17. ^ AirNav.com website
  18. ^ Lutz, Bob (January 18, 2017). "Former Shocker Blake battled his way onto the MLB Hall of Fame ballot". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  19. ^ Gengler, Matt (April 7, 2017). "WH grad chases pro football dream". Missouri Valley Times News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  20. ^ "George Washington Carver". Simpson College. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  21. ^ "Dayton Duncan". Public Broadcasting Service. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  22. ^ Albertson, Teresa May (November 5, 2018). "Freedom Rock honors Indianola Medal of Honor recipient". Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  23. ^ "Haworth, Erasmus - KS-Cyclopedia - 1912". www.ksgenweb.org. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "James C. Hickman, former business school dean, dies". news.wisc.edu. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  25. ^ "Homan, Paul T. (Paul Thomas), 1893-1969 @ SNAC". snaccooperative.org. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  26. ^ "John Paul Jones". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  27. ^ Longden, Tom. "Leota Lane". Des Moines Register Data Central. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  28. ^ "PARCAUT AND RUEBENS WILL MEET IN BOXING AND WRESTLING SHOW" (PDF). The Daily Iowan. March 16, 1921. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  29. ^ "12 August 1996 My piece on Steve Spray - Newspapers.com". Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  30. ^ "BASKETBALL; Iowa Player Dies in Crash". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 21, 1993. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  31. ^ "Bishop Edwin Edgar Voigt" (PDF).
  32. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (February 25, 1981). "Ilo Browne Wallace, 92, Widow of a Vice President to Roosevelt". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  33. ^ Indianola, First Connected Community in Iowa (February 15, 2013). "Gigabit IMU Network". Retrieved December 2, 2014.

External links

  • Official City of Indianola Website
  • Indianola Chamber of Commerce
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