Largest Cities in Iowa – By size and population

Photo of author
Destinavo

Want to know more about the most populous cities in Iowa? Here’s an updated list of the largest cities in Iowa by size and population in 2019.

Iowa is ranked as the 32nd most populated state in the mainland United States with a total population of 3,156,145.  The state is ranked 12th in terms of its total area covering 56,272.81 sq. mi (145,746 sq. km).

Iowa has a total of 947 municipalities officially designated as cities and with only three cities having a population of over 100,000. There is no official limit for the number of residents to incorporate a city. As a result, the smallest cities in Iowa, Beaconsfield and Le Roy, each have only 15 residents. In fact, 490 out of the 947 cities in Iowa have less than 500 residents.

Des Moines

Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in Iowa with a total population of 206,702. The city is also the seat of Polk County and extends into the neighboring Warren County. Des Moines gets its name from the Des Moines River which means “River of the Monks.”

Des Moines is the largest center of the insurance industry in the country and several big names like Wells Fargo, Principal Financial and EMC Insurance have operations in the city. Des Moines is also the cultural hub of Iowa with several museums, stadia and important cultural and historical landmarks situated in the city.

Des Moines
Photo: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city in Iowa with a population of 128,009. The city is the seat of Linn County and is located on the Cedar River. As a major economic hub of Iowa, Cedar Rapids has several industries ranging from grain processing to aerospace and healthcare operating in the city.

Cedar Rapids is also the cultural hub of eastern Iowa behind only Des Moines in this area. The city is home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the Orchestra Iowa, Theatre Cedar Rapids, the African American Museum of Iowa, and the Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance to name a few of the main cultural attractions.

Cedar Rapids
Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Davenport

Davenport is the seat of Scott County. It is the third-largest city in Iowa with a population of 101,316. The city is located along the Mississippi River and is often predisposed to flooding from the river. Davenport is home to the Saint Ambrose University and the Palmer College of Chiropractic, the location of the first chiropractic adjustment and the first chiropractic school in the world.

Due to its strategic location along several major interstate highways, Davenport has seen rapid and consistent growth through the last few decades, with a particularly strong manufacturing and retail industry. Davenport is also an important cultural hub with several landmarks in the city like the Davenport Skybridge, the Figge Art Museum and the River Music Experience in the historic Redstone Building.

Davenport
Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Sioux City

Sioux City is located in the Woodbury and Plymouth counties in northwest Iowa. With a population of 82,719, Sioux City is the fourth most populous in Iowa. Sioux City is located at the most upstream point of the Missouri River and, as a result, it has historically been a cargo port.

Sioux City is home to several notable cultural attractions such as the Sioux City Public Museum, the Sioux City Art Center, the Sergeant Floyd Monument, and the Chris Larsen Park, commonly referred to as the Riverfront. The popular baseball franchise Chicago White Sox was originally based in Sioux City as the Sioux City Cornhuskers before relocating to Chicago.

Sioux City
Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Iowa City

Iowa City is the seat of Johnson County and often incorrectly assumed as the current capital of Iowa. Iowa City was indeed the first capital of the state before it was moved to Des Moines in 1857. With a total population of 70,597, it is the fifth most populous city in the state.

Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa and its Hospitals and Clinics making it the state’s only tertiary care medical center. A very famous historical landmark in the city is the recently renovated Old Capitol building. The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk is also a major point of interest highlighting the city’s rich literary history.

Iowa City
Photo: David Harmantas / Shutterstock.com

Waterloo

Waterloo is located in the center east Iowa. It is also the seat of Black Hawk County. The city has a population of 68,392 making it the sixth-largest city in Iowa. Waterloo’s history has been marred with interracial conflicts. However, with active government efforts since 2003, this racial gap is closing up.

Waterloo is home to the Waterloo Center for the Arts which is a notable local center for performing arts. Another very interesting place to visit in Waterloo is the Grout Museum District where several museums are maintained such as the Museum of History and Science, the Veterans Museum and also the Imaginarium.

Waterloo city in Iowa
Photo: Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs is the most populous city in Southwest Iowa with a population of 62,261. It is also the seventh most populous in the state and the seat of Pottawattamie County. The Missouri River lies to the west of the city. Council Bluffs’ original name was Kanesville, the historical beginning point of the Mormon Trail.

Council Bluffs is an important industrial center in Iowa with many niches represented in the diverse economy. The city’s website mentions robotics, dairy, plastics, railroading, electrical products and food packaging as some of the industries in the city.

Council Bluffs
Photo: Sevenmaps/Shutterstock

Ames

Ames is located in Story County in central Iowa. With a population of 61,276, it is the eighth-most populous city of the state. Ames is home to the Iowa State University of Science and Technology which makes up most of the city’s culture, heritage, and economic backbone. Iowa State University has more than 36,000 students which makes more than half of the city’s population.

Ames is also home to several important centers of the US Department of Agriculture, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and also the headquarters of the Iowa Department of Transportation. The Iowa State University Research Park is also located in Ames ensuring business development and creating opportunities for the future.

Ames
Photo: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com

Most Populated Cities in Iowa

These are the largest cities in Iowa by population.

  1. Des Moines 206,702
  2. Cedar Rapids 128,009
  3. Davenport 101,316
  4. Sioux City 82,719
  5. Iowa City 70,597
  6. Waterloo 68,392
  7. Council Bluffs 62,261
  8. Ames 61,276
  9. West Des Moines  59,815
  10. Dubuque 58,068
  11. Ankeny 49,488
  12. Urbandale 41,157
  13. Cedar Falls 40,009
  14. Marion 35,809
  15. Bettendorf 34,247
  16. Mason City 27,775
  17. Marshalltown 27,749
  18. Clinton 26,611
  19. Burlington 25,559
  20. Ottumwa 24,847
  21. Fort Dodge 24,846
  22. Muscatine 23,857
Most populated cities in Iowa
Photo: Nazan C / Shutterstock.com

Biggest Cities in Iowa

  1. Des Moines – 80.87 sq mi
  2. Cedar Rapids – 70.80 sq mi
  3. Davenport – 62.95 sq mi
  4. Waterloo – 61.39 sq mi
  5. Sioux City – 57.35 sq mi
  6. Council Bluffs – 40.97 sq mi
  7. West Des Moines  – 38.59 sq mi
  8. Clinton – 35.15 sq mi
  9. Dubuque – 29.97 sq mi
  10. Ankeny – 29.33 sq mi

How many of the largest cities in Iowa have you visited? Leave a comment below!

Leave a Comment