INDIANOLA
Whether you are thinking of moving to town now, just became one of our newest neighbors, or you have lived here for years and somehow stumbled across this page, we want to introduce you to the community.
Indianola has a population of over 15,000 residents, with one school district, all local municipal utility options, including fiber, and the ever-present square you’ll find in many small Iowa County Seats. As the center of many community events The Square brings people together for shopping, fun and relaxation.
EVENTS
Indianola is host each year to the National Balloon Classic, normally held for nine days starting the last weekend in July. Learn more below.
In 1845, Iowa was the 29th state to be admitted into the Union. Ten years later, the first Warren County Fair was held October 1-2, 1855 in the southeast part of Indianola. The following year, the fair was held on 20 acres of ground that was purchased by the Warren County Agricultural Society for $320. The fairgrounds looks much different today, but it is still held at this same location. Today the fair combines youth and open class exhibits with delicious fair food, carnival rides, music and grandstand events for an annual event that is “kind of a big deal!”
This I-Town Community section is a guide not only to find out more about those events, but also everything you need, and want, to know about living in Indianola, IA.
COMMUNITY
Indianola Rotary – Even as we face new and serious challenges, Rotary takes care of its members and those we serve, works to build lasting peace, and embeds belonging and inclusion in everything we do. That is why I am asking everyone in Rotary to Create Hope in the World.
The Indianola Noon Lions Club was founded in 1930. Lions are best known for fighting blindness, but there are many other ways that we serve our community. Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world with roaring service.
The Helping Hand of Warren County is a powerful community effort focused on the distribution of free food, clothing, personal care products, household/baby and furniture items to our neighbors with integrity and compassion.
HEAL House of Iowa endeavors to provide a hand-UP to teens, families, and individuals in distress by providing safe shelter and support. HEAL House has been established to identify and support individuals of all ages in Warren County who are homeless or facing imminent housing stress.
SCHOOLS
SIMPSON COLLEGE
Simpson College is a co-ed, nationally accredited, liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. With an 85% acceptance rate of all applicants, the current enrollment is around 2,000 students. Simpson’s athletics are an NCAA Division III and Simpson is also home to the Des Moines Metro Opera opening a world of professional opportunities for those interested in music and performing arts.
INDIANOLA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Purple and Gold program presents a unique preschool opportunity for kids to attend a public school with waived tuition before pre-k. Kindergarten in Indianola presents another noteworthy process as unlike most public schools near the same demographic area, Indianola kindergartners spend their first week of school being tested to determine if they are academically and socially ready for all day kindergartner or whether they will be recommended to start with part time kindergarten first.
The schools included in the district include three traditional elementary schools, a year round elementary school option, one middle school and one high school. We boast one of the highest teacher retention rates in the state, participate in the Little Hawkeye Athletic Conference, carry a 98% graduation rate with a 75% rate of those graduates achieving at least a two year college degree. Niche.com ranked Indianola High School among the top 20 percentile for Best Public Schools in Iowa and in the top 25 percentile for Best Public Schools in the Nation. USNews awarded the school a Bronze Medal and recognized them as a Best School in Iowa High School rankings as well.
