Fact Check: Iowa's population has declined more than any other state since 2010.

Fact Check: "Iowa's population has declined more than any other state since 2010."

What We Know

The claim that Iowa's population has declined more than any other state since 2010 is not supported by the available data. According to a report from the Iowa State University Extension, Iowa's population actually increased by 144,014 residents, or 4.7%, between the 2010 and 2020 censuses (source-2). This growth occurred despite the fact that many rural areas in Iowa experienced population declines during the same period.

Additionally, the overall trend for Iowa's population has been one of growth, albeit at a slower rate than the national average. Historical data indicates that Iowa's population generally increased from 1900 through 2024, with only two notable periods of decline, neither of which occurred in the last decade (source-1).

Analysis

The assertion that Iowa's population has declined more than any other state is misleading. While it is true that certain rural areas within Iowa have seen significant population losses—over 278,000 in rural populations from 1940 to 2020 (source-3)—the overall state population has grown.

Moreover, the claim lacks context regarding other states. For example, states like Illinois and West Virginia have experienced notable population declines in recent years, particularly in the wake of economic challenges and out-migration (source-6). Thus, without comparative data, the claim about Iowa's population decline being the most significant is unfounded.

The sources used to evaluate this claim are credible, including government reports and academic studies. However, the claim itself appears to be an oversimplification of a more complex demographic situation.

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that Iowa's population has declined more than any other state since 2010 is incorrect. Iowa's population actually increased during this period, and while certain rural areas have faced declines, the overall state population trend has been one of growth.

Sources

1. PDF Iowa Population
2. Population in Iowa's Counties, 2000 - 2020 - Indicators Program
3. Navigating Demographic Shifts: New Report Unveils Iowa's Changing Urban and Rural Populations
4. Statewide Population Trends
5. PDF Rural Iowa at a Glance: Population Trends and Economic Trends
6. Census: Metro populations grew, rural areas lost in Iowa
7. Demographics are Destiny - commonsenseinstituteus.org