Overview

Introduction to Ottumwa, Iowa

Ottumwa, Iowa, in Wapello county, is located 63 miles SW of Iowa City, Iowa (center to center) and is 175 miles NE of Kansas City, Missouri.

Ottumwa History

The first settlers came to Ottumwa in 1845. It became the county seat of Wapello County in 1844. Ottumwa began growing rapidly since 1848. The city got its first railroad in 1859.

Ottumwa and nearby Attractions

  • Pickwick Park
  • Wapello County Historical Museum
  • Greater Ottumwa Park
  • Ottumwa Church of Christ

Things To Do In Ottumwa

Tourists in Ottumwa can visit several parks including the Greater Ottumwa Park, Pickwick Park, and Hillcrest Park. Wapello County Historical Museum is another site that is great for spending quality time. In fact, all those who are fascinated with history will adore the place. The religious minded can find their way to churches like Evangelistic Foursquare Church and Ottumwa Church of Christ.

Ottumwa Transportation

Kirksville Regional Airport provides air transportation opportunities to the residents of the city.

Ottumwa Higher Education

Indian Hills Community College is located in the city. Other higher education institutes that are convenient to attend include the University of Iowa, Truman State University, and Des Moines Community College.

Demographics

People

Total Population24,676
Male Share of the Population49.1%
Female Share of the Population50.9%
Senior Citizens15.2%
Employed Population 16+11,116
Age of the Population36

Families

% of people married47.3%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher19%
Median Earnings25+$30,881
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$29,431
Median Earnings With High School Degree$30,475

Wealth

Median Family Income$54,107
% Above Poverty Level82.6%
% Below Poverty Level17.4%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time17 minutes
% Working from Home2.4%
% Walking and Biking to Work1.5%
% Using Public Transportation0.9%

Housing

People Living Alone32.8%
Median Gross Rent$704
Median House Value$73,900

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)26.6%
German19.8%
Irish12.7%
English9.2%
Dutch3.9%
Swedish2.7%
Scottish1.9%
French Except Basque1.8%
African1.4%
Norwegian1.3%
Italian1%
Welsh0.8%
Ethiopian0.6%
Arab0.5%
Swiss0.5%
Moroccan0.5%
Canadian0.4%
Polish0.4%
Greek0.4%
Haitian0.4%
West Indian0.4%
Danishn0.3%
Russian0.2%
Croatian0.2%
Ukrainian0.1%
Turkish0.1%
Brazilian0.1%
Czech0.1%
Hungarian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
Portuguese0.1%
Slovak0.1%
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Ottumwa Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyWapello County
Standard Zip Codes52501
Phone Area Codes641
Time ZoneAmerica/Chicago
Approximate Latitude41.01
Approximate Longitude-92.41

Ottumwa Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

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

StationOTTUMWA AP
Distance5.9 miles
Jan Temp14 to 30 F
Apr Temp42 to 62 F
Jul Temp67 to 86 F
Oct Temp44 to 64 F
Annual Precip35.9 inches
StationALBIA 3 NNE
Distance19.7 miles
Jan Temp11 to 29 F
Apr Temp39 to 60 F
Jul Temp65 to 85 F
Oct Temp42 to 64 F
Annual Precip37.6 inches
StationOSKALOOSA
Distance24 miles
Jan Temp10 to 29 F
Apr Temp37 to 61 F
Jul Temp64 to 85 F
Oct Temp41 to 64 F
Annual Precip36.9 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Agency603$59,000
Blakesburg297$47,500
Eldon1,071$52,750
Floris185$75,179
Hedrick579$55,625
Kirkville197$63,125

Ottumwa Public Libraries

Ottumwa Public Library
102 W 4TH ST
Ottumwa, Iowa
(641) 682-7563

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Ottumwa Hospitals

Ottumwa Regional Health Center
(Proprietary)
1001 East Pennsylvania
(515) 682-7511

Ottumwa Public Schools

Douma Elementary School
307 W Mary
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-4668
Primary
Total Enrollment 357
Eisenhower Elementary School
2624 Marilyn Rd
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-5617
Primary
Total Enrollment 246
Evans Middle School
812 Chester
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-6511
Middle
Total Enrollment 960
Horace Mann Elementary School
1523 N Court St
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-4661
Primary
Total Enrollment 259
James Elementary School
1001 N Benton
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-5411
Primary
Total Enrollment 209
Liberty Elementary School
50 Traxler Drive
ZIP: 52501
(641) 682-4502
Primary
Total Enrollment 723
Ottumwa Community Preschool
608 E Williams
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-7179
Primary
Total Enrollment 186
Ottumwa High School
501 E 2nd
ZIP: 52501
(641) 683-4444
High
Total Enrollment 1263
Ottumwa Preschool School
608 E Williams
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-7179
Wilson Elementary School
1102 E 4th
ZIP: 52501
(641) 684-5441
Primary
Total Enrollment 315

Ottumwa Private Schools

Ottumwa Christian School
458 N Court St
ZIP: 52501
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 69
Seton Catholic Elementary School
117 E 4th St
ZIP: 52501
Elementary
Total Enrollment 63
Sources :
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