What are the fastest-growing metro areas in Iowa?
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA (+6.7%), Omaha, NE-IA (+4.2%) and Iowa City, IA (+4.0%) grew fastest among Iowa metro areas between 2020 and 2025.
Data as of 2025 · updated
All 9 ranked Iowa metro areas
| Rank | Metro area | Change 2020–25 | People added | Residents 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | +6.7% | +47,342 | 758,539 |
| 2 | Omaha, NE-IA | +4.2% | +40,682 | 1,009,836 |
| 3 | Iowa City, IA | +4.0% | +7,104 | 182,711 |
| 4 | Ames, IA | +2.2% | +2,727 | 128,090 |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids, IA | +1.0% | +2,670 | 279,285 |
| 6 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | +1.0% | +1,390 | 145,738 |
| 7 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | +0.5% | +801 | 169,189 |
| 8 | Dubuque, IA | +0.1% | +70 | 99,381 |
| 9 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | −0.9% | −3,315 | 380,452 |
How this is ranked
The percentage change in the Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates between 2020 and 2025, with the number of people added. Every metropolitan statistical area (OMB Bulletin 23-01) with a figure is ranked, one-county areas included: such an area's figures are its county's, so its row may link to the county page. Micro areas are left out. Areas without a figure for the same period as the others are not ranked. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built.
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Questions
Which metro area in Iowa is growing fastest?
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA: +6.7%, ahead of Omaha, NE-IA (+4.2%) and Iowa City, IA (+4.0%), of 9 Iowa metro areas ranked.
How is this ranking calculated?
The percentage change in the Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates between 2020 and 2025, with the number of people added. Every metropolitan statistical area (OMB Bulletin 23-01) with a figure is ranked, one-county areas included: such an area's figures are its county's, so its row may link to the county page. Micro areas are left out. Areas without a figure for the same period as the others are not ranked. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states.
More metro rankings for Iowa
Metro population growth in other states
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