Iola, KS: Small town placemaking discussion from the Messy City Podcast
Iola, Kansas
2020 Population: 5,396*
January 2025: I follow several podcasts that help shape my thinking on places and place-making. This podcast episode features small town Iola Kansas who lost its community hospital back in the early 2000s – yet is thriving today in many ways!
Iola is the county seat of Allen County, Kansas, United States. The town is situated along the Neosho River in southeast Kansas 103 miles south and east of Kansas City.
From the Messy City podcast
Hosted by Kevin Klinkenberg
… after the community lost its hospital in the early 2000s, the usual questions emerge – is Iola, and the whole county on the verge of permanent decline?
Out of this tragic circumstance was born Thrive Allen County Jared Wheeler, their Economic Development Director, joins me to talk about the path that Iola, Humboldt and the whole county have taken since that time. And, the remarkable successes they’ve achieved. Humboldt, for example, was featured in 2024’s “15 Best Small Towns to Visit” in Smithsonian Magazine.
You might not know much, or even care much, about rural Kansas. But I think you’ll still find this to be an inspiring conversation and story. Jared and I cover a lot of ground, talking about rural community development, place-making, a culture of experimentation, and even bike paths.
- Thrive Allen County – Building a Culture of Health in Allen County, Kansas
- Iola, KS | Official Website
- Iola, Kansas – Wikipedia
- The Messy City | Kevin | Substack – Podcast
