Iowa (IA)

Known as the "Hawkeye State," Iowa is a blend of rolling farmlands, friendly communities, and rich cultural heritage. With its deep agricultural roots, vibrant small towns, and exciting state fairs, Iowa offers a welcoming atmosphere and a glimpse into the heart of America.

• Population: ~3.2 million
• Weather: Warm summers (70-90°F); cold winters (10-30°F).
• Famous Sites: Field of Dreams, State Capitol, Amana Colonies, Bridges of Madison County, Maquoketa Caves.
• Top Activities: Farming tours, state fairs, hiking, biking, college sports, exploring historic sites.

Iowa’s job market is strong, with opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and education. These industries provide stable careers with good salaries. Here are the top five in-demand jobs in Iowa based on earnings and job openings. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Iowa offers a mix of lively cities and thriving college towns. Its largest cities host several reputable colleges and universities, attracting tens of thousands of students each year. The table below highlights Iowa's ten largest cities, their approximate populations, and the estimated number of college students enrolled in each city.

Iowa is home to excellent public and private universities, offering top programs in engineering, healthcare, business, and more.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Iowa

• University of Iowa (UI) – The state's flagship university, known for its strong medical, law, and business programs.
• Iowa State University (ISU) – A top research university with strengths in engineering, agriculture, and business.
• University of Northern Iowa (UNI) – Recognized for its teacher education and business programs.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Iowa

• Drake University – A well-respected university known for business, pharmacy, and law programs.
• Grinnell College – A prestigious liberal arts college with a strong focus on academic excellence.
• Coe College – A small liberal arts college known for a strong student-faculty connection.
• Cornell College – Unique for its one-course-at-a-time academic schedule.
• Loras College – A Catholic college with strong business and healthcare programs.

Iowa is home to some of the best public and private high schools, offering excellent academic programs, diverse extracurricular activities, and strong college preparation. These schools provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in higher education and beyond.

Top Public High Schools in Iowa

• Iowa City High School, Iowa City – Known for its strong academic curriculum, Advanced Placement courses, and well-rounded extracurricular programs.
• Ames High School, Ames – Offers excellent college preparatory programs, high test scores, and a range of competitive sports teams.
• Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf – Recognized for academic excellence, outstanding faculty, and advanced STEM opportunities.
• Valley High School, West Des Moines – Provides students with a strong academic foundation, arts programs, and numerous student organizations.
• Linn-Mar High School, Marion – Known for its advanced coursework, technology integration, and notable student achievements.

Top Private High Schools in Iowa

• Regina Catholic Education Center, Iowa City – A top-ranked private school offering rigorous academics and faith-based education.
• Dowling Catholic High School, West Des Moines – Provides excellent college preparatory courses, athletics, and leadership programs.
• Xavier High School, Cedar Rapids – Focuses on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and strong athletic programs.
• Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale – Offers high academic standards with a well-rounded Christian-based education.
• Marquette Catholic High School, Bellevue – Known for small class sizes, strong student-teacher relationships, and a rigorous curriculum.

Unlike many other states, Iowa does not have teams in the big four major leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL). However, the state has a deep love for sports, especially college athletics. The Iowa Hawkeyes (University of Iowa) and Iowa State Cyclones (Iowa State University) have passionate fan bases, particularly in football and basketball, making college games feel like professional-level events.

Although no major league teams call Iowa home, the state supports various minor league and semi-professional teams across different sports.

Minor League & Semi-Professional Teams in Iowa

Baseball 🏟️

• Iowa Cubs (Triple-A – Chicago Cubs affiliate) – Iowa’s highest-level minor league baseball team, playing in Des Moines.
• Cedar Rapids Kernels (High-A – Minnesota Twins affiliate) – A longtime staple of minor league baseball in Iowa.
• Quad Cities River Bandits (High-A – Kansas City Royals affiliate) – A Davenport-based team with a rich history.
• Burlington Bees (Prospect League – Collegiate summer baseball) – A former minor league team that now plays in a summer baseball league.

Hockey 🏒

• Iowa Wild (AHL – Minnesota Wild affiliate) – A high-level minor league hockey team based in Des Moines.
• Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL – Top junior hockey league) – A strong developmental team for future NHL players.
• Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL – Junior hockey) – Another top-tier junior hockey team in Iowa.
• Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL – Junior hockey) – A historic hockey team helping players develop for college and professional leagues.
• Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL – Junior hockey) – A competitive junior hockey team with passionate fans.

Basketball 🏀

• Iowa Wolves (NBA G League – Minnesota Timberwolves affiliate) – A developmental team for future NBA talent.

Soccer ⚽

• Des Moines Menace (USL League Two – Fourth-tier soccer) – One of the most successful amateur soccer clubs in the U.S.

1. The Hawkeye State 🦅 – Iowa is known as the “Hawkeye State,” a nickname that honors Native American leader Chief Black Hawk.
2. First in the Nation Caucuses 🗳️ – Iowa kicks off the U.S. presidential election process with its caucuses, making it a key state in American politics.
3. Birthplace of Sliced Bread 🍞 – The first bread-slicing machine was invented by Iowan Otto Frederick Rohwedder, revolutionizing the way people enjoy bread.
4. Home of the Butter Cow 🐄 – The Iowa State Fair features a life-sized butter sculpture of a cow every year, a beloved tradition that has been around for more than a century.
5. The Bridges of Madison County 🌉 – Madison County, Iowa, is famous for its beautiful covered bridges, which inspired a best-selling novel and a Hollywood movie.
6. Most Cropland in the U.S. 🌽 – Iowa leads the nation in producing corn and soybeans, with rich farmlands stretching as far as the eye can see.
7. Home to a Giant Gnome 🏡 – Reiman Gardens in Ames is home to the world's largest concrete garden gnome, standing over 15 feet tall.
8. Ice Cream Capital of the World 🍦 – Le Mars, Iowa, is known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World, producing more ice cream than any other city on Earth.
9. American Gothic's Famous House 🖼️ – The house featured in Grant Wood’s iconic painting American Gothic is located in Eldon, Iowa.
10. Has a Town Named "Elk Horn" 🇩🇰 – Elk Horn, Iowa, is home to the largest Danish settlement in the U.S. and even has an authentic Danish windmill.