Marathon, Iowa

Marathon, Iowa
City
Location of Marathon, Iowa
Coordinates: 42°51′36″N94°58′54″W / 42.86000°N 94.98167°W / 42.86000; -94.98167
Country	United States
State	Iowa
County	Buena Vista
Area [1]
• Total	0.75 sq mi (1.94 km2)
• Land	0.75 sq mi (1.94 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	1,391 ft (424 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	230
• Density	307.08/sq mi (118.51/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	50565
Area code	712
FIPS code	19-49260
GNIS feature ID	0458792

Marathon is a city in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States. The population was 230 at the time of the 2020 census. ^[2] The food writer Richard Olney grew up in Marathon.

From 1996 to 2017, every year in June, a marathon, half-marathon and 5k were held in the city. It was USA Track and Field certified and sanctioned, allowing participants to be eligible to qualify for the Boston Marathon. ^[3]

History

A post office called Marathon has been in operation since 1882. ^[4] The name of the city commemorates the Battle of Marathon. ^[5]

Geography

Marathon is located at 42°51′36″N94°58′54″W / 42.86000°N 94.98167°W / 42.86000; -94.98167 (42.860021, -94.981731). ^[6] The North Raccoon River originates north of Marathon.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.92 km²), all land. ^[7]

Demographics

Historical populations

Year	Pop.	±%
1900	659	—
1910	532	−19.3%
1920	520	−2.3%
1930	573	+10.2%
1940	597	+4.2%
1950	565	−5.4%
1960	516	−8.7%
1970	447	−13.4%
1980	442	−1.1%
1990	320	−27.6%
2000	302	−5.6%
2010	237	−21.5%
2020	230	−3.0%
Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center Source: U.S. Decennial Census [8] [2]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 237 people in 121 households, including 62 families, in the city. The population density was 320.3 inhabitants per square mile (123.7/km²). There were 150 housing units at an average density of 202.7 per square mile (78.3/km²). The racial makup of the city was 98.7% White, 0.4% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5%. ^[9]

Of the 121 households 17.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 3.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.8% were non-families. 44.6% of households were one person and 21.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.96 and the average family size was 2.69.

The median age was 49.5 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 34.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.5% male and 48.5% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 302 people in 138 households, including 77 families, in the city. The population density was 412.7 inhabitants per square mile (159.3/km²). There were 162 housing units at an average density of 221.4 per square mile (85.5/km²). The racial makup of the city was 98.01% White, 0.33% Native American, 1.66% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.65%. ^[10]

Of the 138 households 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.2% were non-families. 38.4% of households were one person and 18.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median household income was $20,982 and the median family income was $26,042. Males had a median income of $23,750 versus $17,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,751. About 19.0% of families and 22.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 17.2% of those sixty five or over.

Education

Marathon is within the Laurens–Marathon Community School District. ^[11] It was a part of the Marathon Community School District until its consolidation into Laurens–Marathon on July 1, 1976. ^[12] High school students from Laurens–Marathon have attended Pocahontas Area High School since 2017. ^[13]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. "2020 Census State Redistricting Data". census.gov. United states Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
3. Boisjolie, Alex (June 9, 2017). "Marathon to Marathon finale 'bittersweet'". Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
4. "Buena Vista County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
5. Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 98.
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 11, 2012.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "Laurens-Marathon." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
12. "REORGANIZATION & DISSOLUTION ACTIONS SINCE 1965-66." Iowa Department of Education. Retrieved on July 20, 2018.
13. "Laurens-Marathon: Whole-grade sharing, The agreement is working". The Messenger . January 28, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.