Libraries in Iowa

Libraries in Iowa at a glance

• With a population of 3,210,507, Iowa has 570 libraries (1.8 per 10,000 people).
• Per person, that is about 3.6 times the national rate (0.50 per 10,000).
• It ranks 8th among the states by number of libraries.
• The largest group is Public Library (94%), ahead of Branch Library and Main Library.
• Des Moines (5), Davenport (3) and Sioux City (3) have the most, 2% of the state total combined.

Frequently asked questions

How many libraries are in Iowa?

There are 570 libraries in Iowa in our data as of 09/30/2024.

Which Iowa cities have the most libraries?

Des Moines (5), Davenport (3), Sioux City (3), Altoona (2), Cedar Rapids (2).