Vinton

History

Vinton was founded in 1849. It was named for Hon. Plynn Vinton, a state legislator. The first railroad line was extended to Vinton in 1869, and it was incorporated as a city that same year. In 2022, the library in Vinton closed after employees quit following complaints and allegations by patrons that included: the head librarian's "hiring and support for LGBTQ+ staff"; books by Jill Biden and Kamala Harris; "LGBTQ-themed book displays in the children’s section"; and male staff members "wearing dresses". One of the library's former directors said they had 173 books about Christian life, and only seven books about "LGBT, gay or transgender" topics; another former director said some patrons "would check out the books and not return them", rather than file written complaints about the books. The library reopened later that same year and remains accredited through the State Library of Iowa. The library's website, including a searchable card catalog, can be found by visiting www.vinton.lib.ia.us.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Vinton is located on U.S. Route 218 and the Cedar River, which has flooded parts of the city, most recently in 2008. The town's extensive tree cover was damaged by a derecho (straight line windstorm) on July 11, 2011. This region experiences significant seasonal temperature fluctuations, going from warm summers to very cold winters. There is precipitation year-round, and snowfall occurs in almost all years. Most summer rainfall occurs during thunderstorms and a very occasional tropical system. This area is classified as humid because it is not dry enough to be classified as semi-arid or arid.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,701
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  1,456
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,378
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,330
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,273
• Black-capped Chickadee

  Poecile atricapillus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,205
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,133
• Downy Woodpecker

  Dryobates pubescens (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  1,109

Largest nearby schools

• Tilford Elementary School
  Elementary · Vinton · 578 students · 14.4:1 ratio
• Vinton-Shellsburg High School
  High · Vinton · 425 students · 13.7:1 ratio
• Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School
  Middle · Vinton · 318 students · 15.1:1 ratio
• Center Point-Urbana Intermediate School
  Elementary · Urbana · 304 students · 15.2:1 ratio
• Shellsburg Elementary School
  Elementary · Shellsburg · 234 students · 12.3:1 ratio