Most Asian cities in Iowa research summary. We analyzed Iowa’s most recent Census data to determine the most Asian cities in Iowa based on the percentage of Asian residents. Here are the results of our analysis:
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The most Asian city in Iowa is Storm Lake based on the most recent Census data.
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Storm Lake is 12.75% Asian.
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The least Asian city in Iowa is Winterset.
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Winterset is 0.0% Asian.
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Iowa is 2.5% Asian.
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Iowa is the 3most Asian state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
Here are the cities in Iowa with the largest Asian population in 2026:
Which city in Iowa had the largest Asian population? Storm Lake took the number one overall spot for the largest Asian in Iowa for 2026. 12.75% of Storm Lake identify as Asian.
Read below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked.
To see where Iowa ranked as a state on diversity, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in America.
And if you already knew these places were Asian, check out the best places to live in Iowa or the most diverse places in Iowa.
The 10 Most Asian Cities In Iowa For 2026
/10
Population: 11,428
% Asian: 12.75%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,457
More on Storm Lake: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 9,456
% Asian: 11.65%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,102
More on Fairfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 67,669
% Asian: 9.32%
# Of Asian Residents: 6,310
More on Ames: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 23,234
% Asian: 8.49%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,973
More on Coralville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 7,206
% Asian: 7.59%
# Of Asian Residents: 547
More on Hiawatha: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 24,384
% Asian: 7.27%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,772
More on Johnston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 75,752
% Asian: 7.08%
# Of Asian Residents: 5,365
More on Iowa City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 39,647
% Asian: 6.98%
# Of Asian Residents: 2,766
More on Bettendorf: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 212,421
% Asian: 6.56%
# Of Asian Residents: 13,931
More on Des Moines: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 29,236
% Asian: 6.53%
# Of Asian Residents: 1,910
More on Waukee: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How We Determined The Cities In Iowa With The Largest Asian Population For 2026
We used Saturday Night Science to compare Census data on race across every place in Iowa.
The Census’s most recently available data comes from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest here was the number of people who identified as Asian alone.
We limited our analysis to cities with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 76 cities.
We then calculated the percentage of residents that are Asian. The percentages ranked from 12.7% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percentage of Asian population, with a higher score being more Asian than a lower score. Storm Lake took the distinction of being the most Asian, while Winterset was the least Asian city.
We updated this article for 2026. This report reflects our eleventh time ranking the cities in Iowa with the largest Asian population.
Read on for more information on how the cities in Iowa ranked by population of Asian residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
Summary: Asian Populations Across Iowa
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Asian populations across Iowa according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
The most Asian cities in Iowa are Storm Lake, Fairfield, Ames, Coralville, Hiawatha, Johnston, Iowa City, Bettendorf, Des Moines, and Waukee.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Asian places in Iowa:
- Winterset
- Glenwood
- Washington
For more Iowa reading, check out:
Table: Asian Population By City In Iowa
| Rank | City | Population | Asian Population | % Asian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storm Lake | 11,428 | 1,457 | 12.75% |
| 2 | Fairfield | 9,456 | 1,102 | 11.65% |
| 3 | Ames | 67,669 | 6,310 | 9.32% |
| 4 | Coralville | 23,234 | 1,973 | 8.49% |
| 5 | Hiawatha | 7,206 | 547 | 7.59% |
| 6 | Johnston | 24,384 | 1,772 | 7.27% |
| 7 | Iowa City | 75,752 | 5,365 | 7.08% |
| 8 | Bettendorf | 39,647 | 2,766 | 6.98% |
| 9 | Des Moines | 212,421 | 13,931 | 6.56% |
| 10 | Waukee | 29,236 | 1,910 | 6.53% |
| 11 | West Des Moines | 71,083 | 4,504 | 6.34% |
| 12 | Urbandale | 46,595 | 2,283 | 4.9% |
| 13 | Marshalltown | 27,626 | 1,343 | 4.86% |
| 14 | Grimes | 16,366 | 759 | 4.64% |
| 15 | Clive | 19,012 | 813 | 4.28% |
| 16 | North Liberty | 21,125 | 886 | 4.19% |
| 17 | Grinnell | 9,505 | 372 | 3.91% |
| 18 | Webster City | 7,769 | 287 | 3.69% |
| 19 | Ankeny | 72,615 | 2,538 | 3.5% |
| 20 | Denison | 8,260 | 274 | 3.32% |
| 21 | Charles City | 7,232 | 234 | 3.24% |
| 22 | Cedar Falls | 40,888 | 1,300 | 3.18% |
| 23 | Waterloo | 67,008 | 2,125 | 3.17% |
| 24 | Cedar Rapids | 137,264 | 3,581 | 2.61% |
| 25 | Sioux City | 86,101 | 2,027 | 2.35% |
| 26 | Ottumwa | 25,430 | 579 | 2.28% |
| 27 | Marion | 41,896 | 895 | 2.14% |
| 28 | Altoona | 21,495 | 452 | 2.1% |
| 29 | Red Oak | 5,510 | 109 | 1.98% |
| 30 | Davenport | 100,913 | 1,882 | 1.86% |
| 31 | Clear Lake | 7,607 | 133 | 1.75% |
| 32 | Mount Pleasant | 8,951 | 150 | 1.68% |
| 33 | Oskaloosa | 11,504 | 189 | 1.64% |
| 34 | Pleasant Hill | 11,136 | 182 | 1.63% |
| 35 | Dubuque | 59,174 | 915 | 1.55% |
| 36 | Fort Dodge | 24,827 | 381 | 1.53% |
| 37 | Centerville | 5,372 | 82 | 1.53% |
| 38 | Burlington | 23,728 | 360 | 1.52% |
| 39 | Knoxville | 7,473 | 111 | 1.49% |
| 40 | Waverly | 10,494 | 154 | 1.47% |
| 41 | Clarinda | 5,353 | 78 | 1.46% |
| 42 | Eldridge | 6,818 | 96 | 1.41% |
| 43 | Sheldon | 5,474 | 73 | 1.33% |
| 44 | Anamosa | 5,629 | 75 | 1.33% |
| 45 | Mason City | 27,050 | 359 | 1.33% |
| 46 | Decorah | 7,535 | 98 | 1.3% |
| 47 | Pella | 10,720 | 138 | 1.29% |
| 48 | Sioux Center | 8,454 | 104 | 1.23% |
| 49 | Norwalk | 14,183 | 167 | 1.18% |
| 50 | Creston | 7,435 | 86 | 1.16% |
| 51 | Council Bluffs | 62,586 | 675 | 1.08% |
| 52 | Indianola | 16,044 | 151 | 0.94% |
| 53 | Oelwein | 5,834 | 54 | 0.93% |
| 54 | Spencer | 11,400 | 103 | 0.9% |
| 55 | Muscatine | 23,489 | 200 | 0.85% |
| 56 | Cherokee | 5,154 | 39 | 0.76% |
| 57 | Fort Madison | 10,133 | 56 | 0.55% |
| 58 | Clinton | 24,322 | 128 | 0.53% |
| 59 | Iowa Falls | 5,038 | 26 | 0.52% |
| 60 | Algona | 5,377 | 25 | 0.46% |
| 61 | Independence | 6,164 | 27 | 0.44% |
| 62 | Orange City | 6,426 | 28 | 0.44% |
| 63 | Perry | 7,985 | 34 | 0.43% |
| 64 | Atlantic | 6,763 | 25 | 0.37% |
| 65 | Carroll | 10,208 | 36 | 0.35% |
| 66 | Keokuk | 9,662 | 34 | 0.35% |
| 67 | Estherville | 5,839 | 20 | 0.34% |
| 68 | Newton | 15,700 | 14 | 0.09% |
| 69 | Nevada | 6,983 | 6 | 0.09% |
| 70 | Boone | 12,424 | 8 | 0.06% |
| 71 | Le Mars | 10,640 | 5 | 0.05% |
| 72 | Maquoketa | 6,075 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 73 | Manchester | 5,191 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 74 | Washington | 7,290 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 75 | Glenwood | 5,144 | 0 | 0.0% |
| 76 | Winterset | 5,416 | 0 | 0.0% |