10 Best Places to Retire in Iowa

Page 1 of 7

The 10 best places to retire in Iowa all share one thing in common – a very low crime rate. Looking for safe and friendly communities? Look no further!

Located in the Midwest, Iowa is the 30th most populous state and has the 26th largest land area. “The Hawkeye State” has rivers for its east and west borders – the Mississippi and Missouri rivers – respectively. Formerly a part of the French Empire, it became part of American territory in 1803 after the Louisiana Purchase and was officially named as the 29th state in 1846.

Primarily an agricultural state, changes were in effect after the 1980s, which saw Iowa become less dependent on agriculture and shift to manufacturing and finance services. Evidence of this change has seen 61% of its population now residing in urban areas. Its capital and largest city is Des Moines, located in Polk County.

Best Places to Retire in Iowa

State attractions include the annual Pow-wow, which is the gathering of several Native American communities. It is hosted by the Meskwaki Settlement located in Tama, Iowa. The Amana colonies, comprised of villages founded by German Pietists and listed as National Historic Landmarks, are located in Iowa County. These were originally self-sufficient villages, with their products made by themselves, and little to no good were “imported” from neighboring communities. Davenport City hosts the largest air show in the state, the Quad City Air Show.

Loess Hills have some of the most scenic and breathtaking landscapes in Iowa. The waterman in you will enjoy the Iowa Great Lakes region, which is a collection of glacial lakes in Dickinson County. Fishermen flock to these lakes during the summer, as well as families as it offers an abundance of recreational and outdoor activities. The adventurers might want to venture into the Driftless Area, which has a variety of landscapes, but is known for the deep river valleys. Sports enthusiasts might want to consider joining the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI. Its trails differ every year, with some passing through the best places to retire in Iowa. Most communities along the trails hold farmer’s markets or wine-tasting venues during the event.

Thrilled with these activities? Why not check the 10 best places to retire in Idaho! The Gem State also has much to offer in terms of outdoor activities!

To determine the 10 best places to retire in Iowa, we determined the most important factors for retirees – the cost of living, physicians per capita, crime, and house values. Information from Sperling’s Best Places, Areavibes and Livability were utilized, with every county given a corresponding score on how high or low they ranked on each of the 4 factors. Scores were then added and averaged, with the top 10 counties earning a place on our list.

Read on for the 10 best places to retire in Iowa! Exciting Iowa is awaiting!

Page 1 of 7