Iowa: elevation, cities and highest point
Iowa has 3,238,387 people (2025) and 99 counties. Its highest point is Hawkeye Point, at 1,670 ft, and its lowest, the Mississippi River, at 480 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 3,238,387
- The 32nd most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 55,854 sq mi
- The 23rd largest state
- Counties
- 99
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 480 ft
- Mississippi River
Map of Iowa’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Des Moines, sits at 872 ft (266 m): the 16th highest of the 50 state capitals. Iowa’s highest point, Hawkeye Point, is 167 mi away in a straight line and 798 ft higher.
Between its highest point (1,670 ft) and its lowest (480 ft) there’s 1,190 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Iowa’s is the 42nd highest.
Iowa has 3 cities with a page. The highest is Des Moines, at 872 ft, and the lowest is Davenport, at 588 ft: 284 ft apart.
Iowa borders 6 states. Their highest points are Charles Mound, in Illinois (1,235 ft), Black Elk Peak, in South Dakota (7,242 ft), Taum Sauk Mountain, in Missouri (1,772 ft), Timms Hill, in Wisconsin (1,951 ft), Eagle Mountain, in Minnesota (2,301 ft), and Panorama Point, in Nebraska (5,424 ft): Iowa’s is the 6th highest of the 7. Their capitals: Springfield (600 ft), Pierre (1,479 ft), Jefferson City (630 ft), Madison (875 ft), St. Paul (789 ft), and Lincoln (1,202 ft).
- Hawkeye Point 1,670 ft
- Des Moines 872 ft
Cities of 100,000 to 250,000 people (2)
Population
Iowa had 3,238,387 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 1.5% more than in April 2020 (3,190,582). Across 55,854 sq mi of land, that’s 58 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Des Moines, with 212,086 people, which is also the capital. The Census counts 1,026 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Iowa.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 212,086 | 88.2 sq mi | 872 ft |
| Cedar Rapids | 137,935 | 74.8 sq mi | 808 ft |
| Davenport | 100,358 | 64.2 sq mi | 588 ft |
| Sioux City | 86,356 | 59.4 sq mi | — |
| Ankeny | 77,833 | 32.7 sq mi | — |
| Iowa City | 76,229 | 25.8 sq mi | — |
| West Des Moines | 74,224 | 47.5 sq mi | — |
| Ames | 68,220 | 28.2 sq mi | — |
| Waterloo | 66,919 | 61.6 sq mi | — |
| Council Bluffs | 62,680 | 43.0 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Iowa?
Hawkeye Point, at 1,670 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 42nd highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Iowa?
The Mississippi River, at 480 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Des Moines, the capital?
872 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 16th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Iowa?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Des Moines, at 872 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Iowa have?
99, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know