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Least Dense in Iowa

Top 86 cities ranked by least dense

Least Dense — Iowa

1 Clinton 686/mi²
2 Osceola 689/mi²
3 Eldridge 691/mi²
4 Clear Lake 705/mi²
5 Bondurant 724/mi²
6 Cherokee 755/mi²
7 Atlantic 817/mi²
8 Webster City 844/mi²
9 DeWitt 890/mi²
10 Waverly 928/mi²
11 Iowa Falls 939/mi²
12 Mason City 962/mi²
13 Pleasant Hill 1,000/mi²
14 Independence 1,020/mi²
15 Spencer 1,040/mi²
16 Manchester 1,043/mi²
17 Polk City 1,049/mi²
18 Decorah 1,049/mi²
19 Clarinda 1,052/mi²
20 Mount Pleasant 1,054/mi²
21 Fort Madison 1,059/mi²
22 Keokuk 1,071/mi²
23 Waterloo 1,087/mi²
24 Estherville 1,088/mi²
25 Centerville 1,111/mi²
26 Sheldon 1,122/mi²
27 Pella 1,137/mi²
28 Winterset 1,143/mi²
29 Adel 1,161/mi²
30 Algona 1,167/mi²
31 Norwalk 1,168/mi²
32 Nevada 1,168/mi²
33 Charles City 1,196/mi²
34 Le Mars 1,206/mi²
35 Grimes 1,206/mi²
36 Spirit Lake 1,210/mi²
37 Tiffin 1,220/mi²
38 Oelwein 1,222/mi²
39 Waukee 1,231/mi²
40 Johnston 1,241/mi²
41 Denison 1,261/mi²
42 Muscatine 1,295/mi²
43 Sioux Center 1,302/mi²
44 Washington 1,349/mi²
45 Maquoketa 1,351/mi²
46 Boone 1,362/mi²
47 Perry 1,369/mi²
48 Orange City 1,372/mi²
49 Cedar Falls 1,381/mi²
50 Indianola 1,391/mi²
51 Newton 1,394/mi²
52 Red Oak 1,410/mi²
53 Oskaloosa 1,426/mi²
54 Fairfield 1,428/mi²
55 Marshalltown 1,432/mi²
56 Creston 1,439/mi²
57 Sioux City 1,448/mi²
58 Council Bluffs 1,456/mi²
59 West Des Moines 1,472/mi²
60 Hiawatha 1,505/mi²
61 Altoona 1,547/mi²
62 Fort Dodge 1,548/mi²
63 Davenport 1,574/mi²
64 Ottumwa 1,579/mi²
65 Knoxville 1,622/mi²
66 Burlington 1,652/mi²
67 Grinnell 1,674/mi²
68 Carroll 1,707/mi²
69 Sergeant Bluff 1,714/mi²
70 Glenwood 1,753/mi²
71 Coralville 1,803/mi²
72 Cedar Rapids 1,834/mi²
73 Bettendorf 1,845/mi²
74 Asbury 1,871/mi²
75 Dubuque 1,895/mi²
76 Urbandale 2,042/mi²
77 Storm Lake 2,076/mi²
78 North Liberty 2,181/mi²
79 Anamosa 2,204/mi²
80 Ankeny 2,211/mi²
81 Marion 2,316/mi²
82 Ames 2,344/mi²
83 Des Moines 2,410/mi²
84 Clive 2,454/mi²
85 Iowa City 2,922/mi²
86 Windsor Heights 3,616/mi²

The least densely populated cities in Iowa offer spacious living with more land per resident. Clinton has just 686 people per square mile. These cities provide room to spread out with larger lot sizes and more open space.

Low-density cities typically feature more single-family homes with larger yards, easier parking, and less traffic congestion. They appeal to families seeking space, privacy, and access to nature without moving to a fully rural area.

While the spread-out nature of these cities means longer drives to amenities and greater reliance on personal vehicles, many residents value the trade-off for quieter neighborhoods and a more relaxed pace of life.

Did You Know?

  • 1. In Clinton, there are only 686 people per square mile — each resident has roughly 40,633 square feet of city space.
  • 2. Low-density cities often have significantly lower housing costs due to more available land for development.
  • 3. Many of the least dense cities are located in the western United States, where vast open spaces define the landscape.

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