# 2020 United States presidential election in Iowa

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The 2020 United States presidential election in Iowa was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, as part of the 2020 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Iowa voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, incumbent President Donald Trump of Florida, and running mate Vice President Mike Pence of Indiana against Democratic Party nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden of Delaware, and his running mate California Senator Kamala Harris. Iowa has six electoral votes in the Electoral College.
Trump won the state 53.1% to Biden's 44.9%. Prior to this election, most news organizations had considered Iowa as either leaning towards Trump or a tossup. As was the case in Ohio, this election has confirmed Iowa's trend from a Midwestern swing state toward the GOP column, the same trend as neighboring Missouri starting in 2008. Iowa had voted Democratic in six of seven elections prior to 2016, the exception being George W. Bush's narrow plurality win in 2004. In 2016, however, Iowa voted for Trump by an unexpectedly large margin of 9.4%, voting over ten points to the right of the nation overall, indicating a possible realignment of the previously Democratic-leaning state towards the GOP, much as in the case of West Virginia in 2000 and 2004. Even though Biden contested the state, Trump ended up carrying it by only a slightly reduced margin of 8.2% even as his national margin of defeat grew by 2.4%, meaning that the state voted even further to the right of the national average than it did in 2016.
This marked the first time since 2000 that the state voted for the national loser, and the first since 1988 that it voted for the loser of the popular and electoral vote. Biden improved on Hillary Clinton's margins in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas and traditionally conservative western Iowa, the latter of which borders Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (Omaha metropolitan area), an electoral vote Trump won in 2016 but lost in 2020. Trump improved on his 2016 performance in populist northeast and south Iowa and became the first Republican to win Iowa in back-to-back elections since Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Biden also became the first Democrat to be elected president without winning Iowa since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Iowa is one of three states that voted twice for Barack Obama and Trump, the other two being Ohio and Florida. Biden became the first Democrat since 1976 to win the presidency without carrying Iowa. This is also the first time since 2004 that Iowa voted for a different candidate than neighboring Wisconsin.

## Caucuses

The state's caucuses, traditionally the first major electoral event in the country, were held on February 3, 2020.

### Republican caucuses

Incumbent president Donald Trump received about 97 percent of the votes in the Republican caucuses, and received 39 of the GOP delegates, while Bill Weld received enough votes to clinch 1 delegate.
* Trump—100%
* Trump—≥95%
* Trump—90–95%
* Trump—85–90%
* Trump—≥95%
2020 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses :
| Candidate | Votes | % | Estimated delegates |
| Donald Trump (incumbent) | 31,421 | 97.14 | 39 |
| Bill Weld | 425 | 1.31 | 1 |
| Joe Walsh | 348 | 1.08 | 0 |
| Other | 151 | 0.47 | 0 |
| Total | 32,345 | 100% | 40 |

### Democratic caucuses

After a three-day delay in votes being reported, the Iowa Democratic Party declared that Pete Buttigieg had narrowly won the state delegate equivalent (SDE) count of the Democratic caucuses with 26.2 percent. Bernie Sanders came in second with 26.1 percent of the SDEs, despite the fact that he received more popular votes (26.5 percent) than Buttigieg (25.1 percent). Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, and Amy Klobuchar finished in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.
2020 Iowa Democratic presidential caucuses :
| Candidate | Initial alignment | Initial alignment | Final alignment | Final alignment | State delegate equivalents | State delegate equivalents | Pledged national convention delegates |
| Candidate | Votes | % | Votes | % | Number | % | Pledged national convention delegates |
| Pete Buttigieg | 37,572 | 21.31 | 43,209 | 25.08 | 562.95 | 26.17 | 14 |
| Bernie Sanders | 43,581 | 24.71 | 45,652 | 26.50 | 562.02 | 26.13 | 12 |
| Elizabeth Warren | 32,589 | 18.48 | 34,909 | 20.26 | 388.44 | 18.06 | 8 |
| Joe Biden | 26,291 | 14.91 | 23,605 | 13.70 | 340.32 | 15.82 | 6 |
| Amy Klobuchar | 22,454 | 12.73 | 21,100 | 12.25 | 263.87 | 12.27 | 1 |
| Andrew Yang | 8,914 | 5.05 | 1,758 | 1.02 | 21.86 | 1.02 | |
| Tom Steyer | 3,061 | 1.74 | 413 | 0.24 | 6.62 | 0.31 | |
| Michael Bloomberg (did not run yet) | 212 | 0.12 | 16 | 0.01 | 0.21 | 0.01 | |
| Tulsi Gabbard | 341 | 0.19 | 16 | 0.01 | 0.11 | 0.01 | |
| Michael Bennet | 164 | 0.09 | 4 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Deval Patrick | 9 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| John Delaney (withdrawn) | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Other | 155 | 0.09 | 198 | 0.11 | 0.69 | 0.03 | |
| Uncommitted | 1,009 | 0.57 | 1,420 | 0.82 | 3.73 | 0.17 | |
| Total | 176,352 | 100% | 172,300 | 100% | 2,150.83 | 100% | 41 |

### Libertarian caucuses

Iowa Libertarian presidential caucus, February 8, 2020 :
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
| Jacob Hornberger | 133 | 47.52% |
| Lincoln Chafee | 36 | 12.77% |
| Jo Jorgensen | 18 | 6.38% |
| Adam Kokesh | 17 | 6.03% |
| Dan Behrman | 14 | 4.96% |
| John McAfee | 10 | 3.55% |
| Vermin Supreme | 9 | 3.19% |
| Other (write-in) | 8 | 2.84% |
| None of the above | 8 | 2.84% |
| Sam Robb | 7 | 2.48% |
| Max Abramson | 6 | 2.13% |
| Mark Whitney | 4 | 1.42% |
| Arvin Vohra | 3 | 1.06% |
| Ken Armstrong | 2 | 0.71% |
| Souraya Faas | 2 | 0.71% |
| Benjamin Leder | 1 | 0.35% |
| John Monds | 1 | 0.35% |
| Total | 281 | 100% |
The Libertarian Party of Iowa conducted their own caucuses on February 8, offering in-person caucus locations and an online virtual caucus. Only registered Libertarian voters were eligible to participate.

## General election
### Final predictions

| Source | Ranking |
| The Cook Political Report | Tossup |
| Inside Elections | Tossup |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Lean R |
| Politico | Tossup |
| RCP | Tossup |
| Niskanen | Tossup |
| CNN | Tossup |
| The Economist | Tossup |
| CBS News | Tossup |
| 270towin | Tossup |
| ABC News | Tossup |
| NPR | Tossup |
| NBC News | Tossup |
| 538 | Lean R |

### Polling

Graphical summary
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Joe Biden Democratic | Donald Trump Republican | Other/ Undecided | Margin |
| 270 to Win | October 31 – November 2, 2020 | November 3, 2020 | 46.2% | 47.8% | 6.0% | Trump +1.6 |
| Real Clear Politics | October 23 – November 2, 2020 | November 3, 2020 | 45.6% | 47.6% | 6.8% | Trump +2.0 |
| FiveThirtyEight | until November 2, 2020 | November 3, 2020 | 46.3% | 47.6% | 6.1% | Trump +1.3 |
| Average | Average | Average | 46.0% | 47.7% | 6.3% | Trump +1.5 |
Polls
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump Republican | Joe Biden Democratic | Jo Jorgensen Libertarian | Howie Hawkins Green | Other | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling | Nov 1–2, 2020 | 871 (V) | – | 48% | 49% | – | – | 2% | 1% |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Oct 20 – Nov 2, 2020 | 1,489 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 51% | 48% | – | – | – | – |
| Change Research | Oct 29 – Nov 1, 2020 | 1,084 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 47% | 47% | 3% | 0% | 2% | 1% |
| Civiqs/Daily Kos | Oct 29 – Nov 1, 2020 | 853 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 48% | 49% | – | – | 3% | 0% |
| Data for Progress | Oct 27 – Nov 1, 2020 | 951 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 49% | 47% | 3% | 1% | 1% | – |
| Emerson College | Oct 29–31, 2020 | 604 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 49% | 47% | – | – | 4% | 0% |
| InsiderAdvantage/Center for American Greatness | October 30, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 48% | 46% | 1% | – | – | 6% |
| Selzer & Co./Des Moines Register | Oct 26–29, 2020 | 814 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 48% | 41% | – | – | 8% | 2% |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Oct 1–28, 2020 | 3,005 (LV) | ± 2.5% | 50% | 49% | – | – | – | 2% |
| Quinnipiac University | Oct 23–27, 2020 | 1,225 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 46% | – | – | 1% | 6% |
| RABA Research/WHO13 News | Oct 21–24, 2020 | 693 (LV) | ± 4% | 46% | 50% | – | – | 2% | 1% |
| Emerson College | Oct 19–21, 2020 | 435 (LV) | ± 4.7% | 48% | 48% | – | – | 4% | 0% |
| RMG Research/PoliticalIQ | Oct 15–21, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 47% | 47% | – | – | 2% | 4% |
| RMG Research/PoliticalIQ | Oct 15–21, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 49% | – | – | 2% | 4% |
| RMG Research/PoliticalIQ | Oct 15–21, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 49% | 48% | – | – | 2% | 4% |
| Siena College/NYT Upshot | Oct 18–20, 2020 | 753 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 43% | 46% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 7% |
| Insider Advantage/Center for American Greatness | Oct 18–19, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 45% | 45% | 2% | – | – | 8% |
| Monmouth University | Oct 15–19, 2020 | 501 (RV) | ± 4.4% | 48% | 47% | 1% | 0% | 2% | 2% |
| Monmouth University | Oct 15–19, 2020 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 47% | 50% | – | – | – | – |
| Monmouth University | Oct 15–19, 2020 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 46% | 51% | – | – | – | – |
| David Binder Research/Focus on Rural America | Oct 10–13, 2020 | 200 (LV) | – | 50% | 44% | – | – | – | – |
| Data for Progress (D) | Oct 8–11, 2020 | 822 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 48% | 47% | 2% | 0% | – | 3% |
| YouGov/CBS | Oct 6–9, 2020 | 1,035 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 49% | 49% | – | – | 2% | 0% |
| Opinion Insight/American Action Forum | Oct 5–8, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.46% | 46% | 47% | – | – | 3% | 4% |
| Civiqs/Daily Kos | Oct 3–6, 2020 | 756 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 47% | 48% | – | – | 4% | 1% |
| Quinnipiac University | Oct 1–5, 2020 | 1,205 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 45% | 50% | – | – | 2% | 3% |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Sep 1–30, 2020 | 1,276 (LV) | – | 52% | 46% | – | – | – | 2% |
| Data for Progress (D) | Sep 23–28, 2020 | 743 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 47% | 44% | 1% | 1% | – | 6% |
| Data for Progress (D) | Sep 23–28, 2020 | 743 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 50% | 45% | – | – | – | 5% |
| Hart Research Associates/Human Rights Campaign | Sep 24–27, 2020 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | 47% | – | – | – | – |
| RABA Research/WHO13 News | Sep 23–26, 2020 | 780 (LV) | ± 4% | 46% | 48% | – | – | 2% | 4% |
| Monmouth University | Sep 18–22, 2020 | 402 (RV) | ± 4.9% | 50% | 44% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 2% |
| Monmouth University | Sep 18–22, 2020 | 402 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | 46% | 2% | – | 2% | 2% |
| Monmouth University | Sep 18–22, 2020 | 402 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 49% | 46% | 2% | – | 2% | 2% |
| Siena College/NYT Upshot | Sep 16–22, 2020 | 501 (LV) | ± 4.99% | 42% | 45% | 2% | 0% | 1% | 10% |
| Selzer & Co./Des Moines Register | Sep 14–17, 2020 | 658 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 47% | 47% | – | – | 4% | 3% |
| Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates/AARP | Aug 30 – Sep 5, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 47% | 45% | – | – | 1% | 6% |
| Opinion Insight/American Action Forum | Aug 30 – Sep 2, 2020 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.46% | 51% | 43% | 3% | 1% | – | 2% |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Aug 1–31, 2020 | 983 (LV) | – | 53% | 46% | – | – | – | 2% |
| Monmouth University | Jul 30 – Aug 3, 2020 | 401 (RV) | ± 4.9% | 48% | 45% | 3% | – | <1% | 3% |
| Monmouth University | Jul 30 – Aug 3, 2020 | 401 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 48% | 46% | 2% | – | <1% | 3% |
| Monmouth University | Jul 30 – Aug 3, 2020 | 401 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 47% | 47% | 2% | – | 0% | 3% |
| Data for Progress | Jul 24 – Aug 2, 2020 | 1,101 (LV) | – | 44% | 42% | 3% | 1% | – | 10% |
| Data for Progress | Jul 24 – Aug 2, 2020 | 1,101 (LV) | – | 46% | 45% | – | – | – | 9% |
| David Binder Research/Focus on Rural America | Jul 30–31, 2020 | 200 (LV) | – | 43% | 49% | – | – | – | – |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Jul 1–31, 2020 | 1,095 (LV) | – | 54% | 45% | – | – | – | 1% |
| RMG Research | Jul 27–30, 2020 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 41% | 40% | – | – | 7% | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling/AFSCME | Jul 23–24, 2020 | 1,118 (V) | – | 48% | 47% | – | – | – | 6% |
| Spry Strategies/American Principles Project | Jul 11–16, 2020 | 701 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 46% | 48% | – | – | – | 7% |
| SurveyMonkey/Axios | Jun 8–30, 2020 | 455 (LV) | – | 50% | 48% | – | – | – | 2% |
| Selzer/Des Moines Register | Jun 7–10, 2020 | 674 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 44% | 43% | – | – | 10% | 3% |
| Civiqs/Daily Kos | Jun 6–8, 2020 | 865 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 46% | 46% | – | – | 7% | 1% |
| Public Policy Polling/Emily's List | Jun 3–4, 2020 | 963 (V) | – | 48% | 47% | – | – | – | 5% |
| Public Policy Polling | Apr 30 – May 1, 2020 | 1,222 (V) | ± 2.8% | 48% | 46% | – | – | – | 6% |
| GBAO Strategies/PLUS Paid Family Leave | Apr 13–16, 2020 | 500 (LV) | – | 48% | 45% | – | – | 1% | 6% |
| Selzer/Des Moines Register | Mar 2–5, 2020 | 667 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 51% | 41% | – | – | – | – |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 46% | 44% | – | – | 5% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | Dec 29–31, 2019 | 964 (V) | – | 49% | 46% | – | – | – | 5% |
| Emerson College | Dec 7–10, 2019 | 1,043 (RV) | ± 3% | 49% | 45% | – | – | – | 6% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | Oct 25–30, 2019 | 1,435 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 45% | 44% | – | – | 3% | 5% |
| Emerson College | Oct 13–16, 2019 | 888 (RV) | ± 3.2% | 51% | 49% | – | – | – | – |
| WPA Intelligence (R) | Apr 27–30, 2019 | 200 (LV) | ± 6.9% | 49% | 44% | – | – | – | 5% |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 47% | 53% | – | – | – | – |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 49% | 51% | – | – | – | – |
Former candidates :
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Michael Bloomberg (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co. | Mar 2–5, 2020 | 667 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 53% | 34% | – | – |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 39% | 7% | 8% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Cory Booker (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 52% | 48% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Pete Buttigieg (D) | Other | Undecided |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 45% | 44% | 4% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | Jan 2–4, 2020 | 964 (V) | – | 48% | 47% | – | 5% |
| Emerson College | Dec 7–10, 2019 | 1,043 (RV) | ± 3% | 46% | 45% | – | 9% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | Oct 25–30, 2019 | 1,435 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 45% | 41% | 3% | 8% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Kirsten Gillibrand (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 54% | 46% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Kamala Harris (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 54% | 46% | – |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 53% | 47% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Amy Klobuchar (D) | Other | Undecided |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 46% | 41% | 5% | 8% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Beto O'Rourke (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 53% | 47% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Bernie Sanders (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co. | Mar 2–5, 2020 | 667 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 53% | 41% | – | – |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 48% | 42% | 4% | 6% |
| Public Policy Polling | Dec 29–31, 2019 | 964 (V) | – | 49% | 44% | – | 7% |
| Emerson College | Dec 7–10, 2019 | 1,043 (RV) | ± 3% | 50% | 43% | – | 7% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | Oct 25–30, 2019 | 1,435 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 47% | 43% | 3% | 4% |
| Emerson College | Oct 13–16, 2019 | 888 (RV) | ± 3.2% | 49% | 51% | – | – |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 49% | 51% | – | – |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 51% | 50% | – | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Elizabeth Warren (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Des Moines Register/Selzer & Co. | Mar 2–5, 2020 | 667 (LV) | ± 3.8% | 52% | 40% | – | – |
| The New York Times/Siena College | Jan 20–23, 2020 | 1,689 (RV) | ± 2.8% | 47% | 42% | 5% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling | Jan 2–4, 2020 | 964 (V) | – | 49% | 44% | – | 7% |
| Emerson College | Dec 7–10, 2019 | 1,043 (RV) | ± 3% | 50% | 43% | ± 3% | 7% |
| NYT Upshot/Siena College | Oct 25–30, 2019 | 1,435 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 47% | 40% | 2% | 7% |
| Emerson College | Oct 13–16, 2019 | 888 (RV) | ± 3.2% | 51% | 49% | – | – |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 51% | 49% | – | – |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 52% | 48% | – | – |
Hypothetical polling :
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Sherrod Brown (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 55% | 46% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Nancy Pelosi (D) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 55% | 45% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Bernie Sanders (D) | Howard Schultz (I) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 47% | 46% | 8% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Elizabeth Warren (D) | Howard Schultz (I) | Undecided |
| Emerson College | Mar 21–24, 2019 | 707 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 48% | 45% | 7% | – |
| Emerson College | Jan 30 – Feb 2, 2019 | 831 (RV) | ± 3.4% | 49% | 40% | 11% | – |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Donald Trump (R) | Generic Democrat | Undecided |
| Public Policy Polling/End Citizens United | Dec 13–15, 2019 | 944 (V) | – | 47% | 49% | 3% |
| Public Policy Polling | Apr 29–30, 2019 | 780 (V) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 48% | – |

### Results

2020 United States presidential election in Iowa :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Donald Trump (incumbent) Mike Pence (incumbent) | 897,672 | 53.09% | +1.94% |
| | Democratic | Joe Biden Kamala Harris | 759,061 | 44.89% | +3.15% |
| | Libertarian | Jo Jorgensen Spike Cohen | 19,637 | 1.16% | −2.62% |
| | Independent | Kanye West Michelle Tidball | 3,210 | 0.19% | N/A |
| | Green | Howie Hawkins Angela Walker | 3,075 | 0.18% | −0.55% |
| | Constitution | Don Blankenship William Mohr | 1,707 | 0.10% | −0.24% |
| | Alliance | Rocky De La Fuente Darcy Richardson | 1,082 | 0.06% | N/A |
| | Genealogy Know Your Family History | Ricki Sue King Dayna Chandler | 546 | 0.03% | N/A |
| | Independent | Brock Pierce Karla Ballard | 544 | 0.03% | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4,337 | 0.38% | −1.09% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,690,871 | 100.00% | |

#### By county

| County | Donald Trump Republican | Donald Trump Republican | Joe Biden Democratic | Joe Biden Democratic | Various candidates Other parties | Various candidates Other parties | Margin | Margin | Total |
| County | # | % | # | % | # | % | # | % | Total |
| Adair | 2,917 | 69.83% | 1,198 | 28.68% | 62 | 1.49% | 1,719 | 41.15% | 4,177 |
| Adams | 1,530 | 70.83% | 590 | 27.31% | 40 | 1.86% | 940 | 43.52% | 2,160 |
| Allamakee | 4,735 | 63.80% | 2,576 | 34.71% | 111 | 1.49% | 2,159 | 29.09% | 7,422 |
| Appanoose | 4,512 | 69.24% | 1,891 | 29.02% | 113 | 1.74% | 2,621 | 40.22% | 6,516 |
| Audubon | 2,295 | 67.11% | 1,071 | 31.32% | 54 | 1.57% | 1,224 | 35.79% | 3,420 |
| Benton | 9,188 | 62.75% | 5,160 | 35.24% | 294 | 2.01% | 4,028 | 27.51% | 14,642 |
| Black Hawk | 29,640 | 44.51% | 35,647 | 53.53% | 1,306 | 1.96% | -6,097 | -9.02% | 66,593 |
| Boone | 8,695 | 56.68% | 6,303 | 41.09% | 342 | 2.23% | 2,392 | 15.59% | 15,340 |
| Bremer | 8,294 | 57.02% | 5,958 | 40.96% | 294 | 2.02% | 2,336 | 16.06% | 14,546 |
| Buchanan | 6,420 | 59.59% | 4,169 | 38.70% | 185 | 1.71% | 2,251 | 20.89% | 10,774 |
| Buena Vista | 5,056 | 61.91% | 2,961 | 36.26% | 150 | 1.83% | 2,095 | 25.65% | 8,167 |
| Butler | 5,542 | 68.44% | 2,424 | 29.93% | 132 | 1.63% | 3,118 | 38.51% | 8,098 |
| Calhoun | 3,689 | 70.16% | 1,470 | 27.96% | 99 | 1.88% | 2,219 | 42.20% | 5,258 |
| Carroll | 7,737 | 68.26% | 3,454 | 30.47% | 144 | 1.27% | 4,283 | 37.79% | 11,335 |
| Cass | 4,969 | 68.29% | 2,201 | 30.25% | 106 | 1.46% | 2,768 | 38.04% | 7,276 |
| Cedar | 6,161 | 57.56% | 4,337 | 40.52% | 205 | 1.92% | 1,824 | 17.04% | 10,703 |
| Cerro Gordo | 12,442 | 52.28% | 10,941 | 45.97% | 418 | 1.75% | 1,501 | 6.31% | 23,801 |
| Cherokee | 4,495 | 68.96% | 1,936 | 29.70% | 87 | 1.34% | 2,559 | 39.26% | 6,518 |
| Chickasaw | 4,308 | 64.97% | 2,233 | 33.68% | 90 | 1.35% | 2,075 | 31.29% | 6,631 |
| Clarke | 3,144 | 67.32% | 1,466 | 31.39% | 60 | 1.29% | 1,678 | 35.93% | 4,670 |
| Clay | 6,137 | 68.42% | 2,662 | 29.68% | 170 | 1.90% | 3,475 | 38.74% | 8,969 |
| Clayton | 6,106 | 63.64% | 3,340 | 34.81% | 148 | 1.55% | 2,766 | 28.83% | 9,594 |
| Clinton | 13,361 | 54.12% | 10,812 | 43.80% | 514 | 2.08% | 2,549 | 10.32% | 24,687 |
| Crawford | 4,854 | 67.85% | 2,220 | 31.03% | 80 | 1.12% | 2,634 | 36.82% | 7,154 |
| Dallas | 27,987 | 49.96% | 26,879 | 47.98% | 1,156 | 2.06% | 1,108 | 1.98% | 56,022 |
| Davis | 3,032 | 73.92% | 1,013 | 24.70% | 57 | 1.38% | 2,019 | 49.22% | 4,102 |
| Decatur | 2,615 | 68.74% | 1,120 | 29.44% | 69 | 1.82% | 1,495 | 39.30% | 3,804 |
| Delaware | 6,666 | 66.64% | 3,157 | 31.56% | 180 | 1.80% | 3,509 | 35.08% | 10,003 |
| Des Moines | 10,592 | 53.08% | 8,893 | 44.56% | 471 | 2.36% | 1,699 | 8.52% | 19,956 |
| Dickinson | 7,438 | 66.15% | 3,661 | 32.56% | 145 | 1.29% | 3,777 | 33.59% | 11,244 |
| Dubuque | 27,214 | 50.47% | 25,657 | 47.58% | 1,055 | 1.95% | 1,557 | 2.89% | 53,926 |
| Emmet | 3,265 | 67.28% | 1,520 | 31.32% | 68 | 1.40% | 1,745 | 35.96% | 4,853 |
| Fayette | 6,145 | 60.33% | 3,835 | 37.65% | 206 | 2.02% | 2,310 | 22.68% | 10,186 |
| Floyd | 4,732 | 58.91% | 3,172 | 39.49% | 128 | 1.60% | 1,560 | 19.42% | 8,032 |
| Franklin | 3,422 | 66.71% | 1,626 | 31.70% | 82 | 1.59% | 1,796 | 35.01% | 5,130 |
| Fremont | 2,711 | 70.29% | 1,080 | 28.00% | 66 | 1.71% | 1,631 | 42.29% | 3,857 |
| Greene | 3,223 | 63.73% | 1,769 | 34.98% | 65 | 1.29% | 1,454 | 28.75% | 5,057 |
| Grundy | 4,929 | 67.74% | 2,206 | 30.32% | 141 | 1.94% | 2,723 | 37.42% | 7,276 |
| Guthrie | 4,272 | 67.05% | 1,985 | 31.16% | 114 | 1.79% | 2,287 | 35.89% | 6,371 |
| Hamilton | 4,956 | 62.39% | 2,843 | 35.79% | 144 | 1.82% | 2,113 | 26.60% | 7,943 |
| Hancock | 4,390 | 71.13% | 1,683 | 27.27% | 99 | 1.60% | 2,707 | 43.86% | 6,172 |
| Hardin | 5,850 | 65.08% | 2,976 | 33.11% | 163 | 1.81% | 2,874 | 31.97% | 8,989 |
| Harrison | 5,569 | 68.29% | 2,440 | 29.92% | 146 | 1.79% | 3,129 | 38.37% | 8,155 |
| Henry | 6,507 | 65.19% | 3,275 | 32.81% | 200 | 2.00% | 3,232 | 32.38% | 9,982 |
| Howard | 3,127 | 63.07% | 1,772 | 35.74% | 59 | 1.19% | 1,355 | 27.33% | 4,958 |
| Humboldt | 3,819 | 71.69% | 1,442 | 27.07% | 66 | 1.24% | 2,377 | 44.62% | 5,327 |
| Ida | 2,880 | 74.82% | 917 | 23.82% | 52 | 1.36% | 1,963 | 51.00% | 3,849 |
| Iowa | 6,009 | 61.68% | 3,547 | 36.41% | 186 | 1.91% | 2,462 | 25.27% | 9,742 |
| Jackson | 6,940 | 62.33% | 4,029 | 36.18% | 166 | 1.49% | 2,911 | 26.15% | 11,135 |
| Jasper | 12,084 | 59.87% | 7,737 | 38.33% | 363 | 1.80% | 4,347 | 21.54% | 20,184 |
| Jefferson | 4,443 | 49.59% | 4,319 | 48.21% | 197 | 2.20% | 125 | 1.38% | 8,959 |
| Johnson | 22,925 | 27.34% | 59,177 | 70.57% | 1,749 | 2.09% | -36,252 | -43.23% | 83,851 |
| Jones | 6,572 | 59.81% | 4,213 | 38.34% | 204 | 1.85% | 2,359 | 21.47% | 10,989 |
| Keokuk | 3,797 | 71.60% | 1,414 | 26.66% | 92 | 1.74% | 2,383 | 44.94% | 5,303 |
| Kossuth | 6,275 | 69.03% | 2,696 | 29.66% | 119 | 1.31% | 3,579 | 39.37% | 9,090 |
| Lee | 9,773 | 58.40% | 6,541 | 39.09% | 420 | 2.51% | 3,232 | 19.31% | 16,734 |
| Linn | 53,364 | 41.87% | 70,874 | 55.61% | 3,220 | 2.52% | -17,510 | -13.74% | 127,458 |
| Louisa | 3,500 | 65.64% | 1,726 | 32.37% | 106 | 1.99% | 1,774 | 33.27% | 5,332 |
| Lucas | 3,287 | 70.99% | 1,284 | 27.73% | 59 | 1.28% | 2,003 | 43.26% | 4,630 |
| Lyon | 5,707 | 83.16% | 1,067 | 15.55% | 89 | 1.29% | 4,640 | 67.61% | 6,863 |
| Madison | 6,507 | 66.24% | 3,134 | 31.90% | 183 | 1.86% | 3,373 | 34.34% | 9,824 |
| Mahaska | 8,297 | 72.76% | 2,894 | 25.38% | 213 | 1.86% | 5,403 | 47.38% | 11,404 |
| Marion | 12,663 | 65.84% | 6,178 | 32.12% | 391 | 2.04% | 6,485 | 33.72% | 19,232 |
| Marshall | 9,571 | 52.77% | 8,176 | 45.08% | 389 | 2.15% | 1,395 | 7.69% | 18,136 |
| Mills | 5,585 | 67.55% | 2,508 | 30.33% | 175 | 2.12% | 3,077 | 37.22% | 8,268 |
| Mitchell | 3,677 | 63.16% | 2,053 | 35.26% | 92 | 1.58% | 1,624 | 27.90% | 5,822 |
| Monona | 3,248 | 68.70% | 1,407 | 29.76% | 73 | 1.54% | 1,841 | 38.94% | 4,728 |
| Monroe | 2,975 | 72.77% | 1,078 | 26.37% | 35 | 0.86% | 1,897 | 46.40% | 4,088 |
| Montgomery | 3,659 | 68.69% | 1,583 | 29.72% | 85 | 1.59% | 2,076 | 38.97% | 5,327 |
| Muscatine | 10,823 | 52.36% | 9,372 | 45.34% | 476 | 2.30% | 1,451 | 7.02% | 20,671 |
| O'Brien | 5,861 | 77.62% | 1,569 | 20.78% | 121 | 1.60% | 4,292 | 56.84% | 7,551 |
| Osceola | 2,690 | 80.83% | 601 | 18.06% | 37 | 1.11% | 2,089 | 62.77% | 3,328 |
| Page | 5,319 | 70.66% | 2,086 | 27.71% | 123 | 1.63% | 3,233 | 42.95% | 7,528 |
| Palo Alto | 3,370 | 67.97% | 1,519 | 30.64% | 69 | 1.39% | 1,851 | 37.33% | 4,958 |
| Plymouth | 10,492 | 73.95% | 3,494 | 24.63% | 202 | 1.42% | 6,998 | 49.32% | 14,188 |
| Pocahontas | 2,826 | 73.92% | 933 | 24.40% | 64 | 1.68% | 1,893 | 49.52% | 3,823 |
| Polk | 106,800 | 41.27% | 146,250 | 56.52% | 5,705 | 2.21% | -39,450 | -15.25% | 258,755 |
| Pottawattamie | 26,247 | 57.38% | 18,575 | 40.61% | 922 | 2.01% | 7,672 | 16.77% | 45,744 |
| Poweshiek | 5,657 | 55.79% | 4,306 | 42.47% | 177 | 1.74% | 1,351 | 13.32% | 10,140 |
| Ringgold | 1,968 | 72.51% | 709 | 26.12% | 37 | 1.37% | 1,259 | 46.39% | 2,714 |
| Sac | 4,061 | 73.37% | 1,389 | 25.09% | 85 | 1.54% | 2,672 | 48.28% | 5,535 |
| Scott | 43,683 | 47.17% | 46,926 | 50.68% | 1,990 | 2.15% | -3,243 | -3.51% | 92,599 |
| Shelby | 4,697 | 69.12% | 1,959 | 28.83% | 139 | 2.05% | 2,738 | 40.29% | 6,795 |
| Sioux | 15,680 | 82.31% | 3,019 | 15.85% | 352 | 1.84% | 12,661 | 66.46% | 19,051 |
| Story | 20,340 | 39.85% | 29,175 | 57.16% | 1,523 | 2.99% | -8,835 | -17.31% | 51,038 |
| Tama | 5,303 | 58.61% | 3,577 | 39.53% | 168 | 1.86% | 1,726 | 19.08% | 9,048 |
| Taylor | 2,463 | 75.81% | 746 | 22.96% | 40 | 1.23% | 1,717 | 52.85% | 3,249 |
| Union | 4,010 | 64.83% | 2,061 | 33.32% | 114 | 1.85% | 1,949 | 31.51% | 6,185 |
| Van Buren | 2,859 | 75.42% | 875 | 23.08% | 57 | 1.50% | 1,984 | 52.34% | 3,791 |
| Wapello | 9,516 | 60.87% | 5,821 | 37.24% | 296 | 1.89% | 3,695 | 23.63% | 15,633 |
| Warren | 17,782 | 57.29% | 12,574 | 40.51% | 683 | 2.20% | 5,208 | 16.78% | 31,039 |
| Washington | 6,971 | 59.25% | 4,561 | 38.77% | 233 | 1.98% | 2,410 | 20.48% | 11,765 |
| Wayne | 2,338 | 75.20% | 727 | 23.38% | 44 | 1.42% | 1,611 | 51.82% | 3,109 |
| Webster | 10,938 | 61.37% | 6,613 | 37.11% | 271 | 1.52% | 4,325 | 24.26% | 17,822 |
| Winnebago | 3,707 | 62.09% | 2,135 | 35.76% | 128 | 2.15% | 1,572 | 26.33% | 5,970 |
| Winneshiek | 6,235 | 51.68% | 5,617 | 46.56% | 212 | 1.76% | 618 | 5.12% | 12,064 |
| Woodbury | 25,736 | 56.73% | 18,704 | 41.23% | 922 | 2.04% | 7,032 | 16.40% | 45,362 |
| Worth | 2,738 | 61.97% | 1,596 | 36.12% | 84 | 1.91% | 1,142 | 25.85% | 4,418 |
| Wright | 4,136 | 66.13% | 1,996 | 31.92% | 122 | 1.95% | 2,140 | 34.21% | 6,254 |
| Totals | 897,672 | 53.09% | 759,061 | 44.89% | 34,138 | 2.02% | 138,611 | 8.20% | 1,690,871 |
* Democratic — +5–7.5%
* Democratic — +2.5–5%
* Democratic — +0–2.5%
* Republican — +0–2.5%
* Republican — +2.5–5%
* Republican — +5–7.5%
* Republican — +7.5–10%
* Republican — +10–12.5%
* Democratic — +12.5−15%
* Democratic — +10−12.5%
* Democratic — +7.5−10%
* Democratic — +5−7.5%
* Democratic — +2.5−5%
* Democratic — +0−2.5%
* Republican — +0−2.5%
* Republican — +2.5−5%
* Republican — +5−7.5%
* Republican — +>15%

#### By congressional district

Trump won all 4 of the state's congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.
| District | Trump | Biden | Representative |
| 1st | 50.79% | 47.38% | Abby Finkenauer |
| 1st | 50.79% | 47.38% | Ashley Hinson |
| 2nd | 51.10% | 47.10% | Dave Loebsack |
| 2nd | 51.10% | 47.10% | Mariannette Miller-Meeks |
| 3rd | 49.15% | 49.02% | Cindy Axne |
| 4th | 62.68% | 35.73% | Steve King |
| 4th | 62.68% | 35.73% | Randy Feenstra |

## Analysis

Per exit polling by the Associated Press, Trump's strength in Iowa came from White Iowans with no college degree, who comprised 62% of the electorate and supported Trump by 58%–40%. Trump also dominated amongst Christian voters, garnering 66% of Protestants, 54% of Catholics, and 76% of born-again/Evangelical Christians. 53% of voters believed Trump was better able to handle international trade. Trump continued to win the cultural message among voters without college degrees in Iowa.
During the primary season, there remained hope among Democrats that Iowa would still be a contestable state. However, Trump's well-held victory in the state in the general election also saw Republican congressional candidates—from Senator Joni Ernst to two House seats, both held by Democrats (one vacated by Dave Loebsack in Iowa's 2nd district)—winning their election.
Neither Biden nor Trump flipped any counties in the state, although Biden came within 2% of flipping Dallas County, a suburb of Des Moines. Jefferson County was also very close, having gone for Trump by a similarly tight margin four years earlier.

### Edison exit polls

2020 presidential election in Iowa by demographic subgroup (Edison exit polling) :
| Demographic subgroup | Biden | Trump | % of total vote |
| Total vote | 44.89 | 53.09 | 100 |
| Ideology ||||
| Liberals | 90 | 9 | 20 |
| Moderates | 59 | 38 | 41 |
| Conservatives | 8 | 90 | 39 |
| Party ||||
| Democrats | 93 | 7 | 26 |
| Republicans | 7 | 93 | 36 |
| Independents | 50 | 46 | 38 |
| Gender ||||
| Men | 39 | 58 | 48 |
| Women | 51 | 48 | 52 |
| Race/ethnicity ||||
| White | 43 | 55 | 92 |
| Black | 76 | 22 | 2 |
| Latino | 67 | 31 | 4 |
| Asian | – | – | 1 |
| Other | – | – | 2 |
| Age ||||
| 18–24 years old | 58 | 39 | 10 |
| 25–29 years old | 39 | 55 | 5 |
| 30–39 years old | 44 | 50 | 13 |
| 40–49 years old | 50 | 48 | 14 |
| 50–64 years old | 40 | 60 | 28 |
| 65 and older | 45 | 54 | 28 |
| Sexual orientation ||||
| LGBT | – | – | 4 |
| Not LGBT | 44 | 55 | 96 |
| Education ||||
| High school or less | 37 | 63 | 19 |
| Some college education | 46 | 53 | 26 |
| Associate degree | 39 | 59 | 17 |
| Bachelor's degree | 49 | 48 | 26 |
| Postgraduate degree | 58 | 39 | 13 |
| Income ||||
| Under $30,000 | 58 | 41 | 15 |
| $30,000–49,999 | 47 | 49 | 23 |
| $50,000–99,999 | 39 | 60 | 35 |
| $100,000–199,999 | 46 | 51 | 22 |
| Over $200,000 | – | – | 5 |
| Issue regarded as most important ||||
| Racial inequality | 91 | 8 | 10 |
| Coronavirus | 88 | 10 | 19 |
| Economy | 10 | 87 | 36 |
| Crime and safety | 13 | 86 | 12 |
| Health care | 79 | 19 | 13 |
| Region ||||
| Eastern Cities | 54 | 44 | 27 |
| East Central | 42 | 56 | 19 |
| Des Moines Area | 54 | 44 | 24 |
| Central | 35 | 64 | 16 |
| West | 31 | 67 | 15 |
| Area type ||||
| Urban | 56 | 42 | 32 |
| Suburban | 48 | 51 | 29 |
| Rural | 35 | 63 | 39 |
| Family's financial situation today ||||
| Better than four years ago | 16 | 82 | 46 |
| Worse than four years ago | 87 | 10 | 13 |
| About the same | 60 | 38 | 41 |