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Top 10 Cities in Iowa with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career but love where you live, you might be considering a job change within your community. The key question is: how challenging will it be to secure a new position in your hometown? To assist you in this search, we present the cities in Iowa boasting the most favorable job markets, as indicated by their unemployment rates.
Many residents choose their location because of employment opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to Iowa for personal reasons or seeking a job after relocating, understanding the strength of the local job market is crucial.
We turned to demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify which cities have the lowest unemployment rates. By focusing on cities with a minimum population threshold, we analyzed the data and identified the top contenders in the Hawkeye State:
- North Liberty(Jobs)
- Waukee(Jobs)
- Carroll(Jobs)
- Clive(Jobs)
- Coralville(Jobs)
- Ankeny(Jobs)
- Spencer(Jobs)
- Urbandale(Jobs)
- Pella(Jobs)
- West Des Moines(Jobs)
For employers seeking vibrant communities to relocate to, a low unemployment rate signals a healthy job market. In this respect, North Liberty stands out as the city in Iowa with the lowest unemployment rate.
Continue reading to discover how we pinpointed these cities with robust job markets in Iowa.
For more information on job opportunities in Iowa, explore:
- Search For Jobs In Iowa
- Highest Paying Jobs in Iowa
- Fastest Growing Jobs In Iowa
How We Identified Iowa’s Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To determine Iowa’s most employed cities, we initially focused on areas with a population exceeding 10,000 residents and accessible data.
This analysis included 38 cities across the state.
We then evaluated the unemployment rates to distinguish the cities with the lowest rates, using the latest American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The unemployment rate serves as a key indicator of each city’s job market, reflecting opportunities for job seekers whether they are considering intrastate, interstate, or intercity moves.
Cities were ranked from one to 38, with the top position awarded to the city with the highest employment levels. In cases of ties, the larger city received the higher ranking.
If your city isn’t featured in the top ten, scroll down for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, delve deeper into how these leading cities achieved their impressive job market status.
1. North Liberty
Population: 14,503
Unemployment Rate: 0.3%
North Liberty tops our list with an exceptional unemployment rate of just 0.3%, making it the premier choice for job seekers in Iowa.
Being number one comes with its perks, including a thriving job market.
2. Waukee
Population: 15,944
Unemployment Rate: 0.8%
Waukee secures the second position with a commendable unemployment rate of 0.8%, showcasing its strength in the job market.
3. Carroll
Population: 10,051
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
Carroll earns the bronze with an unemployment rate of 2.0%, reflecting its solid job opportunities.
4. Clive
Population: 16,246
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%
Clive, with a population of 16,246, comes in fourth, making it a promising option for those starting their career search.
5. Coralville
Population: 19,677
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%
Coralville claims the fifth spot with a desirable unemployment rate of 3.0%, indicative of its stable job market.
6. Ankeny
Population: 49,488
Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
Ankeny ranks sixth, presenting solid employment numbers that make it an attractive option for potential movers.
7. Spencer
Population: 11,177
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Spencer takes the seventh position with a 3.9% unemployment rate, showcasing its growing job market.
8. Urbandale
Population: 41,157
Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Urbandale’s job market is strong enough to attract talent from neighboring cities, securing its eighth-place ranking.
9. Pella
Population: 10,343
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
Pella finishes strong at ninth place with an unemployment rate of 4.0%, offering a promising environment for job seekers.
10. West Des Moines
Population: 59,815
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
West Des Moines rounds out the top ten with a 4.0% unemployment rate, demonstrating a competitive job market.
Summary of Unemployment Across Iowa
These are the top ten cities in Iowa with the lowest unemployment rates. Each city demonstrates a healthy job market, making them ideal for job seekers.
If you’re considering a move to Iowa and are willing to prioritize job opportunities, focus on these top ten cities.
For additional insights on various cities and states across the U.S., visit Zippia.com. And if you’re a recent college graduate exploring relocation options, check out which states recent grads are most likely to stay in and which ones they leave behind.
Here’s a quick overview of the cities in Iowa with the highest unemployment rates:
- Keokuk
- Fort Dodge
- Fort Madison
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Iowa
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| North Liberty | 1 | 0.3% |
| Waukee | 2 | 0.8% |
| Carroll | 3 | 2.0% |
| Clive | 4 | 2.9% |
| Coralville | 5 | 3.0% |
| Ankeny | 6 | 3.6% |
| Spencer | 7 | 3.9% |
| Urbandale | 8 | 3.9% |
| Pella | 9 | 4.0% |
| West Des Moines | 10 | 4.0% |
| Bettendorf | 11 | 4.1% |
| Storm Lake | 12 | 4.2% |
| Johnston | 13 | 4.2% |
| Marion | 14 | 4.4% |
| Altoona | 15 | 4.4% |
| Iowa City | 16 | 4.7% |
| Cedar Falls | 17 | 5.0% |
| Mason City | 18 | 5.0% |
| Boone | 19 | 5.2% |
| Muscatine | 20 | 5.3% |
| Cedar Rapids | 21 | 5.4% |
| Dubuque | 22 | 5.5% |
| Council Bluffs | 23 | 5.8% |
| Sioux City | 24 | 5.8% |
| Davenport | 25 | 5.9% |
| Ames | 26 | 6.1% |
| Clinton | 27 | 6.1% |
| Newton | 28 | 6.6% |
| Indianola | 29 | 7.2% |
| Burlington | 30 | 7.6% |
| Des Moines | 31 | 8.1% |
| Marshalltown | 32 | 8.2% |
| Ottumwa | 33 | 8.5% |
| Waterloo | 34 | 8.9% |
| Oskaloosa | 35 | 9.1% |
| Fort Madison | 36 | 9.1% |
| Fort Dodge | 37 | 9.4% |
| Keokuk | 38 | 10.8% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
