Rankings

Our region gets its fair share of accolades, high marks and ratings. Studies quantify what most people already know. Rankings are significant to local employers and those that want to locate in the area. Businesses care deeply about quality of life issues when making site location decisions. Employers know a majority of future employees come from the new location. Critical issues to business success include home ownership, access to good schools, safety issues and a reasonable cost of living. Read on . . .

Best in the Midwest - fit, fun and packed with adventure - Outside magazine 2007

No. 1 top hotspot in Iowa for WiFi – MetroFreeFi.com

No. 1 in Job Growth in a five state area – 8.9 percent – Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago study (the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Iowa Workforce Development report a 10.4 percent growth for the region).

"5-Star Business Opportunity Metro" – Expansion Management magazine  

No. 10 of 50 “Smart” Cities -- Kiplinger’s Personal Finance highlights the Iowa City area for economic vitality and quality of life.  

Business-Friendly, Right-to-Work State - Iowa receives praise and rankings for robust business environment

One of the "five super-charming shopping destinations" - Lucky magazine 2007

No. 1 Fastest Growing Economy in the Midwest – Bureau of Economic Analysis 2006

No. 1 for Social Health in the nation – Fordham University Institute for Innovation in Social Policy 2003

No. 3 Lowest Cost of Doing Business in the nation – Milken Institute 2006

No. 3 “Most Livable” State in the nation – Morgan Quinto Press 2006

No. 3 among test takers in the nation – ACT Inc. 2006

No. 3 for high school graduation rates in the nation – Morgan Quitno 2005

No. 4 for home ownership in the nation – Morgan Quitno  2004

No. 5 for Best Place to Live and Work in the nation - Bert Sperling 2007 

No. 5 for work environment in the nation – Umass Amherst’s Political Economy Research Institute  2005

No. 5 for Business Climate in the nation low taxes and government spending – Expansion Management magazine 2006

No. 5 Healthiest State in the nation – Morgan Quitno 2006

No. 5 Best Place to Raise a Child in the nation – Annie E. Casey Foundation 2006

No. 6 for lowest housing costs in the nation – U.S. Census Bureau 2002

No. 7 for Shortest Average Commute time in the nation – 18.1 minutes  – U. S. Census Bureau 2002

No. 8 in number of state parks, recreational areas and natural areas in the nation – Morgan Quitno 2004

No. 9 Smartest State in the nation – Morgan Quitno 2006-2007

No. 9 for Low Healthcare Costs in the nation – Expansion Management magazine 2006

The state offers the lowest cost of auto insurance in the nation – National Association of Insurance Commissioners 2002

TOP