Lovilia is a city in Monroe County, Iowa, United States.

[4] Coal was known north and south of Lovilia in the early 1900s, and there were scattered "country mines" in the area.

The ensuing investigation determined that the dust explosion was caused by a blow-out in two of the blasted holes.

A blow-out occurs when the force of the explosion blows the stemming out of a hole instead of breaking up the surrounding material.

In the case of the O'Brien mine, the stemming used was a mix of coal dust and clay.

The mine employed 21 workers and produced 245,000 tons of coal that year.

[7] In 1985, the Star Coal Company of Lovilia was the largest employer in Monroe County, Iowa, with 150 employees.

[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.50 square miles (1.29 km2), all land.

There were 212 housing units at an average density of 406.3 per square mile (156.9/km2).

There were 228 housing units at an average density of 456.0 per square mile (176.1/km2).

26.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.