Wayland, Iowa Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Wayland, Iowa is a small city located in the southeastern part of the state. It has a population of around 4,000 people and is situated near the Mississippi River. The city is known for its rolling hills and beautiful landscape. The climate in Wayland is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. It experiences all four seasons, although spring and fall are typically milder than other times of year.

The history of Wayland dates back to 1853 when it was founded as a small farming town. In more recent years, it has become a more industrialized area with residents working in manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology, retail, and other industries. The city also has several historic sites such as the Wayland Historic District which includes several homes and buildings from the 19th century.

Politically speaking, Wayland is part of Muscatine County and its citizens are represented by two state senators and two representatives in the Iowa General Assembly. The economy of Wayland is largely based on agriculture but there are also many businesses that provide services to the community such as restaurants, banks, stores, medical facilities, schools and entertainment venues.

There are four public schools located in Wayland including elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8), high school (9-12), as well as an alternative high school for students who require additional assistance or a different learning environment. Additionally there are several private schools available including a Catholic elementary school and a Christian academy for grades K-12.

As far as landmarks go there are several notable parks located within the city limits including Dankwardt Park which features playgrounds for children as well as walking trails for adults; Lacy Park which offers fishing opportunities; Van Fossen Park which features picnic areas; and Shaulis Park which offers sports fields for baseball along with basketball courts. Other notable landmarks include Old City Hall which was built in 1906; St Paul’s Lutheran Church built in 1916; and Hiawatha National Bank Building constructed in 1929 that now houses an art gallery showcasing local artisans’ works.

Population: 945. Estimated population in July 2024: 944 (-0.1% change)
Males: 425 (45.0%), Females: 520 (55.0%)

Henry County

Zip code: 52654

Demographics

Median resident age: 42.3 years
Median household income: $35,667
Median house value: $65,000

Population by Race

Races in Wayland:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.3%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)
  • Other Asian (0.5%)

Ancestries: German (41.0%), Irish (9.3%), English (7.4%), United States (5.9%), French (3.6%), Swiss (3.1%).

Elevation: 735 feet

Land area: 0.9 square miles

Map of Wayland, IA

Population by Education

Wayland, Iowa is a small town located in the southeastern part of the state. The current population of Wayland is estimated to be around 1,800 people. It is a mostly rural area, with many farms and small businesses scattered throughout. The majority of the population is white, with minorities making up about 10% of the population. There are also a few Native American tribes that have settled in the area over the years. The median age for Wayland is 38 years old, and most households have an average income of around $50,000 annually. Education levels are high in Wayland; more than 80% of adults have earned at least some college degree or higher. Most residents are employed either in agriculture or manufacturing related jobs, although there are some who work in service industries as well. The town has an active community that hosts events such as festivals and parades throughout the year. There is also a strong sense of community pride among residents and many volunteer opportunities available to those looking to get involved in their local community. In addition to all this, Wayland boasts some beautiful scenery; it’s located right on the Mississippi River and offers plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and camping for its citizens to enjoy year round.

For population 25 years and over in Wayland

  • High school or higher: 80.5%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.2%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.8%
  • Unemployed: 3.0%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Wayland city

  • Never married: 19.7%
  • Now married: 62.5%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 10.8%
  • Divorced: 6.9%

0.8% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +123 (+15.0%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Wayland:

  • WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSPITAL (about 11 miles; WASHINGTON, IA)
  • HENRY COUNTY HEALTH CENTER (about 14 miles; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)
  • MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE (about 14 miles; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wayland:

  • SOUTHEAST IOWA REGIONAL (about 46 miles; BURLINGTON, IA; Abbreviation: BRL)
  • THE EASTERN IOWA (about 51 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Abbreviation: CID)
  • OTTUMWA INDUSTRIAL (about 54 miles; OTTUMWA, IA; Abbreviation: OTM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Wayland:

  • WASHINGTON MUNI (about 9 miles; WASHINGTON, IA; Abbreviation: AWG)
  • MOUNT PLEASANT MUNI (about 19 miles; MOUNT PLEASANT, IA; Abbreviation: MPZ)
  • FAIRFIELD MUNI (about 23 miles; FAIRFIELD, IA; Abbreviation: FFL)

Amtrak station near Wayland:

  • 15 miles: MOUNT PLEASANT (418 N. ADAMS ST.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wayland:

  • UNIVERSITY OF IOWA (about 37 miles; IOWA CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 24,766)
  • INDIAN HILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 54 miles; OTTUMWA, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,744)
  • KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 79 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 7,991)
  • AUGUSTANA COLLEGE (about 79 miles; ROCK ISLAND, IL; Full-time enrollment: 2,220)
  • EASTERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (about 80 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,180)
  • SAINT AMBROSE UNIVERSITY (about 81 miles; DAVENPORT, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,310)
  • WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY (about 84 miles; MACOMB, IL; Full-time enrollment: 11,096)

Schools

Public high school in Wayland:

  • WACO HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 247; Location: 706 N. PEARL; Grades: 07 – 12)