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IOWA
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for Iowa:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in Iowa in 2011.

Rankings
The following shows Iowa's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2011: 36 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 38 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 35 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 26 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of Iowa changed by 46.6 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in Iowa changed from 91,085 to 133,547, representing a change of 46.6 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 43,316 to 91,085 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 110.3 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 4.4 percent of Iowa's total population.
In 2011, 4.4 percent of Iowa's total population were immigrants, compared to 3.1 percent in 2000 and 1.6 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in Iowa, 26.7 percent entered during the 1990s, and 48.5 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Iowa in 2011, 12.1 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 12.6 percent between 1980 and 1989, 26.7 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 48.5 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in Iowa were from Latin America.
Of the total foreign-born population in Iowa in 2011, 7.1 percent were from Africa, 33.6 percent from Asia, 15.7 percent from Europe, 39.9 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 2.5 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 1.1 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Iowa were mexico, india, and china.*
Of the total immigrant population in Iowa in 2011, 28.8 percent were born in mexico, 7.3 percent in india, and 4.7 percent in china. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Germany (10.6 percent), Mexico (8.4 percent), and Laos (6.8 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In Iowa, 37.6 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 50,232, or 37.6 percent, of the foreign-born population in Iowa were citizens, compared to 29,951, or 32.9 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 67.7 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In Iowa, 83.1 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 14.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Iowa in 2011, 83.1 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 61.6 percent who entered during the 1980s, 48.2 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 14.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In Iowa, 48.9 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 51.1 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Iowa in 2011, 48.9 percent were female and 51.1 percent male, compared to 50.7 percent female and 49.3 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 1.0 percent of young children in Iowa, 2.1 percent of youths, 6.6 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 2.6 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.0 percent of Iowa's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 2.1 percent of those 5 to 17; 6.4 percent of those 18 to 24; 6.7 percent of those 25 to 54; and 2.6 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in Iowa, 9.5 percent were minors, 73.9 percent were of working age (18-54), and 16.6 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.4 percent of the foreign-born population in Iowa were under the age of 5; 8.1 percent were 5 to 17; 15.0 percent were 18 to 24; 58.8 percent were 25 to 54; and 16.6 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in Iowa, 6.7 percent were under the age of 5; 17.6 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.9 percent were 18 to 24; 37.6 percent were 25 to 54; and 28.2 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In Iowa, 30.9 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 6.8 percent were black or African American, and 42.8 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Iowa in 2011, 42.8 percent reported their race as white alone, 6.8 percent as black or African American alone, 30.9 percent as Asian alone, and 15.9 percent as some other race; 2.9 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in Iowa, 93.7 percent reported their race as white alone, 2.7 percent as black or African American alone, 0.5 percent as Asian alone, 0.8 percent as some other race, and 1.9 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in Iowa, 39.4 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Iowa, 39.4 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 3.4 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in Iowa in 2011 was 3.53 persons for those who owned their own homes and 2.74 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Iowa who owned their own homes was 3.53 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 2.74 persons. Among the native-born population in Iowa, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.50 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.13 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 10.8 percent.
Of all households in Iowa headed by a foreign-born person, 10.8 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in Iowa headed by native-born persons, 1.1 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 8,067 immigrants moved to Iowa from abroad, 5,498 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 5,352 immigrants left Iowa for another state within the United States.*
Of the 13,565 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to Iowa between 2010 and 2011, 59.5 percent (or 8,067) arrived from abroad and 40.5 percent (or 5,498) relocated from another state. At the same time, 5,352 immigrants moved out of Iowa to another area within the United States, while 100,470 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 19,512 immigrants moved within Iowa.

Between 2010 and 2011, 5,379 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Iowa from abroad, 64,907 native born relocated from another state, 69,164 native born left Iowa for another state, and 351,042 native born moved within Iowa. The majority of native-born residents did not move (2,472,843).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of Iowa increased from 3,018,383 to 3,027,718 (or by 9,335) due to the net domestic out-migration of natives (-4,257), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (146), and the arrival from abroad of natives (5,379) and immigrants (8,067).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Iowa in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2011, 8.9 percent of immigrant women in Iowa had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Iowa in 2011, 8.9 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 76.3 percent were married, and 23.7 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in Iowa, 5.1 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 67.6 percent were married and 32.4 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 9.0 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 5.4 percent in 2000, and 2.4 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Iowa in 2011, 62,699 or 9.0 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in Iowa, 85.7 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 53,707 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Iowa. They accounted for 85.7 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 71.6 percent in 2000 and 75.7 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 87.1 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 13.8 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 8.7 percent in 2000, and 2.9 percent in 1990 in Iowa.
In 2011, there were 270,835 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Iowa. Of them, 13.8 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of Iowa1 2,776,755 100.0 2,926,324 100.0 3,062,309 100.0
Native born 2,733,439 98.4 2,835,239 96.9 2,928,762 95.6
Foreign born 43,316 1.6 91,085 3.1 133,547 4.4
Not a citizen 23,324 0.8 61,134 2.1 83,315 2.7
Naturalized citizen 19,992 0.7 29,951 1.0 50,232 1.6
Foreign-Born Population of Iowa2 42,029 100.0 91,083 100.0 133,547 100.0
Born in Europe 14,024 33.4 20,326 22.3 20,997 15.7
Born in Asia 17,970 42.8 30,162 33.1 44,924 33.6
Born in Africa 1,232 2.9 3,978 4.4 9,522 7.1
Born in Oceania 325 0.8 544 0.6 1,451 1.1
Born in Latin America 5,834 13.9 32,824 36.0 53,282 39.9
Born in Northern America 2,644 6.3 3,249 3.6 3,371 2.5
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of Iowa1 149,569 5.4 285,554 10.3 135,985 4.6
Native born 101,800 3.7 195,323 7.1 93,523 3.3
Foreign born 47,769 110.3 90,231 208.3 42,462 46.6
Not a citizen 37,810 162.1 59,991 257.2 22,181 36.3
Naturalized citizen 9,959 49.8 30,240 151.3 20,281 67.7
Foreign-Born Population of Iowa2 49,054 116.7 91,518 217.7 42,464 46.6
Born in Europe 6,302 44.9 6,973 49.7 671 3.3
Born in Asia 12,192 67.8 26,954 150.0 14,762 48.9
Born in Africa 2,746 222.9 8,290 672.9 5,544 139.4
Born in Oceania 219 67.4 1,126 346.5 907 166.7
Born in Latin America 26,990 462.6 47,448 813.3 20,458 62.3
Born in Northern America 605 22.9 727 27.5 122 3.8
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of Iowa.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2011, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in Iowa, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 64,788 48.5
Entered 1990 to 1999 35,696 26.7
Entered 1980 to 1989 16,851 12.6
Entered before 1980 16,212 12.1
Born in Europe 20,997 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 6,432 30.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 7,838 37.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 1,099 5.2
Entered before 1980 5,628 26.8
Born in Asia 44,924 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 25,117 55.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 9,222 20.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 5,860 13.0
Entered before 1980 4,725 10.5
Born in Mexico 38,403 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 17,795 46.3
Entered 1990 to 1999 11,902 31.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 6,072 15.8
Entered before 1980 2,634 6.9
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 14,879 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 7,233 48.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 3,645 24.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 2,818 18.9
Entered before 1980 1,183 8.0
Born in Other Areas2 14,344 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 8,211 57.2
Entered 1990 to 1999 3,089 21.5
Entered 1980 to 1989 1,002 7.0
Entered before 1980 2,042 14.2
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 100.0
Not a citizen 83,315 62.4
Naturalized citizen 50,232 37.6
Entered in 2000 or after 64,788 100.0
Not a citizen 55,628 85.9
Naturalized citizen 9,160 14.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 35,696 100.0
Not a citizen 18,483 51.8
Naturalized citizen 17,213 48.2
Entered 1980 to 1989 16,851 100.0
Not a citizen 6,467 38.4
Naturalized citizen 10,384 61.6
Entered before 1980 16,212 100.0
Not a citizen 2,737 16.9
Naturalized citizen 13,475 83.1
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 2,928,762 100.0
Male 1,443,975 49.3
Female 1,484,787 50.7
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 100.0
Male 68,276 51.1
Female 65,271 48.9
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 2,336,992 100.0
Never married 667,804 28.6
Now married (not separated) 1,227,214 52.5
Separated 28,669 1.2
Divorced 258,317 11.1
Widowed 154,988 6.6
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 124,682 100.0
Never married 40,073 32.1
Now married (not separated) 68,849 55.2
Separated 3,141 2.5
Divorced 8,313 6.7
Widowed 4,306 3.5
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 3,062,309 100.0
Under 5 198,202 100.0
Native born 196,312 99.0
Foreign born 1,890 1.0
5 to 17 525,654 100.0
Native born 514,844 97.9
Foreign born 10,810 2.1
18 to 24 311,252 100.0
Native born 291,180 93.6
Foreign born 20,072 6.4
25 to 54 1,178,926 100.0
Native born 1,100,341 93.3
Foreign born 78,585 6.7
55 and Older 848,275 100.0
Native born 826,085 97.4
Foreign born 22,190 2.6
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 38.4 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 35.4 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 2,928,762 100.0
One race 2,871,779 98.1
White 2,743,624 93.7
Black or African American 79,115 2.7
American Indian and Alaska Native 11,618 0.4
Asian 14,720 0.5
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 638 0.0
Some other race 22,064 0.8
Two or more races 56,983 1.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 100.0
One race 129,642 97.1
White 57,188 42.8
Black or African American 9,143 6.8
American Indian and Alaska Native 391 0.7
Asian 41,320 30.9
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 372 0.3
Some other race 21,228 15.9
Two or more races 3,905 2.9
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 2,928,762 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 100,680 3.4
White, not Hispanic or Latino 2,678,078 91.4
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 52,561 39.4
White, not Hispanic or Latino 28,446 21.3
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 2,928,762  
Average household size 2.40 --
Average family size 2.98 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547  
Average household size 3.12 --
Average family size 3.65 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.50 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.13 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.53 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.74 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 4.05 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.82 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.23 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.53 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 2,928,762 --
In married couple family household -- 62.3
In other household type -- 34.6
Total Foreign-Born Population 133,547 --
In married couple family household -- 60.1
In other household type -- 35.6
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 663,271 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 33,572 5.1
Married (including spouse absent) 22,683 3.4
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 10,889 1.6
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 45,613 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 4,049 8.9
Married (including spouse absent) 3,091 6.8
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 958 2.1
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 133,547 100.0
Europe 20,997 15.7
Northern Europe 3,065 2.3
United Kingdom 1,866 1.4
United Kingdom, excluding England 771 0.6
England 1,095 0.8
Ireland 239 0.2
Other Northern Europe 960 0.7
Western Europe 5,545 4.2
France 341 0.3
Germany 3,890 2.9
Other Western Europe 1,314 1.0
Southern Europe 812 0.6
Italy 257 0.2
Portugal 18 0.0
Other Southern Europe 537 0.4
Eastern Europe 11,360 8.5
Poland 468 0.4
Russia 2,369 1.8
Other Eastern Europe 8,523 6.4
Europe, n.e.c.4 215 0.2
Asia 44,924 33.6
Eastern Asia 13,633 10.2
China 6,953 5.2
China, excluding Taiwan 6,281 4.7
Taiwan 672 0.5
Japan 712 0.5
Korea 5,919 4.4
Other Eastern Asia 49 0.0
South Central Asia 13,757 10.3
India 9,774 7.3
Iran 215 0.2
Other South Central Asia 3,768 2.8
Southeastern Asia 15,320 11.5
Philippines 2,609 2.0
Vietnam 5,254 3.9
Other Southeastern Asia 7,457 5.6
Western Asia 2,090 1.6
Israel 71 0.1
Lebanon 213 0.2
Other Western Asia 1,806 1.4
Asia, n.e.c. 4 124 0.1
Africa 9,522 7.1
Eastern Africa 1,677 1.3
Northern Africa 3,589 2.7
Western Africa 2,596 1.9
Middle and Southern Africa 612 0.5
Africa, n.e.c. 4 1,048 0.8
Oceania 1,451 1.1
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 1,054 0.8
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 397 0.3
Americas 56,653 42.4
Latin America 53,282 39.9
Caribbean 710 0.5
Cuba 299 0.2
Jamaica 32 0.0
Other Caribbean 379 0.3
Central America 49,938 37.4
Mexico 38,403 28.8
El Salvador 4,152 3.1
Other Central America 7,383 5.5
South America 2,634 2.0
Brazil 409 0.3
Colombia 1,091 0.8
Other South America 1,134 0.8
Northern America 3,371 2.5
Canada 3,350 2.5
Other Northern America 21 0.0
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in Iowa1
  Number Percent
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 3,018,383  
Population residing in the area in 2011 3,027,718  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 2,573,313  
Moved within Iowa 370,554  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 9,335  
Moved from Iowa to another state 74,516  
Moved to Iowa 83,851 100.0
Moved to Iowa from abroad 13,446 16.0
Moved to Iowa from another state 70,405 84.0
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 2,893,049  
Population residing in the area in 2011 2,894,171  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 2,472,843  
Moved within Iowa 351,042  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 1,122  
Moved from Iowa to another state 69,164  
Moved to Iowa 70,286 100.0
Moved to Iowa from abroad 5,379 7.7
Moved to Iowa from another state 64,907 92.3
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 125,334  
Population residing in the area in 2011 133,547  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 100,470  
Moved within Iowa 19,512  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 8,213  
Moved from Iowa to another state 5,352  
Moved to Iowa 13,565 100.0
Moved to Iowa from abroad 8,067 59.5
Moved to Iowa from another state 5,498 40.5
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in Iowa in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2011.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in Iowa (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 701,744 100.0 708,602 100.0 695,169 100.0
Only native parent(s) 685,077 97.6 670,039 94.6 632,470 91.0
One or more foreign-born parents 16,667 2.4 38,563 5.4 62,699 9.0
Child is native 12,620 1.8 27,624 3.9 53,707 7.7
Child is foreign born 4,047 0.6 10,939 1.5 8,992 1.3
Children under age 6 with 233,039 100.0 219,796 100.0 231,649 100.0
Only native parent(s) 227,493 97.6 204,549 93.1 208,223 89.9
One or more foreign-born parents 5,546 2.4 15,247 6.9 23,426 10.1
Child is native 4,715 2.0 13,505 6.1 21,633 9.3
Child is foreign born 831 0.4 1,742 0.8 1,793 0.8
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 468,705 100.0 488,806 100.0 463,520 100.0
Only native parent(s) 457,584 97.6 465,490 95.2 424,247 91.5
One or more foreign-born parents 11,121 2.4 23,316 4.8 39,273 8.5
Child is native 7,905 1.7 14,119 2.9 32,074 6.9
Child is foreign born 3,216 0.7 9,197 1.9 7,199 1.6
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 266,163 100.0 225,306 100.0 270,835 100.0
Only native parents 258,486 97.1 205,783 91.3 233,577 86.2
One or more foreign-born parents 7,677 2.9 19,523 8.7 37,258 13.8
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).