Iowa City, IA

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2020 Population

172,919

1.31% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

31.4

0.319% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

16%

5.73% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$63,131

0.939% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$228,600

5.83% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

95,007

0.45% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Iowa City, IA had a population of 173k people with a median age of 31.4 and a median household income of $63,131. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Iowa City, IA grew from 170,677 to 172,919, a 1.31% increase and its median household income grew from $62,544 to $63,131, a 0.939% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Iowa City, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (79.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.68%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.43%), White (Hispanic) (3.16%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.49%).

None of the households in Iowa City, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

92.7% of the residents in Iowa City, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Iowa City, IA are University of Iowa (9,628 degrees awarded in 2021) and PCI Academy-Iowa City (42 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Iowa City, IA was $228,600, and the homeownership rate was 59.9%.

Most people in Iowa City, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Iowa City, IA was 2 cars per household.

Iowa City, IA borders Cedar Rapids, IA, Fairfield, IA, and Muscatine, IA.

United States Iowa

Population & Diversity

Iowa City, IA is home to a population of 173k people, from which 92.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 10.6% of Iowa City, IA residents were born outside of the country (18.4k people).

In 2020, there were 11.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (137k people) in Iowa City, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 11.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 9.4k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

92.7%

2020 Citizenship

92.4%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 92.7% of Iowa City, IA residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Iowa City, IA was 92.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Iowa City, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Iowa City, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
137k ± 354
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
11.6k ± 574
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
9.4k ± 443

5.82%

Hispanic Population

10.1k people

5.82% of the people in Iowa City, IA are hispanic (10.1k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Iowa City, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,266 ± 4,955 people
India
10,872 ± 2,556 people
China
9,649 ± 2,408 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,266 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,872 and China with 9,649.

Foreign-Born Population

10.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

18.4k people

10.9%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

18.6k people

As of 2020, 10.6% of Iowa City, IA residents (18.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Iowa City, IA was 10.9%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Iowa City, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,776 ± 234
Gulf War (2001-)
1,389 ± 260
Gulf War (1990s)
911 ± 236

Iowa City, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.28 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Iowa City, IA employs 95k people. The largest industries in Iowa City, IA are Health Care & Social Assistance (18,974 people), Educational Services (18,675 people), and Retail Trade (10,452 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($70,800), Utilities ($65,893), and Public Administration ($59,243).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,102. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.438, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

95k

2020 Value

± 2,414

−0.45%

1 Year decline

± 3.45%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Iowa City, IA declined at a rate of −0.45%, from 95.4k employees to 95k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Iowa City, IA, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (10,126 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,350 people), and Management Occupations (9,003 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Iowa City, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

95k

2020 Value

± 2,414

−0.45%

1 Year decline

± 3.45%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Iowa City, IA declined at a rate of −0.45%, from 95.4k employees to 95k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Iowa City, IA, are Health Care & Social Assistance (18,974 people), Educational Services (18,675 people), and Retail Trade (10,452 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Iowa City, IA, though some of these residents may live in Iowa City, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$42,940

Median earning men ± $1,575

$30,478

Median earning women ± $1,182

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Public Administration ($64,424), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($61,618), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,111).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Wholesale Trade ($50,123), Public Administration ($45,147), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($40,286).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,658
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
927
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
807
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$1.85M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.02M
Manufacturing
$518k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Iowa City, IA. Showing the available data for Iowa.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.16%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Iowa went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.16%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Iowa for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Iowa City, IA awarded 9,670 degrees. The student population of Iowa City, IA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 26,796 male students and 33,206 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Iowa City, IA are White (7,046 and 78.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (667 and 7.46%), Asian (389 and 4.35%), and Two or More Races (315 and 3.53%).

The largest universities in Iowa City, IA by number of degrees awarded are University of Iowa (9,628 and 99.6%) and PCI Academy-Iowa City (42 and 0.434%).

The most popular majors in Iowa City, IA are Organizational Leadership (441 and 4.56%), General Finance (418 and 4.32%), and Other Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods (418 and 4.32%).

The median tuition cost in Iowa City, IA for a public four year colleges is $8,356 for in-state students and $30,319 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Iowa City, IA, the percentage of applicants admitted was 86.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 60,002 (44.7% men and 55.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 60,002 students enrolled in Iowa City, IA, 44.7% men and 55.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 43,132 records, of which 56.1% were women and 43.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Kinesiology & Exercise Science
391 degree-majors awarded
General Finance
388 degree-majors awarded
Organizational Leadership
287 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Iowa City, IA was Kinesiology & Exercise Science with 391 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Iowa City, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Iowa
9,628 degrees awarded
PCI Academy-Iowa City
42 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Iowa with 9,628 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,423 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Iowa City, IA, which is 0.843 times less than the 5,247 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 7,046 degrees mean that there were 10.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 667 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($8,356) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,586) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($950) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Measure

In 2020, 0.541% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.593% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (734k), Some college (566k), and Bachelors Degree (451k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Iowa City, IA was $228,600 in 2020, which is 0.995 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $216,000 to $228,600, a 5.83% increase. The homeownership rate in Iowa City, IA is 59.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Iowa City, IA have an average commute time of 19.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Iowa City, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Iowa City, IA is $63,131. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Iowa City, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $88,368, followed by Warren County, IA and Mills County, IA, with respective values of $80,309 and $75,137.

Housing

Property

$228,600

Median Property Value 2020

±$4,619

$41,512

Median Property Taxes

±$1,278

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Iowa City, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Iowa City, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.9%

Homeownership

2020

66.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 59.9% of the housing units in Iowa City, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 60.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Iowa City, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Iowa City, IA was Dallas County, IA with a value of $88,368, followed by Warren County, IA and Mills County, IA, with respective values of $80,309 and $75,137.

The following map shows all of the counties in Iowa City, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$63,131

Median Household Income

± $1,943

69.3k

Number of Households

± 1,950

In 2020, the median household income of the 69.3k households in Iowa City, IA grew to $63,131 from the previous year's value of $62,544.

The following chart displays the households in Iowa City, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Iowa City, IA is from Iowa.

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.442

2019 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2020, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.438 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.914% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (70.1%)
Carpooled (8.51%)
Walked (7.72%)

In 2020, 70.1% of workers in Iowa City, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.51%) and those who walked to work (7.72%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Iowa City, IA have a shorter commute time (19.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.25% of the workforce in Iowa City, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Iowa City, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Iowa City, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Iowa City, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Iowa City, IA (26.4k out of 165k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Iowa City, IA is White, followed by Black and Asian.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

94.7% of the population of Iowa City, IA has health coverage, with 59.6% on employee plans, 11.3% on Medicaid, 9.67% on Medicare, 13.4% on non-group plans, and 0.746% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Iowa was $8,200 in 2014. This is a 5.05% increase from the previous year ($7,806).

Primary care physicians in Iowa see 1347 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1357 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1436 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 569 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

1,347 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Iowa

Primary care physicians in Iowa see an average of 1,347 patients per year. This represents a 0.737% decrease from the previous year (1,357 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Iowa in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.9% under 18 years, 32% between 18 and 34 years, 32.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 12.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

5.29%

Uninsured

59.6%

Employer Coverage

11.3%

Medicaid

9.67%

Medicare

13.4%

Non-Group

0.746%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Iowa City, IA declined by 9.98% from 5.87% to 5.29%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Iowa City, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.