Demographic Voter Makeup: Iowa

*Editor’s note: This is part three in a series that will break down the demographic statistics of voters in all six of FPP’S designated swing states plus the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. Later Today New Hampshire

For the Obama campaign there is a sentimental attachment to the Hawkeye State which launched his historical campaign into the spotlight with an improbable victory over Hilary Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination four years ago. The importance of its caucuses, which kick off the nominating process every election cycle, give the citizens of Iowa oversized influence on who ultimately gets elected president. Iowa gained statehood in December 1846. It currently leans Democratic in presidential races only voting for one Republican in the last 6 elections; Barack Obama easily defeated John McCain by 54% to 44% in 2008. Prior to 1988, the state mostly voted Republican, choosing a candidate from that party all but five times from the Civil War through that year. The Hawkeye State’s 6 electoral votes will be key in the quest for 270 next Tuesday night.

Population

Population: 3,046,355 (2010)
State rank: 30^th
Change since 2000 census: up 4.1%
Most populated cities
Des Moines 203,433
Cedar Rapids 126,326
Davenport 99,685
Sioux City 82,684
Household Income
Under $15K: 12.4%
$15K-$50K: 39.1%
$50K-$100K: 33.6%
$100K-$200K: 12.6%
Over $200K: 2.3%
Median Income: $48,457

Read more after the jump
Home ValueUnder $100K: 39.3%
$100K-$300K: 53.4%
Over $300K: 7.3%
Median Value: $120,000
Education
H.S. grad: 90.2%
College grad: 24.5%
Grad degree: 7.4%
Military Veterans
% of Pop: 10.6%
Ethnicity
White: 88.7%
Black: 2.9%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Asian: 1.7%
Native Am.: 0.3%
Hawaiian: 0.1%
Age
Median age: 38.0 years
Over 65: 14.7%
Under 18: 23.7%
State Legislature
Senate: 26D 24R
House: 40D 60R
Work
Private: 79.0%
Government: 13.7%
Self-employed: 7.1%
Unemployment (Sept 2012): 5.2%
Registered Voters in 2010
Democrats: 663,215
Republicans: 618,614
Independents/Other: 703, 166
Voter Turnout in 2010: 1,133,438
Turnout as % of voting age in 2010: 48.9%