Whether it be food, entertainment, culture, or a combination of the three, every state has qualities that make it unique. Iowa is no exception. Whether you are relocating to Iowa or just making a temporary visit, there are some important things you should know.
- Iowa Is Primarily Rural
The perception that outsiders may have of Iowa as a bucolic region with rolling farmland and lots of livestock is pretty accurate. Agriculture is very important to the state’s economy and uses over 85% of its land. Compared to the other states, Iowa produces the most corn and is home to the most pigs.
However, Iowa has urban areas as well. With a population of 214,237 people, the largest city in Iowa is Des Moines, followed by Cedar Rapids and Davenport with over 100,000 people each.
- The State Fair Is Very Well Attended
Any state where agriculture is as important as it is in Iowa is going to have a well-planned and well-attended state fair. First held in 1854, the Iowa State Fair boasts over 1 million people. Attendees can buy food from vendors operating cold & frozen food machines Polk County IA, enjoy carnival rides, and see live entertainment. A unique tradition is a 600-pound butter sculpture shaped like a cow. A new Butter Cow is created every year and is nearly life-sized.
- Politics Can Be Unpredictable
Iowa occupies a prominent place in United States politics. Every four years, the Iowa caucuses are the first presidential primaries contested. Unlike its neighbor to the north, Minnesota, which is pretty reliably liberal, and its neighbors to the immediate west, which tend to be deeply conservative, Iowa is a swing state. Political opinions in Iowa range the entire spectrum, and people tend not to be shy about speaking their minds.
When you travel to Iowa, come with an open mind. You may find that it exceeds your expectations.
