Leon, Iowa

Center Township was organized as part of the formation of the county on 1 April 1850. Because Decatur City was inaccessible to the rest of the county during the area's periodic floods, a majority of the county voted to move the county seat to a nearby location east of the Little River. Because the residents of Decatur City refused to respect the results of the vote, the county records were stolen and moved by ox-drawn wagon under cover of darkness. The new settlement was originally named Independence, but that name was soon discovered to have already been taken by another town in Buchanan County. It was then renamed {{nowrap|South Independence}} before the state legislator and veteran W.H. Cheevers successfully argued for renaming it Leon in honor of the Jewish "Fighting Doctor" David Camden de Leon in 1855.{{citation |last= |first= |url=https://www.decaturcountyiowa.gov/docview.aspx?docid=20554 |title=The History of Decatur County |location=Leon |publisher=Decatur County |date=2024 }}.

It was formally incorporated as a city in 1858.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bIQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA111 | title=History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People, Volume 1 | publisher=S. J. Clarke Publishing Company | author=Smith, Heman Conoman | year=1915 | pages=111}} It was a shipping point on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924028913774 | title=An Illustrated History of the State of Iowa | publisher=Richard S. Peale | author=Tuttle, Charles Richard | year=1876 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/cu31924028913774/page/n491 482]}}

Leon is located on US Route 69 and Iowa Highway 2 approximately 12 miles northeast of Lamoni.Iowa Atlas & Gazetteer, DeLorme, 7th ed., 2021, p. 57 {{isbn|1946494003}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|3.18|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|3.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} 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 |accessdate=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=2012-07-02 }}

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

{{Weather box

|location = Leon, Iowa, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1902–2012

|single line = Yes

|collapsed = Y

|Jan record high F = 66

|Feb record high F = 75

|Mar record high F = 87

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 91

|Jun record high F = 107

|Jul record high F = 109

|Aug record high F = 107

|Sep record high F = 102

|Oct record high F = 95

|Nov record high F = 80

|Dec record high F = 68

|year record high =

|Jan avg record high F = 55.2

|Feb avg record high F = 61.6

|Mar avg record high F = 75.4

|Apr avg record high F = 83.2

|May avg record high F = 86.2

|Jun avg record high F = 91.4

|Jul avg record high F = 95.9

|Aug avg record high F = 95.8

|Sep avg record high F = 89.8

|Oct avg record high F = 83.1

|Nov avg record high F = 70.3

|Dec avg record high F = 58.3

|year avg record high F = 97.5

|Jan high F = 32.7

|Feb high F = 37.6

|Mar high F = 50.4

|Apr high F = 62.5

|May high F = 71.9

|Jun high F = 80.8

|Jul high F = 85.5

|Aug high F = 83.6

|Sep high F = 76.0

|Oct high F = 64.2

|Nov high F = 49.8

|Dec high F = 37.7

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 22.6

|Feb mean F = 26.7

|Mar mean F = 38.7

|Apr mean F = 49.6

|May mean F = 60.1

|Jun mean F = 69.7

|Jul mean F = 74.2

|Aug mean F = 72.0

|Sep mean F = 63.2

|Oct mean F = 51.6

|Nov mean F = 38.9

|Dec mean F = 27.8

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 12.6

|Feb low F = 15.7

|Mar low F = 27.0

|Apr low F = 36.8

|May low F = 48.3

|Jun low F = 58.5

|Jul low F = 62.8

|Aug low F = 60.5

|Sep low F = 50.4

|Oct low F = 38.9

|Nov low F = 27.9

|Dec low F = 17.8

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -9.9

|Feb avg record low F = -7.3

|Mar avg record low F = 6.7

|Apr avg record low F = 19.9

|May avg record low F = 32.5

|Jun avg record low F = 43.0

|Jul avg record low F = 50.7

|Aug avg record low F = 47.9

|Sep avg record low F = 32.5

|Oct avg record low F = 22.1

|Nov avg record low F = 10.4

|Dec avg record low F = -6.5

|year avg record low F = -16.6

|Jan record low F = -30

|Feb record low F = -36

|Mar record low F = -21

|Apr record low F = 7

|May record low F = 23

|Jun record low F = 35

|Jul record low F = 44

|Aug record low F = 35

|Sep record low F = 22

|Oct record low F = 13

|Nov record low F = -12

|Dec record low F = -33

|year record low F =

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.90

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.51

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.29

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.80

|May precipitation inch = 5.54

|Jun precipitation inch = 5.56

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.43

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.54

|Sep precipitation inch = 4.17

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.17

|Nov precipitation inch = 2.07

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.35

|year precipitation inch =

|Jan snow inch = 8.0

|Feb snow inch = 6.0

|Mar snow inch = 4.9

|Apr snow inch = 0.1

|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 = 0.2

|Nov snow inch = 1.5

|Dec snow inch = 7.8

|year snow inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 6.0

|Feb precipitation days = 7.1

|Mar precipitation days = 9.0

|Apr precipitation days = 11.5

|May precipitation days = 14.3

|Jun precipitation days = 12.9

|Jul precipitation days = 10.6

|Aug precipitation days = 9.9

|Sep precipitation days = 8.3

|Oct precipitation days = 9.0

|Nov precipitation days = 7.4

|Dec precipitation days = 6.7

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 5.0

|Feb snow days = 4.7

|Mar snow days = 2.0

|Apr snow days = 0.5

|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 = 0.1

|Nov snow days = 1.3

|Dec snow days = 4.3

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00134758&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

|access-date = August 2, 2022

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima and minima 1981–2010)

{{cite web

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

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data

|access-date = August 2, 2022

}}

}}

{{Historical populations

|type= USA

|align= left

|width= 20%

|state= Iowa

|shading=

|percentages=

|1870|820

|1880|1367

|1890|1422

|1900|1905

|1910|1991

|1920|2193

|1930|2006

|1940|2307

|1950|2139

|1960|2004

|1970|2142

|1980|2094

|1990|2047

|2000|1982

|2010|1977

|2020|1822

|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|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}}}|footnote=Source: {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}}

}}

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 1,822 people, 743 households, and 457 families residing in the city. The population density was 581.7 inhabitants per square mile (224.6/km²). There were 871 housing units at an average density of 278.1 per square mile (107.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 1.9% of the population.

Of the 743 households, 29.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 7.5% were cohabitating couples, 30.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 19.0% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 38.5% of all households were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 39.1 years. 26.2% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 and 44; 22.4% were from 45 and 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2012-05-11}} of 2010, there were 1,977 people, 826 households, and 482 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|623.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 952 housing units at an average density of {{convert|300.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.1% White, 0.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 826 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.6% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age in the city was 40.2 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 20.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 1,983 people, 858 households, and 513 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|630.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 966 housing units at an average density of {{convert|307.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.64% White, 0.10% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population.

There were 858 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.

Age spread: 24.7% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 23.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,390, and the median income for a family was $33,083. Males had a median income of $24,100 versus $18,849 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,015. About 12.7% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 16.0% of those age 65 or over.

On January 15, 1888, a meeting of the business men of Leon was held at the Courthouse at which steps were taken towards organizing a business men's association. At this meeting a committee was appointed for the purpose of drawing up a plan of organization. At a second meeting, the committee recommended that an association be formed at once under the name of the Leon Board of Trade. The shares of stock were fixed at $5 each, and each member of the board was required to take not less than one share of the stock. The constitution and by-laws were at once circulated for signatures, and within 15 minutes thirty of the business men of the town had signified their intention of becoming members of the board. The Board of Trade existed successfully and helpfully for a number of years.

The Leon Commercial Club was established on April 26, 1907. The object of the club was to promote the civic and industrial interests of the city and to place Leon on equal footing with similarly sized cities in the State. The officers were:

James F. Harvey - President

A.L. Ackerly - Vice President

William J Springer - Secretary

CW Robinson - Treasurer.(Adapted from History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915)

Today this organization is known as the Leon Chamber of Commerce. Current membership consists of 58 business members and a number of private, individual members. The purpose of this organization is to unite into one central organization all of the civic, industrial and commercial activities of this community, To aid, encourage and promote the best interests of the City of Leon and the County of Decatur, To acquire real and personal property, to mortgage, lease and dispose of same, To do any and all things permitted by law for a non-profit corporation, and to exercise any and all powers and privileges permitted by law concerning the same.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

In 2013, the Leon Chamber of Commerce and the Leon Community Development Corporation (LCDC) were merged into one organization. Leon Chamber of Commerce remained and LCDC become a subcommittee of the Leon Chamber of Commerce.

The Central Decatur Community School District operates local area public schools.{{cite web|url=https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/FY20_CENTRAL%20DECATUR_0.pdf|title=Central Decatur|publisher=Iowa Department of Education|access-date=2020-07-16}}

• Steven V. Carter, politician
• Sarah Bond Hanley, politician
• John Clinton Porter, politician

{{Portal|Iowa}}

• Central Decatur Junior - Senior High School
• Decatur County Courthouse (Iowa), listed on the National Register of Historic Places

{{reflist}}

{{Commons}}

• [http://www.leonchamber.org/ Official Website]

{{Decatur County, Iowa}}

{{Iowa county seats}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Iowa

Category:Cities in Decatur County, Iowa

Category:County seats in Iowa