RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 87 SHOWN OF 87

Highest unemployment, Iowa cities · 2020

Iowa cities ranked by the highest unemployment rate (2023 ACS). This list covers the 87 cities in Iowa that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros ZIP codes

RELATEDLowest unemployment Highest labor force participation Lowest labor force participation Most white-collar workforce Most self-employed workers

YEAR2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPUNEMPLOYMENT RATEVS 2000

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 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES