Washta, Iowa
| Washta, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Location of Washta, Iowa |
|
| Coordinates: 42°34′33″N 95°43′5″W / 42.57583°N 95.71806°WCoordinates: 42°34′33″N 95°43′5″W / 42.57583°N 95.71806°W | |
| Country |
 United States
|
| State |
 Iowa
|
| County | Cherokee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2) |
| • Land | 1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,148 ft (350 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 248 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 246 |
| • Density | 238.5/sq mi (92.1/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 51061 |
| Area code(s) | 712 |
| FIPS code | 19-82380 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0462723 |
Washta is a city in Cherokee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 248 at the 2010 census. It holds the distinction of being "The Coldest Spot in Iowa," having recorded a temperature of 47 degrees below zero without wind chill on January 12, 1912.
Washta's name dates back to 1868 when a local man named Whisman turned his farm into a trading post/mail stop for the freight train going from Correctionville, Iowa to Cherokee, Iowa. He was asked to be the official postmaster for the area. When asked what the name of his town would be, he recalled an interesting encounter with two Native Americans the year before. While Whisman was out hunting, the two came upon him, removed his gun, looked at it, and handed it back while saying, "Wash-tay, Wash-tay," meaning good. Changing the pronunciation slightly, Whisman decided he would call the town Washta.
Washta is located at 42°34′33″N 95°43′5″W / 42.57583°N 95.71806°W (42.575896, -95.718051). It is situated near the Little Sioux River.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.04 square miles (2.69 km2), all of it land.
As of the census of 2010, there were 248 people, 110 households, and 73 families residing in the city. The population density was 238.5 inhabitants per square mile (92.1/km2). There were 123 housing units at an average density of 118.3 per square mile (45.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 99.2% White, 0.4% Asian, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.
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