100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Iowa (IA) is a major agricultural state in the American Midwest, and within the United States it is a leading producer of corn, soybeans, and pork. The capital and largest city in Iowa is Des Moines. The state borders Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Until 1763, Iowa was part of the wider region known as New France.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Iowa Abbreviation IA Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines (Population: 210 381) Current time 22:54 Time zone CST (UTC-6), state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 3,190,427 (#31 most populous US state) Area 56,273 sqmi (#26 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 28, 1846 (#29 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Iowa
The capital of the state of Iowa is Des Moines, which was originally established as a fort in May 1843. The name refers to the Des Moines River of the same name, which was named by French explorers. Des Moines became the capital in 1857.
🏙️ Largest City in Iowa
Iowa’s largest city is Des Moines, home to 210,381 people in 2023. Cedar Rapids ranks second with a population of 135,958, and Davenport is third with 100,354 residents.
🕒 Time in Iowa
The current time in Iowa is 22:54. The entire state observes the Central Standard Time zone (CST, UTC-6), and from March to November it switches to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Iowa
According to 2023 data, Iowa had 3,190,427 residents, which placed it 31st among U.S. states by population.
📍 Area of Iowa
Iowa’s total area is 56,273 sqmi, of which 55,857 sqmi is land and only 416 sqmi is water. Iowa is the 26th largest state in the United States.
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Fun Facts About the State of Iowa
🧩 Which States Border Iowa
Iowa borders six U.S. states. To the west is Nebraska, to the northwest South Dakota, to the north Minnesota, to the northeast Wisconsin, to the east Illinois, and to the south Missouri.
📅 Date of Iowa Statehood
Iowa joined the Union on December 28, 1846 as the 29th state, formed from the original Iowa Territory.
📛 Iowa State Nickname
Iowa has been nicknamed “The Hawkeye State” since its founding, which is said to reference Black Hawk, a chief of the Sauk tribe. After an unsuccessful conflict with settlers, the chief and his people were relocated to what is now Iowa. It is worth noting that this is considered a legend, so take it with a grain of salt.
⛰️ Highest Point in Iowa
Iowa’s highest point is Hawkeye Point at 1,671 ft, located near the state line with Minnesota.
🏞️ Rivers in Iowa
Iowa’s longest river is the Missouri River, with a total length across all states of 2,343 mi. It is followed by the Mississippi River (2,318 mi), the Des Moines River (525 mi), the Big Sioux River (419 mi), and the Cedar River (338 mi).
🎓 Universities in Iowa
The largest university is the University of Iowa with 30,000 students. It was founded in 1847 in Iowa City. Second, also with 30,000 students, is Iowa State University, and third is the University of Northern Iowa with approximately 9,000 enrolled students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Iowa
Iowa is assigned ZIP code ranges 500xx–516xx and 520xx–528xx. You can find more details in the article on ZIP codes in the USA. To look up the ZIP code for a specific address, use the U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code Lookup.
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Weather in Iowa
The best time to visit Iowa is fall, when weather conditions are ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. The weather is often stable, temperatures are mild, and precipitation is average or slightly lower than in other seasons.
Spring in Iowa brings variable weather with frequent rain showers. The wettest months tend to be April and May, and snowfall can occur mainly in March and early April. Average temperatures range from 46 °F to 55 °F.
Summer in Iowa is typically very warm, with temperatures usually ranging from 73 °F to 86 °F. July and August often bring thunderstorms with heavy rain, and high humidity can make the air feel stifling.
Fall in Iowa is drier and noticeably cooler than summer, with temperatures most often between 46 °F and 55 °F. The weather is generally stable and precipitation decreases, which creates favorable conditions for hiking and exploring nature.
Winters in Iowa are very cold, with temperatures dropping to 28 °F to 18 °F, and snow showers are common. In December and January in particular, up to 30 cm of snow can fall per month.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Iowa
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What to See in Iowa
1️⃣ Adventureland Amusement Park
Adventureland in the city of Altoona is the largest amusement park in Iowa, which means a full day of fun for the whole family. Among more than one hundred attractions are high-adrenaline roller coasters, centrifuges, and rides for younger kids. The adjacent water park is a welcome way to cool off in summer, with water slides and a raft ride through a man-made channel.
2️⃣ Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines
The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines is one of the most recognizable buildings in the state, largely thanks to its gilded dome, which is clearly visible from afar. Built in the Neo-Renaissance style between 1871 and 1886, the Capitol offers free guided tours of the interior and exhibits of historic artifacts.
3️⃣ Maquoketa Caves State Park
The main draw of Maquoketa Caves State Park is its network of caves, accessible to casual visitors as well as experienced cavers. The most famous is Dancehall Cave, which is 800 ft long. The park features several hiking trails, along with campgrounds and picnic areas.
4️⃣ Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park stretches along bluffs above the Mississippi River and offers beautiful views of the waterway. From the overlooks you can see the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. In addition to natural scenery, you can visit ancient Native American burial mounds. The park provides great opportunities for hiking, camping, and picnicking.
5️⃣ Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
The historic Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad offers a unique steam train ride through Iowa’s picturesque countryside. The highlight is crossing a bridge that rises 185.0 ft above the river as it spans the Des Moines River valley. The depot includes a museum that traces the history of the railroad.
🗺️ Boone, Iowa
6️⃣ Amana Colonies
A standout attraction in Iowa is the historic Amana community, made up of seven villages founded by German immigrants in the 19th century. The settlements are known for distinctive architecture and preserved traditional crafts, such as furniture making. Visitors can sample local food in restaurants and breweries or attend festivals, including Oktoberfest in October.
🗺️ Amana, Iowa
7️⃣ Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway is a 220 mi route that runs through the namesake hilly region, which is popular with photographers. Along the road you will find overlooks and hiking trails where you can stop and take in the landscape. Sleepy small towns along the way make for interesting stops.
8️⃣ Living History Farms
Living History Farms in Urbandale is an interactive museum focused on the evolution of agriculture from the 18th century to today. In the open-air exhibits, visitors can tour replicas of historic farms and watch demonstrations of different farming techniques. Exhibits are organized by era, with separate sections such as Native American villages and industrial farms.
9️⃣ Iowa State Fairgrounds
For a truly unusual experience, head to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, where one of the largest and best-known agricultural fairs in the United States takes place every late summer. It features livestock shows, concerts, competitions, and food vendors. One of the fair’s most beloved traditions is the life-sized cow carved out of butter.
🔟 Snake Alley
Snake Alley is a rather short street in Burlington that, when it opened in 1894, was considered the most winding in the world. It was later surpassed by the now-famous Lombard Street in San Francisco. Today Snake Alley serves mainly as a quirky attraction, though it once functioned as an alternate route through the city’s steep hillside.
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Largest Cities in Iowa
The table lists the ten largest cities in the state of Iowa in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is to conduct the census.
City County Population 1 Des Moines Polk, Warren 210,381 Map of Des Moines 2 Cedar Rapids Linn 135,958 Map of Cedar Rapids 3 Davenport Scott 100,354 Map of Davenport 4 Sioux City Woodbury, Plymouth 85,727 Map of Sioux City 5 Iowa City Johnson 75,678 Map of Iowa City 6 Ankeny Polk 74,458 Map of Ankeny 7 West Des Moines Polk, Dallas, Warren 72,205 Map of West Des Moines 8 Waterloo Black Hawk 66,606 Map of Waterloo 9 Ames Story 65,686 Map of Ames 10 Council Bluffs Pottawattamie 62,399 Map of Council Bluffs -
Sports Teams in Iowa
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
No team from Iowa plays in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no NFL team from Iowa.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Iowa has no representation in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Iowa competes in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Iowa has no team that plays in MLS.
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Iowa State Symbols
Iowa has fewer official symbols codified in law than many other U.S. states.
Flag of the State of Iowa
Iowa’s state flag resembles the French flag, although it differs by having a wider white stripe in the center. In the middle of the white field is a bald eagle holding blue streamers in its beak that display the state motto. Below that is the name “Iowa.” The flag has been in use since March 29, 1921, and it was designed by local resident Dixie Cornell Gebhardt.
Great Seal of Iowa
The Great Seal was adopted in February 1847, one year after Iowa became a state. Its central figure is a soldier standing in a wheat field, surrounded by symbols of agriculture, mining, and river commerce. He holds the U.S. flag, and above him flies an eagle carrying a ribbon with the state motto of Iowa.
State Flower
The rose became an official symbol of Iowa in 1897. The exact species is not specified in law, although the Arkansas rose (Rosa pratincola, the same as Rosa arkansana) is most often cited.
State Bird
In 1933 the American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) was designated the state bird. It occurs in Iowa mainly in the summer months and migrates south for the winter.
State Tree
In 1961 the oak was proclaimed the official state tree, without specifying a particular species.
State Song
The official state song since March 20, 1911 has been The Song of Iowa, which uses the familiar melody of “O Tannenbaum.” The lyrics were written by American soldier Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers in 1867.
State Rock
In 1967 a law designated the geode as Iowa’s state rock. A geode is not a specific rock type, but rather a cavity within rock that is lined with mineral crystals. Geode State Park lies along Iowa’s southeastern edge, where visitors can see this type of formation.
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