IOWA
POPULATION DENSITY
People per square mile, 2010: 54.5
People per square mile, 2020: 57.1
HISTORIC & PROJECTED GROWTH 1790 TO 2040
Year |
Population |
1790 |
0 |
1800 |
0 |
1810 |
0 |
1820 |
0 |
1830 |
0 |
1840 |
43,112 |
1850 |
192,914 |
1860 |
674,913 |
1870 |
1,194,020 |
1880 |
1,624,615 |
1890 |
1,912,297 |
1900 |
2,231,853 |
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 |
2,825,368 |
1980 |
2,913,808 |
1990 |
2,776,755 |
2000 |
2,926,324 |
2010 |
3,046,355 |
2020 |
3,190,369 |
2030 |
3,317,412 |
2040 |
3,392,783 |
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census & Weldon Cooper Center, Demographics Research Group
(The Census Bureau and Weldon Cooper Center have not yet provided updated State projections to reflect 2020 census numbers.)
Population by County
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Iowa Population News Articles
Summit pipeline opponents, supporters seek action from utilities commission – May 20, 2026
Iowa Senate Approves Bill Making it Harder to Sue Factory Farms For Polluting – May 19, 2026
Environmental groups sue EPA over polluted Iowa water – May 14, 2026
What percent of the workforce in Iowa are immigrants? – May 13, 2026
Grimes population grows almost 16% in 5 years, special census shows – May 12, 2026
‘Federal immigration policy obviously drove the change’: Iowa immigration plunges 53%, costing state $230 million – May 6, 2026
Facing Its Third Data Center, an Iowa County Rolls Out Extensive Zoning Rules – Mar 1, 2026
Iowa water quality and cancer rates: Atlantic-area grandparents push lawmakers to act on pollution concerns – Feb 28, 2026
The Waukee Community School District now offers grab-and-go meals that students can take home and eat when they break their fast. – Feb 26, 2026
Iowa Environmental Council: Public health connection to pollution can’t be ignored – Feb 25, 2026
Iowa relies on immigrants to grow. Trump policies are slowing new arrivals – Feb 10, 2026
In Iowa, many rivers and lakes improve briefly, then fall back into impairment – Feb 6, 2026
Rubbertown residents voice concerns over Kentucky's new hyperscale data center – Oct 21, 2025
Lexington nonprofit records a drop in the unhoused population, but shelter needs still remain – Oct 9, 2025
Ky rural economy report finds population growth occurring – Oct 7, 2025
Kentucky trails nation on new climate and health scorecard – Sep 26, 2025
Iowa’s Latino Population in Iowa – June 20, 2025
Lawn watering ban still in place for more than 600,000 central Iowans; water usage drops by 30% - June 17, 2025
Near-record nitrate levels in Des Moines, Iowa-area rivers threaten drinking water – June 12, 2025
Big city amenities combined with small-town-style perks help spur Des Moines metro's growth – June 12, 2025
DSM faces declining air quality while most U.S. cities improve – May 27, 2025
10 Iowa Counties at Most Risk of Tornado Damage in 2025 – May 27, 2025
Counties in Iowa where landslides pose the greatest threat – Dec 2, 2024
Iowa immigrant advocacy group urges undocumented people to prepare for 2nd Trump term – Dec 2, 2024
Iowa City residents, DNR, EPA, work together to search for sources of pollution – Nov 19, 2024
EPA Finds Dangerous Nitrate Contamination In IA Urban Drinking Water Supplies – Nov 14, 2024
Ruling in northeast Iowa case could impact state groundwater usage – Nov 14, 2024
EPA adds 7 segments to Iowa’s 2024 impaired water list – Nov 13, 2024
Tiffin plans major expansion with $10 million rec center amid population boom – Sept 18, 2024
Iowa releases 'Condition of the State' report on clean energy goals – Sept 12, 2024
Iowa has second-in-the-nation cancer rate; Residents doubt cause – Sept 4, 2024
Iowa joins 15 other GOP-led states in new immigration lawsuit – Aug 23, 2024
Changing climate contributes to record Iowa tornado season – July 1, 2024
Factory Farm Waste Intensifies Health Risks In NW Iowa Flooding – June 25, 2024
Data Shows Iowa Air Quality Monitoring is Insufficient to Protect Public Health – June 18, 2024
Advocates, law enforcement react to temporary injunction on Iowa migrant reentry law – June 18, 2024
Iowa readies a $200 million bond to control agricultural runoff and improve water quality – June 3, 2024
An Iowa farm county seeks answers amid cancer rates 50% higher than national average – May 7, 2024
Iowa officials describe border security efforts during recent $2 million deployment – October 25, 2023
The 5 Fastest Growing Towns in Iowa Everyone Is Talking About – October 23, 2023
What does Iowa water quality look like after 10 years with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy? – October 18, 2023
Discover the Largest Cities in Iowa (By Population, Total Area, and Economic Impact) – October 14, 2023
Iowa's Latino youth will help shape the future of an aging state – October 3, 2023
Iowa Has A Jaw Dropping Number Of Registered Cars On The Road – July 12, 2023
DROUGHT CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO LINGER IN SOUTHEAST IOWA – July 7, 2023
Iowa electric vehicle registrations up nearly 30%, but charging stations lag – July 7, 2023
Iowa climate action leaders optimistic in face of new records – July 5, 2023
Iowa expert shares lessons about hog production and water pollution – June 30, 2023
Iowa Factory Farms Are Supercharging the Climate Crisis – December 13, 2022
Iowa Watershed Watchers Want Action on Climate Change – December 11, 2022
Is Cedar River segment impaired for nitrate? Experts disagree – December 7, 2022
Rapid growth in Tiffin spurs exciting new projects in the corridor – December 2, 2022
‘Major source’ of air pollution operated without permits for decades, DNR says – November 22, 2022
Swimming not recommended at these 11 Iowa beaches due to high bacteria levels, DNR says – July 17, 2022
Homelessness Symposium aims to end homeless crisis in Iowa – July 13, 2022
Scientists say Iowa's future climate could lead to more amoeba cases – July 12, 2022
Detailed Dive Into Iowa Drought and Crop Conditions – July 8, 2022
Iowa court reverses precedent on Iowa pig farm lawsuits – June 30, 2022
The Trickle-Down Effect of Agriculture in Iowa – March 16, 2022
One rural Iowa town wants to grow. So, it’s building its first child care center. – March 15, 2022
Another push to update Iowa’s 44-year-old ‘Bottle Bill’ – March 14, 2022
Concern on the rise over carbon capture pipelines in North Iowa – March 10, 2022
Iowa impaired waters list grows in 2022 – February 21, 2022