Ikeda (池田町, Ikeda-chō) is a town located in Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 December 2018[update], the town had an estimated population of 24,034 in 8291 households[1] and a population density of 620 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 38.80 square kilometres (14.98 sq mi).
Geography
Ikeda is located in southwestern Gifu Prefecture. The Ibi River flows through the town, which is hilly to mountainous in the west, including Mount Ikeda on the border with the neighbouring town of Ibigawa. Parts of the town are within the borders of the Ibi-Sekigahara-Yōrō Quasi-National Park. The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classificationCfa). The average annual temperature in Ikeda is 15.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1991 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.5 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.6 °C.[2]
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Ikeda has recently plateaued after a long period of growth.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1970
16,235
—
1980
20,672
+27.3%
1990
21,987
+6.4%
2000
23,820
+8.3%
2010
24,980
+4.9%
2020
23,360
−6.5%
History
The area around Ibigawa was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, it was part of Ikeda District and was divided between territory controlled by Ōgaki Domain and tenryō holdings directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate. During the post-Meiji Restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture. The village of Ikeda was formed on July 1, 1897, with the merger of the villages of Ikeno, Ueda, Shimohigashino, Sunabata, Rokunoi, and Sugino. Ikega merged with neighbouring Rokugō and Hongō in 1950 and was raised to town status on May 1, 1954. Ikeda annexed neighbouring Yahata and Miaji on April 1, 1955.
Education
Ikeda has five public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town has one public high school operated by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.
