Two fantastic scrapbook c1938-1940+ with photos, ticket, and tons of newspaper articles related to sports especially related to West Liberty High School Comets Football and basketball team and its teams it competed against like University High School. Many photos and newspaper article with approximately 97 pages with material. Loaded with sports related material related to West Liberty, IOwa and Iowa City, Iowa

_______________

Iowa City is the largest city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States, and its county seat. At the time of the 2020 census, the population was 74,828, making it the state's fifth-most populous city.[5] The Iowa City metropolitan area, which encompasses Johnson and Washington counties, has a population of over 171,000. The metro area is also a part of a combined statistical area with the Cedar Rapids metro area known as the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids region; collectively, this region has a population of nearly 500,000.

Iowa City is the home of the University of Iowa. It was the second capital of the Iowa Territory and the first capital city of the State of Iowa; the Old Capitol building is a National Historic Landmark in the center of the University of Iowa campus. The University of Iowa Art Museum and Plum Grove, the home of the first governor of Iowa, are also tourist attractions.
History

Iowa City was created by an act of Legislative Assembly of the Iowa Territory on January 21, 1839, fulfilling the desire of Governor Robert Lucas to move the capital out of Burlington and closer to the center of the territory. This act began:

    An Act to locate the Seat of Government of the Territory of Iowa ... so soon as the place shall be selected, and the consent of the United States obtained, the commissioners shall proceed to lay out a town to be called "Iowa City".[6] 

A bird's-eye-view map of Iowa City c. 1868
Building in which the Iowa Territorial Legislature first met in Iowa City. Image recorded after the building, which was called Butler's Capitol, had been moved from its original location near Clinton and Washington streets to an alley-side location along Dubuque Street a half-block south of College Street. In this second location, as shown, it became the notorious City Hotel.

Commissioners Chauncey Swan and John Ronalds met on May 1 in the small settlement of Napoleon, south of present-day Iowa City, to select a site for the new capital city. The following day the commissioners selected a site on bluffs above the Iowa River north of Napoleon, placed a stake in the center of the proposed site and began planning the new capital city. Commissioner Swan, in a report to the legislature in Burlington, described the site:

    Iowa City is located on a section of land laying in the form of an amphitheater. There is an eminence on the west near the river, running parallel with it."[7] 

By June of that year, the town had been platted and surveyed from Brown St. in the north to Burlington St. in the south, and from the Iowa River eastward to Governor St.

While Iowa City was selected as the territorial capital in 1839, it did not officially become the capital city until 1841; this was after construction on the capitol building had begun. The capitol building was completed in 1842, and the last four territorial legislatures and the first six Iowa General Assemblies met there until 1857, when the state capital was moved to Des Moines.[8][9]
Iowa Old Capitol Building
Main article: Iowa Old Capitol Building
An image of the Old Capitol dome is used in the letterhead for the University of Iowa.

John F. Rague is credited with designing the Territorial Capitol Building. He had previously designed the 1837 capitol of Illinois and was supervising its construction when he got the commission to design the new Iowa capitol in 1839. He quit the Iowa project after five months, claiming his design was not followed, but the resemblance to the Illinois capitol suggests he strongly influenced the final Iowa design. One surviving 1839 sketch of the proposed capital shows a radically different layout, with two domes and a central tower. The cornerstone of the Old Capitol Building was laid in Iowa City on July 4, 1840. Iowa City served as the third and last territorial capital of Iowa, and the last four territorial legislatures met at the Old Capitol Building until December 28, 1846, when Iowa was admitted into the United States as the 29th state of the union. Iowa City was declared the state capital of Iowa, and the government convened in the Old Capitol Building.[9]
1843 cemetery

Oakland Cemetery was deeded to "the people of Iowa City" by the Iowa territorial legislature on February 13, 1843. The original plot was one block square, with the southwest corner at Governor and Church. Over the years the cemetery has been expanded and now encompasses 40 acres (16 hectares). Oakland Cemetery is a non-perpetual care city cemetery. This cemetery is supported by city taxes. The staff is strongly committed to the maintenance and preservation of privately owned lots and accessories.

The cemetery is the final resting place of many men and women important in the history of Iowa, of Iowa City and the University of Iowa. These include Robert E. Lucas, first governor of the territory (1838–41); Samuel J. Kirkwood, governor during the Civil War (1860–64), again in 1876, a U.S. senator in 1877, and subsequently secretary of the interior and U.S. minister to Spain; well-known presidents of the university, Walter A. Jessup (1915–33) and Virgil M. Hancher (1940–64); Cordelia Swan, daughter of one of the three commissioners who selected the site for Iowa City and the new territorial capitol; and Irving B. Weber (1900–1997), noted Iowa City historian.

It is also home to the legendary monument called the "Black Angel", which is an 8.5-foot (2.6 m) tall monument for the Feldevert family erected in 1912. The facts behind the Black Angel long ago gave way to myths, superstitions and legend surrounding its mysterious change in color from a golden bronze cast to an eerie black.[10]
1847 university founding

Founded in 1847, today's University of Iowa offers more than 100 areas of study to 31,112 students. The university includes a medical school and one of the United States' largest university-owned teaching hospitals, providing patient care within 16 medical specialties. The University of Iowa College of Law is located there.[11]
1970 riots

The spring of 1970 was a tumultuous time on college campuses. On April 30, President Richard Nixon announced that U.S. forces would invade Cambodia because of the recent communist coup. Students around the country protested this escalation of the Vietnam War. On May 4, the National Guard fired on students at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine people, which ignited protests all over the country.[12]

Anti-war protests were not new to Iowa City or to elsewhere in Iowa; protests had been occurring throughout the 1960s. Spring of 1970 was different.[12]

After the Kent State shootings, students marched on the National Guard Armory, broke windows there as well as in some downtown businesses. The City Council gave the mayor curfew powers. On May 6, there was a student boycott of classes. That night, about 400 people had a "sleep-in" in front of the Old Capitol. That night also, about 50 people broke into the Old Capitol and set off a smoke bomb. The protesters left voluntarily when asked to do so. Around 2 am Friday morning, President Boyd requested arrest of the students on the Pentacrest by highway patrolmen, but the next day he regretted the mass arrests and said he had received faulty information. On May 8, President Boyd cancelled the 89th annual Governor's day ROTC observance for the following day. On Friday and Saturday a National Guard helicopter circled the Pentacrest.[12]

In the early morning hours of Saturday, May 9, the Old Armory Temporary (O.A.T.), also known as "Big Pink", which housed the writing lab, was burned down. This building was located next to the Old Armory, where the Adler Journalism and Mass Communications building currently is located. O.A.T was said to be at the top of a list of buildings for burning, probably due to its poor condition and was considered a firetrap.[12]

The Iowa Alumni Review includes an article about the fire in which the author states: "Only the ends stayed upright. ... On the south, Lou Kelly's Writing lab bearing the sign 'another mother for peace,' escaped." There was a second, smaller fire on Saturday evening in a restroom in the East Hall Annex.[12]

By Sunday morning, President Boyd gave students the option to leave. Classes were not cancelled but students could leave and take the grade they currently had. An account of the May 1970 protests can be read in the June–July issue of the Iowa Alumni Review.[12]

In his autobiography, My Iowa Journey: The Life Story of the University of Iowa's First African American Professor, Philip Hubbard (University Vice-Provost in 1970) gives an administrator's perspective of all the protests of the 1960s. He supported the students' right to protest and in 1966 stated: "Students should not accept everything that is dished out to them. We don't want to dictate what they should or should not do. However, student demonstrations should remain within the law and good taste without interfering with the university's primary purpose of instructing students."[12]

During this time, there was also a strong ROTC presence on campus. Their presence on campus and the academic credit they received for their service was called into question by both students and faculty in the spring of 1970, but Boyd said he could not abolish ROTC. The Alumni Review had an article called "ROTC: Alive and well at Iowa" in the December 1969 issue which helps provide a more complete picture of this period in history.[12]
2006 tornadoes
Main article: Easter Week 2006 Tornado Outbreak Sequence

On the evening of April 13, 2006, a confirmed EF2 tornado struck Iowa City, causing severe property damage and displacing many from their homes, including many University of Iowa students. It was the first tornado ever recorded to hit the city directly. No serious injuries were reported in the Iowa City area.

Several businesses along Riverside Drive and Iowa Highway 1 were destroyed. The 134-year-old Saint Patrick's Catholic Church was heavily damaged only minutes after Holy Thursday Mass, with most of its roof destroyed. The building was ruled a total loss and has since been demolished. The downtown business district as well as the eastern residential area and several parks suffered scattered damage of varying degrees.

Additionally, several houses in the sorority row area were destroyed. The Alpha Chi Omega house was nearly destroyed, though no one was injured. The building was later razed. Cleanup efforts were under way almost immediately as local law enforcement, volunteer workers from all over the state, and Iowa City residents and college students worked together to restore the city. The total cost of damage was estimated at $12 million–$4 million of which was attributed to Iowa City and Johnson County property.[13]
2008 flood
Main article: Iowa flood of 2008
The University of Iowa Museum of Art on North Riverside Drive during the height of the flood

A local newspaper reported on June 11, 2008, that water exceeded the emergency spillway at the Coralville Reservoir outside of Iowa City.[14] As a result, the City of Iowa City and the University of Iowa were seriously affected by unprecedented flooding of the Iowa River, which caused widespread property damage and forced evacuations in large sections of the city.[15] By Friday, June 13, 2008, the Iowa River had risen to a record level of 30.46 feet (9.28 m) (5:00 pm CST) with a crest of approximately 33 feet (10 m) predicted for Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Much of the city's 500-year floodplain saw mild to catastrophic effects of the rapidly flowing, polluted water. Officials at the University of Iowa reported that up to 19 buildings were affected by rising waters. Extensive efforts to move materials from the university's main library were undertaken as large groups of sandbagging volunteers began to construct a massive levee near the building. Approximately $300 million worth of art, including work by Picasso, owned by the university was secretly moved to a holding place in the Chicago area before the fine arts area was heavily hit with flood water.

On Friday, June 13, university employees were encouraged to stay home, and travel was strongly discouraged in Iowa City; one city statement advised, "If you live in east Iowa City, stay in east Iowa City; if you live in west Iowa City, stay in west Iowa City." The Burlington St. bridge was the only bridge that remained open, other than the I-80 bridge on the edge of town, to connect the east and west sides of the Iowa River. On Saturday, June 14, officials at the University of Iowa began to power down the university's primary power generating plant along the Iowa River to prevent structural damage. Backup units continued to provide necessary power and steam services for essential University services, including the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Water began touching the bottom of the Park St. bridge forcing the Army Corps of Engineers to drill several holes in the bridge to allow air trapped underneath to escape. Also on Saturday, Mayor Regenia Bailey issued a curfew restricting anyone except those authorized by law enforcement from being within 100 yards (91 m) of any area affected by the flood between 8:30 pm and 6 am.
2010s and environmental issues

On October 4, 2019, a Friday climate school strike with Greta Thunberg was held in Iowa City. During the strike, school youths protested against coal power.[16]
Geography and climate

Iowa City is located in eastern Iowa, along the Iowa River, on Interstate 80, approximately 60 miles (97 km) west of the Quad Cities (Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Illinois).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.28 square miles (65.47 km2), of which 25.01 square miles (64.78 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km2) is water.[17]

The elevation at the Iowa City Municipal Airport is 668 ft (204 m) above sea level.

Iowa City has a humid continental climate, hot-summer subtype (Dfa in the Köppen climate classification). Average monthly temperatures range from about 22.8 °F (−5.1 °C) in January to 75.8 °F (24.3 °C) in July. Average monthly precipitation is lowest in winter and peaks significantly from May to August, with June being the average wettest month. Showers and thunderstorms are common from May to September, and can be severe, especially from May to July. In winter, snowfall is moderate, occasionally heavy in single storms. Snow cover is occasional in drier and/or warmer winter seasons, but (rarely) can be continuous in the coldest seasons, such as that of 1978–79. The Iowa City area was struck by a severe hailstorm on May 18, 1997, and by tornadoes on April 13, 2006. Overall, Iowa City's tornado risk is lower than that of areas to the south and southwest, such as Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri.
Climate data for Iowa City, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
                                                    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
                                                    
                                                    
Demographics
Historical populationsYear    Pop.    ±%
1850    1,250    —    
1860    5,214    +317.1%
1870    5,914    +13.4%
1880    7,123    +20.4%
1890    7,016    −1.5%
1900    7,987    +13.8%
1910    10,091    +26.3%
1920    11,267    +11.7%
1930    15,340    +36.1%
1940    17,182    +12.0%
1950    27,212    +58.4%
1960    33,443    +22.9%
1970    46,850    +40.1%
1980    50,508    +7.8%
1990    59,735    +18.3%
2000    62,220    +4.2%
2010    67,862    +9.1%
2020    74,828    +10.3%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. and Iowa Data Center (PDF)
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[20][5]

Iowa City is commonly known as a college town. It is home to the University of Iowa. The population increases during the months when the two schools are in session.

As of the 2010 census, about 58.0% of adults held a bachelor's degree or higher and 79.7% were white alone, not Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% were Asian alone, and 5.8% were black alone, while the median household income was $41,410, about $10,000 less than the state median.[21]
2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[22] there were 74,828 people, 30,291 households, and 13,206 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,923.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,128.7/km2). There were 32,854 housing units at an average density of 1,283.5 per square mile (495.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 72.5% White, 10.2% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 7.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 3.0% from other races and 6.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race comprised 7.3% of the population.

Of the 30,291 households, 20.4% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were married couples living together, 7.1% were cohabitating couples, 32.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 27.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 56.4% of all households were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 27.1 years. 21.0% of the residents were under the age of 20; 24.3% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 27.1% were from 25 and 44; 16.1% were from 45 and 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2010 census

As of the census[23] of 2010, there were 67,862 people, 27,657 households, and 11,743 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,713.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,047.6/km2). There were 29,270 housing units at an average density of 1,170.3 units per square mile (451.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.5% White, 5.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 6.9% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.3% of the population.

There were 27,657 households, of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.5% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 57.5% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 25.6 years. 14.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 33.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 17.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
2000 census

As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 62,220 people, 25,202 households, and 11,189 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,575.0 inhabitants per square mile (994.2/km2). There were 26,083 housing units at an average density of 1,079.4 units per square mile (416.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.33% White, 3.75% African American, 0.31% American Indian, 5.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.95% of the population.

There were 25,202 households, out of which 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 2% were households with same-sex couples (2000 U.S. Census), 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 55.6% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.

Age spread: 16.2% under the age of 18, 32.8% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,977, and the median income for a family was $57,568. Males had a median income of $35,435 versus $28,981 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,269. About 2.7% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.2% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
The football team of the University of Iowa (the Hawkeyes) play their rival, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Badgers, at Kinnick Stadium in November 2013.
Metropolitan area

The Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson and Washington counties in Iowa; Washington County was added to the MSA after the 2000 census. It had a 2000 census population of 131,676, and a 2010 population of 152,586.

Iowa City is contiguous with Coralville to the northwest. University Heights is completely contained within the boundaries of Iowa City, near Kinnick Stadium. Tiffin, North Liberty, Solon, and Hills are other towns within a few miles.

The Iowa City MSA and the nearby Cedar Rapids MSA are collectively a Combined Statistical Area (CSA). This CSA along with two additional counties are known as the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids (ICR) Corridor and collectively have a population of over 450,000.[25]
Economy

Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), the state's only comprehensive tertiary care medical center. The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City is an NCI-designated Cancer Center, one of fewer than 60 in the country.[26]

ACT college testing services is headquartered in Iowa City.
Top employers

According to Iowa City's 2024 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[27] the top employers in the city are:
#     Employer     Employees
1     University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics     15,500
2     University of Iowa     10,300
3     Iowa City Community School District     2,000
4     VA Medical Center     2,000
5     Procter & Gamble     1,300
6     City of Iowa City     988
7     ACT Inc     985
8     Pearson     800
9     Goodwill of the Heartland     638
10     Systems Unlimited     500
Arts and culture
The Old Capitol Building, today a museum about the building, University of Iowa, and State of Iowa's history

In the early 1970s, the Old Capitol was renovated and university administrative offices were relocated to Jessup Hall. All but one of the major rooms were restored to their appearance when Iowa City was the state capital. In November 2001 the cupola caught fire during the renovation of its gold leaf dome. The cupola was destroyed and the building was heavily damaged. In 2006, after an extensive restoration, the building re-opened to the public. The building now serves as the Old Capitol Museum, as well as a venue for speeches, lectures, press conferences and performances in the original state senate chamber.

The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk, a series of bronze relief panels that feature authors' words as well as attribution, is a tribute to the city's rich literary history. The panels are visually connected by a series of general quotations about books and writing stamped into the concrete sidewalk. All 49 authors and playwrights featured in the Literary Walk have ties to Iowa.

In November 2008, UNESCO designated Iowa City as the world's third City of Literature, making it a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. It was the only American city to receive the honor, until Seattle, Washington was designated a City of Literature in 2017.[28]

In 2004, the Old Capitol Cultural District was one of the first Cultural Districts certified by the State of Iowa. The district extends from the University of Iowa Pentacrest, south to the Johnson County Courthouse, east to College Green Park, and north into the historic Northside Neighborhood.
Cultural events

Iowa City has a variety of cultural events. It has a strong literary history and is the home of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, whose graduates include John Irving, Flannery O'Connor, T.C. Boyle, and many other prominent U.S. authors; the nation's leading Non-Fiction Writing Program; the Iowa Playwrights' Workshop; the Iowa Summer Writing Festival; and the International Writing Program, a unique residency program that has hosted writers from more than 120 countries.

Iowa City also sponsors a variety of events in the Summer of the Arts program. These include a nationally renowned Iowa City Jazz Festival, Iowa Arts Festival, open-air summer movies series called Saturday Night Free Movie Series and free concerts every Friday night in the pedestrian mall called the Friday Night Concert Series (Ped Mall).[29]

The Iowa City Book Festival began as an annual summer event in 2009 sponsored by the University of Iowa Libraries and in 2013 it was moved to October when management was handed off to the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature.[30] It features readings from prominent authors and literature themed events.

The Iowa Biennial Exhibition [TIBE] began in 2004 as an international survey of contemporary miniature printmaking held its initial exhibition at the University of Iowa. The 2006 exhibition, received a 2007 "ICKY" award nomination in Visual Arts Programming from the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance for its exhibition at the University of Iowa's Project Art Gallery.[31]

Downtown Iowa City arts venues include the historic Englert Theatre, a live music and performing arts center; Riverside Theatre, a professional theatre company with an annual season that includes an outdoor Shakespeare festival; and FilmScene, a non-profit film organization and art house movie theater with two locations and five screens plus a seasonal outdoor cinema.

The Englert Theatre produces Mission Creek Festival each spring, focusing on community events, performance and literary programming featuring over 100 writers each year. Witching Hour takes place each fall and focuses on exploring the unknown, discussing the creative process and presenting new work.
Local landmarks
Black Angel, Oakland Cemetery
The Johnson County Courthouse

    Hancher Auditorium often hosts nationally touring theater, dance and musical shows, and has commissioned more than 100 works of music, theater and dance during the last 20 years. This facility was badly damaged during the Iowa flood of 2008 and the facility has been rebuilt farther uphill, away from the Iowa River and reopened in Fall of 2016.
    Hamburg Inn No. 2 is a favorite campaign stop for political candidates. It was featured in a 2005 episode of the political drama The West Wing. It has also been a favored campaign stop for many U.S. Presidents, including Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan. It was featured in The New York Times for its widely renowned "pie shakes".[32]
    Oakland Cemetery contains graves of notable locals as well as the "Black Angel" statue.
    Plum Grove Historic House was the residence of Robert Lucas, the first territorial governor of Iowa, and the novelist Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd.
    Moffitt cottages, built in a unique vernacular architectural style, are scattered around eastern Iowa City. "These mystical dwellings look as if Germanic elves constructed houses for Irish pixies," is how one writer described them.[33]
    Prospect Hill
    Ned Ashton House, built as a private residence by Iowa bridge engineer Ned Ashton in 1947, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. Today, it is a popular venue that can accommodate up to 100 people for meetings, reunions, parties, weddings and receptions along the banks of the Iowa River.

Pedestrian Mall
Main article: Ped Mall (Iowa City)

City Plaza (commonly called the Pedestrian Mall or simply Ped Mall) serves as a gathering place for students and locals and draws large crowds for its summertime events such as the Friday Night Concert Series and the annual Iowa City Jazz Festival and Iowa City Arts Festival. The Ped Mall area contains restaurants, bars, retail, hotels, and the Iowa City Public Library. It is known for its appeal to various local artists and musicians, and its wild bar scene. The Coldren Opera House was located on the street which has now become the mall.
Education

The Iowa City Community School District operates four public high schools in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, Iowa. Iowa City High School, Iowa City West High School, Liberty High School and Elizabeth Tate Alternative High School are the four public high schools. Iowa City is also home to the private PK-12 school district, Regina Catholic Education Center. Iowa City is home to The University of Iowa and a branch of Kirkwood Community College.

The Iowa City Japanese School (アイオワシティ補習授業校 Aiowa Shiti Hoshū Jugyō Kō), a weekend educational program for Japanese nationals, provides Japanese language instruction, holding its classes at Zion Lutheran Church.[34]
Sports
City High bell tower

Iowa City is home of the University of Iowa's athletic teams, known as the Iowa Hawkeyes. A member of the Big Ten Conference, the football team plays at Kinnick Stadium, while men's and women's basketball, volleyball, and the wrestling and gymnastics teams compete at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes football team regularly sends players to the NFL, including Super Bowl Champion all-pro Baltimore Ravens guard Marshall Yanda, 2004 2nd overall draft pick Robert Gallery, and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, among many others. Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured head coach in NCAA FBS dating back to the 1999–2000 season.

Iowa City's three public high schools, City, West, and Liberty, are members of the Mississippi Valley Conference. Regina competes in the River Valley Conference.

The Iowa City Gold Sox were a semi-professional baseball team that called Iowa City home from 1912 through 1913.[35]
Parks and recreation

Iowa City is home to many public spaces. Most of the facilities are operated by the City of Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department, while some are owned by the University of Iowa, and others held by private entities such as the Bur Oak Land Trust.

Some of the more significant parks include Waterworks Prairie Park which is a naturalized sand pit and the largest park in the city at 231 acres (93 hectares).[36] City Park contains the Bobby Oldis Fields, an outdoor pool complex, many picnic areas and playgrounds, as well as the Riverside Festival Stage. Hickory Hill Park is a large wooded park on the north side of town. Hubbard Park is a green space directly south of the Iowa Memorial Union building and used for many campus events.

There are three golf courses within city limits. Finkbine Golf Course is an 18-hole course owned by the University of Iowa. Pleasant Valley Golf Course is a public 18-hole course located south along the Iowa River. Elks Lodge Country Club is a private 9-hole course located near the Peninsula Neighborhood.

The Iowa City Kickers Soccer Complex can hold more than 17 soccer fields depending on layout and is home of the Iowa City Kickers soccer club. Napoleon park is located along the Iowa River and has 8 baseball diamonds. Bobby Oldis Fields are located within City Park and has 8 baseball diamonds. Hawkeye Recreation Fields is in the University of Iowa and contains to 12 soccer fields, 4 beach volleyball pitches, and 4 basketball courts. Bill and Jim Ashton Cross Country Course is one of the few dedicated cross country courses in the country.[37] The University of Iowa also operates the Fieldhouse, Campus Recreation & Wellness Center, and Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex which contain fitness space as well as indoor sports pitches and pools.

Iowa City has many miles of cycling trails. There are dedicated trails along the Iowa River, Clear Creek, Willow Creek, and Ralston Creek. The Iowa City trail system connects to the northwest to Coralville, Tiffin, and North Liberty's trail systems.
Government
See also: List of mayors of Iowa City
City hall

Iowa City is governed by an elected city council of seven members: four council members at large and three district members.[38] The two council members at large who receive the most votes and the three district council members serve four-year terms. The other two council members at large serve two-year terms. A mayor and mayor pro tem are elected by the council from within its members to serve terms of two years.[39]

Under this form of council-manager government the powers of the city are vested in the city council. The council is responsible for appointing the city manager (as of 2016 Geoff Fruin) who implements the policy decisions of the city council, enforces city ordinances and appoints city officials. The council selects the mayor and appoints the city attorney and city clerk.[40]

Iowa City is unusual in that it is one of only four cities in Iowa in which the mayor is chosen by the city council. The mayor of Iowa City serves a two-year term from amongst the members of the council. The mayor is primarily a figurehead or a "first among equals", with some power to set agendas and lead meetings, as well as serving as the public face of city government.[41]
Media
See also: Media in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Three radio stations are based out of the University of Iowa. Two have become part of the statewide Iowa Public Radio network: WSUI 910 AM, a National Public Radio affiliate and originator of some Iowa Public Radio news and talk programming; and KSUI 91.7 FM, which broadcasts classical music and concerts by Iowa classical orchestras, opera companies, and other artists, as well as interviews. KCCK-FM is Iowa's only Jazz station and affiliated with Public Radio International. KRUI 89.7 FM is the university's student-run radio station.

iHeartMedia owns two of the Iowa City area's commercial radio stations: KXIC 800 AM, a news/talk station, and KKRQ 100.7 FM, a classic rock station.[42] KCJJ 1630 AM is an independently owned, 10,000-watt station that broadcasts a mixture of talk radio and Hot AC music programming along with area high school football and basketball games and NASCAR racing. Another Iowa City-licensed station, KRNA 94.1 FM, now broadcasts from Cedar Rapids and is operated by Cumulus Media. Radio signals from other cities, including Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities, also reach the Iowa City area.[43]

Iowa City and Johnson County are part of the Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque media market, which was ranked 87th by Nielsen Media Research for the 2007–2008 TV season.[44] Two television stations, KIIN channel 12 (PBS) and KWKB channel 20 (Court TV Mystery), are licensed to Iowa City.[45] KCRG-TV 9, the ABC affiliate in Cedar Rapids, maintains a news bureau at Old Capitol Mall in downtown Iowa City.[46]

Mediacom, a local cable television franchisee, provides channel space for seven Public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable TV channels in Iowa City: City Channel 4, Infovision (channel 5), Kirkwood Television Services (channel 11), Public Access Television (channel 18), the Iowa City Public Library Channel (channel 20), and the Iowa City Community School District's channel 21.[47]

Two daily newspapers are published in Iowa City. The Iowa City Press-Citizen, owned by Gannett, publishes six days a week with Gannett's Des Moines Sunday Register standing in as a Sunday edition. The Daily Iowan, an independent newspaper based at the University of Iowa, publishes Monday through Friday while classes are in session. In addition, The Gazette of Cedar Rapids maintains a news bureau in Iowa City.

Little Village is an independent alt-weekly magazine covering Iowa City and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas.[48]
Transportation
Iowa City Depot

Iowa City has a general aviation airport, the Iowa City Municipal Airport, on the south side of the city. The Eastern Iowa Airport, 20 miles (32 km) to the northwest, serves Iowa City and Cedar Rapids with scheduled passenger flights.

Interstate 80 runs east–west along the north edge of Iowa City. U.S. Highway 218 and Iowa Highway 27 (the Avenue of the Saints) are co-signed along a freeway bypassing Iowa City to the west. U.S. Highway 6 and Iowa Highway 1 also run through Iowa City.

Iowa City is served by the freight-only Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC). The historic Iowa City Depot, shown in the picture at left, is no longer in use for railway services; it has been modified into a commercial office building.

In 2009, the Iowa City metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ranked as the seventh highest (tied with Hinesville-Fort Stewart, Georgia MSA) in the United States for percentage of commuters who walked to work (8.2 percent).[49] In 2013, the Iowa City MSA ranked as the sixth lowest in the United States for percentage of workers who commuted by private automobile (73.4 percent). During the same year, 11.1 percent of Iowa City area commuters walked to work.[50]
Buses
An Iowa City Transit bus in the snow

Iowa City Transit, Coralville Transit, and the University of Iowa's Cambus system provide public transportation.[51]

Commuter bus service to Cedar Rapids is provided by the 380 Express.

Intercity bus transit is served at either the Court Street Transportation Center in Iowa City or the Coralville Transit Intermodal Facility in Coralville.
Cycling

There is a system of paved bicycle paths, especially along the Iowa River.

Some of the main roads also have designated bike lanes or sharrows, such as Jefferson street, Market street, First avenue, Mccollister Blvd and Dodge street. As of 2017, both Iowa City and the University of Iowa have been awarded 'silver' status as a bicycle friendly community and university, respectively, by the League of American Bicyclists.[52][53]
Notable people
See also: List of University of Iowa people

    Nancy C. Andreasen, psychiatrist and professor at University of Iowa
    George Washington Ball (1847–1915), Iowa state senator
    Janusz Bardach, gulag survivor, author, and plastic surgeon
    Bob Barr, former Georgia congressman
    Brian Bell, guitarist of the alternative rock band Weezer
    Todd Blodgett, member of White House staff (Reagan-Bush) 1985–87
    Moses Bloom, former mayor of Iowa City
    Eleanor Hoyt Brainerd, novelist
    Greg Brown, folk musician
    Ethan Canin, writer
    Thomas R. Cech, 1989 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry
    Harry Chase, 19th-century marine painter
    Eli P. Clark, railroad man
    James Claussen, lithographer, abstract painter[54]
    Iris DeMent, musician, lives in Iowa City
    Peter A. Dey, Mayor of Iowa City, civil engineer and banker
    Edward M. Doe, Arizona Territorial jurist, lived in Iowa City
    Tim Dwight, NFL player
    Benjamin Edwards, visual artist
    Albert Erives, biologist, provided pacRNA model for evolutionary origin of genetic code
    Kenny Fields, former NBA player, born in Iowa City
    Jim Foster, creator of the Arena Football League
    Dan Gable, Olympic gold medalist; NCAA champion from Iowa State University
    Janet Guthrie, Indy Car and NASCAR driver, first woman in Indianapolis 500
    Oscar Hahn, author
    Andy Haman, bodybuilding champion
    Mary Eunice Harlan, daughter-in-law of Abraham Lincoln
    Hill Harper, actor
    Jay Hilgenberg, center for the Chicago Bears and broadcaster
    Rob Hogg, Iowa State Senate Minority Leader
    John P. Irish (1843–1923), Iowa and California editor and activist[55]
    Zach Johnson (1976– ), golfer on the PGA Tour[56]
    Nate Kaeding (1982– ), NFL kicker for San Diego Chargers[57]
    Carol Kelso, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
    Seung Min Kim, journalist
    Alex Ko, Broadway actor
    Alan Larson (born 1949), diplomat and ambassador
    Diego Lasansky, visual artist
    Mauricio Lasansky, visual artist
    Tomas Lasansky, visual artist
    Laura Leighton, actress
    Helen Lemme, local activist
    Elinor Levin, member of the Iowa House of Representatives
    Michelle Lilienthal, distance runner
    Janet Lilly, dancer and choreographer
    Jean Hall Lloyd-Jones, state legislator
    Nia Long, actress
    Melissa Ludtke, editor
    Corine Mauch, mayor of Zürich
    Dan McCarney, head football coach for Iowa State Cyclones and others
    James Alan McPherson, writer
    Christopher C. Miller, acting United States Secretary of Defense
    Jim Miller, football player
    Julie Miller, harness racing driver and trainer
    Phil Morris, actor
    Mary Neuhauser, mayor of Iowa City, state legislator, and lawyer
    Stephanie Novacek, operatic mezzo-soprano
    Dan Perkins, aka Tom Tomorrow, political cartoonist[58]
    Joseph M. Petrick, writer and co-director of The Mother of Invention
    Jason Reeves, singer-songwriter
    Marilynne Robinson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Gilead
    Nate Ruess, lead vocalist of the band Fun
    Paul Schedl (born 1947 in Iowa City) molecular biologist
    Phyllis Somerville, actress
    Russell Stover, candy maker
    David Strackany, folk singer-songwriter aka Paleo[59]
    John T. Struble, pioneer builder, rancher, and farmer
    Elizabeth Tate, civil rights advocate who ran a boarding house for African-American students
    James Van Allen, physicist and astronomer, discoverer of the Van Allen Belts
    Michael Wacha, MLB pitcher
    Zach Wahls, an LGBT activist and state legislator
    Louis J. Wilde, 17th mayor of San Diego (1917–1921)
    Grant Wood, artist and painter of the iconic American Gothic
    Joey Woody, world champion sprinter
    Bart Yates, writer

See also

    flagIowa portal

    Coralville, Iowa
    Iowa City Community School District
    Iowa City Police Department
    Iowa City Public Library
    Iowa City Public Works Facility
    Kirkwood Community College
    Mormon handcart pioneers
    University of Iowa
    University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Johnson County is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,854,[2] making it the fourth-most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Iowa City,[3] home of the University of Iowa. Johnson County is included in the Iowa City metropolitan area, which is also included in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City Corridor Combined Statistical Area.[4]
History

Johnson County was established in December 1837 by the legislature of the Wisconsin Territory, one of thirteen counties established by that body in a comprehensive act.[5] The county's area was partitioned from Dubuque County, and was not initially provided with a civil government, instead being governed by Cedar County officials. It was originally named for the US Vice President Richard M. Johnson (1780–1850).[6] In 2020, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to change the county's namesake to be Lulu Merle Johnson (1907–1995), the first black woman in the state to earn a doctorate. Vice President Johnson had a common law wife whom he could not marry since it was against the laws at that time to have an interracial marriage. They had two children together and she was in charge of his plantation when he was away on business. He was open about his relationship with her which was unusual for the time. Many feel that either namesake is worthy.[7]

The first courthouse in the county was a two-story log cabin structure, built in 1838 in the settlement of Napoleon,[8] about two miles south of the current courthouse.[9] The building stood across from what later would become the James McCollister Farmstead on land later owned by Philip Clark.
Old Johnson County Courthouse, Iowa City, 1857-1899

After Iowa City was established by fiat as the new territorial capitol of Iowa, the county seat was removed there.[10] The second Johnson County Courthouse, the first in Iowa City, was built on Lot 8 Block 8 of the County Seat Addition to Iowa City in 1842 for $3,690.[9] This location was in the southeast corner of the intersection of Harrison and Clinton Streets. The building was 56 x 28 feet and two stories tall.[11] It was built by James Trimble, who had previously built the first jail.[9]

A third courthouse was built in 1857 in the courthouse square on Clinton Street between Court and Harrison Streets. It was used until 1901, after cracks appeared in its south wall in 1899.[12] The building was apparently built of brick with stone and wood ornamentation.[13]

The Richardsonian Romanesque style courthouse in use today was designed by the firm of Rush, Bowman and Rush of Grand Rapids, Michigan.[14] It was bid at a cost of $111,000 and built by the firm Rowson & Son of Johnson County.[15] The cornerstone was laid in December 1899.[16] The building's tower was based on Henry Hobson Richardson's design for the spire of Trinity Church in Boston.[17] The building was dedicated on June 8, 1901.[18] The currently unused jail that stands to the west of the courthouse was designed by C.L. Wundt of Burlington, Iowa on behalf of the Stewart Iron Works in Cleveland and bid for $14,000.[19]
Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 623 square miles (1,610 km2), of which 614 square miles (1,590 km2) is land and 9.1 square miles (24 km2) (1.5%) is water.[20]
Major highways

    Interstate 80
    Interstate 380
    U.S. Highway 6
    U.S. Highway 218
    Iowa Highway 1
    Iowa Highway 22
    Iowa Highway 27

Transit

    380 Express
    Cambus
    Coralville Transit
    Iowa City Transit

Adjacent counties

    Benton County – northwest
    Cedar County – east
    Iowa County – west
    Linn County – north
    Muscatine County – east and southeast
    Louisa County – southeast and south
    Washington County – south

Demographics
Historical population Census    Pop.    Note    %±
1850    4,472        —
1860    17,573        293.0%
1870    24,898        41.7%
1880    25,429        2.1%
1890    23,082        −9.2%
1900    24,817        7.5%
1910    25,914        4.4%
1920    26,462        2.1%
1930    30,276        14.4%
1940    33,191        9.6%
1950    45,756        37.9%
1960    53,663        17.3%
1970    72,127        34.4%
1980    81,717        13.3%
1990    96,119        17.6%
2000    111,006        15.5%
2010    130,882        17.9%
2020    152,854        16.8%
2024 (est.)    160,080        4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790–1960[22] 1900–1990[23]
1990–2000[24] 2010–2020[25]2024[26]
Population of Johnson County from US census data
2020 census
2022 US Census population pyramid for Johnson County from ACS 5-year estimates

The 2020 census recorded a population of 152,854 in the county, with a population density of 245.8946/sq mi (94.94044/km2). 93.62% of the population reported being of one race. There were 65,916 housing units, of which 61,335 were occupied.[2]
Johnson County Racial Composition[27] Race     Num.     Perc.
White (NH)     114,491     74.9%
Black or African American (NH)     12,643     8.3%
Native American (NH)     193     0.12%
Asian (NH)     8,555     5.6%
Pacific Islander (NH)     41     0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH)     6,733     4.4%
Hispanic or Latino     10,198     6.7%
2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 130,882 in the county, with a population density of 212.9964/sq mi (82.2384/km2). There were 55,967 housing units, of which 52,715 were occupied.[28]
2000 census

As of the census[29] of 2000, there were 111,006 people, 44,080 households, and 23,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 181 inhabitants per square mile (70/km2). There were 45,831 housing units at an average density of 75 per square mile (29/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.13% White, 2.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 4.12% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. 2.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 44,080 households, out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.90% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.50% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.97.

Age spread: 20.10% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 30.80% from 25 to 44, 18.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,060, and the median income for a family was $60,112. Males had a median income of $36,279 versus $29,793 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,220. About 5.20% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.
Politics

Largely due to the presence of the University of Iowa, Johnson County is considered the most liberal county in Iowa and a stronghold of the Democratic Party, and has always been among Iowa's most Democratic counties since the Civil War. It has been the strongest Democratic county in the state since 1984. This trend predates the recent swing toward the Democrats in counties influenced by college towns (this trend was less prevalent in Story County, home Iowa State University in Ames, until 1988). The last Republican to win the county in a presidential election was Richard Nixon in 1960, and the last Republican to even get 40 percent of the county's vote was Ronald Reagan in 1984. The last time the GOP won the county in a gubernatorial election was the 1978 Iowa gubernatorial election. As a measure of how strongly Democratic the county has been, Democrats easily carried it even in the national Republican landslides of 1972, 1984 and 1988, and the county was the only county in Iowa to vote for Democrat Alton B. Parker over Republican Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. In 2020, Joe Biden received the highest percentage of the vote received by any Democrat in the county's history; indeed, by any candidate of any party.[30] In 2024, it was the only county to not vote for Donald Trump in the state's Republican presidential caucuses. Nikki Haley won the county by a single vote.[31][32][33]

Johnson County's Democratic bent is just as pronounced at the state level. It was the lone county to vote Democratic in statewide Republican landslides, such as Senator Chuck Grassley's re-elections in 2010 and 2016 or Governor Terry Branstad's re-election in 2014.
United States presidential election results for Johnson County, Iowa[34]
Year     Republican     Democratic     Third party(ies)
No.      %     No.      %     No.      %
1880     2,400     44.89%     2,766     51.74%     180     3.37%
1884     2,019     38.71%     3,151     60.41%     46     0.88%
1888     2,051     40.15%     3,038     59.48%     19     0.37%
1892     2,179     39.35%     3,227     58.28%     131     2.37%
1896     2,910     47.06%     3,170     51.26%     104     1.68%
1900     3,010     48.10%     3,182     50.85%     66     1.05%
1904     2,963     48.27%     3,085     50.25%     91     1.48%
1908     2,758     44.84%     3,314     53.88%     79     1.28%
1912     1,645     27.95%     3,327     56.52%     914     15.53%
1916     2,704     42.23%     3,650     57.00%     49     0.77%
1920     5,696     52.15%     5,032     46.07%     195     1.79%
1924     5,741     44.53%     4,570     35.45%     2,580     20.01%
1928     7,288     50.27%     7,181     49.53%     29     0.20%
1932     5,484     37.87%     8,764     60.51%     235     1.62%
1936     5,629     38.18%     8,794     59.65%     320     2.17%
1940     7,206     44.27%     9,017     55.39%     55     0.34%
1944     6,396     42.93%     8,434     56.62%     67     0.45%
1948     7,139     43.79%     8,611     52.82%     553     3.39%
1952     11,231     58.04%     8,067     41.69%     52     0.27%
1956     11,298     56.28%     8,767     43.67%     11     0.05%
1960     10,927     50.80%     10,563     49.11%     18     0.08%
1964     6,860     31.73%     14,717     68.08%     41     0.19%
1968     11,384     43.88%     13,541     52.19%     1,019     3.93%
1972     14,823     40.91%     20,922     57.74%     491     1.36%
1976     16,090     41.57%     20,208     52.20%     2,412     6.23%
1980     13,642     31.73%     20,122     46.80%     9,233     21.47%
1984     18,677     41.46%     26,000     57.72%     367     0.81%
1988     15,453     34.61%     28,759     64.41%     435     0.97%
1992     14,041     27.12%     28,656     55.35%     9,077     17.53%
1996     13,402     29.31%     27,888     60.98%     4,442     9.71%
2000     17,899     33.92%     31,174     59.08%     3,696     7.00%
2004     22,715     34.75%     41,847     64.01%     811     1.24%
2008     20,732     28.40%     51,027     69.91%     1,230     1.69%
2012     23,698     31.19%     50,666     66.69%     1,613     2.12%
2016     21,044     27.35%     50,200     65.25%     5,696     7.40%
2020     22,925     27.34%     59,177     70.57%     1,749     2.09%
2024     26,087     30.11%     58,846     67.92%     1,711     1.97%
Communities
Cities

    Coralville
    Hills
    Iowa City
    Lone Tree
    North Liberty
    Oxford
    Shueyville
    Solon
    Swisher
    Tiffin
    University Heights
    West Branch (partially)

Census-designated place

    Frytown

Other unincorporated communities

    Amish
    Cosgrove
    Morse
    Newport
    Oakdale
    Oasis
    River Junction
    Sharon Center
    Sutliff
    Twin View Heights
    Western (partially)
    Windham

Ghost towns

    Elmira
    Midway

Townships

    Big Grove
    Cedar
    Clear Creek
    East Lucas
    Fremont
    Graham
    Hardin
    Jefferson
    Liberty
    Lincoln
    Madison
    Monroe
    Newport
    Oxford
    Penn
    Pleasant Valley
    Scott
    Sharon
    Union
    Washington
    West Lucas

The Territory of Iowa was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1838,[1] until December 28, 1846, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Iowa. The remainder of the territory would have no organized territorial government until the Minnesota Territory was organized on March 3, 1849.
History
Seal of the Territory of Iowa

Most of the area in the territory was originally part of the Louisiana Purchase and was a part of the Missouri Territory. When Missouri became a state in 1821, this area (along with the Dakotas) effectively became unorganized territory. The area was closed to white settlers until the 1830s, after the Black Hawk War ended. It was attached to the Michigan Territory on June 28, 1834. At an extra session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Michigan held in September, 1834, the Iowa District was divided into two counties by running a line due west from the lower end of Rock Island in the Mississippi River. The territory north of this line (which started just south of the present-day Davenport) was named Dubuque County, and all south of it was Des Moines County. When Michigan became a state in 1836 the area became the Iowa District of western Wisconsin Territory—the region west of the Mississippi River.

The original boundaries of the territory, as established in 1838, included Minnesota and parts of the Dakotas, covering about 194,000 square miles (500,000 km2) of land.

Burlington was the provisional capital; Iowa City was designated as the official territorial capital in 1841.[2] Fort Snelling was located on the western side of the Mississippi placing it within the Territory until statehood.

When Iowa became a state on December 28, 1846, no provision was made for official organization of the remainder of the territory.[3] Morgan L. Martin, the Wisconsin territorial delegate to congress, pushed through a bill to organize a territory of Minnesota which would encompass this land. While the bill passed in the house, it did not pass the senate. In the following session a bill by Stephen A. Douglas was introduced in the senate but also did not pass. The situation was resolved when Minnesota Territory was organized on March 3, 1849, the day before the close of congress.[4]

In the 1840 United States census, 18 counties in the Iowa Territory reported the following population counts:[5]
Rank     County     Population
1     Van Buren     6,146
2     Lee     6,093
3     Des Moines     5,577
4     Henry     3,772
5     Dubuque     3,059
6     Jefferson     2,773
7     Muscatine     1,942
8     Louisa     1,927
9     Washington     1,594
10     Johnson     1,491
11     Jackson     1,411
12     Linn     1,373
13     Cedar     1,253
14     Scott     1,240
15     Clayton     1,101
16     Clinton     821
17     Jones     471
18     Delaware     168
    Unincorporated     900
    Iowa Territory     43,112
Governance

The executive powers of the Territory were vested in a Governor, a Secretary (who in case of the death, removal, resignation, or absence from the Territory of the Governor had gubernatorial powers and would perform gubernatorial duties), a Treasurer and an Auditor.
Territorial officers and Congressional delegates

Territorial officers of Iowa Territory from 1838 to 1846.[6]
Governors

    Robert Lucas, appointed 1838.
    John Chambers, appointed 1841.
    James Clarke, appointed 1845.

Secretaries

    William B. Conway, appointed 1838; died in office, November 1839.
    James Clarke, appointed 1839.
    O. H. W. Stull, appointed 1841.
    Samuel J. Burr, appointed 1843.
    Jesse Williams, appointed 1845.

Auditors

    Jesse Williams, appointed 1840.
    William L. Gilbert, appointed 1843.
    David Ira Bryan, appointed 1845.

Treasurers

    Thornton Bayless, appointed 1839.
    Morgan Reno, appointed 1840.

Congressional delegates

    William W. Chapman 25th and 26th Congresses, 1838–1840
    Francis Gehon, irregularly "elected" in 1839, but never served as delegate
    Augustus C. Dodge, in the 27th, 28th, and 29th Congresses, 1840–1846

Legislature

Legislative powers were vested in a Territory of Iowa Legislative Assembly, which like that of Wisconsin Territory was divided into an upper house called the "Council" (although some legislative histories refer to the Council as the Senate) of 13 members, and a House of Representatives of 26.[7]
See also

Iowa (/ˈaɪ.əwə/ ⓘ EYE-ə-wə)[8][9][10] is a state in the upper Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east and southeast, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest, and Minnesota to the north.

Iowa is the 26th largest in total area and the 31st most populous of the 50 U.S. states, with a population of 3.19 million.[11] The state's capital, most populous city, and largest metropolitan area fully located within the state is Des Moines. A portion of the larger Omaha, Nebraska, metropolitan area extends into three counties of southwest Iowa.[12] Other metropolitan statistical areas in Iowa include Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Ames, Dubuque, Sioux City, and the Iowa portion of the Quad Cities. Iowa is home to 940 small towns, though its population is increasingly urbanized as small communities and rural areas decline in population.[13][14]

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, Iowa was a part of French Louisiana and Spanish Louisiana; its state flag is patterned after the flag of France. After the Louisiana Purchase, pioneers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt.[15] 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, and green energy production.[16][17]

Politically, Iowa is notable for the Iowa Caucuses, an influential event in national politics, as well as its high levels of voter turnout and foundational leadership in civil rights including early adoption or support of black suffrage.[18][19]
Etymology

Like many other states, Iowa takes its name from its predecessor, Iowa Territory, whose name in turn is derived from the Iowa River, and ultimately from the ethnonym of the indigenous Ioway people. The Ioway are a Chiwere-speaking Siouan Nation, who were once part of the Ho-Chunk Confederation that inhabited the area now corresponding to several Midwest states. The Ioway were one of the many Native American nations whose territory comprised the future state of Iowa before the time of European colonization.[20]
History
Main article: History of Iowa
See also: Native American tribes in Iowa
Prehistory
Main articles: Iowa archaeology and American Indians of Iowa
Excavation of the 3,800-year-old Edgewater Park Site

When Indigenous peoples of the Americas first arrived in what is now Iowa more than 13,000 years ago, they were hunters and gatherers living in a Pleistocene glacial 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 the Archaic period (10,500 to 2,800 years ago), Native Americans adapted to local environments and ecosystems, slowly becoming more sedentary as populations increased.[21]

More than 3,000 years ago, during the Late Archaic period, Native Americans in Iowa began utilizing domesticated plants. The subsequent Woodland period saw 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.[21]

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 prehistoric Oneota include the Dakota, Ho-Chunk, Ioway, and Otoe. Tribes which arrived in Iowa in the late prehistoric or protohistoric periods include the Illiniwek, Meskwaki, Omaha, and Sauk.[21]
Early colonization and trade, 1673–1808
Main articles: New France, Louisiana (New France), French and Indian War, Treaty of Paris (1763), New Spain, Louisiana (New Spain), Treaty of Aranjuez (1801), Louisiana Purchase, District of Louisiana, and Louisiana Territory
Iowa in 1718 with the modern state area highlighted

The first known European explorers to document Iowa were Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet who traveled the Mississippi River in 1673 documenting several Indigenous villages on the Iowa side.[22][23] The area of Iowa was claimed for France and remained a French territory until 1763. The French, before their impending defeat in the French and Indian War, transferred ownership to their ally, Spain.[24] Spain practiced very loose control over the Iowa region, granting trading licenses to French and British traders, who established trading posts along the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers.[22]

Iowa was part of a territory known as La Louisiane or Louisiana, and European traders were interested in lead and furs obtained by Indigenous people. The Sauk and Meskwaki effectively controlled trade on the Mississippi in the late 18th century and early 19th century. Among the early traders on the Mississippi were Julien Dubuque, Robert de la Salle, and Paul Marin.[22] Along the Missouri River at least five French and English trading houses were built before 1808.[25] In 1800, Napoleon Bonaparte took control of Louisiana from Spain in a treaty.[26]

After the 1803 Louisiana 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. The Indiana Territory, created in 1800, exercised jurisdiction over this portion of the District; William Henry Harrison was its first governor. Much of Iowa was mapped by Zebulon Pike in 1805,[27] but it was not until the construction of Fort Madison in 1808 that the U.S. established tenuous military control over the region.[28]
War of 1812 and unstable U.S. control
Main article: Missouri Territory

Fort Madison was 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.[28][29] Fort Madison was defeated by British-supported Indigenous people in 1813 during the War of 1812, and Fort Shelby in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, also fell to the British. Black Hawk took part in the siege of Fort Madison.[30][31] Another small military outpost was established along the Mississippi River in present-day Bellevue. 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.[32]

After the war, the U.S. re-established control of the region through the construction of Fort Armstrong, Fort Snelling in Minnesota, and Fort Atkinson in Nebraska.[33]
Indian removal, 1814–1832
See also: Indian removal

The United States encouraged settlement of the east side of the Mississippi and removal of Indians to the west.[34] A disputed 1804 treaty between Quashquame and William Henry Harrison (then governor of the Indiana Territory) that surrendered much of Illinois to the U.S. enraged many Sauk and led to the 1832 Black Hawk War.[35]

The Sauk and Meskwaki were forced to sell some of their land in the Mississippi Valley to the U.S. in 1832 in the Black Hawk Purchase Treaty[36] and sold their remaining land in Iowa in 1842, most of them moving to a reservation in Kansas.[35] In 1837, some the Potawatomi from Illinois were resettled in Iowa, while many Meskwaki later returned to Iowa and settled near Tama, Iowa; the Meskwaki Settlement remains to this day.[37] In 1856 the Iowa Legislature passed an unprecedented act allowing the Meskwaki to purchase the land.[38] The federal government, in contrast, used treaties to force the Ho-Chunk and the Dakota from Iowa by 1848[39] and 1858,[40] respectively. Western Iowa around modern Council Bluffs was used as an Indian Reservation for members of the Council of Three Fires.[41]
U.S. settlement and statehood, 1832–1860
Main articles: Michigan Territory, Wisconsin Territory, Organic act § List of organic acts, Iowa Territory, Admission to the Union, and List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union
Iowa Territorial Seal
Bellevue along the Mississippi, 1848

The first American settlers officially moved to Iowa in June 1833.[42] Primarily, they were families from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia who settled along the western banks of the Mississippi River, founding the modern day cities of Dubuque and Bellevue near the site of Julien Dubuque's 1785–1810 lead mining operation.[42][43][44] On July 4, 1838, the U.S. Congress established the Territory of Iowa. President Martin Van Buren appointed Robert Lucas governor of the territory, which at the time had 22 counties and a population of 23,242.[45]

Almost immediately after Iowa achieved territorial status, a clamor arose for statehood. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the Union when President James K. Polk signed its admission bill into law. Once admitted to the Union, with 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.[46]

Iowa has a long tradition of state and county fairs. The first and second Iowa State Fairs were held in the more developed eastern part of the state at Fairfield. 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 the Spanish–American War and the World's Fair being held in nearby Omaha, Nebraska; from 1942 to 1945, due to World War II, as the fairgrounds were being used as an army supply depot; and in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.[47][48]
Civil War, 1861–1865
Main article: Iowa in the American Civil War

Iowa supported the Union during the Civil War, voting heavily for Abraham Lincoln, though there was an antiwar "Copperhead" movement in the state, caused partially by a drop in crop prices caused by the war.[49] There were no battles in the state, although the Battle of Athens, Missouri, 1861, was fought just across the Des Moines River from Croton, Iowa, and shots from the battle landed in Iowa. Iowa sent large supplies of food to the armies and the eastern cities.[50]

Much of Iowa's support for the Union can be attributed to Samuel 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 the Confederates surrendered at Appomattox.[50]

Most fought in the great campaigns in the Mississippi Valley and in the South.[51] Iowa troops fought at Wilson's Creek in Missouri, Pea Ridge in Arkansas, 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 in Virginia and fought under Union General Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Many died and were buried at Andersonville. They marched on General Nathaniel Banks' ill-starred expedition to the Red River. Twenty-seven Iowans have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government, which was first awarded in the Civil War.[52]

Iowa had several brigadier generals and four major generals—Grenville Mellen Dodge, Samuel R. Curtis, Francis J. Herron, and Frederick Steele—and saw many of its generals go on to state and national prominence following the war.[50]
Agricultural expansion, 1865–1930

Following the Civil War, Iowa's population continued to grow dramatically, from 674,913 people in 1860[53] to 1,624,615 in 1880.[54] The American Civil War briefly brought higher profits.[55]

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.[55] In the economic sector, Iowa also has undergone considerable change. Beginning with the first industries developed in the 1830s,[56] which were mainly for processing materials grown in the area,[57] Iowa has experienced a gradual increase in the number of business and manufacturing operations.
Depression, World War II and manufacturing, 1930–1985

The transition from an agricultural economy to a mixed economy happened slowly. The Great Depression and World War II accelerated the shift away from smallholder farming to larger farms, and began a trend of urbanization. The period after World War II witnessed a particular increase in manufacturing operations.[58]

In 1975, Governor Robert D. Ray petitioned President Ford to allow Iowa to accept and resettle Tai Dam refugees fleeing the Indochina War.[59] 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.[60]

The farm crisis of the 1980s caused a major recession in Iowa, causing poverty not seen since the Depression.[61] The crisis spurred a major, decade-long population decline.[62]
Reemergence as a mixed economy, 1985–present

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.[63] The population of Iowa has increased at a slower rate than the U.S. as a whole since at least the 1900 census,[64] though Iowa now has a predominantly urban population.[65] 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.[66]
Geography
Main article: Geography of Iowa
Boundaries
See also: List of counties in Iowa
Topography of Iowa, with counties and major streams

Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River on the east along with the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River on the west. The northern boundary is a line along 43 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude.[67][b] The southern border is the Des Moines River and a not-quite-straight line along approximately 40 degrees 35 minutes north, as decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Missouri v. Iowa (1849) after a standoff between Missouri and Iowa known as the Honey War.[68][69]

Iowa is the only state whose east and west borders are formed almost entirely by rivers.[70] Carter Lake, Iowa, is the only city in the state located west of the Missouri River.[71]

Iowa has 99 counties, but 100 county seats because Lee County has two. The state capital, Des Moines, is in Polk County.[72]
Geology and terrain
DeSoto Lake at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Iowa terrain

Iowa's bedrock geology generally decreases in age from east to west. In northwest Iowa, Cretaceous bedrock can be 74 million years old; in eastern Iowa Cambrian bedrock dates to c. 500 million years ago.[73] The oldest radiometrically dated bedrock in the state is the 2.9 billion year old Otter Creek Layered Mafic Complex. Precambrian rock is exposed only in the northwest of the state.[74]

Iowa can be divided into eight landforms based on glaciation, soils, topography, and river drainage.[75] Loess hills lie along the western border of the state, some of which are several hundred feet thick.[76] Northeast Iowa along the Upper Mississippi River is part of the Driftless Area, consisting of steep hills and valleys which appear as mountainous.[77]

Several natural lakes exist, most notably Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, and East Okoboji Lake in northwest Iowa (see Iowa Great Lakes). To the east lies Clear Lake. Man-made lakes include Lake Odessa,[78] 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 since been drained.[79]
Ecology and environment
Main article: Environment of Iowa
Landforms of Iowa

Iowa's natural vegetation is tallgrass prairie and savanna in upland areas, with dense forest and wetlands in flood plains and protected river valleys, and pothole wetlands in northern prairie areas.[75] 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.[80]

The southern part of Iowa is categorized as the Central forest-grasslands transition ecoregion.[81] The Northern, drier part of Iowa is categorized as part of the Central tall grasslands.[82]

There is a dearth of natural areas in Iowa; less than 1% of the tallgrass prairie that 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.[83] As of 2005 Iowa ranked 49th of U.S. states in public land holdings.[84] Threatened or endangered animals in Iowa include the interior least tern, piping plover, Indiana bat, pallid sturgeon, the Iowa Pleistocene land snail, Higgins' eye pearly mussel, and the Topeka shiner.[85] Endangered or threatened plants include western prairie fringed orchid, eastern prairie fringed orchid, Mead's milkweed, prairie bush clover, and northern wild monkshood.[86]

The explosion in the number of high-density livestock facilities in Iowa has led to increased rural water contamination and a decline in air quality.[87]

Other factors negatively affecting Iowa's environment include the extensive use of older coal-fired power plants,[88] fertilizer and pesticide runoff from crop production,[89] and diminishment of the Jordan Aquifer.[90]

The 2020–2023 North American drought has affected Iowa particularly: As of January 2024, Iowa was in its 187th consecutive week of at least moderate drought, the longest stretch since the 1950s. 96% of areas are affected by drought.[91]
Climate
Further information: Climate change in Iowa
Köppen climate types of Iowa, using 1991–2020 climate normals
Iowa annual rainfall, in inches; as of 2009

Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state (Köppen climate classification Dfa) 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), while Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, averages 52 °F (11 °C).[92] Snowfall is common, with Des Moines getting about 26 days of snowfall a year, and other places, such as Shenandoah, getting about 11 days of snowfall in a year.[93]

Spring ushers in the beginning of the severe weather season. As of 2008, Iowa averaged about 50 days of thunderstorm activity per year.[94] As of 2015, the 30-year annual average of tornadoes in Iowa was 47.[95] In 2008, twelve people were killed by tornadoes in Iowa, making it the deadliest year since 1968 and also the second most tornadoes in a year with 105, matching the total from 2001.[96]

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;[97] as of 2014, the all-time lowest temperature of −47 °F (−44 °C) was recorded in Washta on January 12, 1912.[98]
Monthly normal high and low temperatures for various Iowa cities (°F)[99] City     Jan     Feb     Mar     Apr     May     Jun     Jul     Aug     Sep     Oct     Nov     Dec
Davenport[100]     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[101]     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[102]     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[103]     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[104]     31/10     35/15     47/26     62/37     73/49     82/59     86/63     83/63     76/51     63/38     46/25     32/13
Precipitation

Iowa has had a relatively smooth gradient of varying precipitation across 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).[105] 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, while the wettest month is June due 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.[106]
Settlements
Percent population changes by counties in Iowa, 2000–2009; dark green counties have gains of more than 5%[107]
See also: List of cities in Iowa

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.[65] Urban counties in Iowa grew 8.5% from 2000 to 2008, while rural counties declined by 4.2%.[108] The shift from rural to urban has caused population increases in more urbanized counties such as Dallas, Johnson, Linn, Polk, and Scott, at the expense of more rural counties.[14]

Iowa, in common with other Midwestern states (especially Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota), is feeling the brunt of rural flight, although the population of Iowa has been increasing since approximately 1990. Some smaller communities, such as Denison and Storm Lake, have mitigated this population loss through gains in immigrant laborers.[109]

Another demographic problem for Iowa is brain 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.[110]
Iowa's largest cities and their surrounding areas
Recorded by the United States Census Bureau Rank     City     2020 city population[111]     2010 city population[112]     Change     Metropolitan Statistical Area     2020 metro population[113]     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
Demographics
Population
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%
2024 (est.)    3,241,488        1.6%
Source: 1910–2020[64]
Ethnic origins in Iowa

The United States Census Bureau determined the population of Iowa was 3,190,369 on April 1, 2020, a 4.73% increase since the 2010 United States census.[114][115]

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.[116]

Immigration from 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.[117] The population density of the state is 52.7 people per square mile.[118] As of the 2010 census, the center of population of Iowa is in Marshall County, near Melbourne.[119] The top countries of origin for Iowa's immigrants in 2018 were Mexico, India, Vietnam, China and Thailand.[120]

According to a version of Encyclopædia Britannica published in 1999, Germans are the largest ethnic group in Iowa. Other major ethnic groups in Iowa include Irish and English. 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 are of Mexican origin. 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.[121] 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.[122] There is one federally recognized tribe in Iowa, the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, and in 2020, 14,486 identified as being Native American alone, and 41,472 did in combination with one or more other races.[123]

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.[124]

According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 2,419 homeless people in Iowa.[125][126]
Ethnic composition as of the 2020 census
Race and Ethnicity[127]     Alone     Total
White (non-Hispanic)     82.7%     
 
    85.9%     
 
Hispanic or Latino[c]     —         6.8%     
 
African American (non-Hispanic)     4.1%     
 
    5.2%     
 
Asian     2.4%     
 
    3.0%     
 
Native American     0.3%     
 
    1.4%     
 
Pacific Islander     0.2%     
 
    0.3%     
 
Other     0.3%     
 
    1.0%     
 
Map of counties in Iowa by racial plurality, per the 2020 U.S. census
Non-Hispanic White

Iowa historical racial composition
Racial composition     1990[128]     2000[129]     2010[130]     2020[131]
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%
Iowa 2020 Population Density map

According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 5.6% of Iowa's population were of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race): Mexican (4.3%), Puerto Rican (0.2%), Cuban (0.1%), and other Hispanic or Latino origin (1.0%).[132] The five largest ancestry groups were: German (35.1%), Irish (13.5%), English (8.2%), American (5.8%), and Norwegian (5.0%).[133]
Birth data
Population age comparison between rural Pocahontas County and urban Polk County, illustrating the flight of young adults (red) to urban centers in Iowa[d]

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[134]     2014[135]     2015[136]     2016[137]     2017[138]     2018[139]     2019[140]     2020[141]     2021[142]     2022[143]     2023[144]
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%)     26,961 (74.8%)
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%)     2,613 (7.2%)
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%)     956 (2.7%)
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%)     136 (0.4%)     142 (0.4%)
Hispanic (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%)     4,211 (11.7%)
Total     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%)     36,052 (100%)

    Since 2016, data for births of White Hispanic origin are not collected, but included in one Hispanic group; persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

Religion
Amana Colonies were founded by German Pietists
A Christian cross on a hill in Iowa
Religious self-identification, per Public Religion Research Institute's 2022 American Values Survey[145]

    Protestantism (48.0%)
    Catholicism (20.0%)
    Unitarian/Universalist (1.00%)
    Unaffiliated (29.0%)
    Other (2.00%)

A 2014 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 60% of Iowans are Protestant, while 18% are Catholic, and 1% are of non-Christian religions. 21% responded with non-religious, and 1% did not answer.[146][147] A survey from the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) in 2010 found that the largest Protestant denominations were the United Methodist Church with 235,190 adherents and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 229,557. The largest non-Protestant religion was Catholicism with 503,080 adherents. The state has a great number of Calvinist denominations. The Presbyterian Church (USA) had almost 290 congregations and 51,380 members followed by the Reformed Church in America with 80 churches and 40,000 members, and the United Church of Christ had 180 churches and 39,000 members.[148] According to the 2020 Public Religion Research Institute's study, 26% of the population were irreligious.[149]

The study Religious Congregations & Membership: 2000[150] found that in the southernmost two tiers of Iowa counties and in other counties in the center of the state, the largest religious group was the United Methodist Church; in the northeast part of the state, including Dubuque and Linn counties (where Cedar Rapids is located), the Catholic Church was the largest; and in ten counties, including three in the northern tier, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was the largest. The study also found rapid growth in Evangelical Christian denominations. Dubuque is home to the Archdiocese of Dubuque, which serves as the ecclesiastical province for all three other dioceses in the state and for all the Catholics in Iowa.

Historically, religious sects and orders who desired to live apart from the rest of society established themselves in Iowa; for example, the Amish and Mennonites have communities near Kalona and in other parts of eastern Iowa such as Davis County and Buchanan County.[151] Other religious sects and orders living apart include Quakers around West Branch and Le Grand, German Pietists who founded the Amana Colonies, followers of Transcendental Meditation who founded Maharishi Vedic City, and Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance monks and nuns at the New Melleray and Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbeys near Dubuque.

By 1878, approximately 1000 Jews, many of whom were immigrants from Poland and Germany, lived in Iowa.[152][153] As of 2016, about 6,000 Jews lived in Iowa, with about 3,000 in Des Moines alone.[154]
Language

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.[155] William Labov and colleagues, in the monumental Atlas of North American English[156] found the English spoken in Iowa divides into multiple linguistic regions. Natives of northern Iowa—including Sioux City, Fort Dodge, and the Waterloo region—tend to speak the dialect linguists call North Central American English, which is also found in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Natives of central and southern Iowa—including such cities as Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, and Iowa City—tend to speak the North Midland dialect also found in eastern Nebraska, central Illinois, and central Indiana.[157] Natives of East-Central Iowa—including cities such as Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Clinton tend to speak with the Northern Cities Vowel Shift, a dialect that extends from this area and east across the Great Lakes Region.[158]

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.[159] The third-most-common language is German, spoken by 17,000 people in Iowa; two notable German dialects used in Iowa include Amana German spoken around the Amana Colonies, and Pennsylvania German, spoken among the Amish in Iowa. The Babel Proclamation of 1918 banned the speaking of German in public. Around Pella, residents of Dutch descent once spoke the Pella Dutch dialect.
Culture
Attractions

Iowa hosts RAGBRAI, 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,[160] and hosts five regional wine tasting trails.[161] Many Iowa communities hold farmers' markets during warmer months; these are typically weekly events, but larger cities can host multiple markets.[162]
Central Iowa
The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing at Iowa State University, Ames

Des Moines is the largest city and metropolitan area[e] in Iowa and the state's political and economic center. It is home to the Iowa State Capitol, the State Historical Society of Iowa Museum, Drake University, Des Moines Art Center, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Principal Riverwalk, the Iowa State Fair, Terrace Hill, and the World Food Prize. Nearby attractions include Adventureland and Prairie Meadows Racetrack Casino in Altoona, Living History Farms in Urbandale, Trainland USA in Colfax, the National Balloon Classic and National Balloon Museum in Indianola, and the Iowa Speedway and Valle Drive-In in Newton.

Ames is the home of Iowa State University, the Iowa State Center, and Reiman Gardens.

Boone hosts the biennial Farm Progress Show and is home to the Mamie Doud Eisenhower museum, the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, and Ledges State Park.

The Meskwaki Settlement west of Tama is the only Native American settlement in Iowa and is host to a large annual Pow-wow.

Madison County is known for its covered bridges. Also in Madison County is the John Wayne Birthplace Museum is in Winterset.

Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include Newton, Indianola, Pella, Knoxville, Marshalltown, Perry, and Story City.
Eastern Iowa
Old Capitol building, Iowa City
Davenport Skybridge
Brucemore, Cedar Rapids

Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa, which includes the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and the Old Capitol building. Because of the extraordinary history in the teaching and sponsoring of creative writing that emanated from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and related programs, Iowa City was the first American city designated by the United Nations as a "City of Literature" in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.[163]

The Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch.

The Amana Colonies are a group of settlements of German Pietists comprising seven villages listed as National Historic Landmarks.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has collections of paintings by Grant Wood and Marvin Cone. Cedar Rapids is also home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and Iowa's only National Trust for Historic Preservation Site, Brucemore mansion.

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

Other communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include West Liberty, Fairfield, Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Fort Madison, LeClaire, Mount Vernon, Ottumwa, Washington, and Wilton.

Along Interstate 80 near Walcott lies the world's largest truck stop, Iowa 80.
Western Iowa
Loess Hills east of Mondamin

Some of the most dramatic scenery in Iowa is found in the unique Loess Hills which are found along Iowa's western border.

Sioux City is the largest city in western Iowa and is found on the convergence of the Missouri, Floyd, and Big Sioux Rivers. The Sioux City Metropolitan Area encompasses areas in three states: Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Sioux City boasts a revitalized downtown and includes attractions such as the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Sergeant Floyd Monument, Sergeant Floyd River Museum, the Tyson Events Center, Southern Hills Mall, the Orpheum 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 College and Briar Cliff University. Le Mars is in the northeastern part of the Sioux City Metropolitan Area and is the self-proclaimed "Ice Cream Capital of the World". Le Mars is home to Wells 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, and Plymouth County Courthouse. Le Mars hosts multiple ice cream-themed community events each year.
View of Grotto of the Redemption's Lower Arcade: Small Stations of the Cross, West Bend

Council Bluffs, part of the Omaha, Nebraska Metropolitan Area and 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 Railroad Museum, the Grenville M. Dodge House, the Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial, and the Lewis and Clark Monument, with clear views of the Downtown Omaha skyline found throughout the city. The Sanford Museum and Planetarium in Cherokee, the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, and the Fort Museum and Frontier Village in Fort Dodge are other regional destinations.

The Iowa Great Lakes is made up of multiple small towns, such as Spirit Lake, Arnolds Park, Milford, and Okoboji. 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 in Arnolds Park.

Every year in early May, the city of Orange City holds the annual Tulip Festival, a celebration of the strong Dutch heritage in the region.[164]

Northwest Iowa is home to some of the largest concentrations of wind turbine farms in the world. Other western communities with vibrant historic downtown areas include Storm Lake, Spencer, Glenwood, Carroll, Harlan, Atlantic, Red Oak, Denison, Creston, Mount Ayr, Sac City, and Walnut.
Northeast and Northern Iowa
"Northern Iowa" redirects here. For the University of Northern Iowa, see University of Northern Iowa.
Ruins of historic Fort Atkinson
Wood-heated floating sauna on the farm pond

The Driftless Area of northeast Iowa has many steep hills and deep valleys, checkered with forest and terraced fields. Effigy Mounds National Monument in Allamakee and Clayton Counties has the largest assemblage of animal-shaped prehistoric mounds in the world.

Waterloo is home of the Grout Museum and Lost Island Theme Park and is headquarters of the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area. Cedar Falls is home of the University of Northern Iowa.

Dubuque is a regional tourist destination with attractions such as the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and the Port of Dubuque.

Dyersville is home to the famed Field of Dreams baseball diamond. Maquoketa Caves State Park, near Maquoketa, contains more caves than any other state park.

Fort Atkinson State Preserve in Fort Atkinson has the remains of an original 1840s Dragoon fortification.

Fort Dodge is 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 include Decorah, McGregor, Mason City, Elkader, Bellevue, Guttenberg, Algona, Spillville, Charles City, and Independence.
Arts
Schaeffer Hall (University of Iowa, Iowa City)
Riverside's "favorite son"

The Clint Eastwood movie The Bridges of Madison County, based on the popular novel of the same name, took place and was filmed in Madison County.[165] What's Eating Gilbert Grape, based on the Peter Hedges novel of the same name, is set in the fictional Iowa town of Endora. Hedges was born in West Des Moines.[166]

Des Moines is home to members of the heavy metal band Slipknot. The state is mentioned in the band's songs, and the album Iowa is named after the state.[167]
Sports
See also: Sports teams from Iowa

The state has four major college teams playing in NCAA Division I for all sports. In football, Iowa State University and the University of Iowa compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), whereas the University of Northern Iowa and Drake University compete in the Football 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:[168][169][170][171]
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[172]
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball     Iowa City     12,371[172]
Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling     Iowa City     12,568
Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball     Iowa City     11,143[173]
Iowa State Cyclones women's basketball     Ames     10,323[173]
Northern Iowa Panthers football     Cedar Falls     9,337
College sports
Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University

The state has four NCAA Division I college teams. Two have football teams that play in the top level of college football, the Football Bowl Subdivision: the University of Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten Conference[174] and the Iowa State University Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference.[175] The two intrastate rivals compete annually for the Cy-Hawk Trophy as part of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.[176]

In wrestling, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones have won a combined total of over 30 team NCAA Division I titles.[177][178] The Northern Iowa and Cornell College wrestling teams have also each won one NCAA Division I wrestling team title.[179][180]

Two other Division I schools play football in the second level of college football, the Football Championship Subdivision. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers play at the Missouri Valley Conference[181] and Missouri Valley Football Conference[182] (despite the similar names, the conferences are administratively separate), whereas the Drake University Bulldogs play in the Missouri Valley Conference[183] in most sports and Pioneer League for football.[184]
Baseball
Modern Woodmen Park is home to the Quad Cities baseball team

Des Moines is home to the Iowa Cubs, a Triple-A Minor League Baseball team of the International League and affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.[185][186] Iowa has two High-A minor league teams in the Midwest League: the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins) and the Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals) who play in Davenport.[187] The Sioux City Explorers are part of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[188]
Ice hockey

Des Moines is home to the Iowa Wild, who are affiliated with the Minnesota Wild and are members of the American Hockey League.[189] Coralville has an ECHL team called the Iowa Heartlanders that started playing in the 2021–22 season. The Heartlanders are also an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild.[190]

The United States Hockey League has five teams in Iowa: the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Sioux City Musketeers, Waterloo Black Hawks, Des Moines Buccaneers, and the Dubuque Fighting Saints.[191] The North Iowa Bulls of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the Mason City Toros of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) both play in Mason City.[192][193]
Soccer

    The Des Moines Menace of the USL League Two play their home games at Valley Stadium in West Des Moines, Iowa.
    The Cedar Rapids Inferno Soccer Club of the Midwest Premier League play their home games at Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex at Mount Mercy University
    The Iowa Raptors FC of the United Premier Soccer League play their home games at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Union Dubuque F.C. of the Midwest Premier League

Other sports

Iowa has two professional basketball teams. The Iowa Wolves, an NBA G League team that plays in Des Moines, is owned and affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA. The Sioux City Hornets play in the American Basketball Association.

Iowa has three professional football teams. The Sioux City Bandits play in the Champions Indoor Football league. The Iowa Barnstormers play in the Indoor Football League at Casey's Center in Des Moines. The Cedar Rapids Titans play in the Indoor Football League at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Iowa Speedway oval track in Newton has hosted auto racing championships such as the IndyCar Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series since 2006. Also, the Knoxville Raceway dirt track hosts the Knoxville Nationals, one of the classic sprint car racing events.

The John Deere Classic is a PGA Tour golf event held in the Quad Cities since 1971. The Principal Charity Classic is a Champions Tour event since 2001. The Des Moines Golf and Country Club hosted the 1999 U.S. Senior Open and the 2017 Solheim Cup.
Economy
See also: Iowa locations by per capita income
Iowa gross state products by industry, 2009[194]

In 2016, the total employment of the state's population was 1,354,487, and the total number of employer establishments was 81,563.[195]

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".[196]

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.[63] This economic diversity has helped Iowa weather the late 2000s recession better than most states, with unemployment substantially lower than the rest of the nation.[197][198]

If the economy is measured by gross domestic product, in 2005 Iowa's GDP was about $124 billion.[199] If measured by gross state product, for 2005 it was $113.5 billion.[200] Its per capita income for 2006 was $23,340.[200] On July 2, 2009, Standard & Poor's rated Iowa's credit as AAA (the highest of its credit ratings, held by only 11 U.S. state governments).[201]

As of September 2021, the state's unemployment rate is 4.0%.[202]
Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the largest sector of Iowa's economy, with $20.8 billion (21%) of Iowa's 2003 gross state product. Major manufacturing sectors include food processing, heavy machinery, and agricultural chemicals. Sixteen percent of Iowa's workforce is dedicated to manufacturing.[63] 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 include ConAgra Foods, Wells Blue Bunny, Barilla, Heinz, Tone's Spices, General Mills, and Quaker Oats. Meatpacker Tyson Foods has 11 locations, second only to its headquarter state Arkansas.[203]

Major non-food manufacturing firms with production facilities in Iowa include 3M,[204] Arconic,[205] Amana Corporation,[206] Emerson Electric,[207] The HON Company,[208] SSAB,[209] John Deere,[210] Lennox Manufacturing,[211] Pella Corporation,[212] Procter & Gamble,[213] Vermeer Company,[214] and Winnebago Industries.[215]
Agriculture
Harvesting corn in Jones County
Farm in rural Northwest Iowa
Central Iowa cornfield and dairy in June

Industrial-scale, commodity agriculture predominates in much of the state. Iowa's main conventional agricultural commodities are hogs, 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,[216] corn, soybeans, oats, cattle, eggs, and dairy products. Iowa is the nation's largest producer of ethanol and corn and 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.[217] As of 2009 major Iowa agricultural product processors included Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Inc., Diamond V Mills, and Quaker Oats.[218]

During the 21st century Iowa has seen growth in the organic farming sector. 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.[219][220] Iowa has also seen an increase in demand for local, sustainably-grown food. Northeast Iowa, part of the Driftless Area, has led the state in development of its regional food system and grows and consumes more local food than any other region in Iowa.[221][222]

Iowa's Driftless Region is also home to the nationally recognized Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit seed bank housed at an 890-acre heritage farm near Decorah, in the northeast corner of the state.[223][224] 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.[225]
Mural in Mt. Ayr Post Office, "The Corn Parade" by Orr C. Fischer, which was commissioned as part of the New Deal[226]

As of 2007, the direct production and sale of conventional agricultural commodities contributed only about 3.5% of Iowa's gross state product.[227] 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.[228]
Health insurance

As of 2014, there were 16 organizations offering health insurance products in Iowa, per the State of Iowa Insurance Division.[229] 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 the American Medical Association[230] using 2011 data from HealthLeaders-Interstudy, the most comprehensive source of data on enrollment in health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), point-of-service (POS) and consumer-driven health care plans.[231] According to the AMA annual report from 2007 Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield had provided 71% of the state's health insurance.[232]

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%.[233]: 2  Wellmark HealthPlan of Iowa and Wellmark Inc had the highest risk-based capital percentages of all 10 providers at 1158% and 1132%, respectively.[233]: 31  Rising RBC is an indication of profits.[233]: 31 
Other sectors
Ethanol plant under construction in Butler County
Wind turbines near Williams, Iowa
Iowa electricity production by type

Iowa has a strong financial and insurance sector, with approximately 6,100 firms,[63] including AEGON, 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 the University of Iowa.[234] The Research Park hosts about 50 companies, among them NewLink Genetics, which develops cancer immunotherapeutics, and the U.S. animal health division of Boehringer Ingelheim, Vetmedica.[234]

Ethanol production 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.[235]

Renewable energy has become a major economic force in northern and western Iowa, with wind turbine electrical generation increasing exponentially since 1990.[17] In 2019, wind power in Iowa accounted for 42% of electrical energy produced, and 10,201 megawatts of generating capacity had been installed at the end of the year.[236] Iowa ranked first of U.S. states in percentage of total power generated by wind and second in wind generating capacity behind Texas.[236] Major producers of turbines and components in Iowa include Acciona Energy of West Branch, TPI Composites of Newton, and Siemens Energy of Fort Madison.

In 2016, Iowa was the headquarters for three of the top 2,000 companies for revenue.[237] They include Principal Financial, Rockwell Collins, and American Equity Investment.[238][239][240] Iowa is also headquarters to other companies including Hy-Vee, Pella Corporation, Workiva, Vermeer Company, Kum & Go gas stations, Von Maur, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and Fareway.[241][242][243][244][245][246][247]

Gambling in the state is a major section of the Iowa tourism industry.[248]

As of 2025, Iowa had 64 data centers; Google in Council Bluffs and Cedar Rapids, Apple in Waukee, Meta in Altoona, Iowa and Microsoft has six data centers in West Des Moines.[249]
Taxation

Tax is collected by the Iowa Department of Revenue.[250]

Iowa imposes taxes on net state income of individuals, estates, and trusts. There are nine income tax brackets, 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.[251] The state sales tax rate is 6%, with non-prepared food having no tax.[252] Iowa has one local option sales tax that may be imposed by counties after an election.[253] 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 district and special levies. Iowa allows its residents to deduct their federal income taxes from their state income taxes.[254]
Education
Primary and secondary schools
See also: List of school districts in Iowa and List of high schools in Iowa

Iowa was one of the leading states in the high school movement, and continues to be among the top educational performers today.[255]

The four-year graduation rate for high schoolers was 91.3% in 2017.[256] Iowa's schools are credited with the highest graduation rate in the nation as of 2019.[257] Iowa has 333 school districts,[256] 1,329 school buildings and has the 14th lowest student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2.[258] Teacher pay is ranked 22nd, with the average salary being $55,647.[258]

As of 2015 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.[259]

The state's oldest functioning school building is located in Bellevue in the historic Jackson County Courthouse which has been in continuous use as a school since 1848.[260]
Colleges and universities
See also: List of colleges and universities in Iowa
Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport is the first school of chiropractic in the world.

The Iowa Board of Regents is 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.[261]

The special K–12 schools include the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton.[261] Both Iowa State University and The University of Iowa are research universities[262] with The University of Iowa also being a member of the Association of American Universities.[263] In addition to the three state universities, Iowa has multiple private colleges and universities.
Health
Main article: Health in Iowa

The life expectancy of Iowa is 77.7 years in 2021.[264] The state's rural population are more susceptible to diseases related to food insecurity, due to a lack of healthy food sources.[265] The leading cause of death in Iowa is heart disease.[264]

Iowa ranks eleventh among states in terms of proportion of obesity, with 37% of the state being affected by it.[266][267] Around 9% of Iowans suffer from diabetes, costing the state $2 billion.[268][269]
Transportation
Iowa's major interstates, larger cities, and counties
Interstate highways

Iowa has four primary interstate highways. I-29 travels along the state's western edge through Council Bluffs and Sioux City. I-35 travels from the Missouri state line to the Minnesota state line through the state's center, including Des Moines. I-74 begins at I-80 just northeast of Davenport. 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 the Quad Cities. I-380 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway, which travels from I-80 near Iowa City through Cedar Rapids ending in Waterloo and is part of the Avenue of the Saints highway. Iowa is among the few jurisdictions where municipalities install speed cameras on interstate highways providing a substantial revenue source from out of state drivers.[270]
Airports with scheduled flights
See also: List of airports in Iowa

Iowa is served by several regional airports including the Des Moines International Airport, the Eastern Iowa Airport, in Cedar Rapids, Quad City International Airport, in Moline, Illinois, and Eppley Airfield, in Omaha, Nebraska. Smaller airports in the state include the Council 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, and Waterloo Regional Airport.[271]
Railroads
See also: List of Iowa railroads

Amtrak's California Zephyr serves southern Iowa with stops in Burlington, Mount Pleasant, Ottumwa, Osceola, and Creston along its route between Chicago and Emeryville, California.[272] Fort Madison is served by Amtrak's Southwest Chief, running between Chicago and Los Angeles.[273] Both provide daily service through the state.
Public Transit

Iowa is served by a number of local transit providers including Bettendorf 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 MetroLINK and Sioux City Transit.

Intercity bus service in the state is provided by Burlington Trailways, Greyhound Lines, and Jefferson Lines.
Local transit map
Iowa is located in Iowa
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
Law and government
State
The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, completed in 1886, is the only state capitol in the United States to feature five domes. It houses the Iowa General Assembly, comprising the Iowa House of Representatives and Iowa Senate.
The Iowa Supreme Court, across from the capitol, is the state's highest court.

As of 2022, the 43rd and current governor of Iowa is Kim Reynolds (R). Other statewide elected officials are:

    Chris Cournoyer (R), Lieutenant Governor[274]
    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

The Code of Iowa contains Iowa's statutory 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 or alcoholic beverage control state.
National
Further information: List of United States senators from Iowa and List of United States representatives from Iowa

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 the 2010 United States census and the resulting redistricting, Iowa lost one seat in Congress, falling to four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent U.S. representatives Leonard Boswell (D) and Tom Latham (R) ran against each other in 2012 in the third congressional district which had new boundaries; Latham won and retired after the 2014 elections. King represented the old fifth congressional district.
Political parties
Main article: Political party strength in Iowa
Samuel J. Kirkwood, founder of the Iowa Republican Party, abolitionist, and Iowa's Civil War Governor

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—the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, and the Libertarian Party.[275] The Libertarian Party obtained official political party status in 2017 as a result of presidential candidate Gary Johnson receiving 3.8% of the Iowa vote in the 2016 general election.[276] 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: the Constitution Party, the Green Party, the Pirate Party, and the Socialist Workers Party.[277][278]
Voter trends
See also: United States presidential elections in Iowa

As a result of the 2010 elections, each party controlled one house of the Iowa 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 governor Chet Culver was defeated in 2010 by Republican Terry 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 3 days; eclipsing George Clinton, who served 21 years until 1804.[279] 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.[280]
Party registration as of September 2, 2025:[281]
Party     Total voters     Percentage
    Republican     775,415     36.55%
    No affiliation     731,670     34.49%
    Democratic     594,785     28.03%
    Other     19,587     0.92%
Total     2,121,457     100.00%
Presidential caucus
Main article: Iowa caucuses

The state gets considerable attention every four years because the Iowa 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 a presidential primary election.[282] Along with the New Hampshire primary the following week, Iowa's caucuses have become the starting points for choosing the two major-party candidates for president.[283] The national and international media give Iowa and New Hampshire extensive attention, which gives Iowa voters leverage.[284] In 2007 presidential campaign spending was the seventh highest in the country.[285]
Civil rights

In a 2020 study, Iowa was ranked as the 24th easiest state for citizens to vote in.[286]
Racial equality
The Union Block building in Mount Pleasant, scene of early civil rights and women's rights activities

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 the Iowa Supreme Court—In Re the Matter of Ralph,[287] 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.[288] The state did away with racial barriers to marriage in 1851, more than 100 years before the U.S. Supreme Court would ban miscegenation statutes nationwide.[289]

The Iowa Supreme Court decided Clark v. The board of directors[290] in 1868, ruling that racially segregated "separate but equal" schools had no place in Iowa, 85 years before Brown v. Board of Education.[288] By 1875, a number of additional court rulings effectively ended segregation in Iowa schools.[291] Social and housing discrimination continue

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.[294] Racial discrimination at public businesses was not deemed illegal until 1949, when the court ruled in State of Iowa v. Katz that businesses had to serve customers regardless of race; the case began when Edna Griffin was denied service at a Des Moines drugstore.[295] Full racial civil rights were codified under the Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965.[296]
Women's rights

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 the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified in 1920, Iowa legislature being one of the ratifying votes.[297] In 1847, the University of Iowa became the first public university in the U.S. to admit men and women on an equal basis.[298] 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 admitting Arabella A. Mansfield to the practice of law.[288] 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.[299] Although Iowa supported the Federal Equal Rights Amendment, in 1980 and 1992 Iowa voters rejected an Equal Rights Amendment to the state constitution.[300] 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."[301]

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.[302] It was struck down in January 2019, when an Iowa state judge ruled that the "fetal heartbeat" law was unconstitutional.[303]
LGBTQ rights
Main article: LGBTQ rights in Iowa
    
This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: update with 2020s anti-transgender legislation including Iowa Senate File 538 and Senate File 418. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2025)

The state's law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was repealed in June 1976, 27 years before Lawrence v. Texas. In 2007, the Iowa Legislature added "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the protected classes listed in the Iowa Civil Rights Act.[304] The Iowa Legislature later struck "gender identity" from these protections in 2025, making Iowa the first U.S. state to remove a protected group from a state anti-discrimination law.[305]

On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court decided Varnum v. Brien,[306] holding in a unanimous decision,[307] the state's law forbidding same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This made Iowa the third state in the U.S. and first in the Midwest to permit same-sex marriage.[308][309] 
West Liberty is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,858 at the time of the 2020 census.[4] It is part of the Muscatine micropolitan area.

West Liberty is located five miles south of Interstate 80 on Historic Highway 6. The city is home to the West Liberty Raceway, located in the Muscatine County Fairgrounds. The Muscatine County Fair takes place in West Liberty in July of each year.
History

West Liberty was incorporated in 1868, at the junction of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroads.[5] Prior to incorporation, the town stood about a half-mile north of its current location, but was relocated to be closer to the railway. The settlement was originally called Wapsinonoc Township, which means smooth surfaced, meandering creek or stream. The name change to Liberty (after Liberty, Ohio, the former home of many of its settlers) is attributed to the wife of the township's first postmaster, Simeon A. Bagley. It is believed that the name was changed after the relocation.[6]
Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.74 square miles (4.51 km2), all land.[7]
Demographics
Historical populationsYear    Pop.    ±%
1880    1,141    —    
1890    1,268    +11.1%
1900    1,690    +33.3%
1910    1,666    −1.4%
1920    1,834    +10.1%
1930    1,679    −8.5%
1940    1,802    +7.3%
1950    1,866    +3.6%
1960    2,042    +9.4%
1970    2,296    +12.4%
1980    2,723    +18.6%
1990    2,935    +7.8%
2000    3,332    +13.5%
2010    3,736    +12.1%
2020    3,858    +3.3%
Source:"U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 27, 2015. and Iowa Data Center
Source:
U.S. Decennial Census[8][4]
2020 census

As of the census of 2020,[9] there were 3,858 people, 1,321 households, and 934 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,179.3 inhabitants per square mile (841.4/km2). There were 1,399 housing units at an average density of 790.2 per square mile (305.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 49.1% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 28.0% from other races and 19.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 58.3% of the population.

Of the 1,321 households, 42.5% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 8.2% were cohabitating couples, 24.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present and 17.8% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present. 29.3% of all households were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

The median age in the city was 33.4 years. 32.7% of the residents were under the age of 20; 6.1% were between the ages of 20 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 and 44; 22.0% were from 45 and 64; and 13.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
2010 census

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 3,736 people, 1,251 households, and 890 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,147.1 inhabitants per square mile (829.0/km2). There were 1,316 housing units at an average density of 756.3 per square mile (292.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 71.2% White, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 23.3% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 52.2% of the population. West Liberty was the first town in the state of Iowa to achieve a Hispanic-majority population.[11]

There were 1,251 households, of which 43.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.48.

The median age in the city was 32.8 years. 29.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 21.5% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.
2000 census

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 3,332 people, 1,150 households, and 801 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,136.4 inhabitants per square mile (824.9/km2). There were 1,195 housing units at an average density of 766.2 per square mile (295.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 67.20% White, 0.30% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.54% Asian, 25.00% from other races, and 3.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40.49% of the population.

There were 1,150 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.46.

29.8% are under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,925, and the median income for a family was $41,667. Males had a median income of $29,963 versus $24,306 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,420. About 4.6% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Economy

West Liberty is home to two major employers: The West Liberty Community School District[13] and West Liberty Foods. West Liberty Foods is a producer of turkey products that has a meat processing facility as well as its corporate headquarters in the city. Agriculture, housing development, and agribusiness are a major factor in the local economy. The West Liberty Industrial Park is located on the south side of the city. In 2005, the Chamber of Commerce[14] and the City of West Liberty undertook the initiative to improve area economic development with the foundation of We Lead.[15] We Lead is a non-profit organization that partners with the City of West Liberty, Muscatine County, and local investors in carrying out their mission. In addition to the City of West Liberty, WeLead also serves the cities of Atalissa, IA and Nichols, IA.
Downtown revitalization

West Liberty's Downtown Commercial Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places in Muscatine County, Iowa. A Downtown Task Force meets regularly to discuss the issues and needs for the downtown area. This task force works in partnership with We Lead to envision revitalization projects and implement them when possible. Recent projects include the adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code for aging downtown buildings and the establishment of a revolving loan fund for structural improvements and scholarships for facades. We Lead has begun to implement The Art-Full Community Project as a prototype for a business incubator; businesses in West Liberty display artwork, artists sell their work and donate part of the proceeds to a community economic development fund. Part of this community fund also benefits the downtown area.
Arts and culture

West Liberty is a historical town with many cultural events. West Liberty has a movie theater built in 1910,[16] an internationally known puppet theater that hosts several events throughout the year and gives frequent performances,[17] two dance studios, an arts council which organizes community art lessons during the winter months and concerts during the summer,[18] and various local artists. West Liberty has a historical downtown, a train depot built in 1897,[19] and a public library constructed in 1904.[20]
Festivals and events

West Liberty is home to the Muscatine County Fairgrounds that hosts the Muscatine County Fair, its biggest annual event, every year in July.[21] The fair features grandstand entertainment, a carnival, a talent show, a fair queen contest, pet shows, and judging of exhibits of livestock, arts and crafts, cooking, flowers and plants, photography, and antiques.[22] More than half of the fairground buildings are original, an exceptionally large number compared to other fairgrounds.[23]

As a prelude to the fair every year, West Liberty holds the Fair Parade followed by Picnic in the Park, on the Sunday immediately preceding the fair. The Fair Parade features floats made by the community in keeping with that year's theme. The parade winds through town and is immediately followed by the Picnic in the Park. The Picnic in the Park is held in Kimberly Park and features a free swim, food sold by local vendors, and entertainment.[24]

Another annual summertime event is Summer Music in the Park. This summer concert series is organized by West Liberty Area Arts Council (WLAAC) and is free to the public. Every Friday evening for about a month in the summer a concert is given by local groups in Ron-de-Voo Park. Music styles vary from blues to classic rock to Latin American folk music.[25]

The West Liberty Children's Festival is held every year in September. A daylong event held downtown on Third Street, it is sponsored and organized by Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre[17] with lots of volunteer help. It includes puppet shows, crafts, activities, strolling performers, performances from the local dance studios, food from local vendors, and more. The performances and puppet shows are given by both local and out of state performers. In recent years it has coordinated with the Latino Festival, which includes several hours of live Latino music as well as Mexican food and craft vendors. The 10 AM to 10 PM event is known as Fiesta West Liberty [26]

From April through August the West Liberty Raceway hosts races nearly every Saturday night.[27] According to their website, the raceway is a "1/2 mile, slightly banked, dirt track".[28] The IMCA Sport Compact, iWireless IMCA Late Models, and Performance Concepts are hosted at the raceway.
Museum

The historical Rock Island Railroad Depot, built in 1897, now serves as a museum. It contains displays of artifacts pertaining to the history of West Liberty and the history of the railway.[29] Heritage Park, or the Depot Campus as it is commonly known, serves as a museum of sorts. The area immediately surrounding the depot has become the final resting place for many local pieces of history. There is a restored Rock Island Lines Caboose,[30] a local barn known as the Heritage Barn along with antique farm equipment,[31] a tourist cabin that used to form part of the North Point complex, which in addition to the nine cabins also consisted of a diner and a service station,[32] a one-room schoolhouse also known as the Swamp School,[33] and the newest addition, a steam locomotive.[34]
Library

The West Liberty Public Library building was constructed in 1904 with the help of a $7500 grant from Andrew Carnegie. Before that, the library can be traced back to its beginning as a temperance library. After the Reading Room was closed[when?], seven women continued circulating the books until they left the handling of the library to the Peoples Library Association 5 years later. The association opened a reading room and later, in the year 1900, the community voted to approve the establishment of a public library. The West Liberty Public Library building is listed as a State Historical Building and has been renovated and expanded various times over the years[35] with the latest repairs and renovations occurring in 2012–2013.[36] The library holds a host of activities throughout the year including summer reading programs, screenings of educational movies, toddler story times, a morning coffee book club, and much more.[37]
Education

The West Liberty Community School District (WLCSD) consists of elementary, middle, and high schools. Construction of a new high school was completed in 2004. A new middle school was opened in 2009 with a combination of new construction and extensive renovations of parts of the old high school.[38] The school district serves over 1220 students with a student/teacher ratio of 11/1. West Liberty High School was ranked Eighth (#8) Best High School in Iowa,[39] according to the US News "Best High Schools 2013 Rankings."[40]
Dual Language Program

"The West Liberty Elementary, Middle School, and High School are all International Spanish Academies (ISAs)".[41] which offer students the opportunity to earn one of the Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera awarded by the Instituto Cervantes. International Spanish Academies are recognized by the Ministry of Education and the Government of Spain. The WLCSD Dual language Program allows students to take all of their classes in both Spanish and English, increasing their bilingual skills and their understanding of another culture through language immersion. Students enter the program in pre-kindergarten and parents make a commitment on behalf of their child and themselves to participate in the program through fifth grade.

The WLCSD Dual Language Program was the first of its kind in the State of Iowa. It began in the fall of 1997 when the district received a five-year $1.7 million federal grant from the United States Department of Education. After a year of planning and model analysis, the program was implemented in the fall of 1998 at the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten grade levels. From 1999 through 2002, the district added grade levels as the first class advanced through each grade.[42] In the spring of 2011, the first graduating class of Seniors marked the final establishment of the dual language program in all K-12 grade levels.
Parks and recreation

There are eight city parks scattered throughout West Liberty, varying in size and purpose from a veterans memorial to a public pool to a sports complex[43] complete with softball and baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a skatepark, and more.[44] The city parks are:

    Dutton Park
    Friendship Park
    Railroad Park
    Ron-De-Voo Park
    Sesquincentennial Park
    Veterans Memorial Park
    Wapsie Park
    Kimberly Park

In addition to the parks, West Liberty maintains a portion of the Hoover Nature Trail. The portion of the trail in West Liberty starts at the depot and continues north to Highway 6. Just a short distance from the depot campus there is an outdoor fitness center containing workout equipment for public use.[45]

West Liberty is home to the West Liberty Golf & Country Club, featuring a nine-hole golf course[46] and a restaurant.[47] The country club hosts a variety of events, including tournaments.[48]

The West Liberty Gun Club is a shooting range on the southwest edge of town. It has an outdoor range, an archery range, and a trap range. It holds matches for anyone, from beginners to more experienced shooters. The club has about 150 members.[49]
Media

The West Liberty Index, the local newspaper for the town of West Liberty, has been in operation since 1868.[50] It covers a variety of local news including news from the nearby towns of Nichols and Atalissa. The West Liberty Public Library has a collection of microfilm copies of the paper from the years 1878 through 1946.[51]
Community engagement

Many community service organizations are active within the community, including the local Lions Club, Rotary Club, West Liberty Area Arts Council,[52] P.E.O, Aquarius Club, and the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).[53]
Utilities

West Liberty receives its telephone, cable, and internet services from the local telephone company Liberty Communications.[54] West Liberty has high speed access to the internet through a fiber optic network.[55]

The town's water, electric, and sewer are all provided through the city.[56] West Liberty generates its own electricity and is one of 64 municipal electric utilities in the State of Iowa with that capability.[57] Garbage pickup is taken care of by the city's solid waste department. The solid waste department also provides a recycling center, dumpster rental, appliance removal for a fee, and yard waste pickup.[58] 
Muscatine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,235.[1] The county seat is Muscatine.[2] The southeastern border is formed by the Mississippi River. Muscatine County comprises the Muscatine, IA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Davenport-Moline, IA-IL Combined Statistical Area.
History

Muscatine County was formed in December 1836 as a part of Wisconsin Territory, partitioned from Des Moines County, which had been organized two years previously.[3] One history suggests that the county was named for Muscatine Island in the Mississippi River. The island lies opposite Muscatine County and was believed to be named after the Mascouten tribe, Algonquian-speaking Native Americans who lived in the area before being driven west by settler encroachment and other tribes.[4]

Colonel George Davenport of Illinois sent three representatives into the territory in 1833 to establish a trade post. They were the first European Americans to settle there. In the same year, James W. Casey and John Vanatta came to the area. They opened a supply depot for steamboats on June 1, 1833, and named it Casey's Woodpile (since steamboats used wood as fuel). Muscatine County became part of Iowa Territory on July 4, 1838, when it was established by partitioning the area from Wisconsin Territory.[3] The first public land sale was held in November 1838. One year later, officials began construction of the first courthouse and associated jail. A second jail, known as the "Old Jail", was built in 1857.[5]

The first courthouse was destroyed by fire on December 23, 1864. By 1866 a replacement stood on the same site. The present courthouse opened on September 26, 1907.[6]
Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 449 square miles (1,160 km2), of which 437 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.6%) is water.[7]
Adjacent counties

    Cedar County (north)
    Johnson County (northwest)
    Louisa County (south, southwest)
    Rock Island County, Illinois (east), across the Mississippi River
    Scott County (northeast)

Transportation
Transit

    MuscaBus

Major highways

    U.S. Highway 6 – enters from Cedar County, west of Wilton, runs south two miles, then continues west and west-northwest to the northwest corner of the county, exiting into Johnson County.
    U.S. Highway 61 – enters from Louisa County, southwest of Fruitland. Runs northeast through the county, passing Muscatine, before turning east to enter Scott County at Blue Grass.
    Iowa Highway 22 – begins at an intersection with Iowa 70, three miles east of Nichols. Runs east and southeast to an intersection with US 61, west of Muscatine.
    Iowa Highway 38 – begins at an intersection with US 6, three miles south of Wilton. Runs south to an intersection with US 61, north of Muscatine.
    Iowa Highway 70 – enters from Louisa County at the southwest corner of Muscatine County. Runs north, northeast and east to Cedar County, passing Nichols and West Liberty.
    Iowa Highway 92 - enters Muscatine County (and state of Iowa), running northwest across the historic Norbert F. Beckey Bridge into central Muscatine. Runs southwest along the Mississippi River to intersection with US 61, southwest of Muscatine.[8]