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Aurelia, IA

View of Aurelia, IA
Image credit: John Margolies / Public domain
Population
935
U.S. Census Population Estimates Program · 2025
Elevation
1,389 ft
Median Home Value
$139,900
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Rent
$780/mo
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024
Median Income
$71,500
U.S. Census American Community Survey 5-Year · 2024

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Aurelia in context.

OverallBest places in IowaPopulation rankingHighest population places in IowaNearest larger communityStorm Lake, Iowa13 miles away · 11,590 residents.

About Aurelia

Aurelia grew from an Illinois Central Railroad branch linking Sioux City and Chicago. The town was founded in 1873, after a last-minute change routed the line through Le Mars and Cherokee, bypassing a direct run to Storm Lake. Aurelia took its name from the youngest daughter of railroad owner John Insley Blair, and the new stop helped turn open Cherokee County farmland into a town with a depot, businesses, and a newspaper. The Aurelia Star began in 1881 as the Aurelia Sentinel.

Bandstand, rear, Aurelia, Iowa LCCN2017706059

The town's school map changed in 2018 when Aurelia joined Alta in the Alta-Aurelia Community School District. Aurelia now holds one of the district's elementary schools and its middle school, while the high school is in Alta. Main Street, city services, farm roads, and the old rail corridor fill in the daily landscape. Aurelia is a northwest Iowa place whose name, school arrangement, and street pattern all still point back to the railroad decision that put the town where it is.

Top Rating Signals

Highest current ratings for this town.

Lower County Wildfire Hazard Potential ClassA+100.0ratingLower FEMA County Hurricane Risk IndexA+100.0ratingLower Projected Late-Century County-Area Exposure to Sea-Level RiseA+100.0rating

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