WalletHub compared the 50 states across 51 key indicators of family-friendliness.
Our data set ranges from the median annual family income to housing affordability to the unemployment rate.
Source: Best & Worst States to Raise a Family Adam McCann, Financial Writer Jan 10, 2022
What used to be mostly made up of prairie and a few streams, Ames and Story County today is home to a population fast approaching 100,000 residents. Though it is experiencing growth and new development, the region retains a welcoming, peaceful vibe. High quality of life is met with great opportunity in both education and career growth, making it a top draw for people of all ages.
Cedar Falls, Iowa is a picturesque mid-sized college town with numerous opportunities for all ages! The Downtown area was recently named one of the “30 Most Charming College Town Main Streets of 2019” by Best Value Schools. The combined population of the “Cedar Valley” area is approximately 250,000 and is home to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Hawkeye Community College, and more. Cedar Falls is a friendly, affordable community located about 300 miles from Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Want to know what it’s like to live and work in the Cedar Valley? Click here or check out one of the resources below to get a feel for our community!
Education
Marshalltown is located in Central Iowa at the junction of Highways 30 and 14. The city has nearly 28,000 residents. Marshalltown was named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2012. Community leaders have been recognized nationally for partnering together and collaborating to make Marshalltown a better place.
Major employers in the area are UnityPoint, JBS, Emerson Process Management Fisher Division, Hy-Vee, Iowa Veterans Home, Lennox Manufacturing, Inc., and Marshalltown Schools. A new $700-million Alliant Energy power plant was recently constructed on the east side of town. Marshalltown is also home to several golf courses, indoor and outdoor aquatic centers, 8.9 miles of recreational trails, and 24 parks. There are also art galleries, historic Main Street, antique shopping, The Big Treehouse, a renovated Orpheum Theater, and the Historical Society.
