Of the 30 famous people born in Ottumwa, an unusual share are scientists and doctors

At the top of the list is the American stand-up comedian and actor Tom Arnold, covered in 36 languages. 15 of them were born in the age of mills and railroads, more than in any other period. The list comes to 11.8 for every 10,000 residents, about the same as the typical town in Iowa, at 11.1. The oldest name on the list belongs to Mary Florence Potts, born in 1850, the newest to Adam Young, born in 1986.