Akron, Iowa

{{short description|City in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Akron |settlement_type = City |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |nickname = |motto = "The peaceful valley of opportunity" |image_map = Plymouth_County_Iowa_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Akron_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250px |map_caption = Location of Akron, Iowa |pushpin_map = Iowa#USA#North America  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = USA |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name1 = Iowa |subdivision_name2 = Plymouth  |established_title = |established_date = |government_footnotes = |government_type = Mayor-council |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name =  |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 = 3.19 |area_total_sq_mi = 1.23 |area_land_km2 = 3.19 |area_land_sq_mi = 1.23 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00  |population_total = 1558 |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = |population_density_km2 = 488.20 |population_density_sq_mi = 1264.61  |timezone = Central (CST) |utc_offset = -6 |timezone_DST = CDT |utc_offset_DST = -5 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 1152 |coordinates = {{coord|42|49|36|N|96|33|25|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}  |postal_code_type = ZIP code |postal_code = 51001 |area_code = 712 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 19-00775 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2393896<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393896}}</ref> |website = {{URL|http://akronia.org}} |footnotes = }}

'''Akron''' is a city in Plymouth County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,558 at the 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>

==History== Akron was incorporated September 7, 1882.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/IncCities.pdf | title=List of Incorporated Cities | publisher=Iowa Secretary of State | accessdate=9 January 2020}}</ref> The town's name is a transfer from Akron, Ohio.<ref>{{cite book|last=Savage|first=Tom|title=A Dictionary of Iowa Place-Names|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxagLIZHNv4C&pg=PP21|date=August 2007|publisher=University of Iowa Press|isbn=978-1-58729-759-5|page=21|quote=...in honor of Akron, Ohio.}}</ref>

==Geography== According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|1.22|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 |accessdate=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archivedate=2012-01-25 }}</ref> Akron is considered the northern gateway to the Loess Hills and the Loess Hills Scenic Byway. These unique hills made up of windblown soil stretch southward from Akron toward St. Joseph, Missouri.

==Demographics== {{Historical populations |title= Historical populations |type= USA |align= left |1890|494 |1900|1029 |1910|1130 |1920|1324 |1930|1304 |1940|1314 |1950|1251 |1960|1351 |1970|1324 |1980|1517 |1990|1450 |2000|1489 |2010|1486 |2020|1558 |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|accessdate=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=2020-03-28}} and [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf Iowa Data Center] }} thumb|left|alt=The population of Akron, Iowa from US census data|The population of Akron, Iowa from US census data

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Akron had a population of 1,558, with 661 households and 409 families residing in the city.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A00775&in=state%3A19|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A00775&in=state%3A19|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The population density was 1,264.4 inhabitants per square mile (488.2/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 704 housing units at an average density of 571.3 per square mile (220.6/km<sup>2</sup>).<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

The median age in the city was 38.9 years. 28.0% of residents were under the age of 18. 30.0% of residents were under the age of 20; 4.2% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 21.6% were from 45 to 64; and 21.0% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

Of the 661 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them. Of all households, 45.8% were married-couple households, 4.7% were cohabiting couple households, 27.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present. 38.1% of all households were non-families, 35.2% were made up of individuals, and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

Of all housing units, 6.1% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.1%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/> 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A00775&in=state%3A19|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 30, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 1,453 || 93.3% |- | Black or African American || 1 || 0.1% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 11 || 0.7% |- | Asian || 0 || 0.0% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.1% |- | Some other race || 19 || 1.2% |- | Two or more races || 73 || 4.7% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 64 || 4.1% |}

===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|accessdate=2012-05-11}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,486 people, 625 households, and 407 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1218.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 702 housing units at an average density of {{convert|575.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 625 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.9% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% 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 2.92.

The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 24.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

===2000 census=== thumb|Akron, Iowa, as seen from the industrial park on the south edge of town. As of the census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,489 people, 667 households, and 424 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,232.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 707 housing units at an average density of {{convert|585.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 99.13% White, 0.34% African American, 0.07% Native American, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 667 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.8% 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 2.85.thumb|right|Akron honor guard in 1921 for Private Albert E. Hoschler, the first from Akron to enlist in the World War I, and the first from Akron killed in battle in France (on March 5, 1918).<ref>{{cite web | title = Pvt. Albert E. Hoschler | publisher = IAGenWeb | url = http://iagenweb.org/plymouth/Military/WWI_HoschlerAlbertE1921Burial.html | accessdate = 24 January 2017}}</ref>23.9% were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $37,404. Males had a median income of $30,875 versus $21,286 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,631. About 6.2% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over. ==Education== Public education in the city is operated by Akron–Westfield Community School District, which includes Akron–Westfield Senior High School. The district formed on July 1, 1981, as a merger of the Akron and Westfield school districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124738/https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/District%20Reorganization%20History%20final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-02-09|title=REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66|publisher=Iowa Department of Education|accessdate=2020-03-22}}</ref>

==Notable people== * Alan J. Heeger, recipient of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Heeger grew up in Akron.<ref>{{cite web | title = Alan Heeger - Biographical | publisher = Nobel Foundation | url = https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2000/heeger-bio.html | accessdate = 24 January 2017}}</ref> * J. Henry Lucken, representative to the Iowa General Assembly. Born in Akron.<ref>{{cite web | title = Representative J. Henry Lucken | publisher = Iowa Legislature | url = https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=52&personID=561 | accessdate = 24 January 2017}}</ref> * Frank J. Swanson, representative to the Iowa General Assembly from 1929 to 1931.<ref>{{cite web | title = Representative Frank J. Swanson | publisher = Iowa Legislature | url = https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=43&personID=2620 | accessdate = 24 January 2017}}</ref> * Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler, mathematician. Moved to Akron at age nine.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = O'Connor | first1 = J.J. | last2 = Robertson | first2 = E.F. | title = Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler | publisher = University of St Andrews Scotland | url = http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Wheeler.html | accessdate = 24 January 2017}}</ref> {{wide image|Panoramic photograph of the principal street of Akron, Iowa LCCN2007662792-cropped.jpg|800px|A view of Reed Street at Second Street in Akron, 1908|alt=A view of Reed Street at Second Street in Akron, 1908}}

==See also== {{portal|Iowa}} * List of cities in Iowa

==References== {{reflist|22em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.akronhometowner.com The Akron Hometowner Website]

Category:Cities in Iowa Category:Cities in Plymouth County, Iowa Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1882 Category:1882 establishments in Iowa