More residents are leaving Iowa, Atlas analysis shows
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Iowa is among the top states people are leaving, according to new migration data from Atlas Van Lines.
Why it matters: High outbound rates can shrink Iowa's future workforce and tax base, straining economic growth and local services.
The big picture: Migration patterns also shape housing demand, business investment and long-term population trends.
By the numbers: Iowa was the seventh most "outbound" state, with Louisiana and West Virginia taking the top spots.
- Among surrounding states, Nebraska (No. 5) and South Dakota (No. 9) also made the list.
The other side: Arkansas drew the most new arrivals, with roughly 2 in 5 people moving to the state settling in the Bentonville area, home of Walmart's headquarters, per the analysis.
- Of Iowa's neighboring states, only Missouri and Wisconsin were on the "inbound" list.
Reality check: The study tracks Atlas Van Lines customers, measuring their moves from Nov. 1, 2024, through Oct. 31, 2025 — meaning it reflects shifting trends within a specific slice of the relocating population.
Yes, but: Atlas' broader migration picture of Iowa aligns with recent Census Bureau estimates, which show the state is growing slowly but posting net domestic out-migration of nearly 9,500 people between 2020 and 2024.
The intrigue: Iowa's overall population change has increasingly depended on international migration, which increased by almost 50,000 people between 2020 and 2024, per Census estimates.