Biohazard Cleanup Near Iola Historic District Iola, TX

Iola is believed to have been named for Edward Ariola, one of Stephen F. Austin's colonists who settled in the vicinity in 1836.

The community's first church, Zion Methodist, was built in 1852 and doubled as a schoolhouse.

Iola's post office opened in 1871 and, after a brief closure, was permanently re-established in 1877.

The Iola State Bank was organized in 1909, and by 1936 the town had grown to an estimated 500 people with twelve businesses.

Despite its long history, Iola incorporated only recently - on November 6, 2007, a residents' vote made it the fifth incorporated city in Grimes County.

The 2020 census counted 311 residents in Iola, down from 401 in 2010, living in 142 households.

Iola is an entirely rural community - the 2020 census classified 100% of its residents as rural - with a median age of 49.3 years.

The town sits on Farm to Market Road 39 and the Burlington-Rock Island Railroad at the headwaters of Ragan Creek in northwestern Grimes County.

Several oilfields opened near Iola during the 1970s and 1980s, giving the old farming town an energy-era boost.

Local students attend the Iola Independent School District's two campuses, Iola High School for grades 7-12 and Iola Elementary School.