Editing Avoca, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Avoca, Iowa
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| image_skyline            = Downtown Avoca, Iowa.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Downtown Avoca, Iowa
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = <!-- Images -->
| image_map                = Pottawattamie_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Avoca_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location of Avoca, Iowa
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| pushpin_map              = USA Iowa#USA
| pushpin_label            = Avoca
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location within Iowa##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief           = yes

<!-- Location -->| coordinates              = {{coord|41|28|58|N|95|20|14|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Iowa}}
| subdivision_name2        = [[Pottawattamie County, Iowa|Pottawattamie]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[List of Iowa townships|Township]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Knox Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa|Knox]]
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = <!-- Area -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = Mayor-council
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = Tom Bruck<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elected Officials for Avoca in Pottawattamie County, Iowa |url=https://elections.pottcounty-ia.gov/elected_officials/city/avoca/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=elections.pottcounty-ia.gov |language=en}}</ref>
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 6.17
| area_total_sq_mi         = 2.38
| area_land_km2            = 6.17
| area_land_sq_mi          = 2.38
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 1155
| population_total         = 1683
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 51521
| area_code                = [[Area code 712|712]]
| website                  = [http://www.cityofavoca.com/ City of Avoca]
| footnotes                = 
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 19-03970
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2394042<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394042}}</ref>
}}
'''Avoca''' (Irish: Abhóca, meaning 'the great river') is a city in [[Pottawattamie County, Iowa|Pottawattamie County]], [[Iowa]], United States. The population was 1,683 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref>

==History==
Avoca was founded in 1869 in connection with the construction of the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]] through the area.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_I4YUAAAAYAAJ | title=History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa: Containing a History from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time | publisher=O. L. Baskin & Company | year=1883 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_I4YUAAAAYAAJ/page/n599 244]}}</ref>  The city is named after a place mentioned in the [[Thomas Moore]] poem "The Meeting of the Waters," about the [[River Avoca]] in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Avoca - History of Avoca |url=https://www.cityofavoca.com/vnews/display.v/SEC/Live/Work/Play%7CHistory%20of%20Avoca}}</ref> Avoca quickly developed as a regional service center for the surrounding farms.<ref>[http://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/avoca.htm Pottawatamie Count Historical Society article on Avoca] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330232604/http://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/avoca.htm |date=March 30, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2005, Avoca opened a local pool.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MCMAHON|first=TOM|title=A tale of two pools: Avoca and Glenwood|url=https://nonpareilonline.com/news/a-tale-of-two-pools-avoca-and-glenwood/article_dff457fc-5421-580d-b334-5bd85ae2c4ea.html|access-date=2020-09-14|website=The Daily Nonpareil - Council Bluffs, Iowa|language=en}}</ref>

The Pottawatomie County, Iowa county government maintains a second courthouse in Avoca to serve the northeastern portion of the county.  Council Bluffs, which is the county seat is in the extreme southwestern part of this large county.<ref>The Register's Editorial: Iowa's collection of courthouses will remain at 101, at least for now
The Register’s Editorial Board, Des Moines Register,  Des Moines, Iowa, Published 12 SEP 2014</ref>

==Geography==
The city is situated within Iowa's Loess Hills and located between the [[Nishnabotna River|West Nishnabotna River]] and its East Branch.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pottawattamie LHHW|url=https://www.visitloesshills.org/pottawattamie-lhhw1.html|access-date=2021-07-09|website=Loess Hills National Scenic Byway|language=en}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.13|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1900|1627
|1910|1520
|1920|1482
|1930|1673
|1940|1598
|1950|1595
|1960|1540
|1970|1535
|1980|1650
|1990|1497
|2000|1610
|2010|1506
|2020|1683
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>}}|footnote=Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-28}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]
}}
[[File:AvocaIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|left|alt=The population of Avoca, Iowa from US census data|The population of Avoca, Iowa from US census data]]

===2020 census===
As of the [[United States census|census]] of 2020,<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/2020/2020-census-main.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 1,683 people, 704 households, and 429 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 706.4 inhabitants per square mile (272.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 767 housing units at an average density of 321.9 per square mile (124.3/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 92.0% [[White Americans|White]], 0.7% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.7% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.3% from other races and 4.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 3.7% of the population.

Of the 704 households, 30.7% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.2% were cohabitating couples, 28.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 19.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 39.1% of all households were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 25.7% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 and 44; 24.6% were from 45 and 64; and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 1,506 people, 662 households, and 436 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|707.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 711 housing units at an average density of {{convert|333.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 98.8% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-05-11}}</ref>

Of the 662 households 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.9% of households were one person and 13.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.78.

The median age was 43.2 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 1,610 people, 666 households, and 458 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|830.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 706 housing units at an average density of {{convert|364.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 99.19% White, 0.06% African American, 0.06% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.37%.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>

Of the 666 households 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.6% of households were one person and 15.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.85.

23.2% are under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median household income was $39,826 and the median family income  was $45,000. Males had a median income of $30,272 versus $20,284 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,908. About 1.5% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

== Education ==
The community is served by the [[AHSTW Community School District]].<ref>"[https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_AHSTW.pdf AHSTW] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427120404/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_AHSTW.pdf |date=2018-04-27 }}." [[Iowa Department of Education]]. Retrieved on July 15, 2018.</ref> In 1957 Avoca combined with the city of Hancock to form the Avo-Ha Community School District. On July 1, 1996, the district merged into the [[A-H-S-T Community School District]] combining with nearby towns of Shelby and Tennant. In turn, the conglomerate merged into AHSTW on July 1, 2016 when the small town of Walnut joined.<ref name=Mergerlist>"[https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124738/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf |date=2019-02-09 }}." [[Iowa Department of Education]]. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.</ref>

== Notable people == <!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WikiProject Cities/US Guideline-->

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* [[Richard Beymer]] (born 1938), the actor best known as Tony, the lead role in ''[[West Side Story (1961 film)|West Side Story]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/65/Richard-Beymer.html|title=FilmReference|publisher=Richard Beymer biography|access-date=2010-12-12}}</ref>
* [[Johnny Carson]] (1925-2005), the television comedian, lived in Avoca as a child until his family moved to Norfolk, Nebraska in 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/a54722baa9192b6b063a98d9a77d403b|title=People In The News|date=July 2, 1986|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=April 20, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Edwin T. Meredith]] (1876–1928), [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture]] under president [[Woodrow Wilson]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://millercenter.org/president/wilson/essays/cabinet/471 |title=Miller Center of Public Affairs University of Virginia |publisher=American President Woodrow Wilson/Edwin T. Meredith Secretary of Agriculture |access-date=2010-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217060556/http://millercenter.org/president/wilson/essays/cabinet/471 |archive-date=17 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Richard C. Turner]] (1927-1986), Iowa lawyer and politician, was born in Avoca.<ref>'U.S. Attorney Turner dies of heart attack,' '''Des Moines Register,''' Bob Shaw, September 29, 1986, pg. 1. 11A</ref>

==References==
<references />

==External links==<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070615140945/http://www.cityofavoca.com/index.htm City of Avoca, Iowa]
* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iapcgs/ The Pottawattamie County Genealogical Society]
* [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/16905 Roadside America- Avoca Spider Bug]
* [http://www.farmall-land-usa.com/ Farmall- Land Tractor Museum]

{{Omaha-Council Bluffs metro}}
{{Pottawattamie County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Pottawattamie County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in Iowa]]