Immigration drives Iowa's 2024 population growth

[Emile]

Migrants drawn by economy, family and sense of safety

Iowa gained 23,074 people from 2023 to 2024, boosted primarily by growth in international migration to the state, according to new U.S. Census data.

Similar to neighboring Midwest states including Illinois and Nebraska, people from other countries moved to Iowa at higher rates than those who came from other places in the United States.

From July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, a net of 19,439 people migrated to Iowa from outside the United States — accounting for most of its growth in that period — while a net of 231 people departed Iowa to other states.

Iowa ranks as the country’s 32nd most populous state with a little over 3.2 million people as of July 1, 2024. It previously was ranked as the 31st in population, but gains in other states surpassed Iowa’s growth — with Nevada moving to 31st.

From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, Iowa gained 15,594 people, compared with 4,207 the year prior and 7,472 the year before that.

International migration to the United States was the highest in decades between 2023 and 2024, with a net of 2.8 million people moving from other countries, according to U.S. Census data.

Iowa has experienced this trend over the past few years, with 16,114 people moving to Iowa from other countries in the year ending July 1, 2023, and 10,340 people arriving in the year ending July 1, 2022.

Erica Johnson, the founding executive director of the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, said employment opportunities, safety and family members who live in Iowa are the top reasons people are moving to the state from other countries.

Continued at: https://www.thegazette.com/news/immigration-drives-iowas-2024-population-growth/

[Lovie777]

1. Not for long.......................

[Macrophylla]

2. A lot of my family resides in Soux City Iowa

That town was a declining city with nothing new built during my childhood. There has been an influx of Spanish people who came there to WORK in the local meat packing facilities.
When i went back many years later for my grandmother's funeral I was shocked to see new construction and a general improvement in the place i had never seen.

So yes

[JT45242]

3. Iowa City area...mostly Africans fleeing war zones here

There are more African students than African-American students in the school district as they flee areas of conflict and extremists like Boca Haram.

Not sure if it is economics,...more likely this is where sponsors are.

[Unladen Swallow]

4. This will be good for re-districting