Kanawha is a city in Hancock County, Iowa, United States.

Business' and some buildings moved from settlements three to four miles distant to establish in the new town on the railroad.

Those settlements were Cuba, to the north, Magor, to the northwest, Mikesville, to the southwest, Aldrich, to the south (Drew, moved and renamed Bruce, was farther south), West Lake, to the east, and Bailey's Grove to the north east.

Kanawha's founder, George Casper Call, petitioned Congressman J.P. Dolliver requesting a post office and proposing the name "Luzon".

Luzon was rejected because it was thought to be too close to the name of an existing Iowa, Luzerne in Benton County.

Faced with having to find another name, a railroad engineer and West Virginia native, suggested "Kanawha".

[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.01 square miles (5.21 km2), all land.

37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Kindergarten through 12th grade students from Kanawha attend the West Hancock Community School District.