Iowa gained 23,074 people from 2023 to 2024, boosted primarily by growth in international migration to the state, according to new U.S. Census data.
Similar to neighboring Midwest states including Illinois and Nebraska, people from other countries moved to Iowa at higher rates than those who came from other places in the United States.
From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, a net of 19,439 people migrated to Iowa from outside the United States — accounting for most of its growth in that period — while a net of 231 people departed Iowa to other states.
Iowa ranks as the country’s 32nd most populous state with a little over 3.2 million people as of July 1, 2024. It previously was ranked as the 31st in population, but gains in other states surpassed Iowa’s growth — with Nevada moving to 31st.
From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, Iowa gained 15,594 people, compared with 4,207 the year prior and 7,472 the year before that.
International migration to the United States was the highest in decades between 2023 and 2024, with a net of 2.8 million people moving from other countries, according to U.S. Census data.
Iowa has experienced this trend over the past few years, with 16,114 people moving to Iowa from other countries in the year ending July 1, 2023, and 10,340 people arriving in the year ending July 1, 2022.
Erica Johnson, the founding executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said employment opportunities, safety and family members who live in Iowa are the top reasons people are moving to the state from other countries.
“They're pulled to Iowa because we have an economy that needs them, that is hiring essentially for a workforce that depends on them. And because they have family here and because they have heard that Iowa is a comparatively safe and accessible place,” Johnson said.
According to 2021 data from the American Immigration Council, 6.3 percent of Iowa’s population is foreign-born, making up 7.1 percent of the state’s workforce.
Johnson noted the increase in international migrants coming to Iowa helps fill gaps created by people leaving the state.
“It's breathing new life into downtowns in lots of rural communities and supporting schools in some rural places that have been losing populations,” Johnson said.
The departure of young people and recent college graduates to other states — or brain drain, as it’s called — is not a new trend in Iowa. For the last few years, Iowa has seen one of the highest rates of brain drain in the country.
While people still left the state in the past year, Iowa saw a significantly lower departure rate compared with 2023, when a net 3,674 people moved away.
Iowa’s net population gain was calculated by looking at migration both internationally and domestically, as well as birth and death rates. Natural change from births and deaths accounted for a net growth of 3,829 people.
www.thegazette.com
Similar to neighboring Midwest states including Illinois and Nebraska, people from other countries moved to Iowa at higher rates than those who came from other places in the United States.
From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, a net of 19,439 people migrated to Iowa from outside the United States — accounting for most of its growth in that period — while a net of 231 people departed Iowa to other states.
Iowa ranks as the country’s 32nd most populous state with a little over 3.2 million people as of July 1, 2024. It previously was ranked as the 31st in population, but gains in other states surpassed Iowa’s growth — with Nevada moving to 31st.
From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, Iowa gained 15,594 people, compared with 4,207 the year prior and 7,472 the year before that.
International migration to the United States was the highest in decades between 2023 and 2024, with a net of 2.8 million people moving from other countries, according to U.S. Census data.
Iowa has experienced this trend over the past few years, with 16,114 people moving to Iowa from other countries in the year ending July 1, 2023, and 10,340 people arriving in the year ending July 1, 2022.
Erica Johnson, the founding executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said employment opportunities, safety and family members who live in Iowa are the top reasons people are moving to the state from other countries.
“They're pulled to Iowa because we have an economy that needs them, that is hiring essentially for a workforce that depends on them. And because they have family here and because they have heard that Iowa is a comparatively safe and accessible place,” Johnson said.
According to 2021 data from the American Immigration Council, 6.3 percent of Iowa’s population is foreign-born, making up 7.1 percent of the state’s workforce.
Johnson noted the increase in international migrants coming to Iowa helps fill gaps created by people leaving the state.
“It's breathing new life into downtowns in lots of rural communities and supporting schools in some rural places that have been losing populations,” Johnson said.
The departure of young people and recent college graduates to other states — or brain drain, as it’s called — is not a new trend in Iowa. For the last few years, Iowa has seen one of the highest rates of brain drain in the country.
While people still left the state in the past year, Iowa saw a significantly lower departure rate compared with 2023, when a net 3,674 people moved away.
Iowa’s net population gain was calculated by looking at migration both internationally and domestically, as well as birth and death rates. Natural change from births and deaths accounted for a net growth of 3,829 people.
Immigration drives Iowa's population growth in 2024
Similar to neighboring Midwest states including Illinois and Nebraska, people from other countries moved to Iowa at higher rates than those who came from other places in the United States.
www.thegazette.com
