Melrose, Iowa

Melrose is a community in Monroe County, Iowa, United States. The population was 112 at the 2010 census. Melrose is known as Iowa's "Little Ireland". As such, the majority of the 130 population are Irish Catholics.

Melrose, Iowa
City
Location of Melrose, Iowa
Coordinates: 40°58′31″N 93°3′00″W
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Monroe
Area [1]
• Total	1.01 sq mi (2.62 km^2)
• Land	1.01 sq mi (2.62 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	896 ft (273 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	112
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	104
• Density	102.97/sq mi (39.76/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	52569
Area code(s)	641
FIPS code	19-50970
GNIS feature ID	0458957
Website	www.melroseiowa.com

History

Melrose was platted in 1866 when the railroad was built through that territory.[4][5]

Geography

Melrose is located at 40°58′31″N 93°03′00″W (40.975275, -93.049970).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.01 square miles (2.62 km²), all land.[7]

Demographics

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1880	378	—
1900	400	+5.8%
1910	459	+14.7%
1920	450	−2.0%
1930	417	−7.3%
1940	451	+8.2%
1950	310	−31.3%
1960	214	−31.0%
1970	192	−10.3%
1980	218	+13.5%
1990	150	−31.2%
2000	130	−13.3%
2010	112	−13.8%
2019	104	−7.1%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2020-03-29. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census[8]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 112 people, 51 households, and 34 families residing in the city. The population density was 110.9 inhabitants per square mile (42.8/km²). There were 67 housing units at an average density of 66.3 per square mile (25.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.9% Asian, and 2.7% from two or more races.

There were 51 households, of which 13.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the city was 54 years. 16.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.3% were from 45 to 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 53.6% male and 46.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 130 people, 56 households, and 38 families residing in the city. The population density was 153.7 people per square mile (59.1/km²). There were 67 housing units at an average density of 79.2 per square mile (30.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.69% White, 0.77% Asian, 0.77% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races.

There were 56 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% 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 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.5% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 15.4% from 25 to 44, 34.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,583, and the median income for a family was $32,917. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $25,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,507. There were 25.6% of families and 21.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including 44.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education

Albia Community School District operates public schools serving the community.[10]

Sports

The 1937 Melrose Shamrocks were the Iowa state high school basketball champions. With an enrollment of only 66, the Shamrocks were the smallest school ever to win a single-class state basketball title in Iowa. The team finished their season 33–0, the first undefeated boys basketball team in Iowa history. In 2012, the Des Moines Register recognized the Shamrocks as one of the ten best State tournament teams in Iowa history.[11] The Shamrocks made the State boys' basketball tournament again in 1938, 1950, and 1959.

Walt O'Connor and Jim Thynne from the 1937 team and Donald Knowles, a 1942 Melrose graduate, were inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.[12] In March 2012, the Iowa High School Athletic Association inducted Coach Ad Hlubek into the Hall of Fame as a coach.[12] In May 2012, the Iowa House of Representatives officially congratulated the 1937 Melrose Shamrocks basketball team on the 75th anniversary of their championship.[13] The resolution recounted the accomplishments of the 1937 team and encouraged "all Iowans to follow its example in striving to accomplish goals that seem impossible." In late 2012, the city of Melrose, erected a monument in the center of town honoring the 1937 basketball team and its selection in a Des Moines Register poll as the top team in the first 100 years of boys’ basketball in Iowa.

Notable People

• Thomas E. Martin Former U.S. Congressman

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
4. Hickenlooper, Frank (1896). An Illustrated History of Monroe County, Iowa. F. Hickenlopper. pp. 315.
5. The History of Monroe County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, &c. Western Historical Company. 1878. pp. 456.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
10. "Albia." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on June 18, 2018.
11. Schoffner, Chuck (2012-02-15). "100 years: The top 10 all-time teams". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
12. "IHSAA Hall of Fame Players and Coaches (Updated January 15, 2012)" (PDF). Iowa High School Athletic Association. Retrieved 2012-02-24. List of all players and coaches admitted to the hall of fame from 1969 to 2011 and lists the players and coaches to be inducted during the 2012 State Tournament.
13. "House Resolution 148". Retrieved 2012-05-05.

External links

• City website
• Albia Area Chamber of Commerce