Garden Grove, Iowa

Garden Grove is a small town in Decatur County, Iowa, United States. The population was 174 at the time of the 2020 census.

History
On April 24, 1846, emigrants affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints under the direction of Brigham Young established a way station halfway into their trek across Iowa. This semi-permanent settlement was named Garden Grove because the entire grove was covered with wild onions as far as the eye could see. Within three weeks of their arrival, the pioneers enclosed and planted 715 acre. They founded the village to assist those who did not have sufficient means to continue their journey, as well as to support and supply future companies of pioneers.

When Brigham Young and the main company left Garden Grove on May 12, 1846, the poorest and least prepared were left behind. After the Saints arrived in Winter Quarters, Captain James Allen brought orders from President James Polk to enlist a battalion of Mormons for the War with Mexico. Brigham Young and other leaders rode back as far as Mt. Pisgah to encourage the men to enlist, and a letter was sent to the Saints in Garden Grove. Only one man from the Garden Grove settlement, Edward Bunker, enlisted and served in the Mormon Battalion.

In the fall of 1846, when the last of the Mormons were driven out of Nauvoo, Illinois, the exiles camped on the west shore of the Mississippi River. Two rescue parties were sent from Winter Quarters and Council Bluffs, and an additional group was requested from Garden Grove. Luman Shurtliff led the third rescue party and brought the poorest of the exiles to the settlement at Garden Grove.

Through the winter of 1846/47, about 600 Latter-day Saints resided in Garden Grove. By 1852, the Mormon settlers had moved on to Utah, selling the property and improvements to other American frontiersmen. Garden Grove is a site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. A marker just west of the city, overlooking a wooded ravine, marks the site of the former Mormon Cemetery.

Garden Grove was a shipping point on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

A strong EF2 tornado struck the town on March 5, 2022, causing major damage to several structures.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.69 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 211 people in 78 households, including 49 families, in the city. The population density was 305.8 PD/sqmi. There were 103 housing units at an average density of 149.3 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 97.6% White, 0.9% African American, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9%.

Of the 78 households 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.9% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 26.9% of households were one person and 6.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age was 38.1 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.9% were from 45 to 64; and 8.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 250 people in 96 households, including 64 families, in the city. The population density was 359.0 PD/sqmi. There were 113 housing units at an average density of 162.3 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 99.60% White and 0.40% Native American.

Of the 96 households 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 28.1% of households were one person and 11.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.26.

The age distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median household income was $19,844 and the median family income was $29,464. Males had a median income of $21,875 versus $18,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,301. About 28.3% of families and 35.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 28.2% of those sixty five or over.

Education
Mormon Trail Community School District operates schools serving the community.