Iowa.gov Services Agencies Social Iowa.gov Services Agencies Social HOME MENU Main Menu About Welcome to Iowa Whether you’re an Iowa resident or are interested in learning more about what our state has to offer, Iowa.gov is your hub for information about business regulations, government, citizen health, education, transparency and more. We proudly advocate for accessible energy, the education of our children, business development, and job training to give Iowans a chance at the best quality of life possible. The Best State to Thrive According to U.S. News and World Report this year, Iowa is ranked as the number-one best state in the nation. Our continued commitment to making Iowa a great place for job-seekers, new business and education contributes to what makes Iowa the best place to live in the U.S.! Read the full press release from the Governor’s office here. Iowa Quick Facts Statehood: December 28, 1846 Population rank: 30th among the 50 states Population (2015): 3,123,899 1 Population (2000): 2,926,324 1 Land area: 55,857.1 square miles 1 Acres in farmland (2012): 30,622,731 (47848.02 square miles) 3 Population density (2010): 54.5 people per square mile 1 Capitol city: Des Moines founded September 22, 1851 as Fort Des Moines and shortened to Des Moines in 1857. It was named for the Des Moines River. Top industries (2014): Manufacturing, Government, Real estate rental and leasing 2 Top exports (2014): Corn, Tractors and Soybeans 1 Primary language: English Sources: U.S. Census Bureau US Bureau of Economic Analysis USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Footer Menu About Iowa.gov Accessibility Statement Policies Iowa Helpdesk Subscribe to Relevant Topics Twitter LinkedIn YouTube