Fast Company said, “Never mind California or New York. By some important measures, Des Moines is way ahead of its cooler coastal cousins.”

Here’s what Fast Company doesn’t realize: it’s not just Des Moines that’s cool. Iowa offers rich cultural experiences, great dining opportunities, kind people who work hard, and a high quality of life. The world is starting to notice our quiet Midwestern state.

1. For people searching for the ideal place to raise a family, Iowa ranks high.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association/Flickr
WalletHub.com compared all 50 states using 40 indicators of how family-friendly they are. Iowa won the number eight spot. Des Moines is number one in the nation for millennial homebuyers.
2. In a similar report by U.S. News & World Report, Des Moines ranked 9th best city in the nation. It jumped up two spots from its 2016 ranking.
Pat Hawks/Flickr
Getting closer!
3. Is economic mobility cool? We’ve got that.
Phil Roeder/Flickr
Iowa is the state with the highest number of counties in which adult childrens’ income exceeds their parents income most often. It’s just one more reason that Iowa is a great place to raise a family.
4. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa as the number 6 "Best State" in the nation.
Don Graham/Flickr
We don’t have far to go to reach the top spot. The criteria included feedback from Iowa citizens regarding their experiences as residents of the state.
5. Forbes calls our capital city one of the Best Cities for Young Professionals.
Jason Mrachina/Flickr
Cost of living is low and income is high. Over 10,000 people have moved into the downtown area in the past ten years. HuffPost.com recently called Des Moines, "actually cool."
6. University of Iowa Hawkeye fans started the coolest tradition, ever.
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube

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Standing in the windows of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, kids receiving treatment for medical conditions can see the football game.
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
University of Iowa Health Care/YouTube
At the end of the first quarter of the opening game of the season, 68,000 football fans took a moment to wave at the kids watching the football game. Now, it’s a very cool tradition.
7. Iowans have an awesome sense of humor.
Raygunsite.com
Corn. Not potatoes.
8. Forget Silicon Valley; Iowa’s tech startup scene is friendlier, safer, and the commute is much shorter.
Fredrick Galoso/Flickr
Tech workers are looking for a high quality of life, and Iowa is an attractive option. Proximity to universities, cost of living, and incentives like angel investors and tax credits are a bit draw.
9. Iowans are generally proud of their state, of course.
Jason Tester/Flickr
A recent Gallup poll showed that 4 out of 5 Iowans are proud of their community. That's more pride than any other area in the nation.
10. Everyone knows that the first rule of being cool is not trying to be cool.
mahalie stackpole/Flickr
We’ve nailed that here in Iowa. We are too consumed with enjoying our lives to worry about what people think.

What do you think is cool about Iowa? Tell us about it in the comments.

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