The capital of Iowa is Des Moines.
The Postal Code for Iowa: IA
The typical abbreviation for Iowa: Ia.
Time Zone:
The state of Iowa is in the Central Time (CST/CDT) zone and observes daylight saving time.
| Note: |
Starting in 2007, Daylight Savings Time will be begin 3 weeks earlier and end 1 week later.
Click here for details. |
When the people of Iowa refer to themselves: Iowan
Population: According to the 2006 Census estimates, Iowa has a population of 2,982,085 people.
This represents 1.00% of the national total, making it the 30th most populous state.
The following are population changes since the last Census. The population counts after year 2000 are estimates.
| Year | Population | Change |
| 2006 | 2,982,085 | +0.56% since 2005 |
| 2005 | 2,965,524 | +0.40% since 2004 |
| 2004 | 2,953,679 | +0.40% since 2003 |
| 2003 | 2,941,976 | +0.23% since 2002 |
| 2002 | 2,935,295 | +0.11% since 2001 |
| 2001 | 2,932,151 | +0.20% since 2000 |
| 2000 | 2,926,324 | Last Census Count |
Area:
The area of Iowa is 56,272 square miles (145,743.81 km²).
This represents 1.48% of the national total.
Iowa ranks as the 26th largest state.
| | State Flag |
| |
| |  |
| |
Density:
The population density of Iowa is 53.38 people per square mile (20.61 people/km²).
Iowa ranks 35th in population density.
Nickname for Iowa: "The Hawkeye State"
State Motto: "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain"
State Bird: Eastern Goldfinch (carduelis tristis)
State Tree: Oak
State Flower: Wild Prairie Rose (rosa pratincola)
State Song: "The Song of Iowa"
Statehood:
Iowa became the 29th state on Dec 28, 1846.
Useful State Links
The state website for Iowa can be found at:
The portal for Iowa tourism:
For information about Iowa fishing regulations and licenses requirements:
For information about Iowa hunting regulations and licenses requirements:
Communities Ranked by Population (Top-15)
 
| Rank | City | 2005 Population | National Rank |
| 1 | Des Moines | 194,163 | 92 |
| 2 | Cedar Rapids | 123,119 | 187 |
| 3 | Davenport | 98,845 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | 83,148 | |
| 5 | Waterloo | 66,483 | |
| 6 | Iowa City | 62,887 | |
| 7 | Council Bluffs | 59,568 | |
| 8 | Dubuque | 57,798 | |
| 9 | Ames | 52,263 | |
| 10 | West Des Moines | 52,768 | |
| 11 | Cedar Falls | 36,471 | |
| 12 | Bettendorf | 31,890 | |
| 13 | Urbandale | 34,696 | |
| 14 | Mason City | 27,909 | |
| 15 | Clinton | 27,086 | |
Miscellaneous Information
| Census Region: 2 (Midwest) |
| |
| Census Division: 4 (West North-Central) |
| |
| State FIPS-55 Code: 19 |
| |
| Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Region VII / Region 7 |
| |
| ISO-3166-2 Code: US-IA |
|