Iowa: government, population and official figures

Iowa is a state of the United States, number 32 of 51 by population. Iowa had an estimated 3,238,387 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.9% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 20th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.25%, 14th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Iowa?

The governor is Kim Reynolds. Governor's office. Phone: 1-515-281-5211. Address: State Capitol 1007 East Grand Ave. Des Moines , IA 50319.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Iowa: The economy of Iowa (gross domestic product) was worth $271.9 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 20th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 2.6% on 2024.
• Health in Iowa: Life expectancy at birth in Iowa was 77.9 years in 2022, 18th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Iowa: 89.9% of public high school students in Iowa graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 6th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Iowa: The Census Bureau estimates that 11.2% of people in Iowa lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 352,136 people; 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Iowa: Iowa's state government took in $32.3 billion in fiscal year 2024, $10,005 per resident, 18th highest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Iowa

• Iowa
• Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
• Social services
• Consumer Protection Division
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States District Attorneys Office - District of Northern Iowa
• Department of Education
• Election and voting information
• Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Iowa

1. Des Moines 212,086 (2025)
2. Cedar Rapids 137,935 (2025)
3. Davenport 100,358 (2025)
4. Sioux City 86,356 (2025)
5. Ankeny 77,833 (2025)
6. Iowa City 76,229 (2025)
7. West Des Moines 74,224 (2025)
8. Ames 68,220 (2025)
9. Waterloo 66,919 (2025)
10. Council Bluffs 62,680 (2025)
11. Dubuque 59,148 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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