Iowa’s population has grown by 0.05% between 2020 and 2023 according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. While some cities like Waukee have grown faster than the national average, others have been losing population.
Which cities in Iowa have seen the largest population declines between 2020 and 2023?
Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, here are the 10 cities in Iowa which have seen the most population decline.
Four cities tied with a decline of 8%:
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Murray, a small town in Clarke County, had a population of just 624 in 2023.
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Albert City, in Buena Vista County, was just ahead with a population of 626.
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Morning Sun in Louisa County had 693.
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Mount Pleasant, the county seat of Henry County, had a population of 8,581 in 2023.
Newell and Carbon lost 7% each.
Newell is in Buena Vista County and had 847 residents last year, while Carbon in Adams County had just 30. Carbon also ranked as the 24th smallest city in Iowa, with no businesses or services besides a church and a community center.
Another four cities declined by 6%:
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Woodburn, in Clarke County
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Zearing, in Story County
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Terril, in Dickinson County
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Fenton, in Kossouth County
Woodburn was the smallest in this group, with just 141 residents last year. Zearing was the largest with 503.
How does education affect population change?
With the exception of Mount Pleasant and Corning, no city that declined by more than 5% had a population above 750. This is in line with broader trends across America as populations continue to concentrate in urban, suburban and metropolitan areas.
Education is a major factor behind this change. The National Rural Education Association’s 2023 report highlights disparities in resources and funding between rural and more urban school districts. As parents and guardians seek better education, they’re incentivized to move closer to population centers.
Recent developments in Iowa law may be contributing to this problem. As the Register has previously reported, the school choice program started last year is likely to move funds away from rural school districts and towards private institutions. Similarly, the Register has reported on how district consolidation — a phenomenon almost exclusive to rural areas — can create challenges for the affected towns.
The 10 cities with the largest population declines were concentrated in eight counties. Only three of those eight countries are home to a private school.
According to the Iowa Department of Education data, as of 2023 41 of Iowa’s 99 counties have no private school. Another 24 only have one.
Ryan Magalhães is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Which Iowa cities lost the most population since 2020?
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