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As we move through 2026, the challenges women face in the workforce continue to evolve. Despite progress, women in the United States still encounter significant obstacles, including pay disparities, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and access to essential healthcare. In Iowa, these issues manifest differently across various cities.
In our analysis, we examined the best and worst cities for women in Iowa, shedding light on the specific challenges women face in different locations.
These findings highlight how location significantly influences women’s opportunities and well-being.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Iowa
This ranking showcases the ten cities in Iowa where women face the most significant challenges. Dive deeper to understand the factors contributing to these rankings or skip ahead to discover the best cities for women in Iowa.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Iowa
Each city was evaluated based on four key indicators:
- Percentage of Women in Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (Higher is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Male Earnings (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
We sourced our data primarily from the Census American Community Survey. To assess the income gap, we compared median incomes between male and female workers. This comparison provided insight into how much women earn for every dollar earned by men.
For the poverty statistics, we focused on women living alone, as this demographic often faces unique financial challenges. This approach allowed us to obtain a clearer picture of poverty rates specifically affecting women.
We also analyzed the percentage of women in management roles, recognizing the importance of representation in leadership for career advancement opportunities.
Finally, we gathered data on uninsured women in each city to understand healthcare access disparities. Our analysis focused on cities in Iowa with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Charles City
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.55
Women in Management: 31.7%
Women in Poverty: 31.2%
Uninsured Women: 5.5%
Charles City ranks as the most challenging city for women in Iowa. Its low scores across key metrics indicate significant struggles, such as high poverty rates and insufficient access to healthcare.
2. Keokuk
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.53
Women in Management: 31.8%
Women in Poverty: 25.9%
Uninsured Women: 4.2%
Keokuk is the second most challenging city for women, with high poverty rates and a low percentage of women in leadership roles.
3. Maquoketa
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.56
Women in Management: 36.8%
Women in Poverty: 25.2%
Uninsured Women: 6.2%
In Maquoketa, while some women hold management positions, the poverty rate remains concerning, affecting overall quality of life.
4. Oskaloosa
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.61
Women in Management: 23.7%
Women in Poverty: 22.2%
Uninsured Women: 4.1%
Women in Oskaloosa face significant challenges, particularly regarding management representation and poverty rates.
5. Clear Lake
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.52
Women in Management: 19.2%
Women in Poverty: 12.3%
Uninsured Women: 5.6%
Clear Lake ranks fifth, with women facing limited management opportunities and a challenging economic landscape.
6. Glenwood
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.54
Women in Management: 35.8%
Women in Poverty: 17.9%
Uninsured Women: 5.4%
In Glenwood, while a notable percentage of women are in management, the poverty rates still pose significant barriers.
7. Centerville
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.46
Women in Management: 39.0%
Women in Poverty: 21.0%
Uninsured Women: 4.6%
Centerville presents a challenging environment for women, marked by high poverty rates and insufficient healthcare access.
8. Grinnell
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.43
Women in Management: 46.0%
Women in Poverty: 16.8%
Uninsured Women: 7.3%
Grinnell’s statistics show a concerning trend with respect to earnings and poverty among women, despite a relatively high percentage in management.
9. Fairfield
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.48
Women in Management: 35.3%
Women in Poverty: 15.0%
Uninsured Women: 4.1%
Fairfield presents its own set of challenges, with a notable earnings gap and significant poverty rates among single women.
10. Cedar Falls
Earnings Ratio (Women to Male Dollars): $0.48
Women in Management: 38.2%
Women in Poverty: 21.7%
Uninsured Women: 2.7%
Cedar Falls, while ranking tenth, still shows concerning poverty levels among women, indicating ongoing systemic issues.
Summary of the Worst Cities for Women in Iowa
This analysis highlights the cities in Iowa where women encounter the greatest challenges. Despite advancements in various areas, these locations still present significant obstacles that can hinder women’s progress and well-being.
The disparities in earnings and representation underscore the importance of continued efforts to improve conditions for women across the state. While individual experiences may vary, the data suggests that women in these cities may need to navigate particularly difficult paths.
Explore the detailed list below to further understand the landscape of women’s opportunities in Iowa.
Detailed List of the Worst Cities for Women in Iowa
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles City | $0.55 |
| 2 | Keokuk | $0.53 |
| 3 | Maquoketa | $0.56 |
| 4 | Oskaloosa | $0.61 |
| 5 | Clear Lake | $0.52 |
| 6 | Glenwood | $0.54 |
| 7 | Centerville | $0.46 |
| 8 | Grinnell | $0.43 |
| 9 | Fairfield | $0.48 |
| 10 | Cedar Falls | $0.48 |
| 11 | Burlington | $0.59 |
| 12 | Storm Lake | $0.66 |
| 13 | Mason City | $0.70 |
| 14 | Grimes | $0.61 |
| 15 | Ottumwa | $0.68 |
| 16 | Oelwein | $0.59 |
| 17 | Sioux Center | $0.46 |
| 18 | Fort Dodge | $0.68 |
| 19 | Le Mars | $0.66 |
| 20 | Marshalltown | $0.66 |
| 21 | Davenport | $0.69 |
| 22 | Estherville | $0.75 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $0.63 |
| 24 | Orange City | $0.40 |
| 25 | Decorah | $0.39 |
| 26 | Dubuque | $0.65 |
| 27 | Clinton | $0.53 |
| 28 | Fort Madison | $0.65 |
| 29 | Webster City | $0.74 |
| 30 | Waverly | $0.53 |
| 31 | Winterset | $0.50 |
| 32 | Creston | $0.77 |
| 33 | Bettendorf | $0.54 |
| 34 | Marion | $0.65 |
| 35 | Des Moines | $0.75 |
| 36 | Ames | $0.81 |
| 37 | Sioux City | $0.71 |
| 38 | Waterloo | $0.77 |
| 39 | Iowa City | $0.82 |
| 40 | Atlantic | $0.81 |
| 41 | Pella | $0.45 |
| 42 | Boone | $0.66 |
| 43 | Denison | $0.91 |
| 44 | Coralville | $0.85 |
| 45 | Council Bluffs | $0.75 |
| 46 | Red Oak | $0.67 |
| 47 | Washington | $0.60 |
| 48 | Spencer | $0.61 |
| 49 | Nevada | $0.70 |
| 50 | Perry | $0.82 |
| 51 | Indianola | $0.59 |
| 52 | Algona | $0.77 |
| 53 | Clive | $0.61 |
| 54 | North Liberty | $0.70 |
| 55 | Ankeny City | $0.68 |
| 56 | Cedar Rapids | $0.72 |
| 57 | Knoxville | $0.63 |
| 58 | Carroll | $0.75 |
| 59 | West Des Moines | $0.70 |
| 60 | Newton | $0.67 |
| 61 | Asbury | $0.52 |
| 62 | Waukee | $0.72 |
| 63 | Norwalk | $0.81 |
| 64 | Urbandale | $0.71 |
| 65 | Eldridge | $0.62 |
| 66 | Altoona | $0.78 |
| 67 | Johnston | $0.76 |
| 68 | Independence | $0.73 |
| 69 | Mount Pleasant | $0.77 |
| 70 | Bondurant | $0.71 |
| 71 | Pleasant Hill | $0.73 |
| 72 | Hiawatha | $0.88 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
