Iowa Was Just Named Number One Thanks To All These Things
By Kim Magaraci|Published March 07, 2018
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
The rest of the country has just learned what us Iowans have always known – that the Hawkeye State is the best state in the country. When it comes to infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, opportunity, education and quality of life, there’s no better place to be!
Whether you were born and raised here, or Iowa is your adopted home, we really do love living here. If you’re proud of your Iowa roots, show off with our State Roots Collection of apparel and unique gifts.
Iowa was #1 overall when it came to Infrastructure.
This included standard infrastructure metrics like quality of roads, highways, bridges, and access to public transportation. Where Iowa really stood out, though, was in connectivity and digital infrastructure. While the Plains states are generally rural and seem like they would be disconnected, that couldn't be farther from the truth. The need for large farms to utilize big data and updated, cleaner technology has made broadband access absolutely essential - and Iowa has that figured out.
Our access to quality healthcare was a big factor in Iowa's high ranking, too.
Iowans ranked #5 overall for access to health care, and in the top 10 for health care quality. Local UnityPoint and Mercy Medical hospitals are high performing in many areas, but the University of Iowa hospitals and health care network is truly among the best in the nation. Here's a little more information about the Best Iowa Hospitals.
You'll find that Iowa ranks in the top 5 for opportunity, whether it comes to affordable home ownership, equality in the workforce, and equal pay. Isn't it nice to live in a state that's dedicated to providing equal opportunity to its citizens?
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Education, of course, was factored into the Best State ranking. It's no surprise that Iowa ranked in the top 5 for education!
Iowa's commitment to both K-12 and higher education puts it at #5 in the Nation, which is impressive. No matter which metric you use, Iowans are some of the smartest people in America! Even way back when Iowa was a very young state, Education was important. Take a look at what Iowa schools looked like in the 1900s!
The last factor that helped determine that Iowa is overall quality of life.
US News and World Report takes into consideration a healthy and inviting environment, with a balance between urban and nature. If you've taken any of the most amazing hikes in Iowa, you'll know why the state ranks high! They also take into account the citizens' sense of social connectivity, because being a part of a vibrant and welcoming community is important to happiness.
While we don’t really need proof to believe what they’re saying about us… the data is all there to back up the claim that Iowa is the best state! You can find the full report here: U.S. News & World Report’s Best States rankings.
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