According to Watchtutorials, Ashton, Iowa is a small city located in the northeast corner of the state. The city lies at the intersection of two major highways, I-80 and U.S. Route 6, making it easily accessible from the surrounding area. Ashton is situated in an area known as “the Crossroads” due to its central location between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, two of Iowa’s largest cities.
The city covers an area of 4.2 square miles and has an elevation of 935 feet above sea level. It is bordered by rural farmland to the north, east and west and by residential neighborhoods to the south. The terrain around Ashton is mostly flat with some rolling hills in the northern part of town.
The climate in Ashton is generally mild with temperatures ranging from an average low of 25 degrees Fahrenheit in January to an average high of 85 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August. Snowfall can occur during winter months but rarely accumulates more than 3-4 inches at a time.
The population of Ashton was estimated to be 4,446 people as of 2019; this number has been steadily increasing over the past decade as more people move into town for work or school opportunities within commuting distance from Des Moines or Cedar Rapids.
Ashton is home to a variety of businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, banks, auto repair shops and other professional services providers that cater to local residents as well as visitors passing through on their way to Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. There are also several parks located throughout town including a popular dog park near downtown that many locals enjoy visiting with their four-legged friends!
In addition to its commercial offerings, Ashton also boasts several cultural attractions such as a local theater group that puts on performances throughout the year at nearby venues and art galleries showcasing works by regional artists. There are also several churches located within walking distance from downtown which offer Sunday services for those who wish to attend them.
Overall, Ashton is a small yet vibrant city offering plenty for locals and visitors alike! With its convenient location between two larger cities and its variety of amenities for all ages, it makes for an ideal place for those looking for a quiet yet enjoyable place to call home!
History of Ashton, Iowa
The small town of Ashton, Iowa has a rich history that dates back to the early 1800s. The first settlers were mostly of English and German descent, who arrived in the area in search of new opportunities. In 1845, the first post office was established and two years later, the town was officially incorporated.
At this time, Ashton was primarily an agricultural community with its citizens working on local farms or in nearby lumber mills. As time went on, many of these farms began to be replaced by factories and other industrial sites as Ashton began to transition into a more industrialized city.
By the turn of the 20th century, Ashton had become an important center for manufacturing and transportation due to its proximity to larger cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. At this time, many businesses moved into town including banks, stores and other professional services providers.
In addition to its industrial development during this period, Ashton also saw significant growth in its population which increased from 1,000 people in 1900 to 4,446 people by 2019. This population increase was largely due to the influx of immigrants from Europe who moved into town seeking employment opportunities or a better way of life for themselves and their families.
The Great Depression had a large impact on Ashton’s economy as many businesses were forced to close their doors due to financial hardship. However, despite these difficult times the citizens of Ashton managed to pull through with determination and resilience as they worked together towards recovery.
Today, Ashton is home to a variety of businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, banks and auto repair shops which cater both locals and visitors alike. In addition to these commercial offerings there are also several cultural attractions such as local theater performances at nearby venues and art galleries showcasing works by regional artists. All in all, it’s clear that despite its small size Ashton has plenty going for it!
Economy of Ashton, Iowa
Ashton, Iowa is a small city located about an hour outside of Des Moines in the Eastern part of the state. The city has a population of 4,446 as of 2019 and has been in existence since the early 1800s when settlers from England and Germany arrived in search of new opportunities. Initially, Ashton was an agricultural center with its citizens working on local farms or in nearby lumber mills. However, by the turn of the 20th century, Ashton had become an important center for manufacturing and transportation due to its proximity to larger cities such as Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
The economy of Ashton is centered around manufacturing, retail, health care and hospitality services. Manufacturing is a major contributor to the city’s economy with several factories located within its borders. These factories produce a variety of products including automotive parts, electrical components and medical equipment. Retail stores are also popular in Ashton with many businesses catering to locals as well as visitors who come into town for shopping or entertainment purposes. Health care services are provided by several clinics and hospitals based in the area while hospitality services are provided by hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions such as art galleries and theaters.
Besides these traditional sectors there are also several other industries that contribute to Ashton’s economy such as finance and insurance companies which provide banking services along with financial advice; real estate agents who help people buy or rent homes; education providers that offer classes for adults; construction firms which build new structures; transportation companies that provide local bus service; professional services such as lawyers or accountants; media outlets like newspapers or radio stations; government offices that provide public services like law enforcement or fire protection; utilities companies that maintain power lines; non-profit organizations which advocate for social causes; religious organizations offering spiritual guidance; technology companies providing IT support; research institutions conducting scientific studies; arts groups presenting live performances or exhibitions.
Overall, Ashton’s economy is quite diversified thanks to its mix of traditional sectors along with emerging industries like technology and media outlets. This diversity helps ensure that residents have access to numerous job opportunities while providing business owners with access to customers from both inside and outside the city limits. The current economic climate has been relatively stable over recent years despite some difficulties brought on by events like the Great Depression which negatively impacted many businesses at the time. In spite of this downturn however, citizens managed to pull through thanks to their determination and resilience which still remains today!
Politics in Ashton, Iowa
The political landscape in Ashton, Iowa is quite diverse. The city is located in the heart of the state and is an important part of the political process. It is home to many different types of citizens and each one has their own unique viewpoint on how government should be run.
The area has a strong Democratic presence, with many elected officials having been elected from that party. However, Republicans also have a significant presence in the area and often play an important role in local politics. There are also several independent candidates who have been successful in running for office as well.
The city of Ashton has three major political committees: The Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and Independents. Each committee works to support its candidates during elections by providing resources such as campaign funds, volunteers and campaign materials. In addition to these committees, there are various special interest groups that focus on particular issues or candidates who are running for office. These groups usually hold events that help raise awareness about their causes or candidates they support.
Ashton’s government consists of a mayor-council form of government with a nonpartisan mayor who is elected every four years. The mayor appoints two council members from each ward to serve on the City Council which meets twice per month at City Hall to discuss city business and make decisions regarding policy initiatives and ordinances affecting residents of Ashton and its surrounding communities.
During election season, residents can vote for their preferred mayoral candidate as well as representatives for each ward on City Council. Candidates must meet certain requirements before they can be put up for election including being at least 18 years old, being a resident of Ashton for at least one year prior to the election date, and having no felony convictions within five years prior to the election date.
Overall, politics in Ashton tend to focus on local issues such as education reform, economic development initiatives, infrastructure improvements and public safety concerns rather than national topics like health care or immigration reform which often dominate larger cities’ elections across Iowa or other states around the country. This allows citizens to feel like their voices are heard when it comes to making decisions about what goes on within their community rather than feeling like their opinions don’t matter when it comes to larger national issues which may not directly affect them personally but still greatly influence their lives nonetheless!