From Coast to Cornfields: The States Most Likely to Send New Residents to Iowa

Iowa isn't a state known for having a large population. With only 3.2 million residents, there are cities that have nearly far more residents. New York and Los Angeles for example. Chicago has nearly our populous, and if you live in Eastern Iowa, you're just a couple hours from such a massive number of folks in one area.

But Iowa's population is still rising, and with cities like Des Moines growing, where are new Iowans coming from?

Iowa Transplants: Welcome!

People move from state to state all the time. It's easy. It's common. Some of the main reasons you may leave whatever state you're in for Iowa would be work or family. Perhaps to attend college, or even for lower taxes.

So, where are our newer residents moving from?

The study by Stacker was done in 2022, so it is a couple of years old, but it's unlikely much has changed. After, and even during the pandemic, there was movement in the U.S. More and more people were able to work remotely and were not tied to an office, and therefore not tied to a city or state. The south saw the largest population growth by region, the northeast saw the largest population drop.

Get our free mobile app

The study looked at the top 25 states new Iowans previously called home. The results... pretty surprising. Maybe not the top 4, since they're all border states, but the rest are all pretty shocking. To me, anyway.

Let's take a look, with some stats, at the state's most new Iowans previously called home. Oh, and if you're new or new-ish to Iowa, welcome!

If you are new to town, be sure to try one of these new restaurants!