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Eldon is a city in
Wapello County, Iowa Wapello County is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 35,437. The county seat is Ottumwa, Iowa, Ottumwa. The county was formed on February 17 ...
, United States. The population was 783 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the home of the small
Carpenter Gothic Carpenter Gothic, also sometimes called Carpenter's Gothic or Rural Gothic, is a North American architectural style-designation for an application of Gothic Revival architecture, Gothic Revival architectural detailing and picturesque massin ...
style
house A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...
that served as the backdrop for Grant Wood's 1930 painting, American Gothic. Other historic sities include the Historic Rock Island Railway depot, the Eldon Carnegie Public Library and the Historic McHaffey Opera House.


History

Eldon got its start in the year 1870, following construction of the Keokuk and Des Moines Railway through the territory. It was incorporated in 1872.
Roseanne Barr Roseanne Cherrie Barr (born November 3, 1952), also known mononymously as Roseanne, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She began her career in stand-up comedy before gaining acclaim in the television sitcom ''Roseanne'' (19 ...
and Tom Arnold, who was born in nearby Ottumwa, operated Roseanne and Tom's Big Food Diner in Eldon from 1993 to 1995. Eldon is also the home of the Wapello County Fair which began in 1868.


Geography

Eldon is located in the southeast corner of Wapello County eleven miles southeast of Ottumwa on the northeast bank of the Des Moines River across the river from the Soap creek confluence. Iowa Highway 16 passes through the community. The Eldon Water Management Area is across the river in adjacent Davis County two miles to the southwest along Soap Creek. According to the
United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.


Education

Eldon is served by the Cardinal Community School District which has its campus 2.5 miles north of the town in rural Wapello County. Eldon is consolidated with the towns of Agency, Batavia, and the unincorporated communities of Selma and Bladensburg within the Cardinal Community School District. Cardinal Schools mascot is the "Comet". The Cardinal athletic teams participate in the South Central Conference.


Demographics


2020 census

As of the
census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2020, there were 783 people, 361 households, and 210 families residing in the city. The
population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was 715.8 inhabitants per square mile (276.4/km2). There were 404 housing units at an average density of 369.3 per square mile (142.6/km2). The
racial Race is a categorization of humans based on shared physical or social qualities into groups generally viewed as distinct within a given society. The term came into common usage during the 16th century, when it was used to refer to groups of va ...
makeup of the city was 94.4%
White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...
, 0.0% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 0.1%
Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...
, 0.4% from other races and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 3.1% of the population. Of the 361 households, 26.3% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were
married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
living together, 7.2% were cohabitating couples, 30.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 21.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 41.8% of all households were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older. The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 24.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.0% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 and 44; 27.8% were from 45 and 64; and 22.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.


2010 census

At the 2010 census 927 people, 406 households, and 260 families were residing in the city. The population density was . The 448 housing units had an average density of . The racial makup of the city was 98.4% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1%. Of 406 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.3% of households were made up of individuals, and 15% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28, and the average family size was 2.84. The median age was 42.3 years old. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.


2000 census

At the 2000 census 998 people, 438 households, and 275 families were residing in the city. The population density was . The 470 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.40% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50%. Of the 438 households 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.7% of households were one person and 18.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.91. The age distribution was 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males. The median household income was $26,950 and the median family income was $37,250. Males had a median income of $29,261 versus $20,573 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,495. About 11.4% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the
poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.


National Register of Historic Places

In addition to the ''American Gothic'' House, the following properties are listed on the
National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
: * Big 4 Fair Art Hall * Eldon Public Library * McHaffey Opera House


References


External links


American Gothic House Center site
Has links to area attractions

Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Eldon
Cardinal Community School District
{{authority control Cities in Iowa Cities in Wapello County, Iowa Populated places established in 1870 1870 establishments in Iowa