RANKING · 2024 ACS · 87 SHOWN OF 87

Lowest labor force participation, Iowa cities

Iowa cities with the smallest share of adults 16+ in the civilian labor force (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 unemployment Highest labor force participation Most white-collar workforce Most self-employed workers

YEAR2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPLABOR FORCE PARTICIPATIONVS 2000

01Clarinda, IAIA5,27344.5%–

02Anamosa, IAIA5,90146.6%–

03Oelwein, IAIA5,75753.8%–

04Red Oak, IAIA5,38854.9%–

05Mount Pleasant, IAIA8,50055.1%–

06Fort Madison, IAIA9,93555.6%–

07Fairfield, IAIA9,22055.6%–

08Creston, IAIA7,33556.4%–

09Keokuk, IAIA9,51057.0%–

10Centerville, IAIA5,32757.1%–

11Clinton, IAIA24,04958.0%–

12Iowa Falls, IAIA5,01358.7%–

13Maquoketa, IAIA6,02759.4%–

14Fort Dodge, IAIA24,83760.3%–

15Grinnell, IAIA9,43060.6%–

16Charles City, IAIA7,01360.7%–

17Vinton, IAIA5,00461.0%–

18Burlington, IAIA23,33661.3%–

19Algona, IAIA5,30961.4%–

20Clear Lake, IAIA7,60161.6%–

21Muscatine, IAIA23,16461.7%–

22Newton, IAIA15,74161.8%–

23Glenwood, IAIA5,28762.0%–

24Ottumwa, IAIA25,31962.9%–

25Council Bluffs, IAIA62,68063.0%–

26Estherville, IAIA5,80763.0%–

27Washington, IAIA7,26163.1%–

28Carroll, IAIA10,08563.1%–

29Decorah, IAIA7,41763.3%–

30Mason City, IAIA26,85363.5%–

31Oskaloosa, IAIA11,49363.8%–

32Atlantic, IAIA6,67664.1%–

33DeWitt, IAIA5,70464.1%–

34Knoxville, IAIA7,46964.2%–

35Hiawatha, IAIA7,43264.2%–

36Windsor Heights, IAIA5,05964.4%–

37Dubuque, IAIA59,14864.6%–

38Bettendorf, IAIA40,71065.1%–

39Cherokee, IAIA5,12265.1%–

40Spencer, IAIA11,21865.1%–

41Indianola, IAIA16,82965.5%–

42Waverly, IAIA10,56165.5%–

43Waterloo, IAIA66,91965.6%–

44Davenport, IAIA100,35865.7%–

45Nevada, IAIA6,97466.2%–

46Ames, IAIA68,22066.2%–

47Winterset, IAIA5,52066.5%–

48Boone, IAIA12,47166.7%–

49Pella, IAIA10,99266.8%–

50Marshalltown, IAIA27,53666.9%–

51Webster City, IAIA7,81567.0%–

52Denison, IAIA8,21467.1%–

53Sioux City, IAIA86,35667.3%–

54Pleasant Hill, IAIA11,23967.3%–

55Orange City, IAIA6,46867.7%–

56Sheldon, IAIA5,57568.0%–

57Manchester, IAIA5,35768.1%–

58Marion, IAIA42,73268.1%–

59Iowa City, IAIA76,22968.4%–

60Cedar Rapids, IAIA137,93568.4%–

61Independence, IAIA6,31268.7%–

62Cedar Falls, IAIA41,24068.8%–

63Osceola, IAIA5,67968.8%–

64Coralville, IAIA23,96068.9%–

65Eldridge, IAIA6,95469.3%–

66Storm Lake, IAIA11,59070.3%–

67Altoona, IAIA22,79670.3%–

68Asbury, IAIA6,03570.3%–

69Urbandale, IAIA48,57070.7%–

70Spirit Lake, IAIA5,52570.7%–

71Le Mars, IAIA10,76070.9%–

72Adel, IAIA7,09871.0%–

73Des Moines, IAIA212,08671.1%–

74Johnston, IAIA25,06571.2%–

75Norwalk, IAIA15,00471.9%–

76Clive, IAIA19,86172.4%–

77West Des Moines, IAIA74,22472.7%–

78Polk City, IAIA6,63072.9%–

79Perry, IAIA8,20874.1%–

80Sioux Center, IAIA8,86474.1%–

81Sergeant Bluff, IAIA5,32475.2%–

82Tiffin, IAIA7,15675.9%–

83Ankeny, IAIA77,83376.3%–

84Waukee, IAIA34,89077.3%–

85North Liberty, IAIA21,97677.4%–

86Grimes, IAIA17,40578.1%–

87Bondurant, IAIA9,64780.7%–

SHOWING 1–87 OF 87

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