Iowa

Iowa Ayúȟwa (Lakota)
State
State of Iowa
Flag Seal
Nickname: Hawkeye State
Motto(s): Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain [1]
Anthem:"The Song of Iowa"
Map of the United States with Iowa highlighted
Country	United States
Admitted to the Union	December 28, 1846 (29th)
Capital (and largest city)	Des Moines
Largest county or equivalent	Polk
Largest metroandurbanareas	Des Moines: 846,068 (CSA) Davenport (Quad Cities): 474,019 (CSA) Cedar Rapids: 276,520 (MSA) Waterloo-Cedar Falls: 163,706 (MSA) Iowa City: 152,854 (MSA) Sioux City: 149,940 (MSA) Dubuque: 99,266 (MSA) Omaha (Nebraska)/Council Bluffs: 967,604
Government
•Governor	Kim Reynolds(R)
•Lieutenant Governor	Vacant
Legislature	General Assembly
•Upper house	Senate
•Lower house	House of Representatives
Judiciary	Iowa Supreme Court
U.S. senators	Chuck Grassley(R) Joni Ernst(R)
U.S. House delegation	1:Mariannette Miller-Meeks(R) 2:Ashley Hinson(R) 3:Zach Nunn(R) 4:Randy Feenstra(R)(list)
Area [2]
• Total	56,273 sq mi (145,746 km2)
• Land	55,857 sq mi (144,669 km2)
• Water	416 sq mi (1,077 km2) 0.70%
• Rank	26th
Elevation	1,120 ft (340 m)
Highest elevation ( Hawkeye Point [3] [a])	1,670 ft (509 m)
Population (2022)
• Total	3,190,369[4]
• Rank	30th
• Density	57.1/sq mi (22.1/km2)
• Rank	36th
•Median household income	$61,691[5]
• Income rank	30th
Demonym	Iowan
Language
•Official language	English
Time zone	UTC−06:00(Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−05:00(CDT)
USPS abbreviation	IA
ISO 3166 code	US-IA
Website	iowa.gov

State symbols of Iowa

List of state symbols
Flag of Iowa
Seal of Iowa
Bird	Eastern goldfinch
Flower	Prairie rose
Tree	Bur Oak
Rock	Geode
State route marker
State quarter
Released in 2004
Lists of United States state symbols

Iowa(/ˈaɪ.əwə/^ⓘEYE-ə-wə)^[6][7][8]is a doubly landlockedstatein the upperMidwesternregion of theUnited States. It borders theMississippi Riverto the east and theMissouri RiverandBig Sioux Riverto the west;Wisconsinto the northeast,Illinoisto the east and southeast,Missourito the south,Nebraskato the west,South Dakotato the northwest, andMinnesotato the north.

Iowa is the26th largestin total area and the31st most populousof the50 U.S. states, with a population of 3,190,369,^[9]according to the2020 census. The state'scapital,most populous city, and largestmetropolitan areafully located within the state isDes Moines. A portion of the largerOmaha, Nebraska, metropolitan areaextends into three counties of southwest Iowa.^[10]Iowa has been listed as one of the safest U.S. states in which to live.^[11]

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Iowa was a part ofFrench LouisianaandSpanish Louisiana; itsstate flagis patterned after theflag of France. After theLouisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of theCorn Belt.^[12]In the latter half of the 20th century, Iowa's agricultural economy began to transition to a diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing,financial services,information technology,biotechnology, andgreen energyproduction.^[13][14]

Likemany other states, Iowa takes its name from its predecessor,Iowa Territory, whose name in turn is derived from theIowa River, and ultimately from theethnonymof the indigenousIoway people. The Ioway are aChiwere-speakingSiouan Nation, who were once part of theHo-ChunkConfederation that inhabited the area now corresponding to severalMidweststates. The Ioway were one of the manyNative Americannations whose territory comprised the future state of Iowa before the time of European colonization.^[15]

WhenIndigenous peoples of the Americasfirst arrived in what is now Iowa more than 13,000 years ago, they were hunters and gatherers living in aPleistoceneglacial landscape. By the time European explorers and traders visited Iowa, Native Americans were largely settled farmers with complex economic, social, and political systems. This transformation happened gradually. During theArchaic period(10,500 to 2,800 years ago), Native Americans adapted to local environments and ecosystems, slowly becoming more sedentary as populations increased.^[16]

More than 3,000 years ago, during theLate Archaic period, Native Americans in Iowa began utilizing domesticated plants. The subsequentWoodland periodsaw an increased reliance on agriculture and social complexity, with increased use of mounds, ceramics, and specialized subsistence. During the Late Prehistoric period (beginning about AD 900) increased use of maize and social changes led to social flourishing and nucleated settlements.^[16]

The arrival of European trade goods and diseases in the Protohistoric period led to dramatic population shifts and economic and social upheaval, with the arrival of new tribes and early European explorers and traders. There were numerous native American tribes living in Iowa at the time of early European exploration. Tribes which were probably descendants of the prehistoricOneotainclude theDakota,Ho-Chunk,Ioway, andOtoe. Tribes which arrived in Iowa in the late prehistoric or protohistoric periods include theIlliniwek,Meskwaki,Omaha, andSauk.^[16]

The first known European explorers to document Iowa wereJacques MarquetteandLouis Jollietwho traveled theMississippi Riverin 1673 documenting several Indigenous villages on the Iowa side.^[17][18]The area of Iowa was claimed for France and remained a French territory until 1763. The French, before their impending defeat in theFrench and Indian War, transferred ownership to their ally, Spain.^[19]Spain practiced very loose control over the Iowa region, granting trading licenses to French and British traders, who established trading posts along theMississippiandDes Moines Rivers.^[17]

Iowa was part of a territory known asLa LouisianeorLouisiana, and European traders were interested in lead and furs obtained by Indigenous people. TheSaukandMeskwakieffectively controlled trade on the Mississippi in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Among the early traders on the Mississippi wereJulien Dubuque,Robert de la Salle, andPaul Marin.^[17]Along theMissouri Riverat least five French and English trading houses were built before 1808.^[20]In 1800,Napoleon Bonapartetook control of Louisiana from Spain in atreaty.^[21]

After the 1803Louisiana Purchase, Congress divided the Louisiana Purchase into two parts—the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana, with present-day Iowa falling in the latter. TheIndiana Territory, created in 1800, exercised jurisdiction over this portion of the District;William Henry Harrisonwas its first governor. Much of Iowa was mapped byZebulon Pikein 1805,^[22]but it was not until the construction ofFort Madisonin 1808 that the U.S. established tenuous military control over the region.^[23]

Fort Madisonwas built to control trade and establish U.S. dominance over the Upper Mississippi, but it was poorly designed and disliked by the Sauk and Meskwaki, many of whom allied with the British, who had not abandoned claims to the territory.^[23][24]Fort Madisonwas defeated by British-supported Indigenous people in 1813 during theWar of 1812, andFort ShelbyinPrairie du Chien, Wisconsin, also fell to the British.Black Hawktook part in the siege of Fort Madison.^[25][26]Another small military outpost was established along the Mississippi River in present-dayBellevue. This poorly situated stockade was similarly attacked by hundreds of Indigenous people in 1813, but was successfully defended and later abandoned until settlers returned to the area in the mid-1830s.^[27]

After the war, the U.S. re-established control of the region through the construction ofFort Armstrong,Fort SnellinginMinnesota, andFort AtkinsoninNebraska.^[28]

The United States encouraged settlement of the east side of the Mississippi and removal of Indians to the west.^[29]A disputed1804 treatybetweenQuashquameandWilliam Henry Harrison(then governor of theIndiana Territory) that surrendered much ofIllinoisto the U.S. enraged many Sauk and led to the 1832Black Hawk War.^[30]

TheSaukandMeskwakisold their land in theMississippi Valleyduring 1832 in theBlack Hawk Purchase^[31]and sold their remaining land in Iowa in 1842, most of them moving to a reservation in Kansas.^[30]Many Meskwaki later returned to Iowa and settled nearTama, Iowa; theMeskwaki Settlementremains to this day. In 1856 the Iowa Legislature passed an unprecedented act allowing the Meskawki to purchase the land.^[32]However, in contrast to the unprecedented act of the Iowa Legislature, the United States Federal Government, through the use of Treaties, forced theHo-Chunkfrom Iowa in 1848,^[33]and forced theDakotafrom Iowa by 1858.^[34]Western Iowa around modernCouncil Bluffswas used as an Indian Reservation for members of theCouncil of Three Fires.^[35]

The first American settlers officially moved to Iowa in June 1833.^[36]Primarily, they were families fromOhio,Pennsylvania,New York,Indiana,Kentucky, andVirginiawho settled along the western banks of theMississippi River, founding the modern day cities ofDubuqueandBellevue.^[36][37]On July 4, 1838, theU.S. Congressestablished theTerritory of Iowa. PresidentMartin Van BurenappointedRobert Lucasgovernor of the territory, which at the time had 22 counties and a population of 23,242.^[38]

Almost immediately after achieving territorial status, a clamor arose for statehood. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the Union when PresidentJames K. Polksigned Iowa's admission bill into law. Once admitted to the Union, the state's boundary issues resolved, and most of its land purchased from Natives, Iowa set its direction to development and organized campaigns for settlers and investors, boasting the young frontier state's rich farmlands, fine citizens, free and open society, and good government.^[39]

Iowa has a long tradition of state and county fairs. The first and secondIowa State Fairswere held in the more developed eastern part of the state atFairfield. The first fair was held October 25–27, 1854, at a cost of around $323. Thereafter, the fair moved to locations closer to the center of the state and in 1886 found a permanent home in Des Moines. The State Fair has been held annually since then, except for a few exceptions: 1898 due to theSpanish–American Warand theWorld's Fairbeing held in nearbyOmaha, Nebraska; from 1942 to 1945, due toWorld War II, as the fairgrounds were being used as an army supply depot; and in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States.^[40][41]

Iowa supported the Union during theCivil War, voting heavily forAbraham Lincoln, though there was an antiwar "Copperhead" movement in the state, caused partially by a drop in crop prices caused by the war.^[42]There were no battles in the state, although theBattle of Athens, Missouri, 1861, was fought just across the Des Moines River fromCroton, Iowa, and shots from the battle landed in Iowa. Iowa sent large supplies of food to the armies and the eastern cities.^[43]

Much of Iowa's support for the Union can be attributed toSamuel J. Kirkwood, its first wartime governor. Of a total population of 675,000, about 116,000 men were subjected to military duty. Iowa contributed proportionately more soldiers to Civil War military service than did any other state, north or south, sending more than 75,000 volunteers to the armed forces, over one-sixth of whom were killed before theConfederatessurrendered atAppomattox.^[43]

Most fought in the great campaigns in theMississippi Valleyand in theSouth.^[44]Iowa troops fought at Wilson's Creek inMissouri,Pea RidgeinArkansas, Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and Rossville Gap as well as Vicksburg, Iuka, and Corinth. They served with the Army of the Potomac inVirginiaand fought under Union GeneralPhilip Sheridanin theShenandoah Valley. Many died and were buried at Andersonville. They marched on GeneralNathaniel Banks' ill-starred expedition to the Red River. Twenty-sevenIowanshave been awarded theMedal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government, which was first awarded in the Civil War.^[45]

Iowa had several brigadier generals and four major generals—Grenville Mellen Dodge,Samuel R. Curtis,Francis J. Herron, andFrederick Steele—and saw many of its generals go on to state and national prominence following the war.^[43]

Following the Civil War, Iowa's population continued to grow dramatically, from 674,913 people in 1860^[46]to 1,624,615 in 1880.^[47]The American Civil War briefly brought higher profits.^[48]

In 1917, the United States entered World War I and farmers as well as all Iowans experienced a wartime economy. For farmers, the change was significant. Since the beginning of the war in 1914, Iowa farmers had experienced economic prosperity, which lasted until the end of the war.^[48]In the economic sector, Iowa also has undergone considerable change. Beginning with the first industries developed in the 1830s,^[49]which were mainly for processing materials grown in the area,^[50]Iowa has experienced a gradual increase in the number of business and manufacturing operations.

The transition from an agricultural economy to a mixed economy happened slowly. TheGreat Depressionand World War II accelerated the shift away fromsmallholderfarming to larger farms, and began a trend of urbanization. The period after World War II witnessed a particular increase in manufacturing operations.^[51]

In 1975, Governor Robert D. Ray petitioned President Ford to allow Iowa to accept and resettleTai Damrefugees fleeing the Indochina War.^[52]An exception was required for this resettlement as State Dept policy at the time forbid resettlement of large groups of refugees in concentrated communities; an exception was ultimately granted and 1200 Tai Dam were resettled in Iowa. Since then Iowa has accepted thousands of refugees from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Bhutan, and Burma.^[53]

Thefarm crisisof the 1980s caused a major recession in Iowa, causing poverty not seen since the Depression.^[54]The crisis spurred a major, decade-long population decline.^[55]

After bottoming out in the 1980s, Iowa's economy began to reduce its dependence on agriculture. By the early 21st century, it was characterized by a mix of manufacturing, biotechnology, finance and insurance services, and government services.^[56]The population of Iowa has increased at a slower rate than the U.S. as a whole since at least the1900 census,^[57]though Iowa now has a predominantly urban population.^[58]The Iowa Economic Development Authority, created in 2011 has replaced the Iowa Department of Economic Development and its annual reports are a source of economic information.^[59]

Iowa is bordered by theMississippi Riveron the east along with theMissouri Riverand theBig Sioux Riveron the west. The northern boundary is a line along 43 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude.^[60][b]The southern border is theDes Moines Riverand a not-quite-straight line along approximately 40 degrees 35 minutes north, as decided by theU.S. Supreme CourtinMissouri v. Iowa(1849) after a standoff betweenMissouriand Iowa known as theHoney War.^[61][62]

Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are formed almost entirely by rivers.^[63]Carter Lake, Iowa, is the only city in the state located west of the Missouri River.^[64]

Iowa has 99counties, but 100county seatsbecauseLee Countyhas two. The state capital,Des Moines, is inPolk County.^[65]

Iowa's bedrock geology generally decreases in age from east to west. In northwest Iowa,Cretaceousbedrock can be 74 million years old; in eastern IowaCambrianbedrock dates to c. 500 million years ago.^[66]The oldest radiometrically dated bedrock in the state is the 2.9 billion year old Otter Creek Layered Mafic Complex.Precambrianrock is exposed only in the northwest of the state.^[67]

Iowa can be divided into eightlandformsbased onglaciation,soils,topography, and river drainage.^[68]Loesshills lie along the western border of the state, some of which are several hundred feet thick.^[69]Northeast Iowa along theUpper Mississippi Riveris part of theDriftless Area, consisting of steep hills and valleys which appear as mountainous.^[70]

Several natural lakes exist, most notablySpirit Lake,West Okoboji Lake, andEast Okoboji Lakein northwest Iowa (seeIowa Great Lakes). To the east liesClear Lake. Man-made lakes include Lake Odessa,^[71]Saylorville Lake,Lake Red Rock,Coralville Lake, Lake MacBride, and Rathbun Lake. Before European settlement, 4 to 6 million acres of the state was covered with wetlands, about 95% of these wetlands have been drained.^[72]

Iowa's natural vegetation istallgrass prairieandsavannain upland areas, with dense forest and wetlands in flood plains and protected river valleys, and pothole wetlands in northern prairie areas.^[68]Most of Iowa is used for agriculture; crops cover 60% of the state, grasslands (mostly pasture and hay with some prairie and wetland) cover 30%, and forests cover 7%; urban areas and water cover another 1% each.^[73]

The southern part of Iowa is categorized as theCentral forest-grasslands transitionecoregion.^[74]The Northern, drier part of Iowa is categorized as part of theCentral tall grasslands.^[75]

There is a dearth of natural areas in Iowa; less than 1% of thetallgrass prairiethat once covered most of Iowa remains intact; only about 5% of the state's prairie pothole wetlands remain, and most of the original forest has been lost.^[76]As of 2005^[update]Iowa ranked 49th of U.S. states in public land holdings.^[77]Threatened or endangered animals in Iowa include theinterior least tern,piping plover,Indiana bat,pallid sturgeon, theIowa Pleistocene land snail,Higgins' eye pearly mussel, and theTopeka shiner.^[78]Endangered or threatened plants includewestern prairie fringed orchid,eastern prairie fringed orchid,Mead's milkweed,prairie bush clover, andnorthern wild monkshood.^[79]

The explosion in the number ofhigh-density livestock facilitiesin Iowa has led to increased rural water contamination and a decline in air quality.^[80]

Other factors negatively affecting Iowa's environment include the extensive use of oldercoal-fired power plants,^[81]fertilizer and pesticide runoff from crop production,^[82]and diminishment of theJordan Aquifer.^[83]

The2020–2023 North American droughthas affected Iowa particularly: As of January 2024, Iowa was in its 187th consecutive week of at least moderatedrought, the longest stretch since the 1950s. 96% of areas are affected by drought.^[84]

Iowa has ahumid continental climatethroughout the state (Köppen climate classificationDfa) with extremes of both heat and cold. The average annual temperature at Des Moines is 50 °F (10 °C); for some locations in the north, such as Mason City, the figure is about 45 °F (7 °C), whileKeokuk, on theMississippi River, averages 52 °F (11 °C).^[85]Snowfall is common, withDes Moinesgetting about 26 days of snowfall a year, and other places, such asShenandoahgetting about 11 days of snowfall in a year.^[86]

Spring ushers in the beginning of thesevere weatherseason. As of 2008, Iowa averaged about 50 days ofthunderstormactivity per year.^[87]As of 2015, the 30-year annual average of tornadoes in Iowa was 47.^[88]In2008, twelve people were killed by tornadoes in Iowa, making it the deadliest year since1968and also the second most tornadoes in a year with 105, matching the total from 2001.^[89]

Iowa summers are known for heat and humidity, with daytime temperatures sometimes near 90 °F (32 °C) and occasionally exceeding 100 °F (38 °C). Average winters in the state have been known to drop well below freezing, even dropping below −18 °F (−28 °C). As of 2018, Iowa's all-time hottest temperature of 118 °F (48 °C) was recorded at Keokuk on July 20, 1934, during a nationwide heat wave;^[90]as of 2014, the all-time lowest temperature of −47 °F (−44 °C) was recorded inWashtaon January 12, 1912.^[91]

Monthly normal high and low temperatures for various Iowa cities (°F) ^[92]

City	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Davenport[93]	30/13	36/19	48/29	61/41	72/52	81/63	85/68	83/66	76/57	65/45	48/32	35/20
Des Moines[94]	31/14	36/19	49/30	62/41	72/52	82/62	86/67	84/65	76/55	63/43	48/31	34/18
Keokuk[95]	34/17	39/21	50/30	63/42	73/52	83/62	87/67	85/65	78/56	66/44	51/33	33/21
Mason City[96]	24/6	29/12	41/23	57/35	69/46	79/57	82/61	80/58	73/49	60/37	43/25	28/11
Sioux City[97]	31/10	35/15	47/26	62/37	73/49	82/59	86/63	83/63	76/51	63/38	46/25	32/13

Iowa has had a relatively smooth gradient of varyingprecipitationacross the state; from 1961 to 1990, areas in the southeast of the state received an average of over 38 inches (97 cm) of rain annually, and the northwest of the state receiving less than 28 inches (71 cm).^[98]The pattern of precipitation across Iowa is seasonal with more rain falling in the summer months. Virtually statewide, the driest month is January or February, and the wettest month is June owing to frequent showers and thunderstorms some of which produce hail, damaging winds or tornadoes. In Des Moines, roughly in the center of the state, over two-thirds of the 34.72 inches (88.2 cm) of rain falls from April through September, and about half the average annual precipitation falls from May through August peaking in June.^[99]

Iowa's population is more urban than rural, with 61 percent living in urban areas in 2000, a trend that began in the early 20th century.^[58]Urban counties in Iowa grew 8.5% from 2000 to 2008, while rural counties declined by 4.2%.^[101]The shift from rural to urban has caused population increases in more urbanized counties such asDallas,Johnson,Linn,Polk, andScott, at the expense of more rural counties.^[102]

Iowa, in common with other Midwestern states (especiallyKansas,Nebraska,North Dakota, andSouth Dakota), is feeling the brunt ofrural flight, although Iowa has been gaining population since approximately 1990. Some smaller communities, such asDenisonandStorm Lake, have mitigated this population loss through gains in immigrant laborers.^[103]

Another demographic problem for Iowa is thebrain drain, in which educated young adults leave the state in search of better prospects in higher education or employment. During the 1990s, Iowa had the second highest exodus rate for single, educated young adults, second only to North Dakota.^[104]

Iowa's largest cities and their surrounding areas
Recorded by theUnited States Census Bureau

Rank	City	2020 city population[105]	2010city population[106]	Change	Metropolitan Statistical Area	2020 metro population[107]	2010 metro population	2020 metro change
1	Des Moines	214,133	203,433	+5.26%	Des Moines–West Des Moines	707,915	606,475	+16.73%
2	Cedar Rapids	137,710	126,326	+9.01%	Cedar Rapids	273,885	257,940	+6.18%
3	Davenport	101,724	99,685	+2.05%	Quad Cities	382,268	379,690	+0.68%
4	Sioux City	85,797	82,684	+3.76%	Sioux City	144,996	143,577	+0.99%
5	Iowa City	74,828	67,862	+10.26%	Iowa City	175,732	152,586	+15.17%
6	West Des Moines	68,723	56,609	+21.40%	Des Moines–West Des Moines
7	Ankeny	67,887	45,582	+48.93%	Des Moines–West Des Moines
8	Waterloo	67,314	68,406	−1.60%	Waterloo–Cedar Falls	168,314	167,819	+0.29%
9	Ames	66,427	58,965	+12.65%	Ames	124,514	115,848	+7.48%
10	Council Bluffs	62,799	62,230	+0.91%	Omaha–Council Bluffs	954,270	865,350	+10.28%
11	Dubuque	59,667	57,637	+3.52%	Dubuque	97,590	93,653	+4.20%
12	Urbandale	45,580	39,463	+15.50%	Des Moines–West Des Moines
13	Marion	41,535	34,768	+19.46%	Cedar Rapids
14	Cedar Falls	40,713	39,260	+3.70%	Waterloo–Cedar Falls
15	Bettendorf	39,102	33,217	+17.72%	Quad Cities

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	43,112		—
1850	192,214		345.8%
1860	674,913		251.1%
1870	1,194,020		76.9%
1880	1,624,615		36.1%
1890	1,912,297		17.7%
1900	2,231,853		16.7%
1910	2,224,771		−0.3%
1920	2,404,021		8.1%
1930	2,470,939		2.8%
1940	2,538,268		2.7%
1950	2,621,073		3.3%
1960	2,757,537		5.2%
1970	2,824,376		2.4%
1980	2,913,808		3.2%
1990	2,776,755		−4.7%
2000	2,926,324		5.4%
2010	3,046,355		4.1%
2020	3,190,369		4.7%
2023 (est.)	3,207,004		0.5%
Source: 1910–2020[57]

TheUnited States Census Bureaudetermined the population of Iowa was 3,190,369 on April 1, 2020, a 4.73% increase since the2010 United States census.^[108][109]

Of the residents of Iowa, 70.8% were born in Iowa, 23.6% were born in a different U.S. state, 0.6% were born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Island areas, or born abroad to American parent(s), and 5% were foreign born.^[110]

Immigrationfrom outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 29,386 people, while migration within the country produced a net loss of 41,140 people. 6.5% of Iowa's population were reported as under the age of five, 22.6% under 18, and 14.7% were 65 or older. Males made up approximately 49.6% of the population.^[111]The population density of the state is 52.7 people per square mile.^[112]As of the2010 census, thecenter of populationof Iowa is inMarshall County, nearMelbourne.^[113]The top countries of origin for Iowa's immigrants in 2018 wereMexico,India,Vietnam,ChinaandThailand.^[114]

Germans are the largest ethnic group in Iowa. Other major ethnic groups in Iowa include Irish people and the British. There are also Dutch communities in state. The Dutch can be found in Pella, in the centre of the state, and in Orange City, in the northwest. There is a Norwegian community in Decorah in northeast Iowa; and there is Czech and Slovak communities in both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Smaller numbers of Greeks and Italians are scattered in Iowa's metropolitan areas. The majority of Hispanics in Iowa areMexican.African Americans, who constitute around 2% of Iowa's population, didn't live in the state in any appreciable numbers until the early 20th century. Many blacks worked in the coal-mining industry of southern Iowa. Others blacks migrated to Waterloo, Davenport, and Des Moines, where the black population remained substantial in the early 21st century.^[115]The African-American population in Des Moines experienced a significant increase with the establishment of the Colored Officers Training Camp at Fort Des Moines in 1917. Following the conclusion of World War I in 1918, numerous African-American families made the decision to remain in Des Moines. This marked the inception of a thriving community that eventually became a residence for numerous African-American leaders.^[116]

As of the 2010 census, the population of Iowa was 3,046,355. The gender makeup of the state was 49.5% male and 50.5% female. 23.9% of the population were under the age of 18; 61.2% were between the ages of 18 and 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older.^[117]

According toHUD's 2022Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 2,419homelesspeople in Iowa.^[118][119]

Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census

Race and Ethnicity[120]	Alone		Total
White (non-Hispanic)	82.7%	82.7	85.9%	85.9
Hispanic or Latino[c]	—		6.8%	6.8
African American (non-Hispanic)	4.1%	4.1	5.2%	5.2
Asian	2.4%	2.4	3.0%	3
Native American	0.3%	0.3	1.4%	1.4
Pacific Islander	0.2%	0.2	0.3%	0.3
Other	0.3%	0.3	1.0%	1

Iowa historical racial composition

Racial composition	1990[121]	2000[122]	2010[123]	2020[124]
White	96.6%	93.9%	91.3%	84.5%
Black or African American	1.7%	2.1%	2.9%	4.1%
Native American	0.3%	0.3%	0.4%	0.5%
Asian	0.9%	1.3%	1.7%	2.4%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	—	—	0.1%	0.2%
Other race	0.5%	1.3%	1.8%	2.8%
Two or more races	—	1.1%	1.8%	5.6%

According to the 2016American Community Survey, 5.6% of Iowa's population were ofHispanic or Latinoorigin (of any race):Mexican(4.3%),Puerto Rican(0.2%),Cuban(0.1%), and other Hispanic or Latino origin (1.0%).^[125]The five largest ancestry groups were:German(35.1%),Irish(13.5%),English(8.2%),American(5.8%), andNorwegian(5.0%).^[126]

Note: Births in table don't add up, because Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race, giving a higher overall number.

Live births by single race/ethnicity of mother

Race	2013[127]	2014[128]	2015[129]	2016[130]	2017[131]	2018[132]	2019[133]	2020[134]	2021[135]	2022[136]
Non-Hispanic White	32,302 (82.6%)	32,423 (81.7%)	32,028 (81.1%)	31,376 (79.6%)	30,010 (78.1%)	29,327 (77.6%)	29,050 (77.2%)	27,542 (76.3%)	28,167 (76.5%)	27,527 (75.4%)
Black	2,232 (5.7%)	2,467 (6.2%)	2,597 (6.6%)	2,467 (6.3%)	2,657 (6.9%)	2,615 (6.9%)	2,827 (7.5%)	2,685 (7.4%)	2,567 (7.0%)	2,562 (7.0%)
Asian	1,353 (3.5%)	1,408 (3.5%)	1,364 (3.4%)	1,270 (3.2%)	1,321 (3.4%)	1,176 (3.1%)	1,106 (2.9%)	1,067 (2.9%)	1,055 (2.9%)	1,032 (2.8%)
Native American	269 (0.7%)	284 (0.7%)	242 (0.6%)	147 (0.4%)	311 (0.8%)	152 (0.4%)	308 (0.8%)	143 (0.4%)	129 (0.3%)	459 (1.3%)
Hispanic(of any race)	3,175(8.1%)	3,315(8.3%)	3,418(8.6%)	3,473(8.8%)	3,527(9.2%)	3,694(9.8%)	3,695(9.8%)	3,725(10.3%)	3,903(10.6%)	4,172(11.4%)
Total Iowa	39,094(100%)	39,687(100%)	39,482(100%)	39,403(100%)	38,430(100%)	37,785(100%)	37,649(100%)	36,114(100%)	36,835(100%)	36,506(100%)

• Since 2016, data for births ofWhite Hispanicorigin are not collected, but included in oneHispanicgroup; persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

A 2014 survey byPew Research Centerfound 60% of Iowans areProtestant, while 18% areCatholic, and 1% are of non-Christian religions. 21% responded with non-religious, and 1% did not answer.^[138][139]A survey from theAssociation of Religion Data Archives(ARDA) in 2010 found that the largest Protestant denominations were theUnited Methodist Churchwith 235,190 adherents and theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Americawith 229,557. The largest non-Protestant religion wasCatholicismwith 503,080 adherents. The state has a great number ofCalvinistdenominations. ThePresbyterian Church (USA)had almost 290 congregations and 51,380 members followed by theReformed Church in Americawith 80 churches and 40,000 members, and theUnited Church of Christhad 180 churches and 39,000 members.^[140]According to the 2020Public Religion Research Institute's study, 26% of the population were irreligious.^[141]

The studyReligious Congregations & Membership: 2000^[142]found in the southernmost two tiers of Iowa counties and in other counties in the center of the state, the largest religious group was theUnited Methodist Church; in the northeast part of the state, includingDubuqueandLinncounties (whereCedar Rapidsis located), theCatholic Churchwas the largest; and in ten counties, including three in the northern tier, theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Americawas the largest. The study also found rapid growth in Evangelical Christian denominations. Dubuque is home to theArchdiocese of Dubuque, which serves as theecclesiastical provincefor all three other dioceses in the state and for all the Catholics in the entire state of Iowa.

Historically, religious sects and orders who desired to live apart from the rest of society established themselves in Iowa, such as theAmishandMennonitenearKalonaand in other parts of eastern Iowa such asDavis CountyandBuchanan County.^[143]Other religious sects and orders living apart includeQuakersaroundWest BranchandLe Grand, GermanPietistswho founded theAmana Colonies, followers ofTranscendental Meditationwho foundedMaharishi Vedic City, andOrder of Cistercians of the Strict Observancemonks and nuns at theNew MellerayandOur Lady of the MississippiAbbeys nearDubuque.

By 1878, approximately 1000 Jewish people lived in Iowa, many of whom were immigrants from Poland and Germany.^[144][145]As of 2016^[update]about 6,000 Jews live in Iowa, with about 3,000 of them in Des Moines.^[146]

English is the most common language in Iowa, being the sole language spoken by 91.1% of the population. Less common languages include sign language and indigenous languages. About 2.5% of the general population use sign language as of 2017, while indigenous languages are spoken by about 0.5% of the population.^[147]William Labovand colleagues, in the monumentalAtlas of North American English^[148]found the English spoken in Iowa divides into multiple linguistic regions. Natives of northern Iowa—includingSioux City,Fort Dodge, and theWaterlooregion—tend to speak the dialect linguists callNorth Central American English, which is also found inNorthandSouth Dakota,Minnesota,Wisconsin, andMichigan. Natives of central and southern Iowa—including such cities asCouncil Bluffs,Davenport, Des Moines, andIowa City—tend to speak theNorth Midlanddialect also found in eastern Nebraska, central Illinois, and central Indiana.^[149]Natives of East-Central Iowa—including cities such asCedar Rapids,Dubuque, andClintontend to speak with theNorthern Cities Vowel Shift, a dialect that extends from this area and east across theGreat Lakes Region.^[150]

After English, Spanish is the second-most-common language spoken in Iowa, with 120,000 people in Iowa of Hispanic or Latino origin and 47,000 people born in Latin America.^[151]The third-most-common language is German, spoken by 17,000 people in Iowa; two notable German dialects used in Iowa includeAmana Germanspoken around theAmana Colonies, andPennsylvania German, spoken among theAmishin Iowa. TheBabel Proclamationof 1918 banned the speaking of German in public. AroundPella, residents of Dutch descent once spoke thePella Dutch dialect.

Tribes which lived in what is now Iowa at the onset of European colonization included theIowa, theIllinois, theSioux, theOtoeand theMissouria.^[152]Later new tribes moved in, in the 18th century theSaukand theFoxsettled in Iowa, in 1837 thePotawatomifrom Illinois were resettled in Iowa, and in 1840 theHo-Chunkof Wisconsin were moved by the U.S. Army to Iowa.^[153]Other tribes which at various times lived in or migrated through Iowa include theOjibwe, thePonca, theOdawaand theOmaha.^[154]Today there is onefederally recognizedtribe in Iowa, theSac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa. Many Iowans identify as being Native American alone (11,084 people in 2010 census and 14,486 in 2020) or Native American in combination with one or more other races (13,427 people in 2010 census and 41,472 in 2020).^[155]Many Iowans also reported belonging to various tribes in 2010 census, the largest of which were the Cherokee (3,338 people), the Sioux (2,725) and the Sac and Fox (1,698 people). Other tribes reported in Iowa in 2010 included for example the Ho-Chunk (741 people), the Ojibwe (710), the Omaha (694) and more.^[156]

Amesis the home ofIowa State University, theIowa State Center, andReiman Gardens.

Des Moines is the largest city and metropolitan area^[e]in Iowa and the state's political and economic center. It is home to theIowa State Capitol, theState Historical Society of IowaMuseum,Drake University,Des Moines Art Center,Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden,Principal Riverwalk, theIowa State Fair,Terrace Hill, and theWorld Food Prize. Nearby attractions includeAdventurelandandPrairie Meadows RacetrackCasino inAltoona,Living History FarmsinUrbandale, Trainland USA inColfax, and theIowa Speedwayand Valle Drive-In inNewton.

Boonehosts the biennialFarm Progress Showand is home to theMamie Doud Eisenhowermuseum, theBoone and Scenic Valley Railroad, andLedges State Park.

TheMeskwaki Settlementwest ofTamais the only Native American settlement in Iowa and is host to a large annualPow-wow.

Madison Countyis known for its covered bridges. Also in Madison County is theJohn WayneBirthplace Museum is inWinterset.

Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas includeNewton,Indianola,Pella,Knoxville,Marshalltown,Perry, andStory City.

Iowa Cityis home to theUniversity of Iowa, which includes theIowa Writers' Workshop, and theOld Capitol building. Because of the extraordinary history in the teaching and sponsoring of creative writing that emanated from theIowa Writers' Workshopand related programs, Iowa City was the first American city designated by theUnited Nationsas a "City of Literature" in theUNESCOCreative Cities Network.^[157]

TheHerbert Hoover National Historic SiteandHerbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museumare inWest Branch.

TheAmana Coloniesare a group of settlements ofGermanPietistscomprising seven villages listed asNational Historic Landmarks.

TheCedar Rapids Museum of Arthas collections of paintings byGrant WoodandMarvin Cone.Cedar Rapidsis also home to theNational Czech & Slovak Museum & Libraryand Iowa's onlyNational Trust for Historic PreservationSite,Brucemoremansion.

Davenportboasts theFigge Art Museum,River Music Experience,Putnam Museum,Davenport Skybridge,Quad City Symphony Orchestra,Ballet Quad Cities, and plays host to the annualBix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, and theQuad City Air Show, which is the largest airshow in the state.

Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas includeWest Liberty,Fairfield,Burlington,Mount Pleasant,Fort Madison,LeClaire,Mount Vernon,Ottumwa,Washington, andWilton.

Along Interstate 80 nearWalcottlies the world's largest truck stop,Iowa 80.

Some of the most dramatic scenery in Iowa is found in the uniqueLoess Hillswhich are found along Iowa's western border.

Sioux Cityis the largest city in western Iowa and is found on the convergence of theMissouri,Floyd, andBig SiouxRivers. TheSioux City Metropolitan Areaencompasses areas in three states: Iowa,Nebraska, andSouth Dakota. Sioux City boasts a revitalized downtown and includes attractions such as theHard Rock Hotel and Casino,Sergeant Floyd Monument,Sergeant FloydRiver Museum, theTyson Events Center,Southern Hills Mall, theOrpheum Theater, and more. The historic downtown area is also filled with multiple restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. Sioux City is home to two higher education institutions,Morningside CollegeandBriar Cliff University.Le Marsis in the northeastern part of theSioux City Metropolitan Areaand is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Le Mars is home toWells Enterprises, one of the largest ice cream manufacturers in the world. Attractions in Le Mars include the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor, Archie's Wayside (steak house), Bob's Drive Inn,Tonsfeldt Round Barn, Plymouth County Fairgrounds, Plymouth County Museum, andPlymouth County Courthouse. Le Mars hosts multiple ice cream-themed community events each year.

Council Bluffs, part of theOmaha (Nebr.) Metropolitan Areaand a hub of southwest Iowa sits at the base of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. With three casino resorts, the city also includes such cultural attractions as the Western Hills Trails Center,Union Pacific RailroadMuseum, theGrenville M. Dodge House,The Black Angel, and theLewis and ClarkMonument, with clear views of theDowntown Omahaskyline found throughout the city.

TheIowa Great Lakesis made up of multiple small towns, such asSpirit Lake,Arnolds Park,Milford, andOkoboji. Multiple resorts and other tourist attractions are found in and around these towns surrounding the popular lakes. Arnolds Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the country, is located on Lake Okoboji inArnolds Park.

The Sanford Museum and Planetarium inCherokee,Grotto of the RedemptioninWest Bend,The Danish Immigrant MuseuminElk Horn, and the Fort Museum and Frontier Village inFort Dodgeare other regional destinations.

Every year in early May, the city ofOrange Cityholds the annual Tulip Festival, a celebration of the strong Dutch heritage in the region.^[158]

Northwest Iowa is home to some of the largest concentrations ofwind turbinefarms in the world. Other western communities with vibrant historic downtown areas includeStorm Lake,Spencer,Glenwood,Carroll,Harlan,Atlantic,Red Oak,Denison,Creston,Mount Ayr,Sac City, andWalnut.

TheDriftless Areaof northeast Iowa has many steep hills and deep valleys, checkered with forest and terraced fields.Effigy Mounds National MonumentinAllamakeeandClayton Countieshas the largest assemblage of animal-shaped prehistoric mounds in the world.

Waterloois home of theGrout MuseumandLost Island Theme Parkand is headquarters of theSilos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.Cedar Fallsis home of theUniversity of Northern Iowa.

Dubuqueis a regional tourist destination with attractions such as theNational Mississippi River Museum and Aquariumand thePort of Dubuque.

Dyersvilleis home to the famedField of Dreamsbaseball diamond.Maquoketa Caves State Park, nearMaquoketa, contains more caves than any other state park.

Fort Atkinson State PreserveinFort Atkinsonhas the remains of an original 1840sDragoonfortification.

Fort Dodgeis home of The Fort historical museum and the Blanden Art Museum, and host Frontiers Days which celebrate the town history.

Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas includeDecorah,McGregor,Mason City,Elkader,Bellevue,Guttenberg,Algona,Spillville,Charles City, andIndependence.

Iowa hostsRAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is a bike across the state river-to-river that attracts thousands of bicyclists and support personnel. It has crossed the state on various routes each year since 1973. Iowa is home to more than 70 wineries,^[159]and hosts five regional wine tasting trails.^[160]Many Iowa communities hold farmers' markets during warmer months; these are typically weekly events, but larger cities can host multiple markets.^[161]

• In 2016,^[163]the total employment of the state's population was 1,354,487, and the total number of employer establishments was 81,563.

CNBC's list of "Top States for Business in 2010" has recognized Iowa as the sixth best state in the nation. Scored in 10 individual categories, Iowa was ranked first when it came to the "Cost of Doing Business"; this includes all taxes, utility costs, and other costs associated with doing business. Iowa was also ranked 10th in "Economy", 12th in "Business Friendliness", 16th in "Education", 17th in both "Cost of Living" and "Quality of Life", 20th in "Workforce", 29th in "Technology and Innovation", 32nd in "Transportation" and the lowest ranking was 36th in "Access to Capital".^[164]

While Iowa is often viewed as a farming state, agriculture is a relatively small portion of the state's diversified economy, with manufacturing, biotechnology, finance and insurance services, and government services contributing substantially to Iowa's economy.^[56]This economic diversity has helped Iowa weather thelate 2000s recessionbetter than most states, with unemployment substantially lower than the rest of the nation.^[165][166]

If the economy is measured by gross domestic product, in 2005 Iowa's GDP was about $124 billion.^[167]If measured by gross state product, for 2005 it was $113.5 billion.^[168]Its per capita income for 2006 was $23,340.^[168]On July 2, 2009,Standard & Poor'srated Iowa's credit as AAA (the highest of its credit ratings, held by only 11 U.S. state governments).^[169]

As of September 2021, the state's unemployment rate is 4.0%.^[170]

Manufacturingis the largest sector of Iowa's economy, with $20.8 billion (21%) of Iowa's 2003 gross state product. Major manufacturing sectors includefood processing, heavy machinery, andagricultural chemicals. Sixteen percent of Iowa's workforce is dedicated to manufacturing.^[56]Food processing is the largest component of manufacturing. Besides processed food, industrial outputs include machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, publishing, and primary metals. Companies with direct or indirect processing facilities in Iowa includeConAgra Foods,Wells Blue Bunny,Barilla,Heinz, Tone's Spices,General Mills, andQuaker Oats. MeatpackerTyson Foodshas 11 locations, second only to its headquarter state Arkansas.^[171]

Major non-food manufacturing firms with production facilities in Iowa include3M,^[172]Arconic,^[173]Amana Corporation,^[174]Emerson Electric,^[175]The HON Company,^[176]SSAB,^[177]John Deere,^[178]Lennox Manufacturing,^[179]Pella Corporation,^[180]Procter & Gamble,^[181]Vermeer Company,^[182]andWinnebago Industries.^[183]

Industrial-scale, commodity agriculture predominates in much of the state. Iowa's main conventional agricultural commodities arehogs, with about 22.6 million hogs in 8,000 facilities large enough to require manure management plans in March 2018, outnumbering Iowans by more than 7 to 1,^[184]corn,soybeans,oats, cattle, eggs, and dairy products. Iowa is the nation's largest producer ofethanolandcornand some years is the largest grower of soybeans. In 2008, the 92,600 farms in Iowa produced 19% of the nation's corn, 17% of the soybeans, 30% of the hogs, and 14% of the eggs.^[185]As of 2009^[update]major Iowa agricultural product processors includedArcher Daniels Midland,Cargill, Inc., Diamond V Mills, andQuaker Oats.^[186]

During the 21st century Iowa has seen growth in theorganic farmingsector. Iowa ranks fifth in the nation in total number of organic farms. In 2016, there were about 732 organic farms in the state, an increase of about 5% from the previous year, and 103,136 organic acres, an increase of 9,429 from the previous year.^[187][188]Iowa has also seen an increase in demand for local, sustainably-grown food. Northeast Iowa, part of theDriftless Area, has led the state in development of its regionalfood systemand grows and consumes more local food than any other region in Iowa.^[189][190]

Iowa's Driftless Region is also home to the nationally recognizedSeed Savers Exchange, a non-profitseed bankhoused at an 890-acre heritage farm nearDecorah, in the northeast corner of the state.^[191][192]The largest nongovernmental seed bank of its kind in the United States, Seed Savers Exchange safeguards more than 20,000 varieties of rare, heirloom seeds.^[193]

As of 2007, the direct production and sale of conventional agricultural commodities contributed only about 3.5% of Iowa's gross state product.^[195]In 2002 the impact of the indirect role of agriculture in Iowa's economy, including agriculture-affiliated business, was calculated at 16.4% in terms of value added and 24.3% in terms of total output. This was lower than the economic impact of non-farm manufacturing, which accounted for 22.4% of total value added and 26.5% of total output.^[196]

As of 2014, there were 16 organizations offeringhealth insuranceproducts in Iowa, per the State of Iowa Insurance Division.^[197]Iowa was fourth out of ten states with the biggest drop in competition levels of health insurance between 2010 and 2011, per the 2013 annual report on the level of competition in the health insurance industry by theAmerican Medical Association^[198]using 2011 data from HealthLeaders-Interstudy, the most comprehensive source of data on enrollment inhealth maintenance organization(HMO),preferred provider organization(PPO),point-of-service(POS) andconsumer-driven health careplans.^[199]According to the AMA annual report from 2007Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shieldhad provided 71% of the state's health insurance.^[200]

The Iowa Insurance Division "Annual report to the Iowa Governor and the Iowa Legislature" from November 2014 looked at the 95% of health insurers by premium, which are 10 companies. It found Wellmark Inc. to dominate the three health insurance markets it examined (individual, small group and large group) at 52–67%.^[201]: 2Wellmark HealthPlan of Iowa and Wellmark Inc had the highest risk-based capital percentages of all 10 providers at 1158% and 1132%, respectively.^[201]: 31Rising RBC is an indication of profits.^[201]: 31

Iowa has a strong financial and insurance sector, with approximately 6,100 firms,^[56]includingAEGON,Nationwide Group,Aviva USA,Farm Bureau Financial Services,GreatAmerica Financial Services,Voya Financial,Marsh Affinity Group,MetLife,Principal Financial Group,Principal Capital Management,Wells Fargo, and Greenstate Credit Union (formerly University of Iowa Community Credit Union).

Iowa is host to at least two business incubators, Iowa State University Research Park and the BioVentures Center at theUniversity of Iowa.^[202]The Research Park hosts about 50 companies, among them NewLink Genetics, which developscancer immunotherapeutics, and the U.S.animal healthdivision ofBoehringer Ingelheim, Vetmedica.^[202]

Ethanolproduction consumes about a third of Iowa's corn production, and renewable fuels account for eight percent of the state's gross domestic product. A total of 39 ethanol plants produced 3.1 billion US gallons (12,000,000 m³) of fuel in 2009.^[203]

Renewable energy has become a major economic force in northern and western Iowa, withwind turbineelectrical generation increasing exponentially since 1990.^[14]In 2019,wind power in Iowaaccounted for 42% of electrical energy produced, and 10,201 megawatts of generating capacity had been installed at the end of the year.^[204]Iowa ranked first of U.S. states in percentage of total power generated by wind and second in wind generating capacity behind Texas.^[204]Major producers of turbines and components in Iowa includeAcciona EnergyofWest Branch, TPI Composites ofNewton, andSiemensEnergy ofFort Madison.

In 2016, Iowa was the headquarters for three of the top 2,000 companies for revenue.^[205]They includePrincipal Financial,Rockwell Collins, and American Equity Investment.^{[206][207][208]}Iowa is also headquarters to other companies includingHy-Vee,Pella Corporation,Workiva,Vermeer Company,Kum & Gogas stations,Von Maur,Pioneer Hi-Bred, andFareway.^{[209][210][211][212][213][214][215]}

Gambling in the stateis a major section of the Iowa tourism industry.^[216]

Tax is collected by theIowa Department of Revenue.^[217]

Iowa imposes taxes on net state income of individuals, estates, and trusts. There are nineincome taxbrackets, ranging from 0.36% to 8.98%, as well as four corporate income tax brackets ranging from 6%to 12%, giving Iowa the country's highest marginal corporate tax rate.^[218]The statesales taxrate is 6%, with non-prepared food having no tax.^[219]Iowa has one local option sales tax that may be imposed by counties after an election.^[220]Property tax is levied on the taxable value of real property. Iowa has more than 2,000 taxing authorities. Most property is taxed by more than one taxing authority. The tax rate differs in each locality and is a composite of county, city or rural township,school districtand special levies. Iowa allows its residents to deduct theirfederal income taxesfrom their state income taxes.^[221]

Iowa was one of the leading states in thehigh school movement, and continues to be among the top educational performers today.^[222]

The four-year graduation rate for high schoolers was 91.3% in 2017.^[223]Iowa's schools are credited with the highest graduation rate in the nation as of 2019.^[224]Iowa has 333 school districts,^[223]1,329 school buildings and has the 14th lowest student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2.^[225]Teacher pay is ranked 22nd, with the average salary being $55,647.^[225]

As of 2015^[update]transportation spending is a significant part of the budgets of rural school districts as many are geographically large and must transport students across vast distances. This reduces the amount of money spent on other aspects of the districts.^[226]

The state's oldest functioning school building is located inBellevuein the historicJackson County Courthousewhich has been in continuous use as a school since 1848.^[227]

TheIowa Board of Regentsis composed of nine citizen volunteers appointed by the governor to provide policymaking, coordination, and oversight of the state's three public universities, two special K–12 schools, and affiliated centers.^[228]

The special K–12 schools include theIowa School for the DeafinCouncil Bluffsand theIowa Braille and Sight Saving SchoolinVinton.^[228]BothIowa State UniversityandThe University of Iowaare research universities^[229]with The University of Iowa also being a member of the prestigiousAssociation of American Universities.^[230]In addition to the three state universities, Iowa has multiple private colleges and universities.

Iowa has four primaryinterstate highways.Interstate 29(I-29) travels along the state's western edge throughCouncil BluffsandSioux City.I-35travels from the Missouri state line to the Minnesota state line through the state's center, including Des Moines.I-74begins atI-80just northeast ofDavenport. I-80 travels from the Nebraska state line to the Illinois state line through the center of the state, including Council Bluffs, Des Moines,Iowa City, and theQuad Cities.I-380is anauxiliary Interstate Highway, which travels from I-80 near Iowa City throughCedar Rapidsending inWaterlooand is part of theAvenue of the Saintshighway. Iowa is among the few jurisdictions where municipalities install speed cameras on interstate highways providing a substantial revenue source from out of state drivers.^[231]

Iowa is served by several regional airports including theDes Moines International Airport, theEastern Iowa Airport, in Cedar Rapids,Quad City International Airport, inMoline, Illinois, andEppley Airfield, inOmaha, Nebraska. Smaller airports in the state include theCouncil Bluffs Municipal Airport,Davenport Municipal Airport (Iowa),Dubuque Regional Airport,Fort Dodge Regional Airport,Mason City Municipal Airport,Sioux Gateway Airport,Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, andWaterloo Regional Airport.^[232]

Amtrak'sCalifornia Zephyrserves southern Iowa with stops inBurlington,Mount Pleasant,Ottumwa,Osceola, andCrestonalong its route between Chicago andEmeryville, California.^[233]Fort Madisonis served by Amtrak'sSouthwest Chief, running betweenChicagoandLos Angeles.^[234]Both provide daily service through the state.

Iowa is served by a number of local transit providers includingBettendorf Transit,Cambus,Cedar Rapids Transit,Clinton Municipal Transit Administration,Coralville Transit,Cyride,Davenport Citibus,Des Moines Area Regional Transit,Iowa City Transit,The Jule,Mason City Transit,MET Transit,Omaha Metro Transit,Ottumwa Transit Authority,Quad Cities MetroLINKandSioux City Transit.

Intercity bus service in the state is provided byBurlington Trailways,Greyhound Lines, andJefferson Lines.

Local transit map

380 Express Bettendorf Transit Burlington Urban Service Cambus Cedar Rapids Transit Clinton MTA Coralville Transit CyRide Citibus DART DART Iowa City Transit Marshalltown Municipal Transit Mason City Transit MetroLINK Metro Transit MET Transit MuscaBus Oskaloosa Rides Ottumwa Transit Authority Sioux City Transit The Jule class=notpageimage| Local Transit Systems (Only systems with fixed-route services are shown)

As of 2022^[update], the 43rd and currentGovernor of IowaisKim Reynolds(R). Other statewide elected officials are:

• Adam Gregg(R),Lieutenant Governor
• Paul Pate(R),Secretary of State
• Rob Sand(D),Auditor of State
• Roby Smith(R),Treasurer of State
• Mike Naig(R),Secretary of Agriculture
• Brenna Bird(R),Attorney General

TheCode of Iowacontains Iowa'sstatutory laws. It is periodically updated by the Iowa Legislative Service Bureau, with a new edition published in odd-numbered years and a supplement published in even-numbered years.

Iowa is an alcohol monopoly oralcoholic beverage control state.

The two U.S. Senators:

• Chuck Grassley(R), in office since 1981
• Joni Ernst(R), in office since 2015

The four U.S. Representatives:

• Mariannette Miller-Meeks(R),First district
• Ashley Hinson(R),Second district
• Zach Nunn(R),Third district
• Randy Feenstra(R),Fourth district

After the2010 United States Censusand the resulting redistricting, Iowa lost one seat in Congress, falling to four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent U.S. RepresentativesLeonard Boswell(D) andTom Latham(R) ran against each other in2012in the third congressional district which had new boundaries; Latham won and retired after the2014 elections. King represented the oldfifth congressional district.

In Iowa, the term "political party" refers to political organizations which have received two percent or more of the votes cast for president or governor in the "last preceding general election". Iowa recognizes three political parties—theRepublican Party, theDemocratic Party, and theLibertarian Party.^[235]The Libertarian Party obtained official political party status in 2017 as a result of presidential candidateGary Johnsonreceiving 3.8% of the Iowa vote in the2016 general election.^[236]Third parties, officially termed "nonparty political organizations", can appear on the ballot as well. Four of these have had candidates on the ballot in Iowa since 2004 for various positions: theConstitution Party, theGreen Party, thePirate Party, and theSocialist Workers Party.^[237][238]

United States presidential election results for Iowa ^[239]

Year	Republican/Whig		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	897,672	53.09%	759,061	44.89%	34,138	2.02%
2016	800,983	51.15%	653,669	41.74%	111,379	7.11%
2012	730,617	46.18%	822,544	51.99%	29,019	1.83%
2008	682,379	44.39%	828,940	53.93%	25,804	1.68%
2004	751,957	49.90%	741,898	49.23%	13,053	0.87%
2000	634,373	48.22%	638,517	48.54%	42,673	3.24%
1996	492,644	39.92%	620,258	50.26%	121,173	9.82%
1992	504,891	37.27%	586,353	43.29%	263,363	19.44%
1988	545,355	44.50%	670,557	54.71%	9,702	0.79%
1984	703,088	53.27%	605,620	45.89%	11,097	0.84%
1980	676,026	51.31%	508,672	38.60%	132,963	10.09%
1976	632,863	49.47%	619,931	48.46%	26,512	2.07%
1972	706,207	57.61%	496,206	40.48%	23,531	1.92%
1968	619,106	53.01%	476,699	40.82%	72,126	6.18%
1964	449,148	37.92%	733,030	61.88%	2,361	0.20%
1960	722,381	56.71%	550,565	43.22%	864	0.07%
1956	729,187	59.06%	501,858	40.65%	3,519	0.29%
1952	808,906	63.75%	451,513	35.59%	8,354	0.66%
1948	494,018	47.58%	522,380	50.31%	21,874	2.11%
1944	547,267	51.99%	499,876	47.49%	5,456	0.52%
1940	632,370	52.03%	578,800	47.62%	4,260	0.35%
1936	487,977	42.70%	621,756	54.41%	33,000	2.89%
1932	414,433	39.98%	598,019	57.69%	24,235	2.34%
1928	623,570	61.77%	379,311	37.57%	6,608	0.65%
1924	537,458	55.02%	160,382	16.42%	278,930	28.56%
1920	634,674	70.91%	227,921	25.46%	32,487	3.63%
1916	280,439	54.25%	221,699	42.89%	14,806	2.86%
1912	119,805	24.33%	185,325	37.64%	187,226	38.03%
1908	275,209	55.62%	200,771	40.58%	18,789	3.80%
1904	308,158	63.39%	149,276	30.71%	28,659	5.90%
1900	307,808	58.04%	209,265	39.46%	13,282	2.50%
1896	289,293	54.42%	233,741	43.97%	8,513	1.60%
1892	219,795	49.60%	196,367	44.31%	26,997	6.09%
1888	211,603	52.36%	179,877	44.51%	12,655	3.13%
1884	197,089	52.25%	177,316	47.01%	2,796	0.74%
1880	183,904	56.99%	105,845	32.80%	32,919	10.20%
1876	171,326	58.50%	112,121	38.28%	9,431	3.22%
1872	131,566	60.81%	71,189	32.90%	13,610	6.29%
1868	120,399	61.92%	74,040	38.08%	0	0.00%
1864	88,500	64.12%	49,525	35.88%	0	0.00%
1860	70,302	54.61%	55,639	43.22%	2,798	2.17%
1856	45,073	48.83%	37,568	40.70%	9,669	10.47%
1852	15,856	44.84%	17,763	50.23%	1,745	4.93%
1848	9,930	44.59%	11,238	50.46%	1,103	4.95%

As a result of the 2010 elections, each party controlled one house of theIowa General Assembly: the House had a Republican majority, while the Senate had a Democratic majority. As a result of the 2016 elections, Republicans gained control of the Senate. Incumbent Democratic governorChet Culverwas defeated in 2010 by RepublicanTerry Branstad, who had served as governor from 1983 to 1999. On December 14, 2015, Branstad became the longest serving governor in U.S. history, serving (at that time) 20 years, 11 months, and 3days; eclipsingGeorge Clinton, who served 21 years until 1804.^[240]Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds succeeded him on May 24, 2017, following Branstad's appointment as U.S. Ambassador to China.

In previous eras, Democratic and Republican parties had a balance in state politics and federal representation. By 2024, the two became dominated by the Republican Party. Factors include younger people leaving for more urbanized, more Democratic-leaning states, as well as homogenization of rural voters in the Midwest and in other regions.^[241]

Party registration as of September 1, 2024[242]
Party		Total voters	Percentage
	Republican	782,461	35.19%
	No affiliation	771,913	34.72%
	Democratic	648,633	29.17%
	Other	20,485	0.92%
Total		2,223,492	100.00%

The state gets considerable attention every four years because theIowa caucus, gatherings of voters to select delegates to the state conventions, is the first presidential caucus in the country. The caucuses, held in January or February of the election year, involve people gathering in homes or public places and choosing their candidates, rather than casting secret ballots as is done in apresidential primaryelection.^[243]Along with theNew Hampshire primarythe following week, Iowa's caucuses have become the starting points for choosing the two major-party candidates for president.^[244]The national and international media give Iowa and New Hampshire extensive attention, which gives Iowa voters leverage.^[245]In 2007 presidential campaign spending was the seventh highest in the country.^[246]

In a 2020 study, Iowa was ranked as the 24th easiest state for citizens to vote in.^[247]

In the 19th century Iowa was among the earliest states to enact prohibitions against race discrimination, especially in education, but was slow to achieve full integration in the 20th century. In the first decision of theIowa Supreme Court—In Re the Matter of Ralph,^[248]decided July 1839—the Court rejected slavery in a decision that found a slave named Ralph became free when he stepped on Iowa soil, 26 years before the end of the Civil War.^[249]The state did away with racial barriers to marriage in 1851, more than 100 years before the U.S. Supreme Court would banmiscegenation statutesnationwide.^[250]

The Iowa Supreme Court decidedClark v. The board of directors^[251]in 1868, ruling that racially segregated "separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years beforeBrown v. Board of Education.^[249]By 1875, a number of additional court rulings effectively ended segregation in Iowa schools.^[252]Social and housing discrimination continued against Blacks at state universities until the 1950s.^[253]The Court heardCoger v. The North Western Union Packet Co.^[254]in 1873, ruling against racial discrimination in public accommodations 91 years before the U.S. Supreme Court reached the same decision.^[249]

In 1884, the Iowa Civil Rights Act apparently outlawed discrimination by businesses, reading: "All persons within this state shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of inns, restaurants, chophouses, eating houses, lunch counters, and all other places where refreshments are served, public conveyances, barber shops, bathhouses, theaters, and all other places of amusement." However, the courts chose to narrowly apply this act, allowing de facto discrimination to continue.^[255]Racial discrimination at public businesses was not deemed illegal until 1949, when the court ruled inState of Iowa v. Katzthat businesses had to serve customers regardless of race; the case began whenEdna Griffinwas denied service at a Des Moines drugstore.^[256]Full racial civil rights were codified under the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965.^[257]

As with racial equality, Iowa was a vanguard in women's rights in the mid-19th century, but did not allow women the right to vote until theNineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitutionwas ratified in 1920, Iowa legislature being one of the ratifying votes.^[258]In 1847, theUniversity of Iowabecame the first public university in the U.S. to admit men and women on an equal basis.^[259]In 1869, Iowa became the first state in the union to admit women to the practice of law, with the Court ruling women may not be denied the right to practice law in Iowa and admittingArabella A. Mansfieldto the practice of law.^[249]Several attempts to grant full voting rights to Iowa women were defeated between 1870 and 1919. In 1894 women were given "partial suffrage", which allowed them to vote on issues, but not for candidates. It was not until the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment that women had full suffrage in Iowa.^[260]Although Iowa supported the FederalEqual Rights Amendment, in 1980 and 1992 Iowa voters rejected an Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution.^[261]Iowa added the word "women" to the Iowa Constitution in 1998. After the amendment, it reads: "All men and women are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights—among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness."^[262]

In May 2018 Iowa signed into law one of the country's most restrictive abortion bans: the requirement that a doctor cannot perform an abortion if they can detect a fetal heartbeat, which in many cases would restrict abortions pregnancies less than six weeks old.^[263]It was struck down in January 2019, when an Iowa state judge ruled that the "fetal heartbeat" law was unconstitutional.^[264]

The state's law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was repealed in June 1976, 27 years beforeLawrence v. Texas. In 2007, the Iowa Legislature added "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the protected classes listed in the Iowa Civil Rights Act.^[265]

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court decidedVarnum v. Brien,^[266]holding in aunanimousdecision,^[267]the state's law forbiddingsame-sex marriagewasunconstitutional. This made Iowa the third state in the U.S. and first in the Midwest to permit same-sex marriage.^[268][269]

TheClint EastwoodmovieThe Bridges of Madison County, based on the popular novel of the same name, took place and was filmed inMadison County.^[270]What's Eating Gilbert Grape, based on thePeter Hedgesnovel of the same name, is set in the fictional Iowa town of Endora. Hedges was born inWest Des Moines.^[271]

Des Moines is home to members of theheavy metalbandSlipknot. The state is mentioned in the band's songs, and the albumIowais named after the state.^[272]

The state has four major college teams playing inNCAA Division Ifor all sports. In football,Iowa State Universityand theUniversity of Iowacompete in theFootball Bowl Subdivision(FBS), whereas theUniversity of Northern IowaandDrake Universitycompete in theFootball Championship Subdivision(FCS). Although Iowa has no professional major league sports teams, Iowa has minor league sports teams in baseball, basketball, hockey, and other sports.

The following table shows the Iowa sports teams with average attendance over 8,000. All the following teams are NCAA Division I football, basketball, or wrestling teams:^{[273][274][275][276]}

Iowa sports teams ( attendance > 8,000)

Team	Location	Avg. attendance
Iowa Hawkeyes football	Iowa City	68,043
Iowa State Cyclones football	Ames	56,010
Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball	Ames	13,375[277]
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball	Iowa City	12,371[277]
Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling	Iowa City	12,568
Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball	Iowa City	11,143[278]
Iowa State Cyclones women's basketball	Ames	10,323[278]
Northern Iowa Panthers football	Cedar Falls	9,337

The state has four NCAA Division I college teams. Two have football teams that play in the top level of college football, theFootball Bowl Subdivision: theUniversity of IowaHawkeyesplay in theBig Ten Conference^[279]and theIowa State UniversityCyclonescompete in theBig 12 Conference.^[280]The two intrastate rivals compete annually for theCy-Hawk Trophyas part of theIowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.^[281]

Inwrestling, theIowa HawkeyesandIowa State Cycloneshave won a combined total of over 30 teamNCAA Division I titles.^[282][283]TheNorthern IowaandCornell Collegewrestling teams have also each won one NCAA Division I wrestling team title.^[284][285]

Two other Division I schools play football in the second level of college football, theFootball Championship Subdivision. TheUniversity of Northern IowaPanthersplay at theMissouri Valley Conference^[286]andMissouri Valley Football Conference^[287](despite the similar names, the conferences are administratively separate), whereas theDrake UniversityBulldogsplay in the Missouri Valley Conference^[288]in most sports andPioneer Leaguefor football.^[289]

Des Moines is home to theIowa Cubs, aTriple-AMinor League Baseballteam of theInternational Leagueand affiliate of theChicago Cubs.^[290][291]Iowa has twoHigh-Aminor league teams in theMidwest League: theCedar Rapids Kernels(Minnesota Twins) and theQuad Cities River Bandits(Kansas City Royals).^[292]TheSioux City Explorersare part of theAmerican Association of Professional Baseball.^[293]

Des Moines is home to theIowa Wild, who are affiliated with theMinnesota Wildand are members of theAmerican Hockey League.^[294]Coralvillehas anECHLteam called theIowa Heartlandersthat started playing in the 2021–22 season. The Heartlanders are also an affiliate of theMinnesota Wild.^[295]

TheUnited States Hockey Leaguehas five teams in Iowa: theCedar Rapids RoughRiders,Sioux City Musketeers,Waterloo Black Hawks,Des Moines Buccaneers, and theDubuque Fighting Saints.^[296]TheNorth Iowa Bullsof theNorth American Hockey League(NAHL) and theMason City Torosof theNorth American 3 Hockey League(NA3HL) both play in Mason City.^[297][298]

• TheDes Moines Menaceof theUSL League Twoplay their home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa.
• The Cedar Rapids Inferno Soccer Club of theMidwest Premier Leagueplay their home games at Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex atMount Mercy University
• TheIowa Raptors FCof theUnited Premier Soccer Leagueplay their home games atPrairie High SchoolinCedar Rapids, Iowa
• Union Dubuque F.C. of theMidwest Premier League

Iowa has two professional basketball teams. TheIowa Wolves, anNBA G Leagueteam that plays in Des Moines, is owned and affiliated with theMinnesota Timberwolvesof theNBA. The Sioux City Hornets play in theAmerican Basketball Association.

Iowa has three professional football teams. TheSioux City Banditsplay in theChampions Indoor Footballleague. TheIowa Barnstormersplay in theIndoor Football LeagueatWells Fargo Arenain Des Moines. TheCedar Rapids Titansplay in theIndoor Football Leagueat theU.S. Cellular Center.

TheIowa Speedwayoval track inNewtonhas hosted auto racing championships such as theIndyCar Series,NASCAR Xfinity SeriesandNASCAR Truck Seriessince 2006. Also, theKnoxville Racewaydirt track hosts theKnoxville Nationals, one of the classicsprint car racingevents.

TheJohn Deere Classicis aPGA Tourgolf event held in the Quad Cities since 1971. ThePrincipal Charity Classicis aChampions Tourevent since 2001. TheDes Moines Golf and Country Clubhosted the 1999U.S. Senior Openand the 2017Solheim Cup.

Iowa has ten official partner jurisdictions:^[299]

• Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan (1960)
• Yucatán, Mexico (1964)
• Hebei Province,People's Republic of China(1983)
• Terengganu, Malaysia (1987)
• Taiwan Province,Republic of China(1989)
• Stavropol Krai, USSR/Russia (1989)
• Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine (1996)
• Veneto Region, Italy (1997)
• Republic of Kosovo(2013) Aconsulatewas opened in Des Moines in 2015.^[300]

• Index of Iowa-related articles
• Outline of Iowa
• USSIowa, 4 ships

• Official website
• State Data Center of Iowapopulation, housing, business and government statistics
• Iowa Travel and Tourism Division
• Iowa State Facts from USDA
• Iowa: State Resource Guide, from the Library of Congress
• Energy Data & Statistics for Iowa—U.S. Department of Energy
• Iowa State Databases—Annotated list of searchable databases produced by Iowa state agencies and compiled by the Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association.
• U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts
• IowaatCurlie
• Geographic data related toIowaatOpenStreetMap

Preceded by Texas

List of U.S. states by date of statehood Admitted on December 28, 1846 (29th)

Succeeded by Wisconsin

42°N94°W / 42°N 94°W /42; -94 (State of Iowa)