Oskaloosa, IA

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Introduction to Oskaloosa, Iowa

Oskaloosa, Iowa, in Mahaska county, is located 54 miles E of Des Moines, Iowa (center to center) and is 171 miles E of Omaha, Nebraska. There are 10,938 residents in the city.

Oskaloosa History

Oskaloosa got its name from Ouscaloosa, who according to the legend was a Creek princess. The princess married the chief of Osceola, named Seminole. The name means “last of the beautiful”. The first white settlers who came to the city in 1835 were led by Nathan Boone. It was officially platted in 1844 and also became a county in the same year.

Oskaloosa and nearby Attractions

• Southern Iowa Fairgrounds
• McGrew Fine Arts Center
• Heartland Square Mall
• Hewitt Jaycee Park
• Nelson Pioneer Farm & Crafts Museum

Things To Do In Oskaloosa

Tourists in Oskaloosa can visit several parks in the city including Keating Jaycee Park, City Square Park, and the Frederick Logan Historical Marker. The Nelson Pioneer Farm & Crafts Museum is the best hangout for the history and art lovers of the city. Southern Iowa Fairgrounds is also worth visiting. Shopping is a great activity at the Penn Central Mall and the Heartland Square Mall. Festivals such as the Nelson Pioneer Farm Fall Festival and the Southern Iowa Fair are hosted by the city every year.

Oskaloosa Transportation

Des Moines International Airport offers air transportation opportunities.

Oskaloosa Higher Education

Residents of Oskaloosa can attend the William Penn University, Indian Hills Community College, Des Moines Community College, and Iowa State University.

High Points

Oskaloosa strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Iowa):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. Peers)	Top 17%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 18%

Comparative Profile of Oskaloosa, IA

Comparing Oskaloosa to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Iowa (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Senior Citizens
Male Share of the Population
Children Under 5 Years Old
Well-Paid Single Men
Age of the Population
Well-Paid Single Women
Female Share of the Population
Racial Diversity

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Portion of People Married
Average Household Size

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
Median Family Income
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
People Living Alone
Affordability of Rents
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Property Taxes
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Violent Crime
Low Property Crime

Oskaloosa Almanac

Oskaloosa Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Oskaloosa Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Oskaloosa, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Oskaloosa Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Wal-Mart in Oskaloosa

Oskaloosa High Schools (2004)

OSKALOOSA HIGH SCHOOL
1816 N 3RD EXTENSION
641-673-3407
Serves 592 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 14.2

Oskaloosa Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

William Penn University

(List of All Iowa Colleges)

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