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Fun Facts About Iowa

1. Hawkeye State: Iowa is known as the “Hawkeye State” and the “Corn State” due to its extensive cornfields and the prominence of the University of Iowa’s Hawkeyes.
2. Population: Iowa ranks 26th in population and 30th in land area among the states of the United States.
3. Insurance Capital of the World: Des Moines, the capital and largest city of Iowa, is known as the “Insurance Capital of the World” because it is home to several major insurance corporations.
4. Education: Iowa is home to a number of prominent universities, including the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa.
5. Agriculture: Iowa is a significant agricultural state in the United States, producing vast quantities of maize, soybeans, hogs, and eggs.
6. Scenic Vistas: Iowa is renowned for its small communities and picturesque byways, including the Great River Road along the Mississippi River, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and the Lincoln Highway.
7. Amana Colonies: A group of seven German-American communities founded by German Pietists in the nineteenth century, the Amana Colonies are a National Historic Landmark.
8. Field of Dreams: The film Field of Dreams, which was shot in Iowa, is a major tourist attraction.
9. Iowa State Fair: Annually hosted in Des Moines, the Iowa State Fair is one of the nation’s oldest and largest agricultural and industrial exhibitions.

Iowa’s Rich History

The state of Iowa has a rich history that dates back to the time of the region’s Native American tribes. The Sioux, who lived in the western part of the state, were one of the most notable tribes.

White settlers began to move into Iowa in the early 1800s, drawn by the fertile land and farming opportunities. Iowa’s population grew rapidly, and by 1846, it was the 29th state in the Union.

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, was a prominent figure in Iowa history. Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa, and spent the majority of his childhood there. He went on to have a successful business and mining engineering career before becoming President from 1929 to 1933.

Grant Wood, an American painter best known for his painting “American Gothic,” which depicts a farmer and his daughter standing in front of a small Gothic-style house, is another notable figure from Iowa’s history. Wood’s work helped to establish Iowa as a center of the American Regionalist art movement of the 1930s, and the painting is considered an iconic image of rural America.

Iowa is also known for its picturesque natural landscapes, such as the rolling hills of the Loess Hills and the bluffs along the Mississippi River. The state also has many historic sites, such as the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch and the Amana Colonies, a group of seven villages founded in the 1850s by German Pietists.

Iowa’s history is defined by its hardworking people, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes.

Iowa’s Role in the Civil War

Iowa was a key player in the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. The state supplied thousands of men to fight for the Union army and also served as a major manufacturing center for war materials.

Iowa was a relatively new state at the time of the war, having only become a state in 1846. Despite this, the state quickly rallied to the Union’s cause. Iowa Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood organized volunteer companies to defend the state, and by the end of 1861, more than 20,000 Iowa men had enlisted to fight for the Union.

Iowa soldiers fought in many of the war’s major battles, including the Battle of Shiloh, the Battle of Vicksburg, and the Battle of Gettysburg. They also fought in the Western Theater against Confederate forces in Missouri, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

In addition to providing soldiers, Iowa played an important role in supporting the war effort by manufacturing war materials. Iowa’s farmers supplied food for the Union army, and the state’s factories manufactured weapons, ammunition, and other supplies. Railroads in the state were also used to transport troops and supplies to the front lines.

Following the war, Iowa became a hotbed of veterans’ organizations, with many former soldiers forming organizations like the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). These organizations were critical in preserving the war’s memory and honoring the sacrifices made by Iowa’s Civil War veterans.

Finally, Iowa played an important role in the Civil War, providing thousands of men to fight for the Union army and supporting the war effort through the manufacture of war materials. The contributions of the state were critical to the Union’s victory in the Civil War.

Demographics of Iowa

Iowa is a populous state with a population of more than 3 million. White, non-Hispanic individuals make up over 92% of the population, according to data from the US Census Bureau. African Americans and Hispanics, each comprising approximately 4% of the state’s population, are the two largest minority groups.

In terms of age distribution, Iowa’s population is somewhat older, with approximately 15% of individuals aged 65 or older. The state’s median age is approximately 38 years old.

Iowa has a relatively high degree of educational attainment. 92% of inhabitants over the age of 25 have completed high school, and 30% have earned a bachelor’s degree or more, according to US Census Bureau data.

Regarding income and poverty, Iowa is typically seen as a rather rich state. The state’s median household income is approximately $60,000, and its poverty rate is approximately 10%.

The majority of Iowa’s population identifies as Christian, with Evangelical Protestants being the largest denomination, followed by Mainline Protestants and Catholics.

Regarding urbanization, Iowa is mostly a rural state, with the majority of its inhabitants residing in small towns and rural areas. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, and Iowa City are the five major cities in the state of Iowa.

Overall, Iowa’s population is diverse in terms of ethnicity, age, educational background, and income level. People in this state are recognized for their friendliness and work ethic, as well as their agricultural background.

Iowa’s Noteable Citizens

• Herbert Hoover – 31st President of the United States
• Grant Wood – American painter best known for “American Gothic”
• John Wayne – Hollywood actor and Iowa native
• Johnny Carson – American television host and comedian
• Ashton Kutcher – American actor, producer, and entrepreneur
• Glenn Miller – American big band leader, arranger, composer, and trombonist
• Cloris Leachman – American actress of stage, film, and television
• George Gallup – American statistician and opinion pollster
• Susan Glaspell – American Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and actress

Top Iowa Cities by Population

1. Des Moines – population of approximately 212,000
2. Cedar Rapids – population of approximately 131,000
3. Davenport – population of approximately 102,000
4. Sioux City – population of approximately 85,000
5. Iowa City – population of approximately 75,000
6. Waterloo – population of approximately 68,000
7. Council Bluffs – population of approximately 62,000
8. Ames – population of approximately 66,000
9. Dubuque – population of approximately 58,000
10. Ankeny – population of approximately 55,000

Please note that these population figures are estimates based on the most recent census data and are subject to change.

Some of Iowa’s Largest Employers

• Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield – a health insurance company based in Des Moines, which employs over 4,000 people.
• University of Iowa employs over 28,000 people.
• Principal Financial Group – a financial services company based in Des Moines, which employs over 3,000 people.
• Tyson Foods – a meat processing company with facilities in various locations in Iowa, employing over 6,000 people.
• DuPont Pioneer – a research-based seed company based in Johnston, which employs over 2,000 people.
• Iowa State University – a public research university located in Ames, which employs over 5,000 people.
• Mercy Medical Center – a hospital located in Des Moines, which employs over 3,000 people.
• John Deere – an agricultural machinery manufacturer with facilities in various locations in Iowa, employing over 8,000 people.
• Rockwell Collins – an aerospace and defense technology company based in Cedar Rapids, which employs over 8,000 people.
• Hy-Vee – a supermarket chain with over 240 stores across the Midwest, which employs over 35,000 people in Iowa.
• AEGON – a global life insurance, pension and asset management company with a large office in Cedar Rapids, which employs over 2,500 people.

Please note that this list is not inclusive; there are numerous other significant employers in Iowa across a variety of industries not included here. This list provides an overview of some of the state’s largest employers.