Algona, Iowa

Algona was founded in 1854 and was named after the Algonquian word for "Algonquin waters".{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA36|year=1908|page=36}}

Between 1869 and 1875 the community was the location of Algona College, an institution sponsored by the Methodist Church.

In 1894, Algona, along with other Iowa communities such as Dysart and Wesley, became part of the project known as the "Orphan Trains". As New York City saw booming immigration, it also inevitably saw a rise in the number of orphans in its asylums. Unable to provide adequate care for them, it saw fit to ship nearly 100,000 westward to start a new life with families across America. Algona itself welcomed nearly 100 orphans into the town, many of whom remained lifelong residents.

From 1902 to 1906, Algona played host to the Algona Brownies, an African American barnstorming baseball team and interracial team the first two seasons. Despite being declared Western champions in 1903, the team disbanded as an interracial team that same year. The Algona Brownies were an independent interracial baseball team that played in the 1902 and 1903 seasons. They primarily made up of former members of the Chicago Unions, Columbia Giants, and Chicago Union Giants teams. After 1903, the team makeup changed from having both black and white players to a team of only black players. That year, their final year, they won the Western championship, defeating the Chicago Union Giants in a challenge playoff.

The Henry Adams Building, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1913 is located at the northwest corner of East State and Moore streets. Although not designed to be a bank, the building is nonetheless considered to be one of Sullivan's "Jewel Boxes," a series of banks built in the Midwest from 1909 through 1919.

Algona was the location of a German prisoner of war camp during World War II. From 1943 to 1946 Camp Algona held nearly 10,000 prisoners, many of whom were put to work on farms that had family fighting overseas. As a main camp Algona had numerous sub-camps with a couple dozen in Minnesota. A museum now commemorates the camp's history including a nativity scene created by the POWs.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pwcamp.algona.org/ |title=Prisoner of War Camp Algona |access-date=2021-04-21 |archive-date=2020-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225084110/http://www.pwcamp.algona.org/ |url-status=dead }}

A destructive F3 tornado killed two people and destroyed a large part of Algona on June 28, 1979, about 7:15 PM. The tornado moved in a south-southeast direction through Algona. Severe damage was done to the central business district and a number of homes were rendered uninhabitable. Near F4 damage was reported in some locations.Stanford, John L; Tornado: Accounts of Tornadoes in Iowa, 2nd Edition, pp.100-106 There was about 15 minutes' warning and the tornado sirens were sounded well before the arrival of the tornado. The fact that it was still daylight also contributed to the relatively low death count from this destructive storm.

In 2003, Algona drew national attention when it announced the purchase of the world's largest Cheetos puff. It was meant as a plan to bring tourism to the town to see the puff by a local radio DJ.[http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/03/05/offbeat.big.cheeto/ Algona is home to the World's largest Cheeto]

Algona is located along the East Fork Des Moines River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|4.51|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|4.49|sqmi}} is land and 0.02 square mile (0.05 km²) is water.{{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 }}

{{Weather box

|single line = Y

|location = Algona, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present

|Jan record high F = 66

|Feb record high F = 70

|Mar record high F = 87

|Apr record high F = 95

|May record high F = 106

|Jun record high F = 105

|Jul record high F = 108

|Aug record high F = 110

|Sep record high F = 100

|Oct record high F = 94

|Nov record high F = 81

|Dec record high F = 68

|Jan avg record high F = 43.9

|Feb avg record high F = 49.0

|Mar avg record high F = 68.2

|Apr avg record high F = 82.6

|May avg record high F = 89.6

|Jun avg record high F = 92.7

|Jul avg record high F = 91.9

|Aug avg record high F = 89.7

|Sep avg record high F = 88.6

|Oct avg record high F = 83.2

|Nov avg record high F = 66.5

|Dec avg record high F = 48.4

|year avg record high F = 95.3

|Jan high F = 24.9

|Feb high F = 29.3

|Mar high F = 42.7

|Apr high F = 58.4

|May high F = 70.5

|Jun high F = 80.2

|Jul high F = 83.1

|Aug high F = 80.6

|Sep high F = 75.2

|Oct high F = 61.8

|Nov high F = 44.7

|Dec high F = 30.5

|Jan mean F = 15.4

|Feb mean F = 19.8

|Mar mean F = 32.6

|Apr mean F = 46.1

|May mean F = 58.5

|Jun mean F = 69.0

|Jul mean F = 72.1

|Aug mean F = 69.7

|Sep mean F = 62.6

|Oct mean F = 49.7

|Nov mean F = 34.3

|Dec mean F = 21.6

|Jan low F = 6.0

|Feb low F = 10.2

|Mar low F = 22.6

|Apr low F = 33.8

|May low F = 46.5

|Jun low F = 57.8

|Jul low F = 61.2

|Aug low F = 58.8

|Sep low F = 50.1

|Oct low F = 37.5

|Nov low F = 23.9

|Dec low F = 12.8

|Jan avg record low F = -15.2

|Feb avg record low F = -10.3

|Mar avg record low F = 0.3

|Apr avg record low F = 20.8

|May avg record low F = 34.4

|Jun avg record low F = 47.0

|Jul avg record low F = 51.3

|Aug avg record low F = 49.3

|Sep avg record low F = 35.6

|Oct avg record low F = 21.9

|Nov avg record low F = 6.3

|Dec avg record low F = -8.4

|year avg record low F = -17.9

|Jan record low F = -35

|Feb record low F = -36

|Mar record low F = -25

|Apr record low F = 6

|May record low F = 21

|Jun record low F = 35

|Jul record low F = 42

|Aug record low F = 37

|Sep record low F = 22

|Oct record low F = 3

|Nov record low F = -17

|Dec record low F = -30

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.90

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.04

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.95

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.36

|May precipitation inch = 4.72

|Jun precipitation inch = 5.49

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.13

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.27

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.27

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.44

|Nov precipitation inch = 1.46

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.06

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 5.2

|Feb precipitation days = 5.2

|Mar precipitation days = 6.7

|Apr precipitation days = 9.9

|May precipitation days = 13.1

|Jun precipitation days = 11.9

|Jul precipitation days = 9.3

|Aug precipitation days = 8.8

|Sep precipitation days = 8.6

|Oct precipitation days = 7.4

|Nov precipitation days = 5.7

|Dec precipitation days = 5.8

|Jan snow inch = 10.0

|Feb snow inch = 10.3

|Mar snow inch = 5.6

|Apr snow inch = 1.8

|May snow inch = 0.0

|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 = 3.7

|Dec snow inch = 9.8

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 4.6

|Feb snow days = 4.3

|Mar snow days = 2.6

|Apr snow days = 0.9

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.2

|Nov snow days = 2.0

|Dec snow days = 4.2

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00130133&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Algona, IA

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=dmx

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Des Moines

|access-date = March 4, 2023

}}

}}

{{Historical populations

|title= Historical populations

|type= USA

|align=

|1870|860

|1880|1359

|1890|2068

|1900|2911

|1910|2908

|1920|3724

|1930|3985

|1940|4954

|1950|5415

|1960|5702

|1970|6032

|1980|6289

|1990|6015

|2000|5741

|2010|5560

|2020|5487

|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census{{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 }}}}|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:AlgonaIowaPopPlot.png

As of the census of 2020,{{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}} there were 5,487 people, 2,429 households, and 1,369 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,212.5 inhabitants per square mile (468.2/km²). There were 2,706 housing units at an average density of 598.0 per square mile (230.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.0% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races and 5.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 6.3% of the population.

Of the 2,429 households, 23.8% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 5.6% were cohabitating couples, 29.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 20.5% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 43.6% of all households were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals, 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 45.6 years. 22.7% of the residents were under the age of 20; 3.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 and 44; 24.5% were from 45 and 64; and 26.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

As of the census of 2010,{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-05-11}} there were 5,560 people, 2,499 households, and 1,495 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1238.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,711 housing units at an average density of {{convert|603.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 2,499 households, of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the city was 46.2 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

File:LSAdamsBuilding0use.jpg]]

As of the census of 2000,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }} there were 5,741 people, 2,434 households, and 1,550 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,279.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,640 housing units at an average density of {{convert|588.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.38% White, 0.09% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.80% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.71% of the population.

There were 2,434 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

Age spread: 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,207, and the median income for a family was $41,210. Males had a median income of $31,504 versus $20,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,979. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

There are two school systems in Algona. The Algona Community School District oversees the public school system."[https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/SDRP2017_ALGONA.pdf Algona]." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 21, 2018. Algona High School has students from Algona Middle School, as well as students from several nearby towns, including grade-shared districts and from open enrollment. The public elementary schools in Algona are Lucia Wallace Elementary, Bryant Elementary, and Bertha Godfrey Elementary School.

The Catholic school system is made up of Bishop Garrigan High School (named after the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City) and Seton Elementary (named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton).

File:Algona, Iowa 001.jpg

Utilities are provided by the Algona Municipal Utilities, which is directed by a five-member board of trustees appointed by the mayor. Drinking water is pumped from the Buried Sand and Gravel-Dakota aquifer and treated before being distributed to customers.{{cite web |title= 2017 Water Quality Report for Algona Municipal Utilities |year= 2017 |url= https://www.netamu.com/_managedFiles/files/files/1525468252.pdf |publisher= Iowa Department of Natural Resources |access-date= May 20, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190715144039/http://netamu.com/_managedFiles/files/files/1525468252.pdf |archive-date= July 15, 2019 |url-status= dead }} Wastewater is collected and treated, and billed based on water usage. Stormwater impact fees are flat rates based upon the customer type.

Electricity is produced at the George Neal Generating Plant in Sioux City, Iowa, Whelan Unit 2 near Hastings, Nebraska, and the Iowa Distributed Wind Generation Project southeast of Algona. AMU is also a member of North Iowa Municipal Electric Cooperative Association. The AMU purchases power and distributes it to customers in Algona. AMU has also provided cable, internet, and phone service since 1997.

==Notable people==

• Paul Bell – politician
• Dick Dale – singer on Lawrence Welk television show
• Lester Dickinson – U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Iowa
• Steve Doocy – co-host of Fox & Friends, Fox News
• Curt Hanson – educator and politician
• Denis Menke – Major League baseball player and coach
• Mike Mercer – National Football League kicker and punter
• Brad Nelson – Major League baseball player
• Mary Jane Odell – Iowa Secretary of State
• Elizabeth Bunnell Read – journalist and suffragist
• Paul Seiler - Played in the American and National Football Leagues for the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders
• Eric Swalwell – Congressman Dublin, CA, father was police chief Algona, Iowa
• J.L. Wilkinson – owner of Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Baseball League, member Baseball Hall of Fame
• Audi Crooks - basketball player for Iowa State University

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

{{Portal|Iowa}}

• [http://www.ci.algona.ia.us/ Official site]

{{Kossuth County, Iowa}}

{{Iowa county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Kossuth County, Iowa

Category:Cities in Iowa

Category:County seats in Iowa

Category:Populated places established in 1854

Category:1854 establishments in Iowa