The Hawkeye State has emerged relatively unscathed from the housing bubble and financial crisis that wreaked havoc on other parts of the country.
Today, unemployment is relatively low. Farmland -- and its edible bounty -- are in high demand. Home prices are stable.
That's not to say things are great. But they could be a lot worse.
The state's unemployment rate is 5.2%, or 7th best in the country. And it's improving. As recently as December of 2011, the state's unemployment rate was 5.6%.
One key reason for Iowa's relative success in recent years is a sharp increase in demand for agricultural products. Fueled by increased global demand, livestock prices have rebounded and farm incomes are on the rise. As a consequence, farm and land prices have spiked.
However, it's not all good news for Iowa. During the recession, the state's sizable manufacturing base was hit hard -- just like in the Rust Belt states.
