Toledo, Iowa

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.^[4]

Toledo is located at 41°59′36″N 92°34′45″W / 41.99333°N 92.57917°W / 41.99333; -92.57917 (41.993281, -92.579067).^[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.30 square miles (5.96 km²), all land.^[7]

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

As of the census of 2020,^[11] there were 2,369 people, 935 households, and 605 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,032.4 inhabitants per square mile (398.6/km²). There were 1,029 housing units at an average density of 448.4 per square mile (173.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.9% White, 1.9% Black or African American, 6.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 8.6% from other races and 9.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 18.6% of the population.

Of the 935 households, 30.3% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 7.0% were cohabitating couples, 29.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 18.2% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 35.3% of all households were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 39.6 years. 27.1% of the residents were under the age of 20; 5.9% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 and 44; 23.8% were from 45 and 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

As of the census^[12] of 2010, there were 2,341 people, 901 households, and 598 families living in the city. The population density was 1,017.8 inhabitants per square mile (393.0/km²). There were 993 housing units at an average density of 431.7 per square mile (166.7/km²). 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.

As of the census^[13] of 2000, there were 2,539 people, 982 households, and 632 families living in the city. The population density was 1,105.9 inhabitants per square mile (427.0/km²). There were 1,050 housing units at an average density of 457.4 per square mile (176.6/km²). 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.

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.

• Leander Clark, Iowa politician
• King Cole, baseball pitcher, gave up Babe Ruth's first hit
• W. K. Davidson (1904-1974), Illinois businessman and state legislator
• Michael Emerson, actor
• Norma 'Duffy' Lyon (1929–2011) sculptor nicknamed the "Butter Cow Lady"^[14]
• George R. Struble, Iowa judge and politician; speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, 1881–1883
• John T. Struble, pioneering businessman
• Isaac S. Struble, U.S. Representative
• John L. Waller, Politician and Consul to Madagascar (1891)

Toledo is within the South Tama County Community School District.^[15] 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.^[16]

Toledo is home to the South Tama County Middle School.

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.

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.^[17]

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.

• City website
• Chamber of Commerce
• South Tama County Community School District