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Iowa towns in general seem to be losing both population and vitality. How do we determine if rural towns are surviving?

Abbreviated Question: 
Iowa towns in general seem to be losing both population and vitality. How do we determine if rural towns are surviving?
Answer: 

I think it is important in establishing policy to work from facts and not perceptions. While rural towns are getting smaller on average, not all are. While schools are consolidating in rural areas, they are also consolidating in cities as like Ames where declining numbers of children per household are increasing the catchment area required to capture a sufficient number of children for a viable school.

What economic models are we seeing for smaller Iowa communities given the increasing migration to urban centers?

Abbreviated Question: 
What economic models are we seeing for smaller Iowa communities given the increasing migration to urban centers?
Answer: 

It is useful to begin by noting that Nebraska has a higher proportion of its population living in urban areas (73%) than Iowa (64%). The reason is that Nebraska has only 4 metropolitan areas (Lincoln, Grand Island, Sioux City, Omaha), all of which are on the far eastern part of the state. Iowa has 9 metro areas broadly distributed around the state including the two that it shares with Nebraska.

Can you tell me if Central Iowa farmland sales have fallen recently and is that price generally trending up or down?

Abbreviated Question: 
Can you tell me if Central Iowa farmland sales have fallen recently and is that price generally trending up or down?
Answer: 

Thank you for your question. Yes, we have recently developed a new Iowa Land Value web-portal which allows you to visualize the trends in Iowa land values at the county, district and state level. It is available at www.card.iastate.edu/farmland, and check out the trends and interactive county maps tabs.