Iowa City, IA

Census Place

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2020 Population

75,849

1.2% 1-year growth

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

26.3

0.755% 1-year decrease

2020 Poverty Rate

27.3%

1.16% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$48,148

1.89% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$223,900

4.09% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

42,136

1.47% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Iowa City, IA had a population of 75.8k people with a median age of 26.3 and a median household income of $48,148. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Iowa City, IA grew from 74,950 to 75,849, a 1.2% increase and its median household income declined from $49,075 to $48,148, a −1.89% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Iowa City, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (74.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.51%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (7.29%), White (Hispanic) (3.24%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.47%).

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.

90.1% of the residents in Iowa City, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Iowa City, IA are University of Iowa (9,700 degrees awarded in 2020) and La James International College-Iowa City (14 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Iowa City, IA was $223,900, and the homeownership rate was 46.7%. Most people in Iowa City, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Iowa City, IA was 2 cars per household.

United States Iowa Johnson County, IA Iowa City, IA Iowa City PUMA, IA

Diversity

Iowa City, IA is home to a population of 75.8k people, from which 90.1% are citizens. As of 2020, 13.7% of Iowa City, IA residents were born outside of the country (10.4k people).

In 2020, there were 8.8 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (56.8k people) in Iowa City, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.45k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 5.53k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Iowa City, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
56.8k ± 851
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
6.45k ± 628
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
5.53k ± 559

6.42%

Hispanic Population

4.87k people

6.42% of the people in Iowa City, IA are hispanic (4.87k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

13.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

10.4k people

14.3%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

10.7k people

As of 2020, 13.7% of Iowa City, IA residents (10.4k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Iowa City, IA was 14.3%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 1.2

In 2020, the median age of all people in Iowa City, IA was 26.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 26, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 31. But people in Iowa City, IA are getting getting younger. In 2019, the average age of all Iowa City, IA residents was 27.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place 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.

Citizenship

90.1%

2020 Citizenship

89.5%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 90.1% 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 89.5%, 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.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
665 ± 143
Gulf War (2001-)
609 ± 209
Gulf War (1990s)
339 ± 133

Iowa City, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.09 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Iowa. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Iowa, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Iowa across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Iowa City, IA is $48,148. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in Iowa City, IA was Census Tract 13 with a value of $88,011, followed by Census Tract 1 and Census Tract 12, with respective values of $83,250 and $79,044.

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.

The economy of Iowa City, IA employs 42.1k people. The largest industries in Iowa City, IA are Educational Services (10,736 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,890 people), and Retail Trade (4,702 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($93,750), Public Administration ($54,719), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,385).

Wages

Median Household Income

$48,148

2020 value

± $1,937

−1.89%

1 Year Growth

± 5.82%

Households in Iowa City, IA have a median annual income of $48,148, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $49,075 in 2019, which represents a −1.89% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Iowa City, IA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$63,848

Average Male Salary in Iowa

± $1,749

$48,102

Average Female Salary in Iowa

± $1,312

In 2020, full-time male employees in Iowa made 1.33 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Iowa

Asian
$51,240 ± $6,853
White
$49,346 ± $1,065
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$40,947 ± $23,470

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Iowa workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Iowa.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 13
Census Tract 1
Census Tract 12

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Iowa City, IA was Census Tract 13 with a value of $88,011, followed by Census Tract 1 and Census Tract 12, with respective values of $83,250 and $79,044.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

27.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Iowa City, IA (19k out of 69.4k 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 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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
13,611 ± 958
Asian
2,355 ± 297
Black
2,219 ± 466

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

42.1k

2020 Value

± 1,616

−1.47%

1 Year decline

± 5.32%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Iowa City, IA declined at a rate of −1.47%, from 42.8k employees to 42.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Iowa City, IA, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,874 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (4,252 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,837 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Iowa City, IA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Iowa City, IA, by number of employees, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (5,874 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (4,252 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,837 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Iowa City, IA has an unusually high number of residents working as Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (2.61 times higher than expected), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (2.28 times), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.82 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Iowa City, IA, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($82,045), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($75,313), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,632).

Industries

Employment by Industries

42.1k

2020 Value

± 1,616

−1.47%

1 Year decline

± 5.32%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Iowa City, IA declined at a rate of −1.47%, from 42.8k employees to 42.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Iowa City, IA, are Educational Services (10,736 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,890 people), and Retail Trade (4,702 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Iowa City, IA, by number of employees, are Educational Services (10,736 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,890 people), and Retail Trade (4,702 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Iowa City, IA has an unusually high number of Educational Services (2.74 times higher than expected), Accommodation & Food Services (1.52 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.34 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Iowa City, IA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($93,750), Public Administration ($54,719), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,385).

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

Machinery
$20.9B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Meat/seafood
$18.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Machinery with $20.9B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Meat/seafood ($18.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$262B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

97.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $262B. This is expected to increase 97.9% 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
$23.7B
Minnesota
$16.5B
Texas
$11.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $23.7B, followed by Minnesota with $16.5B and Texas and $11.4B.

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%). The most partisan county was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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 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.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Iowa.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Iowa

52.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Iowa

Lyon County, IA
83.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Sioux County, IA
82.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Osceola County, IA
81% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Iowa was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Iowa colored by their party leaning.

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 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 2020, universities in Iowa City, IA awarded 9,714 degrees. The student population of Iowa City, IA is skewed towards women, with 13,791 male students and 16,527 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Iowa City, IA are White (6,946 and 79.3%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (597 and 6.82%), Asian (402 and 4.59%), and Black or African American (287 and 3.28%).

The largest universities in Iowa City, IA by number of degrees awarded are University of Iowa (9,700 and 99.9%) and La James International College-Iowa City (14 and 0.144%).

The most popular majors in Iowa City, IA are General Finance (430 and 4.43%), Kinesiology & Exercise Science (426 and 4.39%), and Organizational Leadership (387 and 3.98%).

The median tuition cost in Iowa City, IA for a public four year colleges is $8,073 for in-state students and $30,036 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Kinesiology & Exercise Science
417 degree-majorss awarded
General Finance
410 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
273 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Iowa City, IA was Kinesiology & Exercise Science with 417 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

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Iowa
9,700 degrees awarded
La James International College-Iowa City
14 degrees awarded

$8,073

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Iowa City, IA institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Iowa with 9,700 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

4,471

Degrees Awarded to Men

5,243

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 4,471 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Iowa City, IA, which is 0.853 times less than the 5,243 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Iowa City, IA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
6,946 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
597 degrees awarded
Asian
402 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Iowa City, IA was White students. These 6,946 degrees mean that there were 11.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 597 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Iowa City, IA was $223,900 in 2020, which is 0.974 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $215,100 to $223,900, a 4.09% increase. The homeownership rate in Iowa City, IA is 46.7%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Iowa City, IA have an average commute time of 17.3 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.

Housing

Property Value

$223,900

2020 Median

± $5,756

$215,100

2019 Median

± $5,764

In 2020, the median property value in Iowa City, IA grew to to $223,900 from the previous year's value of $215,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Iowa City, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Iowa City, IA the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

Household Income

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

$48,148

Median Household Income

± $1,937

31.5k

Number of Households

± 1,306

In 2020, the median household income of the 31.5k households in Iowa City, IA declined from $48,148 from the previous year's value of $49,075.

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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Iowa City, IA 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.

Rent vs Own

46.7%

2020 Homeownership

47.7%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 46.7% of the housing units in Iowa City, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 47.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Iowa City, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

17.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Iowa City, IA have a shorter commute time (17.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 0.821% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (58.6%)
Walked (14.5%)
Public Transit (7.76%)

In 2020, 58.6% of workers in Iowa City, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (14.5%) and those who used public transit to get to work (7.76%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by false.

Health

95.1% of the population of Iowa City, IA has health coverage, with 57% on employee plans, 11.7% on Medicaid, 8.57% on Medicare, 17.1% on non-group plans, and 0.836% 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 Johnson County, IA see 522 patients per year on average, which represents a 5.26% decrease from the previous year (551 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 434 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 266 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.3%). Additionally, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Johnson County, IA.

522 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Johnson County, IA

Primary care physicians in Johnson County, IA see an average of 522 patients per year. This represents a 5.26% decrease from the previous year (551 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$8,200

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Iowa

$4,076

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,702

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,317

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Iowa (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.05%, from $7,806 to $8,200.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.88%

Uninsured

57%

Employer Coverage

11.7%

Medicaid

8.57%

Medicare

17.1%

Non-Group

0.836%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Iowa City, IA declined by 16.1% from 5.81% to 4.88%.

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.