Editing Eldora, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Not to be confused|What's Eating Gilbert Grape|text=[[What's Eating Gilbert Grape|Endora, Iowa]]}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Eldora, Iowa
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|motto                    = "Come and Explore"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.eldoraiowa.com/|title= The official city website of Eldora Iowa|publisher= The official city website of Eldora Iowa|access-date= September 2, 2012}}</ref>
|image_skyline            = Eldora Downtown HD NRHP 09000297 Hardin County, IA.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = 
|image_map = Hardin_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Eldora_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Eldora, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = [[USA]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Iowa]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Iowa|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Hardin County, Iowa|Hardin]]
<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =
<!-- 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           = 11.09
|area_land_km2            = 11.09
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.28
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.28
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 2663
|population_density_km2   = 240.17
|population_density_sq_mi = 622.05
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1070
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|21|47|N|93|06|35|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 50627
|area_code                = [[Area code 641|641]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 19-24465
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 467769<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|467769}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.eldoraiowa.com/}}
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Eldora''' is a city and the [[county seat]] of [[Hardin County, Iowa]], United States. The population was 2,663 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> It is the [[county seat]] of Hardin County.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712220218/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2012-07-12 }}</ref>

==History==
Eldora was [[plat]]ted in 1853.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mk40AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA613 | title=History of Hardin County, Iowa | publisher=Union Publishing Company | year=1883 | pages=613}}</ref> It was incorporated on July 1, 1895.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.city-data.com/city/Eldora-Iowa.html|title= Eldora, Iowa
|publisher= City-Data.com|access-date= September 2, 2012}}</ref>

The name Eldora was given to the town by a local mother in honor of her dead infant daughter.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBw_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA234 | title=Past and Present of Hardin County, Iowa | publisher=Unigraphic | author=Moir, William J. | year=1911 | pages=234}}</ref> It is derived from the Spanish name for "the gilded".<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA116 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=116}}</ref>

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.33|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

Eldora is located on east edge of the Altmont Moraine, the [[glacial moraine]] that marks the east border of the [[Geography of Iowa#Des Moines lobe|Des Moines Lobe]] of the [[Wisconsin Glaciation]]. The town is just west of the gorge of the [[Iowa River]] that borders the moraine.  The river here has cut through the [[sandstone]] bedrock underlying the moraine.<ref>Samuel Walker Beyer, [https://pubs.lib.uiowa.edu/igsar/article/id/1100/ Geology of Hardin County], Iowa Geological Annual Report 10(1) 1899; pages 241-314, see map between 278,279, see pages 252-253 for topography and page 246 for historical woodland.</ref>

===Climate===
Designated as having a humid continental climate, this region typically has a large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Precipitation is relatively well distributed year-round in many areas with this climate.  The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Humid continental climate|Dfa]]" (Hot Summer Continental Climate).<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=375231&cityname=Eldora%2C+Iowa%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Eldora, Iowa]</ref>

{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| collapsed = Y
| location    = Eldora, Iowa (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =25.8
| Feb high F  =30.7
| Mar high F  =44.1
| Apr high F  =58.7
| May high F  =70.4
| Jun high F  =80.3
| Jul high F  =83.5
| Aug high F  =81.5
| Sep high F  =75.5
| Oct high F  =61.7
| Nov high F  =45.0
| Dec high F  =31.6
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =17.1
| Feb mean F  =21.6
| Mar mean F  =34.1
| Apr mean F  =47.0
| May mean F  =59.2
| Jun mean F  =69.4
| Jul mean F  =72.7
| Aug mean F  =70.4
| Sep mean F  =63.0
| Oct mean F  =50.0
| Nov mean F  =35.4
| Dec mean F  =23.3
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =8.4
| Feb low F  =12.6
| Mar low F  =24.1
| Apr low F  =35.3
| May low F  =48.0
| Jun low F  =58.6
| Jul low F  =61.9
| Aug low F  =59.4
| Sep low F  =50.5
| Oct low F  =38.2
| Nov low F  =25.8
| Dec low F  =15.0
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =1.06
| Feb precipitation inch  =1.21
| Mar precipitation inch  =2.09
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.95
| May precipitation inch  =5.21
| Jun precipitation inch  =5.88
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.06
| Aug precipitation inch  =4.53
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.56
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.80
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.88
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.62
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =8.1
| Feb snow inch  =8.8
| Mar snow inch  =4.0
| Apr snow inch  =1.4
| May snow inch  =0.4
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.3
| Nov snow inch  =1.8
| Dec snow inch  =8.4
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00132573 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-30 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1870|1268
|1880|1584
|1890|1577
|1900|2233
|1910|1995
|1920|3189
|1930|3200
|1940|3553
|1950|3107
|1960|3225
|1970|3223
|1980|3063
|1990|3038
|2000|3035
|2010|2732
|2020|2663
|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:EldoraIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|left|alt=The population of Eldora, Iowa from US census data|The population of Eldora, 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 2,663 people, 1,096 households, and 632 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 622.0 inhabitants per square mile (240.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,276 housing units at an average density of 298.1 per square mile (115.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 89.6% [[White Americans|White]], 2.3% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.8% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.7% from other races and 5.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 3.6% of the population.

Of the 1,096 households, 24.9% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.6% were cohabitating couples, 28.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 20.3% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 42.3% of all households were non-families. 36.7% 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 43.3 years. 27.3% of the residents were under the age of 20; 3.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 19.8% were from 25 and 44; 25.3% were from 45 and 64; and 23.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.7% male and 49.3% female.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 2,732 people, 1,079 households, and 671 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|630.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,275 housing units at an average density of {{convert|294.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makup]] of the city was 94.8% White, 2.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7%.<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 1,079 households 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.1% of households were one person and 17.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.

The median age was 41.6 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 20.5% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]] there were 3,035 people, 1,193 households, and 742 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|698.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,314 housing units at an average density of {{convert|302.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makup]] of the city was 95.49% White, 1.32% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97%.<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 the 1,193 households 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 17.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.

29.8% are under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median household income was $33,170 and the median family income  was $39,421. Males had a median income of $31,545 versus $17,891 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,459. About 5.9% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The community is within the [[Eldora–New Providence Community School District]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_ELDORA-NEW%20PROVIDENCE.pdf|title=Eldora-New Providence|publisher=[[Iowa Department of Education]]|access-date=2019-08-02}}</ref> which formed on July 1, 1980, with the merger of the [[Eldora Community School District|Eldora]] and [[New Providence Community School District|New Providence]] school districts.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20180619180121/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66]." [[Iowa Department of Education]]. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.</ref> {{As of|2019}}, it has a grade-sharing arrangement with [[Hubbard–Radcliffe Community School District]] and operates as "South Hardin Schools".  South Hardin High School is located in Eldora.  Mr. Michael Rundall serves as Principal (2016).  South Hardin Middle School is located in [[Hubbard, Iowa|Hubbard]].  Mrs. Sarah Nachazel serves as Principal (2019).

==Media==
The ''Eldora Herald-Ledger'' is a weekly newspaper covering both Eldora and Hardin County events including the schools AGWSR, BCLUW, and South Hardin. Since November 2014, it has been printed on Tuesdays by the [[Hampton, Iowa]] based Mid-America Publishing Corporation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eldoranewspapers.com/content/about-us |title=Eldora Newspapers: About Us |work=eldoranewspapers.com (Eldora Herald-Ledger) website |location=Eldora, Iowa |access-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217012650/https://www.eldoranewspapers.com/content/about-us}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
Eldora is located adjacent to the Iowa River and [[Pine Lake State Park]].

==Infrastructure==
The city is the location of the State Training School for Boys, a school for male juvenile delinquents.<ref>[http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/children_family/juvenile_facilities/eldora.html Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS)<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209211110/http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/children_family/juvenile_facilities/eldora.html |date=2007-02-09 }}</ref>

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
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*[[George C. Armstrong]], Illinois state senator and newspaper editor; born in Eldora.<ref>'Illinois Blue Book 1947-1948,' Biographical Sketch of George C. Armstrong, pp. 270–271</ref>
*[[Thomas DeBaggio]], (1942-2011) Journalist and author
*[[George Gardner Fagg]], Senior [[United States federal judge]] on the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit]]; born in Eldora.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/fagg-george-gardner|title=  Biographical Directory of Federal Judges Fagg, George Gardner|publisher= Federal Judicial Center|access-date= September 2, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Jonathan Hole]], actor in vaudeville, radio, TV, and film; born in Eldora.
*[[Mona Van Duyn]], winner of the 1991 [[Pulitzer Prize for Poetry]] and the 1992–1993 [[United States Poet Laureate|U.S. Poet Laureate]]; grew up in Eldora.

==Twister movie==
The city is most famous for the shooting of the 1996 movie ''[[Twister (1996 film)|Twister]]'' on location. The true final part of the climactic tornado was filmed at the old Follett house in Eldora which is now a private home.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kcci.com/article/kcci-archive-twister-film-crew-buys-supplies-from-boone-iowa-farm/36945469#|title=KCCI Archive: 'Twister' film crew buys supplies from Iowa farm|date=7 July 2021 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}
Buildings listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]:
*[[First Congregational Church (Eldora, Iowa)|First Congregational Church]]
*[[Hardin County Courthouse (Iowa)|Hardin County Courthouse]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons}}<!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
*[http://www.eldoraiowa.com The official city website of Eldora Iowa] Portal style website, Government, Business, Library, Recreation and more
*[http://www.city-data.com/city/Eldora-Iowa.html City-Data] Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Eldora

{{Hardin County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa county seats}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Eldora, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Hardin County, Iowa]]
[[Category:County seats in Iowa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1895]]
[[Category:1895 establishments in Iowa]]