Wellsburg, Iowa Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Wellsburg, Iowa is a small rural town located in Grundy County, Iowa. The population of Wellsburg is 1,071 people as of 2020. The geography of the area consists mainly of rolling hills and flat farmland. Wellsburg is situated in the heart of Iowa’s agricultural region and experiences a humid continental climate with cold winters and hot summers.
Wellsburg has a rich history that dates back to the 1800s when it was founded by a man named John Wells. He built the first hotel in town which still stands today as one of its most iconic landmarks. Throughout its history, Wellsburg has been an important part of Grundy County’s economy, providing jobs for many generations through its various businesses and industries.
Politics in Wellsburg are largely dominated by the Republican Party, however there are also some Democrats who call this small town home. There are no major political issues that dominate the landscape but local elections are often hotly contested between both parties.
The economy in Wellsburg is mainly driven by agriculture and tourism due to its close proximity to Waterloo and Cedar Falls. There are also several small businesses located throughout town that provide jobs for locals as well as visitors looking for unique gifts or souvenirs to take home from their travels in Iowa.
The schools in Wellsburg include two public elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school; all part of the Grundy Center Community School District. The schools offer students a wide range of educational opportunities including Advanced Placement classes and extracurricular activities such as sports teams and clubs.
Wellsburg has several landmarks that make it unique including John Well’s original hotel which still stands today along with other historic buildings like the old post office, firehouse museum, and restored homes from 19th century settlers which can be found throughout town. Other popular attractions include the annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Lakeside Park and several local parks such as Veterans Memorial Park where visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like biking or fishing on warm summer days.
Population: 716. Estimated population in July 2024: 681 (-4.9% change)
Males: 324 (45.3%), Females: 392 (54.7%)
Grundy County
Zip code: 50680
Demographics
Median resident age: 46.0 years
Median household income: $30,417
Median house value: $37,600
Population by Race
Races in Wellsburg:
- White Non-Hispanic (98.9%)
- Two or more races (0.7%)
Ancestries: German (64.2%), Irish (5.4%), Norwegian (5.3%), United States (4.7%), Dutch (4.1%), English (3.6%).
Elevation: 1098 feet
Land area: 1.0 square miles
Population by Education
Wellsburg, Iowa is a small town in Butler County with a population of approximately 1,400 people. The majority of the residents are Caucasian, followed by African Americans and Hispanics. The median age is 43.2 years old and the median household income is around $41,000 per year. The town has a low cost of living with average housing costs of about $80,000 and utilities averaging around $140 per month. There are plenty of jobs in Wellsburg due to its close proximity to larger cities such as Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Many residents find employment in manufacturing or retail industries as well as agriculture. The local school district offers decent education options for children from kindergarten through high school so parents can feel confident that their children will receive a good education here. There are also several churches in town that provide spiritual guidance and community support to those who need it most. Despite its small size, Wellsburg provides plenty of entertainment options such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, and parks for outdoor activities like fishing and camping. Additionally, the town hosts an annual festival each summer which brings together locals and visitors alike to enjoy some good food and fun activities while celebrating the community spirit that makes Wellsburg so special.
For population 25 years and over in Wellsburg
- High school or higher: 81.6%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.5%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.8%
- Unemployed: 1.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 21.1 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Wellsburg city
- Never married: 16.4%
- Now married: 62.4%
- Separated: 0.7%
- Widowed: 16.6%
- Divorced: 4.0%
0.1% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: +35 (+5.1%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near Wellsburg:
- GRUNDY COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 12 miles; GRUNDY CENTER, IA)
- ELLSWORTH MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; IOWA FALLS, IA)
- MARSHALLTOWN MEDICAL & SURGICAL CENTER (about 27 miles; MARSHALLTOWN, IA)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wellsburg:
- WATERLOO MUNI (about 38 miles; WATERLOO, IA; Abbreviation: ALO)
- MASON CITY MUNI (about 57 miles; MASON CITY, IA; Abbreviation: MCW)
- DES MOINES INTL (about 80 miles; DES MOINES, IA; Abbreviation: DSM)
Other public-use airports nearest to Wellsburg:
- GRUNDY CENTER MUNI (about 9 miles; GRUNDY CENTER, IA; Abbreviation: 6K7)
- ACKLEY MUNI (about 10 miles; ACKLEY, IA; Abbreviation: 4C7)
- ELDORA MUNI (about 15 miles; ELDORA, IA; Abbreviation: 6C0)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Wellsburg:
- HAWKEYE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 40 miles; WATERLOO, IA; Full-time enrollment: 3,292)
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA (about 43 miles; CEDAR FALLS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 12,524)
- IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; AMES, IA; Full-time enrollment: 24,473)
- NORTH IOWA AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 53 miles; MASON CITY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 2,161)
- DES MOINES COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 68 miles; ANKENY, IA; Full-time enrollment: 6,959)
- DRAKE UNIVERSITY (about 78 miles; DES MOINES, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,227)
- KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 81 miles; CEDAR RAPIDS, IA; Full-time enrollment: 7,991)
Public primary/middle schools in Wellsburg:
- AGWSR MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 166; Location: 609 S MONROE; Grades: 06 – 08)
- WELLSBURG-STEAMBOAT ROCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 98; Location: 609 S MONROE; Grades: KG – 05)
Private primary/middle school in Wellsburg:
- TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 59; Location: 18000 AVE. D; Grades: KG – 8)
Libraries
Library in Wellsburg:
- WELLSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $44,230; Location: 515 N ADAMS; 8,503 books; 112 audio materials; 660 video materials; 46 serial subscriptions)