In 1858, the legislature ruled that the Allen county seat would be located in Humboldt, Kansas, which caused widespread discontent among the county residents. In 1859, several of these people got together and formed the town of Iola with the intention of moving the county seat to that location instead. However, it took several years of political conflict and numerous elections before their goal was finally realized in 1865, and the county seat was moved from Humboldt to Iola.
Iola is a small southeastern Kansas town, located alongside the eastern bank of the Neosho River, between Deer Creek and Rock Creek, with Coon Creek running through the city limits
In 1858, the legislature ruled that the Allen county seat would be located in Humboldt, Kansas, which caused widespread discontent among the county residents. In 1859, several of these people got together and formed the town of Iola with the intention of moving the county seat to that location instead. However, it took several years of political conflict and numerous elections before their goal was finally realized in 1865, and the county seat was moved from Humboldt to Iola.
Iola is a small southeastern Kansas town, located alongside the eastern bank of the Neosho River, between Deer Creek and Rock Creek, with Coon Creek running through the city limits. With US Route 54 merging with Madison Street through the middle of town, and US Route 169 passing by the east side of the town, Iola residents benefit from the serenity of rural life, and a convenient location that makes several of the largest cities in the state easily accessible.
A good portion of Iola's housing was built prior to World War II. While this makes Iola one of the most historic cities in the county, that does not mean that there are not a wide variety of rental properties available; in fact, quite the opposite is true. In addition, rents are reasonable and the vacancy rates are along the lines of the national average.
Your Housing Menu
There are numerous available apartments for rent in Iola, as well as home rentals. It may be slightly more difficult to find a condo for rent in this tiny town, but furnished apartments can occasionally be located if you keep your eyes open.
Shopping Season
You can go apartment hunting any time of year in Iola, but you may have more competition for rentals during the summer when families are trying to complete a move before school starts. In general, the people in Iola are very accommodating and gracious, so landlords will typically be happy to show properties at your convenience, but most likely not late at night or during major holidays.
Contract Day
Most Iola landlords will require some sort of lease, proof of income and a security deposit to rent a property, and some may even require credit checks. However, since this is a very small town, you may also run into landlords that are much more casual about the process and don't require anything more than a verbal agreement and the first month's rent.
Although Iola only has a population of 5,704 and covers just 4.81 square miles, it qualifies as the 56th largest community in Kansas and is made up of two neighborhoods.
City Center: The City Center neighborhood is primarily made up of small to medium-sized single-family homes, apartment complexes and high-rise apartments mostly built prior to 1939, with a few built between 1970 and 1999.
N. State Street / E. Miller Road: This neighborhood is primarily made up of small to medium-sized single-family homes and small apartment buildings, mostly built between 1970 and 1999, with some built between 1940 and 1969.
People in Iola often walk or ride their bikes when the weather is good, and you might even see a few of them riding mopeds or motorcycles. Nevertheless, almost everyone does own a car, not only for the purposes of commuting, but also to protect from the elements. Although Iola does not have a public transportation system, quite a few residents do carpool to work. The nearest airport is Topeka Regional Airport, just slightly less than a two hour drive away, with Kansas City International Airport and Wichita Mid-Continent Airport just slightly further away than that.
Iola residents enjoy the benefits of numerous major industries located in their town, which means that a lot of Iola residents are fortunate enough to work in town rather than commute to a larger city. However, if you prefer to work in a bigger city, there are several within a reasonable commuting distance from Iola.
For a small town, there are a surprising amount of amenities in Iola, including plenty of shopping, restaurants, a fine arts center, a public pool and a water slide. If you love history, the Allen County Historical Society Museum is an ideal way to spend a few hours lost in the past. For those of you that appreciate quality candies, the Russell Stover Candies store in town is a favorite stop. In the summer months, the multitude of rivers in and around Iola are perfect for a lazy day of tubing.
Iola residents enjoy a low cost of living, scenic surroundings and a high quality of life. If you decide to move to this lovely, low-key town, you will find yourself surrounded by down-to-earth, courteous people in a relaxing atmosphere that will allow you to enjoy life to the fullest.
