Iowa Population, Economy, Jobs & Key Trends | Data Lab

Region: Iowa
Coverage: 1838 - 2026
Report ID: RH-8340BFFBFBDA25DC
URL: https://greenblog.co.kr/en/data-report/iowa-population-economy-jobs-key-trends-data-lab/

=== Full report ===
Iowa's most striking long-run shift is the expansion of its energy-production base. Population, household income and home value rise more steadily, while unemployment trends lower after an early high. Read alongside agriculture, research universities, prairie conservation and major weather disasters, the data shows several very different kinds of regional change moving at once. Energy production is Iowa's biggest structural shift Primary energy production spends the early part of the series within a relatively narrow range and then expands rapidly. The later series establishes a much higher production base, and recent observations recover beyond the pandemic-era decline. Total energy consumption also rises over the long run, but much more gradually. The difference in pace shows that Iowa's energy story cannot be reduced to stronger local demand alone. Moderate population growth sits beside faster housing appreciation Population rises in every observation, but the pace is relatively gradual. Median home value increases more strongly in the later period, so statewide demographic growth alone does not explain the housing pattern. Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City have different job, education and housing systems from many rural communities. The statewide average is useful for direction, but local affordability and growth pressure can vary considerably. Income rises while unemployment moves lower Median household income rises throughout the series and gains momentum later. Unemployment follows the opposite long-run direction after an early high, with only a modest pandemic-era interruption before declining again. Agriculture, manufacturing, education, health care and services all contribute to Iowa's labor structure. That mix makes statewide employment trends more useful when paired with industry and local context. Universities, conservation and disaster history broaden the regional picture Iowa State University and the University of Iowa provide different research, education, health and public-service functions. Effigy Mounds and Neal Smith refuge add Indigenous history, prairie restoration and ecological conservation to a state often viewed primarily through agriculture. The Great Flood and the derecho demonstrate the exposure of rivers, power systems, transportation and agriculture to major weather shocks. Those environmental and infrastructure pressures are an important part of Iowa's regional history alongside economic indicators. Sources US_EIA · Total primary energy productionUS_EIA · Total energy consumptionUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · PopulationUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Median household incomeUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Median home valueUS_CENSUS_DATA_API · Unemployment rateState Historical Society of Iowa · Iowa Territory is establishedIowa Legislature · Iowa becomes a stateIowa Legislature · Iowa adopts its current state constitutionIowa State University · Iowa Agricultural College is establishedIowa Department of Natural Resources · Backbone becomes Iowa's first state parkState of Iowa · Iowa adopts the Alternative Energy Production LawNational Weather Service · The Great Flood causes statewide disruptionNational Weather Service · A major derecho crosses Iowawww.legis.iowa.gov · Annual State Budget Analysis FAQ Which Iowa indicator changes most dramatically over the long run? Primary energy production. The shift between the early and later production ranges is much larger than the change visible in the other core indicators. Can home values rise faster than population? Yes. Housing values also respond to supply, financing conditions, construction costs, local demand and movement between communities, so statewide population alone does not determine housing change. What matters for understanding Iowa beyond agriculture? The research roles of Ames and Iowa City, state-government functions in Des Moines, prairie and Mississippi River Valley conservation, and resilience to floods and severe wind are all important parts of the regional picture. Iowa combines a major expansion in energy production with moderate population growth, persistent increases in income and home value, and a lower long-run unemployment profile. Land-grant research, agriculture and manufacturing, prairie conservation and recurring flood and wind hazards give those trends a distinctly Iowa regional context.

=== Metrics ===
Total primary energy production	1985	103984	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1986	142011	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1987	147630	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1988	158302	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1989	128630	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1990	121971	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1991	135837	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1992	134641	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1993	138529	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1994	150450	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1995	145390	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1996	154452	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1997	148246	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1998	141308	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	1999	143558	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2000	146321	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2001	136622	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2002	149090	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2003	164786	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2004	212553	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2005	245341	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2006	303354	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2007	365898	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2008	436961	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2009	543494	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2010	600941	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2011	650111	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2012	632378	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2013	660735	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2014	665426	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2015	710147	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2016	728409	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2017	761002	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2018	789399	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2019	806716	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2020	739808	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2021	749384	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2022	776558	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2023	784651	Billion Btu
Total primary energy production	2024	825517	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1985	875272	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1986	878360	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1987	886824	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1988	960660	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1989	918981	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1990	941873	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1991	978008	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1992	968775	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1993	1033373	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1994	1062480	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1995	1100958	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1996	1142304	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1997	1129820	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1998	1141438	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	1999	1188691	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2000	1186019	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2001	1157637	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2002	1183045	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2003	1179269	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2004	1232893	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2005	1259846	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2006	1281045	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2007	1354377	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2008	1412115	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2009	1398438	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2010	1442010	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2011	1441420	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2012	1358083	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2013	1430536	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2014	1444176	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2015	1404968	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2016	1413797	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2017	1450929	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2018	1521108	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2019	1503248	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2020	1349865	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2021	1385997	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2022	1428619	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2023	1403266	Billion Btu
Total energy consumption	2024	1398574	Billion Btu
Population	2011	3032266	persons
Population	2012	3047646	persons
Population	2013	3062553	persons
Population	2014	3078116	persons
Population	2015	3093526	persons
Population	2016	3106589	persons
Population	2017	3118102	persons
Population	2018	3132499	persons
Population	2019	3139508	persons
Population	2020	3150011	persons
Population	2021	3179090	persons
Population	2022	3188836	persons
Population	2023	3195937	persons
Population	2024	3210507	persons
Median household income	2011	50451	US dollars
Median household income	2012	51129	US dollars
Median household income	2013	51843	US dollars
Median household income	2014	52716	US dollars
Median household income	2015	53183	US dollars
Median household income	2016	54570	US dollars
Median household income	2017	56570	US dollars
Median household income	2018	58580	US dollars
Median household income	2019	60523	US dollars
Median household income	2020	61836	US dollars
Median household income	2021	65429	US dollars
Median household income	2022	70571	US dollars
Median household income	2023	73147	US dollars
Median household income	2024	75059	US dollars
Median home value	2011	121300	US dollars
Median home value	2012	123000	US dollars
Median home value	2013	124300	US dollars
Median home value	2014	126300	US dollars
Median home value	2015	129200	US dollars
Median home value	2016	132800	US dollars
Median home value	2017	137200	US dollars
Median home value	2018	142300	US dollars
Median home value	2019	147800	US dollars
Median home value	2020	153900	US dollars
Median home value	2021	160700	US dollars
Median home value	2022	181600	US dollars
Median home value	2023	195900	US dollars
Median home value	2024	208000	US dollars
Unemployment rate	2011	5.5058793777702	percent
Unemployment rate	2012	5.5594670004433	percent
Unemployment rate	2013	5.7594831860083	percent
Unemployment rate	2014	5.4127777246405	percent
Unemployment rate	2015	4.9379397007694	percent
Unemployment rate	2016	4.528751548151	percent
Unemployment rate	2017	4.1359448109228	percent
Unemployment rate	2018	3.8941969801104	percent
Unemployment rate	2019	3.7324147392595	percent
Unemployment rate	2020	3.9193638203215	percent
Unemployment rate	2021	3.9070466758681	percent
Unemployment rate	2022	3.8232900683104	percent
Unemployment rate	2023	3.6315264107786	percent
Unemployment rate	2024	3.5796008691795	percent

=== Timeline ===
1838 1838
  - Iowa Territory is established — The federal government formally established Iowa Territory, creating a separate territorial administration west of the Mississippi River.
1846 1846
  - Iowa becomes a state — Iowa entered the Union as a state, replacing territorial administration with a formal state-government system.
1857 1857
  - Iowa adopts its current state constitution — Iowa adopted a new state constitution that remains the original constitutional framework of state government.
1858 1858
  - Iowa Agricultural College is established — Iowa established the Agricultural College and Model Farm, creating the institution that became Iowa State University and a major base for agricultural, engineering and scientific education.
1920 1920
  - Backbone becomes Iowa's first state park — Backbone State Park was dedicated as Iowa's first state park, marking an early milestone in statewide conservation and outdoor recreation.
1983 1983
  - Iowa adopts the Alternative Energy Production Law — Iowa adopted the Alternative Energy Production Law, creating a renewable-generation requirement for regulated utilities and adding a durable renewable-energy policy framework.
1986 1986
  - Total primary energy production: 142011 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 878360 Billion Btu
1987 1987
  - Total primary energy production: 147630 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 886824 Billion Btu
1988 1988
  - Total primary energy production: 158302 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 960660 Billion Btu
1989 1989
  - Total primary energy production: 128630 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 918981 Billion Btu
1990 1990
  - Total primary energy production: 121971 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 941873 Billion Btu
1991 1991
  - Total primary energy production: 135837 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 978008 Billion Btu
1992 1992
  - Total primary energy production: 134641 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 968775 Billion Btu
1993 1993
  - Total primary energy production: 138529 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1033373 Billion Btu
  - The Great Flood causes statewide disruption — Prolonged rainfall and river flooding caused widespread disruption across Iowa, affecting housing, transportation and public services in places including Des Moines and Ames.
1994 1994
  - Total primary energy production: 150450 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1062480 Billion Btu
1995 1995
  - Total primary energy production: 145390 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1100958 Billion Btu
1996 1996
  - Total primary energy production: 154452 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1142304 Billion Btu
1997 1997
  - Total primary energy production: 148246 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1129820 Billion Btu
1998 1998
  - Total primary energy production: 141308 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1141438 Billion Btu
1999 1999
  - Total primary energy production: 143558 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1188691 Billion Btu
2000 2000
  - Total primary energy production: 146321 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1186019 Billion Btu
2001 2001
  - Total primary energy production: 136622 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1157637 Billion Btu
2002 2002
  - Total primary energy production: 149090 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1183045 Billion Btu
2003 2003
  - Total primary energy production: 164786 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1179269 Billion Btu
2004 2004
  - Total primary energy production: 212553 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1232893 Billion Btu
2005 2005
  - Total primary energy production: 245341 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1259846 Billion Btu
2006 2006
  - Total primary energy production: 303354 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1281045 Billion Btu
2007 2007
  - Total primary energy production: 365898 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1354377 Billion Btu
2008 2008
  - Total primary energy production: 436961 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1412115 Billion Btu
2009 2009
  - Total primary energy production: 543494 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1398438 Billion Btu
2010 2010
  - Total primary energy production: 600941 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1442010 Billion Btu
2011 2011
  - Total primary energy production: 650111 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1441420 Billion Btu
2012 2012
  - Total primary energy production: 632378 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1358083 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3047646 persons
  - Median household income: 51129 US dollars
  - Median home value: 123000 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 5.5594670004433 percent
2013 2013
  - Total primary energy production: 660735 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1430536 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3062553 persons
  - Median household income: 51843 US dollars
  - Median home value: 124300 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 5.7594831860083 percent
2014 2014
  - Total primary energy production: 665426 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1444176 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3078116 persons
  - Median household income: 52716 US dollars
  - Median home value: 126300 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 5.4127777246405 percent
2015 2015
  - Total primary energy production: 710147 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1404968 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3093526 persons
  - Median household income: 53183 US dollars
  - Median home value: 129200 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 4.9379397007694 percent
2016 2016
  - Total primary energy production: 728409 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1413797 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3106589 persons
  - Median household income: 54570 US dollars
  - Median home value: 132800 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 4.528751548151 percent
2017 2017
  - Total primary energy production: 761002 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1450929 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3118102 persons
  - Median household income: 56570 US dollars
  - Median home value: 137200 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 4.1359448109228 percent
2018 2018
  - Total primary energy production: 789399 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1521108 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3132499 persons
  - Median household income: 58580 US dollars
  - Median home value: 142300 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.8941969801104 percent
2019 2019
  - Total primary energy production: 806716 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1503248 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3139508 persons
  - Median household income: 60523 US dollars
  - Median home value: 147800 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.7324147392595 percent
2020 2020
  - Total primary energy production: 739808 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1349865 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3150011 persons
  - Median household income: 61836 US dollars
  - Median home value: 153900 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.9193638203215 percent
  - A major derecho crosses Iowa — A powerful derecho crossed Iowa and caused widespread wind, power, building and tree damage across central and eastern parts of the state.
2021 2021
  - Total primary energy production: 749384 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1385997 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3179090 persons
  - Median household income: 65429 US dollars
  - Median home value: 160700 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.9070466758681 percent
2022 2022
  - Total primary energy production: 776558 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1428619 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3188836 persons
  - Median household income: 70571 US dollars
  - Median home value: 181600 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.8232900683104 percent
2023 2023
  - Total primary energy production: 784651 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1403266 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3195937 persons
  - Median household income: 73147 US dollars
  - Median home value: 195900 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.6315264107786 percent
2024 2024
  - Total primary energy production: 825517 Billion Btu
  - Total energy consumption: 1398574 Billion Btu
  - Population: 3210507 persons
  - Median household income: 75059 US dollars
  - Median home value: 208000 US dollars
  - Unemployment rate: 3.5796008691795 percent
2026 2026
  - Annual State Budget Analysis — This is a directly relevant official development for Iowa: “Annual State Budget Analysis”. Its implications are limited to what the official source establishes.

=== Regional places ===
- Government: Iowa State Capitol — The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines is the center of state government and a defining civic landmark for Iowa's legislative and executive functions.
- Education: Iowa State University — Iowa State University in Ames is a major land-grant research university and an anchor for agriculture, engineering, science, extension and regional innovation.
- Education: University of Iowa — The University of Iowa in Iowa City is a major public research university with important education, research, health-care, arts and public-service functions.
- Nature & parks: Backbone State Park — Backbone State Park is Iowa's first state park and protects a distinctive Maquoketa River ridge landscape with forest, trails and public recreation.
- Landmark: Effigy Mounds National Monument — Effigy Mounds National Monument protects an American Indian mound landscape in the Upper Mississippi River Valley and connects Indigenous history with Iowa's natural setting.
- Nature & parks: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge — Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge restores and protects tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow and is a major conservation and environmental-education site in Iowa.

=== Sources ===
- US_EIA TEPRB https://api.eia.gov/v2/seds/data/
- US_EIA TETCB https://api.eia.gov/v2/seds/data/
- US_CENSUS_DATA_API B01003_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5
- US_CENSUS_DATA_API B19013_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5
- US_CENSUS_DATA_API B25077_001E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5
- US_CENSUS_DATA_API B23025_003E+B23025_005E https://api.census.gov/data/2024/acs/acs5
- State Historical Society of Iowa REGIONAL_EVENT https://history.iowa.gov/learn/k-12-education/professional-learning/iowa-history-course/unit-2-iowa-territory
- Iowa Legislature REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/statutory/constitution/constConventions?year=1846
- Iowa Legislature REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/statutory/constitution
- Iowa State University REGIONAL_EVENT https://historicexhibits.lib.iastate.edu/150/template/history.html
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/all-parks/backbone-state-park
- State of Iowa REGIONAL_EVENT https://publications.iowa.gov/31438/1/IEP_Appendices_full.pdf
- National Weather Service REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-states-ia
- National Weather Service REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.weather.gov/dmx/2020derecho
- www.legis.iowa.gov REGIONAL_EVENT https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/fiscal/budgetAnalysis
