Kalona, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Kalona is a city in Washington County, Iowa
, United States
. It is part of the Iowa City, Iowa
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 2,293 at the 2000 census. Kalona is the second largest city in Washington County.
settlement in what is now the Kalona area began in the 1840s, placing the Amish among the very first European settlers in the area. Other Amish groups came later. The Beachy Amish, for example, first arrived in the 1920s.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
built a 66-mile branch from Iowa City to What Cheer via Kalona in 1879
Kalona was established by the railroad on August 6, 1879. The name was suggested to the railroad by a Mr. Myers, who owned a bull of that name. The town remained unincorporated until 1890.
Kalona is home to a burgeoning craft, antiques and local products industry. Its proximity to both Iowa City, Iowa and a large Amish
settlement have allowed growth in population and industry in recent years. The town is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. This quaint city centers around the historic old town business section of Kalona, which features many local businesses that are popular with tourists.
settlements west of the Mississippi
, and the oldest in Iowa. Kalona is the home of the Iowa Mennonite Archives, located at the Kalona Historical Village. The Iowa Mennonite School
is located a few miles northwest of Kalona.
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,293 people, 947 households, and 597 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,119.9 people per square mile (431.9/km²). There were 986 housing units at an average density of 481.6 per square mile (185.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.08% White, 0.22% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races
, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 947 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $45,897. Males had a median income of $30,776 versus $24,974 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $22,474. About 5.0% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is part of the Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Iowa City metropolitan area
The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Iowa anchored by the city of Iowa City...
. The population was 2,293 at the 2000 census. Kalona is the second largest city in Washington County.
History
AmishAmish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
settlement in what is now the Kalona area began in the 1840s, placing the Amish among the very first European settlers in the area. Other Amish groups came later. The Beachy Amish, for example, first arrived in the 1920s.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway is a railroad that operated from 1876 to 1903. It had operations in Iowa and in Minnesota. It was succeeded by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway.At least three of its stations apparently survive:...
built a 66-mile branch from Iowa City to What Cheer via Kalona in 1879
Kalona was established by the railroad on August 6, 1879. The name was suggested to the railroad by a Mr. Myers, who owned a bull of that name. The town remained unincorporated until 1890.
Kalona is home to a burgeoning craft, antiques and local products industry. Its proximity to both Iowa City, Iowa and a large Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
settlement have allowed growth in population and industry in recent years. The town is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. This quaint city centers around the historic old town business section of Kalona, which features many local businesses that are popular with tourists.
Amish and Mennonites
Not far from Kalona is located one of the largest AmishAmish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
settlements west of the Mississippi
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, and the oldest in Iowa. Kalona is the home of the Iowa Mennonite Archives, located at the Kalona Historical Village. The Iowa Mennonite School
Iowa Mennonite School
Iowa Mennonite School is a private Mennonite high school near Kalona, Iowa, established in 1945.- Student body :Between 75% and 80% of the students are Mennonite, although students from any religious background are welcome...
is located a few miles northwest of Kalona.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 2 square miles (5.2 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,293 people, 947 households, and 597 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,119.9 people per square mile (431.9/km²). There were 986 housing units at an average density of 481.6 per square mile (185.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.08% White, 0.22% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.
There were 947 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $45,897. Males had a median income of $30,776 versus $24,974 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $22,474. About 5.0% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Kalona Chamber of Commerce
- City-Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Kalona