[4] The city of Albia is known for its historic square and city-wide Victorian Architecture.

Albia is also known for the annual "Restoration" days celebration which commemorates the refurbishment of the square and the town which began in the mid-1960s.

[6] The town was named after Albia, New York, the former home of an early settler.

One miner was killed outright and seven died later of their injuries, after a "shot" (gunpowder charge used to bring down the coal) ignited a dust explosion in the mine.

[8][9] In the early 20th century, the region around Albia was dotted with coal mining camps and company towns.

[10] Other former coal camps in the area include Hiteman, Bluff Creek, Lockman, Coalfield, Hocking, and Hynes.The growth in membership in the United Mine Workers union, as shown by the following data, is a useful measure of the importance of mining in the region.

Miners in Hiteman, 5 miles northwest of town, joined the UMWA in 1898; between 1902 and 1912, membership grew from 450 to 688.

Miners in Hynes, 7 miles east, joined the UMWA in 1896; between 1902 and 1912, membership grew from 330 to 543.

[11][12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.19 square miles (8.26 km2), all land.

There were 1,703 housing units at an average density of 526.9 per square mile (203.4/km2).

32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.