15. Iowa

A top-notch education system lets the Hawkeye State soar, but workforce development programs could use a boost.

George Kavallines | CNBC
Category
Score
2017 Rank
2016 Rank
Workforce 221 42 37
Infrastructure 182 23 16 (Tie)
Cost of Doing Business 230 10 2
Economy 178 21 29
Quality of Life 213 9 9
Technology & Innovation 118 25 23
Education 138 9 17
Business Friendliness 113 11 15 (Tie)
Access to Capital 38 30 40
Cost of Living 36 15 (Tie) 12
Overall 1467 15 9

Economic Profile

Governor: Kim Reynolds, Republican

Population: 3,134,693

GDP growth (Q4 2016): 0.4 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2017): 3.1 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 12 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 8.98 percent

Gasoline tax: 30.70 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook (Moody's, S&P): Aaa, AAA stable

Major private employers: Hy-Vee Food Stores, Principal Financial Group

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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