Rank #32 by Population · Updated April 2026
Iowa Population 2026
The population of Iowa is 3,195,937 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 32nd-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $73,147, the median home value is $195,900, and the median age is 38.6.
Iowa's population has grown 45.7% since 1910 (2,224,771 → 3,241,488).
3,195,937
Population
57
People / sq mi
$73,147
Median Income
38.6
Median Age
Iowa covers 55,854 sq mi of land at a density of 57.2 people per square mile.
About Iowa
Housing cost is the defining feature of Iowa: the median home is valued at $195,900. Iowa is a US state with a population of 3,195,937. It ranks #32 among US states by population.
Median household income is $73,147, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 6.9%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $195,900, with typical rent around $949.
Degree attainment is on the lower side for US states: 30.9% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is below the national 14.0% at 10.4%, and the average commute runs about 20 minutes each way.
Iowa, #32 by population
Iowa Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Iowa had a population of 2,224,771 in 1910 and 3,241,488 in 2024, a 45.7% growth over 114 years. The peak was 3,241,488 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.35%.
3,241,488
Population (2024)
2,224,771
Population (1910)
3,241,488
Peak (2024)
0.35%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 2,224,771 |
| 1920 | 2,404,021 |
| 1930 | 2,470,939 |
| 1940 | 2,538,268 |
| 1950 | 2,621,073 |
| 1960 | 2,757,537 |
| 1970 | 2,824,376 |
| 1980 | 2,913,808 |
| 1990 | 2,776,755 |
| 2000 | 2,926,324 |
| 2010 | 3,046,355 |
| 2020 | 3,190,369 |
| 2020 | 3,191,141 |
| 2021 | 3,198,613 |
| 2022 | 3,202,820 |
| 2023 | 3,218,414 |
| 2024 | 3,241,488 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.1% · Female: 49.9%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.6% |
| Black or African American | 3.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 0.3% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.2% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.2% |
Economy & Income
$73,147
Median Household Income
$39,728
Per Capita Income
6.9%
Poverty Rate
2.4%
Unemployment Rate
$95,968
Mean Household Income
64.0%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Iowa's overall price level is 87.8 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 12.2% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Iowa's median household income of $73,147 has the buying power of $83,347 in average-priced areas.
87.8
Price Level (US = 100)
$83,347
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$73,147
Nominal Median Income
Education
93.2%
High School Graduate+
30.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
36,506
Live Births (2022)
11.4
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
64.8%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 85.8% |
| Black or African American | 7.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11.4% |
Housing
$195,900
Median Home Value
$949
Median Rent
1,427,175
Total Housing Units
71.5%
Owner-Occupied
28.5%
Renter-Occupied
8.6%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
91.1% of Iowa residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Iowa:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 55,481 | 1.84% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 5,538 | 0.18% |
| 3 | Other Asian/Pacific | 5,391 | 0.18% |
| 4 | French (incl. Cajun) | 4,348 | 0.14% |
| 5 | Arabic | 3,999 | 0.13% |
| 6 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 3,929 | 0.13% |
| 7 | Swahili or other Bantu | 3,883 | 0.13% |
| 8 | Thai, Lao, or other Tai-Kadai | 2,817 | 0.09% |
| 9 | German | 2,030 | 0.07% |
| 10 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 1,896 | 0.06% |
Commute
0.7%
Drive Alone
2.9%
Carpool
10.4%
Work From Home
19.8 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 212,464 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 136,859 |
| 3 | Davenport | 101,083 |
| 4 | Sioux City | 85,651 |
| 5 | Iowa City | 75,264 |
| 6 | Ankeny | 70,542 |
| 7 | West Des Moines | 69,893 |
| 8 | Waterloo | 66,947 |
| 9 | Ames | 66,112 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | 62,564 |
| 11 | Dubuque | 59,271 |
| 12 | Urbandale | 46,026 |
| 13 | Marion | 41,690 |
| 14 | Cedar Falls | 40,662 |
| 15 | Bettendorf | 39,297 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | 27,491 |
| 17 | Mason City | 27,135 |
| 18 | Waukee | 26,974 |
| 19 | Ottumwa | 25,352 |
| 20 | Fort Dodge | 24,788 |
Counties in Iowa
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polk County | 497,441 | $81,621 |
| 2 | Linn County | 229,463 | $76,421 |
| 3 | Scott County | 174,302 | $76,363 |
| 4 | Johnson County | 154,881 | $74,721 |
| 5 | Black Hawk County | 130,693 | $64,581 |
| 6 | Woodbury County | 105,760 | $70,147 |
| 7 | Dallas County | 104,136 | $102,349 |
| 8 | Dubuque County | 98,948 | $75,919 |
| 9 | Story County | 98,592 | $69,006 |
| 10 | Pottawattamie County | 93,407 | $71,446 |
| 11 | Warren County | 53,484 | $92,990 |
| 12 | Clinton County | 46,383 | $65,177 |
| 13 | Cerro Gordo County | 42,785 | $65,537 |
| 14 | Muscatine County | 42,735 | $69,512 |
| 15 | Marshall County | 39,971 | $72,785 |
| 16 | Des Moines County | 38,597 | $60,662 |
| 17 | Jasper County | 37,864 | $70,128 |
| 18 | Webster County | 36,848 | $68,054 |
| 19 | Sioux County | 35,984 | $84,736 |
| 20 | Wapello County | 35,265 | $60,034 |
Compare Iowa
Rankings for Iowa
Read more about Iowa
A complete guide to Iowa demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Iowa Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Iowa
Congressional districts in Iowa
Largest school districts in Iowa
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Iowa
Where to stay in Iowa
Compare hotels and vacation rentals across Iowa — centered on Des Moines, its largest metro. Search any city right on the cards.
Top-rated places to stay near Des Moines, IA
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Thinking about moving to Iowa?
Get relocation and cost-of-living insights for Iowa by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Iowa has a population of 3,195,937 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 32nd-most populous state in the United States.
Iowa is gaining population, with a +45.7% change over the available historical Census record. Iowa's population has grown 45.7% since 1910 (2,224,771 → 3,241,488).
The median household income in Iowa is $73,147, with a per capita income of $39,728. 6.9% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
85.6% of Iowa's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 3.9% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 1.2% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Iowa is 85.6% White, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 1.2% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Iowa is 38.6 years. The population is 50.1% male and 49.9% female.
Iowa's population has grown 45.7% since 1910 (2,224,771 → 3,241,488).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Iowa's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
States Similar to Iowa
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.