Population
Iowa has a population of 3,220,000 as of 2026, making it the #32 most populous state in the United States.
Iowa Rankings
Where Iowa places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Iowa Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Iowa's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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One death every — seconds
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| Iowa Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 3,220,000 |
| Births per day | 100 |
| Deaths per day | 90 |
| Net migrations per day | 5 |
| Net population change per day | +15 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Iowa includes 86.85% White, 3.78% Black or African American, 2.48% Asian, 1.71% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 2,796,686 | 86.85% |
| Two or more races | 151,866 | 4.72% |
| Black or African American | 121,798 | 3.78% |
| Asian | 79,711 | 2.48% |
| Other race | 55,102 | 1.71% |
| Native American | 10,210 | 0.32% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 4,627 | 0.14% |
Iowa Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Iowa has seen steady population growth over the past decades. The latest census in 2020 showed Iowa has 3,190,369 residents, an increase of 4.7% since 2010. Iowa's growth rate of 0.47% annually ranks 30th nationwide. The state has an aging population, with adults over 65 now making up 17.2% of residents compared to 14.9% in 2010. Iowa remains largely rural, with urban areas containing 56.2% of the population. The Latino population has driven much of Iowa's growth, rising from 5.0% in 2010 to 6.3% in 2020. Iowa's African American population remains small at 4.1%. Looking at recent years, Iowa's population figures tell a story of slow, steady growth focused around urban areas, even as the state grows older on average.
Economics and Income Statistics
Iowa's average per capita income is $37,949. Household income levels show a median of $70,571. The poverty rate stands at 11.11%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $90,921 | $116,379 |
| Families | $90,921 | $120,016 |
| Households | $70,571 | — |
| Non Families | $41,684 | $59,191 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Iowa
The largest city in Iowa is Des Moines with a population of 214,237.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 214,237 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 137,710 |
| 3 | Davenport | 101,590 |
| 4 | Sioux City | 85,797 |
| 5 | Iowa City | 74,828 |
| 6 | Waterloo | 67,314 |
| 7 | Ames | 66,427 |
| 8 | West Des Moines | 68,723 |
| 9 | Council Bluffs | 62,799 |
| 10 | Ankeny | 67,887 |
Population by County
Iowa's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Iowa →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Iowa
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Iowa.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.