Land Use
How Land is Used
Approximately 85% of Iowa’s land is dedicated to farming, with the majority allocated to corn and soybean production. These two crops are foundational for food supply, animal feed, and ethanol production. With abundant local feed sources, Iowa leads the nation in pork and egg production. Some land, especially in areas unsuitable for crops, is used for grazing livestock or left as grassland.
Beyond agriculture, urban expansion is shaping the landscape, with cities like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids growing in tandem with infrastructure projects for growing manufacturing and service industries. Additionally, portions of the state are set aside for wetlands, forests, and conservation areas, playing a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, mitigating soil erosion, and managing water resources. Explore Iowa’s land use at both the statewide and county level.
Statewide Data
The Statewide Data section provides a comprehensive overview of land use across Iowa, including major land classifications, crop yields, acreage trends, and prime farmland statistics. This section is ideal for understanding broad patterns in agriculture and land management at the state level.
Iowa’s land is primarily used for agriculture, with the majority classified as rural farmland. The state also includes developed areas, forest land, and conservation lands, each playing a role in Iowa’s land-use distribution. The data presented here highlights crop production trends, soil erosion, and land classifications, providing a comprehensive view of how Iowa’s land is utilized and its long-term sustainability.
County Data
The County Data section focuses on localized agricultural trends, offering detailed insights into crop yields, crop ratios, and land use averages by county. This resource supports regional planning, comparative analysis, and a closer look at land use variability across Iowa.