Townapedia

Algona, Iowa

Algona is a city of 5,377 people in Kossuth County, Iowa, founded in 1854.

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Population5,377 -1.3% since 2019
Elevation1,194 ft 364 m
Founded1854
Land area4.6 sq mi
ZIP code50511
Nearest airportAlgona Municipal Airport (AXG) 2 mi

Why visit Algona

Townapedia lists 6 museums and landmarks, 9 parks and trails, 6 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include State 5 Theatre, Algona Junior and Senior High School Building and High School Building Annex, G.A.R. Memorial Hall and Ambrose A Call State Park.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83°F; January lows average 6°F.

About Algona

Algona is a city in and the county seat of Kossuth County, Iowa, United States and sits in the biggest county in Iowa . aThe population was 5,487 at the 2020 census. Ambrose A. Call State Park is located two miles southwest of the city.

From the Wikipedia article Algona, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

State 5 Theatre

Cinema and theater · 0.5 mi

315 East State Street, Algona

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks6

Algona Junior and Senior High School Building and High School Building Annex

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi

United States historic place

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

G.A.R. Memorial Hall

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi

Building in Iowa, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Henry Adams Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi

United States historic place

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

William C. and Hertha Dau House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi

Historic house in Iowa, United States

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Camp Algona POW Museum

Museum · 0.6 mi

114 South Thorington Street, Algona

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Kossuth County Historical Museum

Museum · 0.6 mi

122 South Dodge Street, Algona

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Parks, trails and playgrounds9

Ambrose A Call State Park

Park · 1.8 mi

Park in Kossuth County, Iowa, United States of America

2007 Call Park Road, Algona

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia · +1-641-581-4835

Algona Country Club

Golf course · 1.1 mi

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Blackford Park

Park · 1.1 mi

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Central Park

Park · 0.6 mi

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Hurlburt Wildlife Area

Hiking and trails · 1.8 mi

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Maple Park

Park · 0.8 mi

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River Road Golf Club

Golf course · 2.1 mi

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South Park

Park · 1.1 mi

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Veterans Park

Park · 0.4 mi

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Restaurants and cafes6

Algona Axe House

Restaurant · 0.5 mi

216 East State Street, Algona

Open in Google Maps · +15153952993

Pizza Ranch

Restaurant · Pizza · 0.4 mi

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Pep's

Bar and pub · 0.6 mi

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McDonald's

Fast food · Burger · 0.4 mi

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Daylight Donuts

Fast food · Donut · 0.6 mi

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Subway

Fast food · Sandwich · 0.4 mi

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History

Algona was founded in 1854 and was named after the Algonquian word for "Algonquin waters".

Between 1869 and 1875 the community was the location of Algona College, an institution sponsored by the Methodist Church.

In 1894, Algona, along with other Iowa communities such as Dysart and Wesley, became part of the project known as the "Orphan Trains". As New York City saw booming immigration, it also inevitably saw a rise in the number of orphans in its asylums. Unable to provide adequate care for them, it saw fit to ship nearly 100,000 westward to start a new life with families across America. Algona itself welcomed nearly 100 orphans into the town, many of whom remained lifelong residents.

From the History section of Algona, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay1

Churches and places of worship13

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Shopping1

Gas and EV charging1

Schools, colleges and libraries10

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Healthcare2

Map of Algona

50 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

0°20°40°60°80°January: 0.9 in of rainFebruary: 1.0 in of rainMarch: 1.9 in of rainApril: 3.4 in of rainMay: 4.7 in of rainJune: 5.5 in of rainJuly: 4.1 in of rainAugust: 4.3 in of rainSeptember: 3.3 in of rainOctober: 2.4 in of rainNovember: 1.5 in of rainDecember: 1.1 in of rainJanuary: 25°FFebruary: 29°FMarch: 43°FApril: 58°FMay: 70°FJune: 80°FJuly: 83°FAugust: 81°FSeptember: 75°FOctober: 62°FNovember: 45°FDecember: 30°FJanuary: 6°FFebruary: 10°FMarch: 23°FApril: 34°FMay: 46°FJune: 58°FJuly: 61°FAugust: 59°FSeptember: 50°FOctober: 38°FNovember: 24°FDecember: 13°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan25°F6°F0.9 in
Feb29°F10°F1.0 in
Mar43°F23°F1.9 in
Apr58°F34°F3.4 in
May70°F46°F4.7 in
Jun80°F58°F5.5 in
Jul83°F61°F4.1 in
Aug81°F59°F4.3 in
Sep75°F50°F3.3 in
Oct62°F38°F2.4 in
Nov45°F24°F1.5 in
Dec30°F13°F1.1 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Algona Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$56,040median household income
$160,800median home value
$885median monthly rent
40.1median age
25.5%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
68.9%of homes are owner-occupied
11.2 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1820%18 to 3420%35 to 6434%65 and over26%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Kossuth County has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2024-06-24: Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
  • 2024-05-24: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2019-03-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
  • 2018-08-20: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Algona Municipal Airport (AXG) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.

  • Burt 9 mi north, about 14 min by car
  • Whittemore 10 mi west, about 16 min by car
  • Wesley 12 mi east, about 19 min by car
  • West Bend 13 mi southwest, about 22 min by car
  • Pocahontas 32 mi southwest, about 52 min by car
  • Fort Dodge 39 mi south, about 1 h by car
  • Fairmont 41 mi north, about 1 h by car
  • Manson 41 mi southwest, about 1 h by car
  • Spencer 47 mi west, about 1 h 15 min by car
  • Mason City 52 mi east, about 1 h 30 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.