Tourism statisticsState2026
Iowa Tourism Statistics: 46.3M Visitors in 2025
Iowa recorded 46.3 million visitors in 2025, the Iowa Tourism Office reports. AirROI estimates 82,470 Airbnb stays in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, with Des Moines the most booked town. The busiest month was August.
Airbnb figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026. Read the method
- Estimated Airbnb nights
- 416,168
- Typical Airbnb stay
- 5.0 nights
- Busiest Airbnb month
- August
- From within the United States, among guests who left a review
- 98.1%
Key facts
Iowa Tourism Facts
Each sentence names its place, period and source, so it can be quoted alone.
Official
- The Iowa Tourism Office puts Iowa at 46.3 million visitors in 2025.
Airbnb stays
- AirROI puts Airbnb stays in Iowa at 82,470 in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Iowa added up to 416,168 nights in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates a typical Airbnb stay in Iowa lasted 5.0 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 51 days ahead.
Busiest months
- AirROI ranks August the busiest Airbnb month in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, followed by July and June, with February the quietest.
- AirROI estimates the six busiest Airbnb months in Iowa ran unbroken from May to October in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Airbnb stays in Iowa in July were booked furthest ahead, about 71 days, against 27 days for January, in the 12 months to October 2026.
Guests
- AirROI estimates 98.1% of Iowa Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States.
By place
- AirROI ranks Iowa 44th for Airbnb stays among the United States' 51 states in the 12 months to October 2026.
- AirROI estimates Des Moines had the most Airbnb stays of the 12 towns it lists in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, at 15,570, ahead of Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.
Official numbers
How Many Tourists Visit Iowa?
The Iowa Tourism Office counted 46.3 million visitors in 2025.
| Figure | What it counts | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46.3 millionVisitors | Total visitors to Iowa | 2025 | Iowa Tourism Office |
Airbnb stays
Airbnb Stays in Iowa
Iowa had 3,356 Airbnb homes in the 12 months to October 2026. They took an estimated 82,470 stays and 416,168 nights. A typical stay lasted 5.0 nights and was booked about 51 days ahead. AirROI's figures cover the 35 towns it tracks in Iowa; places it does not track are not counted, so every total is a floor.
- Airbnb homes
- 3,356
- Airbnb stays, estimate
- 82,470
- Airbnb nights, estimate
- 416,168
- Typical stay
- 5.0 nights
- Booked ahead
- 51 days
Busiest months
When Is the Busiest Time in Iowa?
On Airbnb, August was the busiest month in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, then July and June. February was the quietest. The six busiest months run unbroken from May to October.
August ranks first, February last
Airbnb months in calendar order, 12 months to October 2026. The number is the month's rank, and 1 is the busiest. The bar shows its part of Airbnb nights.
- Three busiest months
- Other months
From busiest to quietest: August, July, June, September, October, May, November, December, March, April, January, February.
Month by month: rank, typical stay and days booked ahead
| Month | Share of nights | Booked ahead |
|---|---|---|
| August | 10.5% | 61 days |
| July | 10.4% | 71 days |
| June | 10.1% | 55 days |
| September | 9.4% | 49 days |
| October | 8.7% | 51 days |
| May | 8.7% | 60 days |
| November | 8.0% | 43 days |
| December | 7.5% | 36 days |
| March | 7.4% | 28 days |
| April | 7.0% | 41 days |
| January | 6.3% | 27 days |
| February | 6.0% | 28 days |
Share is each month's part of the year's Airbnb nights. Typical stay and days booked ahead are AirROI estimates for stays in each month.
Where guests come from
Where Do Iowa Airbnb Guests Come From?
Nearly all Iowa Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026 were from within the United States (98.1%), AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, Des Moines was the top origin city at 2.6%, ahead of Minneapolis at 2.5%. The figures rest on 244,697 reviews, written over many years.
98.1% from within the United States
Among guests who left a review, as of October 2026
- From within the United States 98.1%
- From abroad 1.9%
Top origin cities
Among guests who left a review
By town
Most Booked Towns in Iowa
Des Moines, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids took 34% of Airbnb stays in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026. August is the busiest Airbnb month in 6 of the 12 towns, led by Des Moines, and July in 6, led by Dubuque. Among guests who left a review, the share from abroad across these towns runs from under 1% in Clear Lake to 2.9% in West Des Moines.
| Des Moines | 15,570 |
| Dubuque | 6,368 |
| Cedar Rapids | 6,149 |
| Decorah | 4,798 |
| Iowa City | 4,537 |
| Arnolds Park | 4,211 |
| Ames | 3,469 |
| Davenport | 3,237 |
| West Des Moines | 3,088 |
| Clear Lake | 2,795 |
| Cedar Falls | 2,212 |
| Spirit Lake | 1,917 |
* Among guests who left a review. Stays, nights and other figures are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, and cover Airbnb only. US is the top origin in every town, among guests who left a review, so this column names the top country abroad. Lists the 12 of Iowa's 35 towns with 100 or more Airbnb homes. A town with no tourism page of its own links to its Airbnb market page.
FAQ
Questions About Tourism in Iowa
How many tourists visit Iowa?
Iowa had 46.3 million visitors in 2025, according to the Iowa Tourism Office. AirROI estimates 82,470 Airbnb stays in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, which is a separate count of bookings.
When is high season in Iowa?
The busiest Airbnb month in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026 was August, then July and June. The six busiest months run from May to October.
What is the quietest month in Iowa?
February was the quietest Airbnb month in Iowa in the 12 months to October 2026, ranking 12th of 12, and January ranked 11th. Stays in February were booked about 28 days ahead, against 71 days for July.
How long is a typical Airbnb stay in Iowa?
A typical Airbnb stay in Iowa lasted 5.0 nights in the 12 months to October 2026, booked about 51 days ahead. By month, stays ran from 4.0 nights in September to 5.9 nights in January.
Where do Airbnb guests in Iowa come from?
Of Iowa Airbnb guests who left a review as of October 2026, 98.1% were from within the United States, AirROI estimates. Among the same guests, the top origin city was Des Moines at 2.6%, ahead of Minneapolis at 2.5%.
What is the most booked town in Iowa on Airbnb?
Des Moines was the most booked town in Iowa on Airbnb, with an estimated 15,570 stays in the 12 months to October 2026, ahead of Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.
Are Airbnb stays the same as tourists?
No. The Iowa Tourism Office counts visitors (46.3 million in 2025). An Airbnb stay is one booking on one platform, however many guests it holds. AirROI's 82,470 stays are estimates for the 12 months to October 2026.
Method
How These Numbers Are Made
Official figures come from their publishers, linked above, and were last checked in November 2026. Stays and nights are AirROI estimates for the 12 months to October 2026, built from Airbnb listing data, and cover Airbnb only. Nights add up each town's stays times its typical stay, across 35 towns. Month ranks compare each month's part of Airbnb nights. Origin rests on 244,697 reviews and describes guests who left a review, not everyone who stayed. Read the method page.