Editing Wilton, Iowa

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Wilton, Iowa
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Welcome Home!"<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wiltoniowa.org/ |title=  City of Wilton, Iowa|publisher=  City of Wilton, Iowa |access-date=August 31, 2012}}</ref>
| image_skyline      = Wilton, Iowa.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Buildings on the north side of West Fourth Street
| image_map          = Muscatine_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wilton_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Wilton, Iowa
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = Iowa
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Iowa|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Muscatine County, Iowa|Muscatine]], [[Cedar County, Iowa|Cedar]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1855
<!-- 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     = 5.33
| area_land_km2      = 5.32
| area_water_km2     = 0.01
| area_total_sq_mi   = 2.06
| area_land_sq_mi    = 2.06
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 2916
| pop_est_as_of      = 2021
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 2924
| population_density_km2 = 549.49
| population_density_sq_mi = 1422.87
<!-- 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       = 682
| coordinates        = {{coord|41|35|23|N|91|01|38|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 52778
| area_code          = [[Area code 563|563]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 19-86070
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2397334<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2397334}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.wiltoniowa.org}}
| footnotes          = 
}}
'''Wilton''' (formerly '''Wilton Junction''') is a city in [[Cedar County, Iowa|Cedar]] and [[Muscatine County, Iowa|Muscatine]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Iowa]]. The population was 2,924 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> The Muscatine County portion of Wilton is part of the [[Muscatine, Iowa|Muscatine]] [[Muscatine micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

== History ==
The first settler to build a home in the area that was to be known as Wilton in the new state of [[Iowa]] (1846) was Mr. Christian Marolf who came in July 1849,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/historymuscatin00compgoog | title=History of Muscatine County, Iowa: From the Earliest Settlements to the Present Time | publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company | author=Richman, Irving Berdine | year=1911 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/historymuscatin00compgoog/page/n313 239]}}</ref> and erected of a small log house opposite the [[Ethnic Germans|German]] [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] church. When he built his home Mr. Marolf could only see the home of Mr. Stearns just west of town on the south side of the Moscow road.  Mr. Marolf was soon followed by Mr. Ben Maurer in 1850 whose land now comprises North Wilton and Peter Marolf in 1851, which is now known as Marolf's addition.<ref name="iagenwebwilton">{{cite web|url=http://iagenweb.org/muscatine/wiltonhistory/firstsettlers.htm |title=IaGenWeb|publisher=Wilton's First settlers|access-date=2010-12-06}}</ref> North Wilton is at present (1947) not within the corporate limits of Wilton.  The city was once home to the Wilton German English College from 1894 to 1905.  The campus of the college was later turned into City Park, and some of the college's buildings remain to this day.

== Geography ==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.95|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}}</ref>  The city sits at an elevation of 679 feet.

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|title= Historical populations
|type= USA
|align= left
|1870|1317
|1880|1431
|1890|1212
|1900|1233
|1910|1157
|1920|1178
|1930|1104
|1940|1146
|1950|1446
|1960|1750
|1970|1873
|1980|2502
|1990|2577
|2000|2829
|2010|2802
|2020|2924
|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=2020-03-29}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center]
}}

===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 2,924 people, 1,166 households, and 761 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 1,423.2 inhabitants per square mile (549.5/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 1,255 housing units at an average density of 610.8 per square mile (235.8/km<sup>2</sup>). The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial]] makeup of the city was 92.6% [[White Americans|White]], 0.5% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.2% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]], 1.0% from other races and 5.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] persons of any race comprised 4.4% of the population.

Of the 1,166 households, 31.1% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.9% were cohabitating couples, 25.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 17.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 34.7% of all households were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 27.4% of the residents were under the age of 20; 4.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 and 44; 25.8% were from 45 and 64; and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% 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 2,802 people, 1,155 households, and 767 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1436.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,231 housing units at an average density of {{convert|631.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.9% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 1,155 households, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 13% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<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 2000, there were 2,842 people, 1,105 households, and 784 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,509.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,141 housing units at an average density of {{convert|608.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.74% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.21% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.46% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.60% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.78% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.01% of the population.

There were 1,105 households, out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,278, and the median income for a family was $49,615. Males had a median income of $37,146 versus $23,350 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,445. About 5.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:Wilton City Hall.JPG|thumb|Wilton City Hall]]
Witon has a library/community center building in the northeast section of the city, near the high school that provides numerous resources to residents.

Historic sites include the [[Wilton Candy Kitchen]], which is the oldest ice cream parlor in the world,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wiltoniowa.org/community/links_of_local_interest|title=Local Sights|publisher=City of Wilton|access-date=2012-04-23}}</ref> and the former [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad-Wilton Depot|Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad depot]] built in 1898.  Both are in the downtown area and on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad--Wilton Depot |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/765b31b5-2f26-45de-9403-ad67bcf670f9 |website=Digital Archive on NPGallery |access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>

== Parks and recreation ==
Wilton has four parks.  The City Park (known by residents as the Blue Park) in the heart of the town had an indoor swimming pool (torn down in 2024) as well as a playground, shelter house, and baseball field.  Westview Park is on the west side of town and has tennis courts, playground equipment, a walking path, and a ball field.  Elder Park is in the downtown area and has a small picnic area.  Cherrydale Park on the southside contains three baseball fields and a playground.

==Religion==
Wilton is home to many churches, including St. Mary's Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Grace United Church of Christ, Heartland Fellowship Church, United Methodist Church, and the Zion Lutheran Church.

== Education ==
;Public schools
The [[Wilton Community School District]], home to the Wilton Beavers and part of the [[River Valley Conference (Iowa)|River Valley Conference]], serves Wilton, Moscow, and the surrounding rural areas.  The school district includes an elementary school and a junior/senior high school, which is now a connecting part of the new elementary. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wiltoncsd.org/home/about-us | title=Wilton Community School District - About Us }}</ref><ref name="wiltoncsd">{{cite web|url=http://www.wiltoncsd.org/|title=Wilton Community School District|publisher=Home page|access-date=2010-12-06}}</ref>

== Media ==
''Wilton-Durant Advocate News'' is a weekly newspaper in the area.  Daily newspapers such as The [[Muscatine Journal]] and [[Quad-City Times]] are available.

Wilton Jr./Sr. High School has a student-run school news website called ''This Just In'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thisjustin.wiltoncsd.net|title=This Just In|publisher=Wilton Jr./Sr. High School|access-date=2010-12-06}}</ref> which is maintained during the school year by journalism students. The class also produces a student newspaper called "The Beaver Tale" which is printed monthly during the school year in the Advocate News.

== Infrastructure ==

=== Transportation ===
Wilton is three miles (5&nbsp;km) south of [[Interstate 80 in Iowa|Interstate 80]], at the junction of County Highway F58 and [[Iowa Highway 38]], within driving distance of [[Muscatine, Iowa|Muscatine]], the [[Quad Cities]], [[Iowa City, Iowa|Iowa City]], and [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa|Cedar Rapids]]. The [[Iowa Interstate Railroad]] passes through the city and provides service to local industries.  The [[Quad City International Airport]] is 30 miles east of Wilton providing non-stop flights to destinations throughout the country. Wilton sits along the historic transcontinental [[U.S. Route 6]], though this section was transferred to Iowa Highway 927 and later to county F58.

=== Utilities ===
Electricity is provided by Wilton Municipal Light and Power Company and water by the city water department, which operates its own water treatment plant.  The city has a 500,000 gallon water tower on the west side of town near the industrial park, and another 300,000-gallon tower in the center of the city.

=== Healthcare ===
Trinity Medical Center in Muscatine has a "physicians' clinic" located in Wilton. The closest hospitals are located in Muscatine (Trinity-Muscatine), the Quad Cities (Genesis West, Genesis East, Trinity-Bettendorf), and Iowa City (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Mercy Hospital, and the Veteran's Hospital).

===Police Department and Fire Department===
The city is served by the Wilton Police Department<ref>{{cite web |title=Wilton Police Department |url=https://www.wiltoniowa.org/city/wilton-police-department |website=Wilton Iowa |access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref> and Wilton Fire Department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurlbert |first1=Margaret |title=Wilton Fire Department inaugurates ambulance service |url=https://discovermuscatine.com/wilton-fire-department-new-ambulance-call-nick-thursday-july-1-330-p-m-07-07/ |access-date=22 March 2023 |publisher=Discover Muscatine |date=2021-07-01}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
<!-- Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here as Notable people. 
If the person you think is Notable and does not have a Wikipedia Article for themselves create one.
Guidelines for the Notability of a person can be found by entering WP:PEOPLE in the wiki search
Guidelines on what is needed and how to write the Article can be found  by entering WP:MOSBIO in the wiki search  -->
* [[Mary Ryerson Butin]] (1857–1944), physician, born and raised in Wilton.
* [[Eddy Chandler]], actor was born and raised in Wilton.
* [[Charles H. Gabriel]], hymnwriter was born and raised in Wilton.
* [[Wally Hilgenberg]]; [[National Football League]] player was raised partly in Wilton.
* [[S. J. Mathes]], printer and newspaperman

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}

==References==
<references />

== External links ==
{{commons category|Wilton, Iowa}}
* [http://www.wiltoniowa.org/ Portal website to Wilton] City of Wilton, Chamber of Commerce, Community events and development
* [http://iagenweb.org/muscatine/wiltonhistory.htm IaGenWeb] Wilton History 1854–1947
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Wilton-Iowa.html City Data] Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Wilton, Iowa

{{Cedar County, Iowa}}
{{Muscatine County, Iowa}}<!-- applies only to the Muscatine County portion of Wilton -->
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Wilton, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Cedar County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Muscatine County, Iowa]]
[[Category:Cities in Iowa]]
[[Category:Muscatine, Iowa micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Iowa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1855]]