Iowa City's economy is based on commerce, the University of Iowa and numerous national and international companies. Arts and entertainment are also significant economic elements. Iowa City is home to the corporate headquarters of Moore North America, ACT, Procter & Gamble and Oral B Laboratories/Gillette. The city's largest employer is the University of Iowa. The university's academic and research activities along with its healthcare services have a substantial impact on the region.
Iowa City's top employment sectors are education, healthcare, accommodation and food services, finance and insurance; and professional scientific and technical services. The city also includes numerous computer specialists. About 42% of the labor force is found in management, professional and related occupations.
Accolades for Iowa City: Forbes Magazine named Iowa City as the second best small metropolitan area for doing business in the nation. Iowa City was also ranked #8 in Forbes's list of up and coming tech cities. Ranked the 5th best metro area for expanding a business out of 329 by Expansion Management Magazine.
Some of the occupations more prevalent in Iowa City than most other cities include medical scientists, pre press technicians and workers, English language and literature teachers, post secondary; electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment; team assemblers, child care workers and chemists.
Shown below is a list of the top employers in Iowa City:
- University of Iowa
- University of Iowa Hospitals
- Iowa City Community Schools
- Veteran's Administration Hospital
- Mercy Hospital
- Hy-Vee
- Rockwell International
- ACT
- Lear
- City of Iowa City
- Procter & Gamble
- Oral B Laboratories
- Systems Unlimited
- MCI Mass Markets
Pertinent data regarding Iowa City Iowa: About 55% of the adults have earned a bachelor's degree or better. The cost of living index in 2008 was 84.3 and the nation's average is 100. In 2009 the average salary in Iowa City, Iowa was $32,000.
Businesses located in Iowa City work with organizations such as:
- Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce
- Iowa City Downtown Association
- Iowa Department of Economic Development
- Iowa Small Business Development Center
Those interested in staying current with Iowa City business activities may want to visit press-citizen.com