Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
Of the 141 Iowa towns we compare, none has a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than South English. Theodore White House is on the National Register of Historic Places. South English has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Where South English beats most towns.
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Census counts: 360 in 1880, 202 in 2020. The archive holds 3 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 2 maps from 1965 on.
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Who provides power, water and the rest in South English, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in South English.
Only 9 of the 141 Iowa towns we compare have a lower median household income than South English. Half of commuters travel less than 27 miles. 14% of residents live below the poverty line in the town, above both Iowa’s towns (11%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). The top destinations are Sigourney (8%), Williamsburg (8%) and North English (4%).
| South English | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 30 minutes | 19 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $51,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 14% | 11% | 9.6% |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
The share of households in South English who are owner-occupiers: 89%. Values rose 25% in the 12 months to September 2026.
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
South English brings cold winters and warm summers. Summer afternoons peak near 85° in July, and January nights bottom out around 13°; snowfall runs to about 28 inches a winter.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Just over a fifth of adults have been diagnosed with depression in South English, where Iowa’s towns sit at 21% and U.S. towns at 23%. Among adults in the town, 20% smoke cigarettes. Two figures for adults in the town: 44% have obesity, 31% get no exercise outside work.
| South English | Iowa towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 15% | 14% |
| Obesity (CDC PLACES) | 44% | 38% | 35% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 31% | 26% | 25% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 13% | 14% |
| What stands out | South English | IA |
|---|---|---|
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 17.6% | 11.6% |
| More smokers | 20.1% | 14.5% |
| More adults with COPD | 9.1% | 6.9% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
On expected storm and flood damage, South English sits above 55% of U.S. communities. Expected losses in South English break down as 48% from inland flooding and 13% from tornadoes.
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. South English City Park | — | 2 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
None within 15 miles of South English; the nearest are
About 0 of every 100 South English residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Iowa.
Where South English’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
Census LEHD 2023
City in Iowa, United States
South English is a city in Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 202 at the time of the 2020 census. It is named for the English River.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
South English has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.