Eldon is a city in Wapello County, Iowa, United States.

Artist Grant Wood used this home for the background in his world-famous 1930 painting American Gothic.

[4] Eldon today is a regional tourist destination with visitors coming to visit the American Gothic House, the Historic Rock Island Railway depot, and the Historic McHaffey Opera House.

[5] Eldon got its start in the year 1870, following construction of the Keokuk and Des Moines Railway through the territory.

[9] Eldon is located in the southeast corner of Wapello County eleven miles southeast of Ottumwa on the northeast bank of the Des Moines River across the river from the Soap creek confluence.

The Eldon Water Management Area is across the river in adjacent Davis County two miles to the southwest along Soap Creek.

[11] Eldon is served by the Cardinal Community School District which has its campus 2.5 miles north of the town in rural Wapello County.

The Cardinal athletic teams participate in the South Central Conference.

Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 3.1% of the population.

[citation needed] At the 2000 census 998 people, 438 households, and 275 families were residing in the city.

[citation needed] In addition to the American Gothic House, the following properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: