It's 2021. Are you working hard or hardly working? Despite the often negative rap, millennials are working hard, but you couldn’t tell from looking at their bank account sadly. Issues like student debt, stagnant wages, and avocado toast have millennials really struggling.

Why Iowa is a millennials paradise

As an earning group, 23-38 years old make less and have fewer assets than their parents did just a generation ago. However, where they live can certainly make a major difference in their quality of life.

And great news: Iowa is the SECOND best state to be a millennial in the USA according to Zippia. Now, Zippia is sort of hit or miss (in my opinion) with their studies so, take it with a grain of salt. Since this is a study about millennials, maybe Himalayan salt.

So how did Iowa end up so high only losing out to Utah for the top spot? Zippia used this metric:

  • Millennial Unemployment Rate
  • Average Student Loan Debt
  • Millennial Home Ownership
  • Percent Of Millennials Living In Poverty

Iowa's score in those categories?

Unemployment: 4%
Home Ownership: 43%
Poverty Rate: 11%
Student Loan Debt: $29,314

Zippia's write-up on Iowa states,

Right behind Utah is Iowa. While Iowa may bring to mind cornfields, it’s the #2 best state to be a millennial. Iowan millennials have an 11% poverty rate and are pretty likely to be working, with a millennial unemployment rate of 4%. Both of those factors fuel high homeownership rates.

In case you are wondering, the full Top 10 states for millennials:

  1. Utah
  2. Iowa
  3. Wyoming
  4. North Dakota
  5. Minnesota
  6. New Hampshire
  7. Idaho
  8. South Dakota
  9. Nebraska
  10. Montana

Iowa's 'Coolest' Airbnb is a 1920s Log Cabin

Small Town Iowa: Bily Clocks Museum in Spillville - Photo Gallery

No photo can do "justice" to show the true beauty of these historic clocks. You have to see them in person to fully appreciate the intricacy of each piece, along with their working and moving parts. Plus, the relaxing sounds of the chimes going off or music playing. Before you make the trip to Spillville to see them for yourself, let's take a virtual trip and see the highlights of Frank and Joseph Bily's work. (Photos taken by permission)

More From 98.1 KHAK