We need to create real opportunities, mentorship, and community connections so our best and brightest build their future here, not somewhere else. Yet today, too many young Iowans are leaving. In 2008, nearly half of Iowa’s college students planned to stay after graduation—but by 2024, that number had fallen to just 41 percent. Between 1982 and 2024, Iowa lost more than 41,000 adults aged 25–29, including over 93,000 college graduates. In 2023 alone, we lost more than 3,400 young, educated adults—an exodus that is projected to cost our state billions in personal income and economic growth in the decades ahead.
Keeping our young people isn’t just about numbers—it’s about sustaining Iowa’s economic strength and cultural vitality. When young people can see a future here, they strengthen our workforce, grow our communities, and keep our state vibrant for generations to come. Right now, too many are leaving because they don’t see enough opportunities or reasons to stay. It’s time to change that and make Iowa a place where our next generation can thrive.
