Iowa, the Hawkeye State, is known for its farming industry. It ranks first in beef, pork, corn, soybean, and grain production. Additionally, this 29th state is the only one bordered by two navigable rivers: The Missouri to the west and the Mississippi to the east.
In the past three years, Iowa’s urban populations have grown while many of its rural areas have dwindled. During the pandemic in 2020, sociologists hypothesized that rural America would undergo a revival. Remote opportunities abounded, homes grew less expensive, and many families sought escape from dense cities. While that prediction did occur in many parts of the country, it did not happen in Iowa.
Why, then, are people leaving Iowa towns? The main reason is that workers — especially young ones — seek higher-paying jobs in the bigger cities. These fourteen towns have decreased at a rate of -6% or more in the past three years (from 2020 to 2023).
Let’s discover the fourteen Iowa towns that people are fleeing as soon as possible.
14. Thayer
This small town is known for its friendly locals and tight-knit community.
©Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock.com
Located in Union County, Thayer is the 898th largest town in the state, with a population of 47 in 2023. Its population has steadily declined recently, with a -6% change from 2020 to 2023.
Thayer’s average household income is $104,914, with a poverty rate of 1.75%. Its residents’ average age is 31.6 years old.
13. Moorhead
Loess Hills Scenic Highway is a picturesque drive in Moorhead.
©Ralf Broskvar/Shutterstock.com
In the far western part of the state, Moorhead is located in Morona County. It is the 686th biggest town in Iowa, with a 2023 population of 183. From 2020 to 2023, its population decreased by -6.09%.
Moorhead’s average household income is $47,670, and it has a substantial poverty rate of 28.78%. The average age of the county’s residents is 47.5 years, about nine years older than the state as a whole.
12. Lone Rock
This midwest town calls itself “The Neatest Little Town in Iowa.”
©Thinkstock/Stockbyte via Getty Images
In the north-central part of the state in Kossuth County, Lone Rock is the 756th largest town in the state. In 2023, its population was 138, and from 2020 to 2023, its population decreased by -6.12%.
The average household income is $59,196, and its poverty rate is 6.93%. The median age in Lone Rock is older, at 58.8 years, which is more than 20 years above Iowa as a whole.
11. Arion
The town was named after an ancient Greek poet.
©Madeleine Openshaw/Shutterstock.com
A small town in Crawford County, Arion ranks 831st in Iowa’s towns. It had a population of only 97 in 2023, experiencing a -6.19 decrease from 2020 to 2023. Its average household income is $54,318.
10. Marysville
Numerous coal exposures exist on the banks of Cedar Creek both north and south of Marysville.
©Monika Gruszewicz/Shutterstock.com
Located in Marion County, Marysville is the 902nd largest Iowa town with a 2023 population of only 45 residents. From 2020 to 2023, the town saw a population decrease of -6.25%. Its median household income is $64,667, and its average age is 55.3 years.
9. Soldier
The town was named for a nearby unmarked grave of a soldier.
©vyasphoto/iStock via Getty Images
On the western border of the state in Morona County, Soldier ranks as the 706th largest town in Iowa. With a 2023 population of 173 residents, the town’s population decreased -6.49% from 2020 to 2023.
Its average household income is $47,922, and it possesses a substantial poverty rate of 25.56%. The average age of its residents is 46.5 years old.
8. Burt
This city’s motto is “The Little Town With the Big Heart and Helping Hand.”
©railway fx/Shutterstock.com
On the northern border of the state in Kossuth County, Burt ranks as 497th in Iowa’s town population. With a 2023 population of 386, Burt’s population decreased -6.54% from 2020 to 2023.
Burt’s average household income is $59,083, and it sustains a high poverty rate of 32.7%. Its median age is 34.4 years, which is about four years younger than the state as a whole.
7. Whittemore
The city’s motto is “Proud of our past, excited for our future!”
©iStock.com/:rarrarorro
Located in western Kossuth County, Whittemore’s 2023 population is 465 residents. Ranked 455th in Iowa towns, Whittemore’s population decreased -6.63% from 2020 to 2023.
Its average household income is $73,589, which is more than similar towns. The poverty rate is only 3.7%, and the average age is 39 years.
6. Vail
The town is known for its huge farmers’ markets that sell locally-grown foods and products.
©Alexandra Lande/Shutterstock.com
In Crawford County, Vail ranks 518th largest of Iowa’s towns. Its 2023 population was 365 residents, and its number decreased -6.89% from 2020 to 2023.
With a poverty rate of 18.15%, Vail’s average household income is $56,790. The median age in the town is 35.8 years, younger than the state’s average.
The town is more ethnically diverse than many similar towns, with its “other than white” percentage of residents of 14.09%.
5. Rodney
The “Old Mill” was a landmark in Rodney’s early days.
©iStock.com/subjectreflect
Again on the western border of the state in Monona County, Rodney ranks 911th in the largest towns in Iowa. Its 2023 population was a mere 39 residents, and its numbers decreased -7.14% from 2020 to 2023.
The average household income in the town is $43,185, and it has a poverty rate of 4.41%.
4. Ute
Ute averages 29 inches of snow per year.
©Keith Erlandson/Shutterstock.com
In Monona County, Ute ranks 533rd in largest towns in the state. Its 2023 population was 314 people, and its residents declined by -7.92% from 2020 to 2023.
With a hefty poverty rate of 19.77%, the average income in this town is $45,979. The median age of the population is 47.1 years, nine years older than the state average.
3. Aspinwall
In Aspinwall, residents enjoy a tranquil lifestyle with a strong sense of community.
©Wanderingspark, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons - Original / License
Located in Crawford County, Aspinwall only has 33 residents (2023). Though tiny in number, its residents are big in heart, possessing loyalty and pride in their town. The 919th largest town in Iowa, Aspinwall experienced a -8.33 population decline from 2020 to 2023.
The poverty rate here is high at 26.32%. The average household income is $76,440, and the median age in Aspinwall is 62.8 years, 24 years older than Iowa’s average.
2. Turin
The town is near the Loess Hills, one of Iowa’s most recognized natural sites.
©Doug Lambert/Shutterstock.com
In Monona County, Turin has also experienced a dramatic number of people moving away. The 875th biggest town in the state, Turin’s 2023 population was 66. It saw a decrease in number of -8.33% from 2020 to 2023.
Turin’s poverty rate is 13.79%, and its median household income is $67,748. The town’s average age is young at 28.2 years, a full 10 years younger than Iowa’s average.
1. Carbon
Elijah Waters, the first settler in Carbon, established a sawmill here in 1849.
©Kenneth D. Love/Shutterstock.com
The town at the top of the list that people are fleeing is also the smallest. Ranked 925th largest town in the state, Carbon has only 30 residents (2023). Located in Adams County, Carbon’s population dropped a whopping -9.09% from 2020 to 2023.
The average household income is $46,608, and the poverty rate is 3.92%. Carbon’s citizens are older at an average of 65.9, over 27 years above Iowa’s average.
Summary of the 14 Iowa Towns People Are Fleeing As Soon As Possible
| Town | 2023 Population | % Decrease from 2020 to 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 14. Thayer | 47 | -6 |
| 13. Moorhead | 183 | -6.09 |
| 12. Lone Rock | 138 | -6.12 |
| 11. Arion | 91 | -6.19 |
| 10. Marysville | 45 | -6.25 |
| 9. Soldier | 173 | -6.49 |
| 8. Burt | 386 | -6.54 |
| 7. Whittemore | 465 | -6.63 |
| 6. Vail | 365 | -6.89 |
| 5. Rodney | 39 | -7.14 |
| 4. Ute | 314 | -7.92 |
| 3. Aspinwall | 33 | -8.33 |
| 2. Turin | 66 | -8.33 |
| 1. Carbon | 30 | -9.09 |
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