Iowa is a Midwestern state bursting with charm. While the state is primarily recognized for its contributions to America’s agricultural industry, there are some great big cities within state bounds. The largest city in Iowa has loads to do and boasts some shining skyscrapers, high above the plains of the region. Let’s dive into the big cities of Iowa: what they are, what makes them great, and what city we predict will be the biggest in the state in 2050!
What is the Largest City in Iowa?
When most people think of Iowa, they think of corn fields and small towns. However, the Des Moines skyline is bursting with skyscrapers that put the Iowa stereotypes to shame!
©f11photo/Shutterstock.com
The capital of Iowa is also the most populous city in the state of Iowa. That city is Des Moines. Des Moines is a charming big city with 213,164 residents. It sits in the center of the state, with Ankeny to the north and West Des Moines to the southwest. Des Moines is split by the beautiful Des Moines River, so you can enjoy the water while you explore the big city. This city is around 80 square miles in size, making it the largest city in Iowa by area, too!
Des Moines Facts & Figures
Let’s learn some fun facts about Iowa’s most populous city, Des Moines. We’ve also thrown in a few facts about the state!
- Des Moines is a French name. In French, it means “the monks.” Perhaps Des Moines is home to some peace and quiet?
- The State Capitol building of Iowa is incredibly beautiful. The dome of the building contains 100 ounces of gold and shines brightly over the city of Des Moines.
- The city of Des Moines wasn’t always called that. In fact, for many years, it was called Fort Raccoon!
- Ashton Kutcher is one of the most famous people from Iowa.
- Iowa’s state bird is the beautiful American goldfinch.
What Will Be the Largest City in Iowa in 2050?
Iowa is a land-locked state that touches six other Midwestern states: South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska.
©PeterHermesFurian/iStock via Getty Images
Iowa is home to primarily small towns and rural areas, so there’s not a lot of competition when it comes to big cities. Des Moines is also still growing, with a population growth rate of around 1.24%. The second-place city is Cedar Rapids, with a population of 136,929 residents. However, Cedar Rapids has a growth rate that’s in the negative. Thus, it’s likely that in 2050, Des Moines will still be the largest city in the state of Iowa.
Top 5 Largest Cities in Iowa: A Comparison
Before you go, we’ve produced a quick summary of the five largest cities in Iowa. For each city, we’ve provided the population, the growth rate, the area, and the rank organized by population.
| Rank | City | Population | Population Growth Rate | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 213,164 | 1.24% | 80.87 sq. mi. |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 136,929 | -0.81% | 70.80 sq. mi. |
| 3 | Davenport | 101,448 | .0.57% | 62.95 sq. mi. |
| 4 | Sioux City | 85,469 | 3.08% | 57.35 sq. mi. |
| 5 | Iowa City | 74,878 | 0.21% | 26.19 sq. mi. |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © JPStrickler from Getty Images, Thinkstock from Photo Images, Take Care Creative/ via Canva.com
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