RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 87 SHOWN OF 87

Highest unemployment, Iowa cities · 2020

Iowa cities ranked by the highest unemployment rate (2020 ACS). This list covers the 87 cities in Iowa that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 87 is 3.9%.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros ZIP codes

RELATEDMost unemployed people Lowest unemployment Highest labor force participation Lowest labor force participation Most white-collar workforce Most self-employed workers

YEAR2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPUNEMPLOYMENT RATEVS –

01Maquoketa, IAIA6,02710.0%–

02Anamosa, IAIA5,9019.7%–

03Fairfield, IAIA9,2209.3%–

04Perry, IAIA8,2089.2%–

05Storm Lake, IAIA11,5907.9%–

06Centerville, IAIA5,3277.8%–

07Denison, IAIA8,2147.7%–

08Hiawatha, IAIA7,4327.4%–

09Keokuk, IAIA9,5107.4%–

10Ames, IAIA68,2207.3%–

11Fort Madison, IAIA9,9356.8%–

12Waterloo, IAIA66,9196.7%–

13Clarinda, IAIA5,2736.5%–

14Pleasant Hill, IAIA11,2396.4%–

15Grinnell, IAIA9,4306.3%–

16Grimes, IAIA17,4056.2%–

17Des Moines, IAIA212,0866.0%–

18DeWitt, IAIA5,7045.7%–

19Spencer, IAIA11,2185.7%–

20Marshalltown, IAIA27,5365.6%–

21Adel, IAIA7,0985.3%–

22Algona, IAIA5,3095.2%–

23Clinton, IAIA24,0495.2%–

24Altoona, IAIA22,7965.2%–

25Burlington, IAIA23,3365.2%–

26Ottumwa, IAIA25,3195.1%–

27Council Bluffs, IAIA62,6804.9%–

28Sioux City, IAIA86,3564.9%–

29Washington, IAIA7,2614.9%–

30Dubuque, IAIA59,1484.8%–

31Charles City, IAIA7,0134.8%–

32Iowa City, IAIA76,2294.7%–

33Davenport, IAIA100,3584.7%–

34Sergeant Bluff, IAIA5,3244.5%–

35Windsor Heights, IAIA5,0594.4%–

36Muscatine, IAIA23,1644.4%–

37Asbury, IAIA6,0354.4%–

38Red Oak, IAIA5,3884.4%–

39Glenwood, IAIA5,2874.2%–

40Newton, IAIA15,7414.2%–

41Iowa Falls, IAIA5,0134.2%–

42Oskaloosa, IAIA11,4934.0%–

43Cedar Rapids, IAIA137,9353.9%–

44Norwalk, IAIA15,0043.9%–

45Cedar Falls, IAIA41,2403.9%–

46Urbandale, IAIA48,5703.9%–

47Marion, IAIA42,7323.8%–

48Mason City, IAIA26,8533.7%–

49Estherville, IAIA5,8073.6%–

50Waverly, IAIA10,5613.6%–

51Fort Dodge, IAIA24,8373.6%–

52Polk City, IAIA6,6303.6%–

53Indianola, IAIA16,8293.5%–

54Webster City, IAIA7,8153.4%–

55Decorah, IAIA7,4173.3%–

56Clive, IAIA19,8613.3%–

57Waukee, IAIA34,8903.2%–

58Orange City, IAIA6,4683.0%–

59Cherokee, IAIA5,1223.0%–

60Clear Lake, IAIA7,6012.9%–

61Knoxville, IAIA7,4692.8%–

62Bettendorf, IAIA40,7102.8%–

63North Liberty, IAIA21,9762.7%–

64Ankeny, IAIA77,8332.6%–

65Eldridge, IAIA6,9542.5%–

66Carroll, IAIA10,0852.5%–

67Mount Pleasant, IAIA8,5002.5%–

68West Des Moines, IAIA74,2242.5%–

69Le Mars, IAIA10,7602.5%–

70Creston, IAIA7,3352.3%–

71Tiffin, IAIA7,1562.2%–

72Coralville, IAIA23,9602.1%–

73Independence, IAIA6,3122.1%–

74Winterset, IAIA5,5202.1%–

75Vinton, IAIA5,0041.4%–

76Pella, IAIA10,9921.4%–

77Johnston, IAIA25,0651.4%–

78Boone, IAIA12,4711.3%–

79Manchester, IAIA5,3571.3%–

80Osceola, IAIA5,6791.2%–

81Sheldon, IAIA5,5750.9%–

82Atlantic, IAIA6,6760.8%–

83Oelwein, IAIA5,7570.7%–

84Spirit Lake, IAIA5,5250.4%–

85Bondurant, IAIA9,6470.4%–

86Sioux Center, IAIA8,8640.3%–

87Nevada, IAIA6,9740.3%–

SHOWING 1–87 OF 87

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS