Is Iowa Really Just the Most Average State in America?

Whenever people in the rest of the country think about the Midwest, they usually picture nothing but cornfields, quiet towns, and endless supplies of casseroles and ranch. It’s an area often treated as the most "average" of all the U.S. states. So, it’s only natural to wonder which states fit that exact stereotype. As it turns out, the Hawkeye state is "almost" as average as it gets.

We looked at several metrics to determine which states are the most "average" in the nation. These include: economy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, quality of life, opportunity, and safety.

Here's a Look at the Top Three Most Average U.S. States:

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Kansas

If you strictly look at state rankings alone, Kansas comes out on top. According to U.S. News & World Report's List of 'Overall Best States', Kansas ranks 25th, placing it precisely in the middle of the 50 states. The Jayhawk State is nearly dead center in metrics, like healthcare quality, educational outcomes, public safety, and overall cost of living.

Kansas is also the geographic center of the U.S.; specifically, the town of Lebanon, Kansas, holds this distinction.

Missouri

If you want proof that Missouri mirrors the nation, look no further than the math: the U.S. Census Bureau officially designates the state as home to the exact statistical center of the United States population. If the entire country were a giant scale, Missouri is where the nation perfectly balances.

Iowa

In terms of overall size, Iowa ranks 26th, just behind Illinois and ahead of New York. When it comes to population, the Hawkeye State ranks 32nd, just behind Nevada and just ahead of Arkansas.

While Kansas comes out top in nearly every category, giving it the crown of the "Most Average U.S. State", this is actually very good news for Iowa.

When you tally up the data, Iowa actually punches way above its weight class, quietly landing at #14 overall in the nation (U.S. News) and #12 overall on major lifestyle indexes like WalletHub.

Iowa is among the nation's elite states when it comes to opportunity, with high marks for housing affordability, economic mobility, and a dollar that stretches miles further than the states along the coasts. It also ranks incredibly high in terms of fiscal stability, public safety, high school graduation rates, and, of course, its massive agricultural economy.

So, while Iowa may not be the "most average", that's a great thing, as the state stands out from the rest of its peers, proving the Hawkeye State is one of the more exceptional states in the entire nation.

Story Sources: U.S. News & World Report Website, Wallet Hub State Rankings Website