Iola is the seat of Allen County, Kansas. It is a city located in the southeastern part of the state and has a population of 5, 704 people as of the 2010 census. Iola was founded in 1859 and is named after Iola Colborn, the daughter of one of the founders. The city is known for its historic downtown area, which includes several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Iola is also home to the Allen County Historical Museum, which houses artifacts from the county's history.