Toledo, Iowa Explained

Official Name:Toledo, Iowa
Settlement Type:City
Nickname:Twin Cities
Motto:Remembering Our Past, Looking Toward Our Future
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Tama
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Brian Sokol
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:5.94
Area Land Km2:5.94
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:2.29
Area Land Sq Mi:2.29
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:2369
Population Density Km2:398.59
Population Density Sq Mi:1032.24
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation M:276
Elevation Ft:906
Coordinates:41.9933°N -92.5792°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:52342
Area Code:641
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:19-78510
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0462271

Toledo is a city in, and the county seat of, Tama County, Iowa, United States.[2] The population was 2,369 at the time of the 2020 census.[3]

History

Toledo was founded in 1853 as the county seat of Tama County.[4] It was named after Toledo, Ohio.[5] Toledo was incorporated as a city in 1866.

Geography

Toledo is located at 41.9933°N -92.5792°W (41.993281, -92.579067).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.3sqmi, all land.[7]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Toledo has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 2,341 people, 901 households, and 598 families living in the city. The population density was 1017.8PD/sqmi. There were 993 housing units at an average density of 431.7/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.5% White, 1.1% African American, 5.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 4.3% from other races, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.4% of the population.

There were 901 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.3% 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 2.94.

The median age in the city was 40.3 years. 27.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 18.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 2,539 people, 982 households, and 632 families living in the city. The population density was 1105.9sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 1,050 housing units at an average density of 457.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 87.51% White, 0.51% African American, 5.83% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.91% from other races, and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.87% of the population.

There were 982 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.93.

Age spread: 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $40,833. Males had a median income of $30,273 versus $22,349 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,293. About 8.5% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The Iowa Department of Human Services operated the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo until its closing in 2014. The buildings sat empty until 2023 when the cottages were demolished to make way for the new South Tama Middle School. The new Middle School is set to be completed in 2025.

Notable people

Education

Toledo is within the South Tama County Community School District.[11] The district includes a class 3A high school that enrolls over 430 students, a middle school, and an elementary school that has over 700 students.[12]

Toledo is home to the South Tama County Middle School.

Parks and recreation

Toledo Heights sits on the west side of town. The park has two fields which are used for little-league baseball and softball. The park has a playground and a large picnic shelter. Surrounding the park is an 18-hole disc golf course. The South Tama Recreation Trail is accessible near Toledo Heights. The gravel trail covers just under 3 miles and continues into Tama.

Each summer, the annual Stoplight Festival takes place on the town square. The celebration surrounds the historic stoplight located at the intersection of High Street and Broadway.

Culture

The Wieting Theatre is located in downtown Toledo, one block east of the stoplight and the Tama County Courthouse square, at 101 South Church Street. Since 1960 the theatre has been maintained and operated by the Wieting Theatre Guild, a nonprofit organization of members and volunteers dedicated to keeping the doors of this grand old theatre open for many years to come. Movies play on most Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the year. Actors, musicians, singers and dancers of all ages take the stage on numerous other occasions.[13]

Healthcare

Toledo area residents have access to healthcare services at MercyCare or Unity Point Toledo. When hospitalization is required the closest and most convenient hospital for residents is Grinnell Regional Medical Center or Unity Point Hospital in Marshalltown.

References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. March 16, 2022.
  2. Web site: Find a County. 2011-06-07. National Association of Counties.
  3. Web site: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data . census.gov . United states Census Bureau . 12 August 2021.
  4. Book: History of Tama County, Iowa: Its Cities, Towns and Villages . Toledo Times Office . Chapman, Samuel D. . 1879 . 201–202.
  5. Book: Chicago and North Western Railway Company. A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. 1908. 131.
  6. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. 2011-04-23. 2011-02-12.
  7. Web site: US Gazetteer files 2010. United States Census Bureau. 2012-05-11. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt. 2012-01-25.
  8. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2012-05-11.
  9. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  10. Web site: Toledo cherishes memories of 'The Butter Cow Lady'. Times-Republican. Potter. Andrew. June 28, 2011. 2011-06-28. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110927211631/http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/540920/Toledo-cherishes-memories-of--The-Butter-Cow-Lady-.html?nav=5005. September 27, 2011.
  11. Web site: South Tama County. Iowa Department of Education. 2020-03-28.
  12. Web site: South Tama County Community School District. s-tama.k12.ia.us . 2011 . February 12, 2011.
  13. Web site: The Wieting Theatre. wieting.tamatoledo.com.

External links