Editing Colfax, Iowa

{{Short description|City in Iowa, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Colfax, Iowa
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Colfax, Iowa.jpg
| image_caption            = Downtown Colfax, Iowa
| image_flag               = Flag of Colfax, Iowa.svg
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Jasper_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Colfax_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Colfax, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = USA
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Iowa}}
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Jasper County, Iowa|Jasper]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date         = August 10, 1875

<!-- Area -->| 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_total_km2           = 6.84
| area_land_km2            = 6.25
| area_water_km2           = 0.59
| area_total_sq_mi         = 2.64
| area_land_sq_mi          = 2.42
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.23

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 2255
| population_density_km2   = 360.59
| population_density_sq_mi = 933.75
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 244
| elevation_ft             = 801
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|40|33|N|93|14|40|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 50054
| area_code                = [[Area code 515|515]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 19-15060
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 0455527
| website                  = 
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}
'''Colfax''' is a city in [[Jasper County, Iowa]], United States. Colfax is located approximately 24 miles east of [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]. The town was founded in 1866, and was named after [[Schuyler Colfax]], [[List of vice presidents of the United States|vice president]] under [[Ulysses S. Grant]]. The population was 2,255 at the time of 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> [[Newton, Iowa|Newton]] is the county seat; both were named after [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] soldiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.joplinglobe.com/news/local_news/jasper-newton-paired-together-because-of-story-from-american-revolution/article_82710aa5-5ae7-599c-bf5c-bfa20f95c43b.html|title=Jasper, Newton paired together because of story from American Revolution|last=Cooley|first=Ariel|website=Joplin Globe|language=en|access-date=2019-10-24}}</ref>

==History==
Colfax was laid out in 1866.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHwUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA497 | title=The History of Jasper County, Iowa, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c | publisher=Western Historical | year=1878| page=497}}</ref> It is named for [[Schuyler Colfax]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HnwUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA350 | title=History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Volume 1 | publisher=S.J. Clarke Publishing Company | author=Clyde, Jefferson F. | year=1918 | page=350}}</ref>

In its heyday, the city of Colfax had two main industries that drew thousands to the area:  the mining of coal, and the use of the [[mineral springs]] discovered near the city.

The first large scale coal mine in [[Jasper County, Iowa|Jasper County]] was the Watson No. 1 Mine, 5 miles southeast of town, connected to the [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad|Rock Island]] by a long railroad spur.  From 1881 to 1900, the Jasper County Coal and Railway Company operated a number of mines north of Colfax.  The Colfax Consolidated Coal Company formed in 1902, bringing the mines of Colfax under a common operator.  They opened mine No. 8 in 1905; this was one of the best equipped mines in the state.  The coal camp of Severs was run by this company.<ref>James H. Lees, History of Coal Mining in Iowa, Chapter III of [https://books.google.com/books?id=1BUMAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA415&pg=PA564 Annual Report, 1908], Iowa Geological Survey, 1909, 564–565.</ref>

[[United Mine Workers]] local 56 was organized in Colfax in 1899; by 1907, it had 352 members.  Mine wages varied from $2.36 to $2.56 per day.<ref>Trade Unions in Iowa, [https://books.google.com/books?id=H1JaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA200 Thirteenth Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the State of Iowa for the period 1906-1907], Des Moines, 1908; p. 200.</ref>  In 1912, the UMW union had two locals based in Colfax, Local 56, with 350 members, and Local 671, with 230 members.<ref>Tally Sheet, [https://books.google.com/books?id=cfAUAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA1005 Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Convention of the United Mine Workers of America] Jan. 16 – Feb. 2, 1912, Indianapolis; Volume 2, pp. 180A–182A.</ref>

In the process of drilling for coal in 1875, a well containing high mineral content was discovered near Colfax.  The city flourished with this new discovery, and over the next four decades, thousands of people visited the town to partake in the healing powers of the fourteen mineral springs there.  Nine hotels offering mineral baths and spa treatments opened to house guests, and four bottling companies opened to produce bottled mineral water for the masses.  In 1912–1913, the city received funding to build a [[Carnegie library]].  The library is still in use today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iowabackroads.com/category/carnegie-libraries/ |title=Photos: Carnegie Libraries |publisher=Iowa Backroads |access-date=2013-07-30}}</ref>
The booming business of the city's [[mineral springs]] industry declined and died out as the Great Depression swept the country.<ref name="Colfax Main Street">{{cite web |author=Colfax Main Street |url=http://www.colfaxmainstreet.com/node/7 |title=About |publisher=Colfax Main Street |date=2009-05-18 |access-date=2013-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901183902/http://colfaxmainstreet.com/node/7 |archive-date=2013-09-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.80|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.79|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref>{{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/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1880|620
|1890|957
|1900|2053
|1910|2524
|1920|2504
|1930|2213
|1940|2222
|1950|2279
|1960|2331
|1970|2293
|1980|2234
|1990|2462
|2000|2223
|2010|2093
|2020|2255
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{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=2020-03-29}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]
}}
[[File:ColfaxIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|left|alt=The population of Colfax, Iowa from US census data|The population of Colfax, Iowa from US census data]]

[[Image:ColfaxMines.png|thumb|right|Map of Colfax from 1908, showing the railroads and coal mines (shown in red) of the region.]]
[[File:FEMA - 45007 - Flooded road in Colfax Iowa.jpg|thumb|right|Part of downtown Colfax was flooded in 2010.]]

===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 2,255 people, 874 households, and 551 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 933.9 inhabitants per square mile (360.6/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 947 housing units at an average density of 392.2 per square mile (151.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 92.1% [[White Americans|White]], 0.6% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.0% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.5% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.7% from other races and 4.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.

Of the 874 households, 30.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.9% were cohabitating couples, 24.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 23.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 37.0% of all households were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 26.9% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.8% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 and 44; 27.5% were from 45 and 64; and 14.0% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<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 2010, there were 2,093 people, 851 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1169.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 927 housing units at an average density of {{convert|517.9|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 851 households, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 2,223 people, 837 households, and 585 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,632.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 908 housing units at an average density of {{convert|666.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.25% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.49% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.18% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.85% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.72% of the population.

There were 837 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.12.

Age spread: 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,006, and the median income for a family was $48,300. Males had a median income of $35,326 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,662. About 5.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Colfax–Mingo Community School District]] operates area public schools.<ref>"[https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_COLFAX-MINGO.pdf Colfax-Mingo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427121704/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_COLFAX-MINGO.pdf |date=2018-04-27 }}." [[Iowa Department of Education]]. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref> The Colfax and Mingo school districts consolidated on July 1, 1985.<ref>"[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 WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->

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*[[James Norman Hall]] (1887–1951) author best known for the novel ''[[Mutiny on the Bounty (novel)|Mutiny on the Bounty]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/bai/roulston.htm|title=James Norman Hall Past, Present, and Future|publisher=The University of Iowa|work=Books at Iowa 29|last=Roulston |first=Robert|date=November 1978|access-date=February 12, 2011}}</ref>
*[[Herschel F. Briles]], [[United States Army]] soldier and recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]
* [[James B. Weaver]] (1833–1912), 1892 presidential candidate of the [[People's Party (United States)|People's Party]] and mayor of Colfax from 1901 to 1903.<ref>David Hudson, Marvin Bergman, and Loren Horton, ''The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa.'' Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2009; p. 545.</ref>
*[[Joe Laws]] (1911-1979) American Football Player [[University of Iowa]], Big 10 MVP 1933, [[Green Bay Packers]] 1934-1945, NFL Champion 1933,1939,1944, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame 1972

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{Jasper County, Iowa}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Jasper County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Schuyler Colfax]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Iowa]]