It is the northeasternmost town in Iowa, located on the Mississippi River and the Minnesota border.

[2] New Albin was platted in 1872 shortly after the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad had been built through that territory.

[3][4] It was named for the son of a railroad official,[5] who tragically died from burns after falling into a bonfire.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2), all land.

[8] In the north part of town, there is an iron post marking the border between Iowa and Minnesota.

There were 239 housing units at an average density of 947.2 per square mile (365.7/km2).

There were 257 housing units at an average density of 1,070.8 per square mile (413.4/km2).

32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.