Iowa ranks second in the nation in Quality of Life according to Congressional Quarterly Press.  This is a widely published comparison of the 50 states issued each year by the Washing-based group.  Factors, including a healthy population, safe neighborhoods, and excellence in education, contributed to Iowa's best showing in three years.

"Iowa is a great place to live and raise a family, and Iowa remains in a strong position to create jobs and compete world-wide," said Governor Chet Culver.

Other states ranked with Iowa among the top five are Wyoming, 1st; New Hampshire, 3rd; Minnesota, 4th; and Nebraska, 5th.  State Rankings 2009 is an annual comparison in 44 statistical categories that are indicators of quality of life.

The measures compare states on a broad range of economic, education, health-oriented, public safety, and environmental statistics.  Iowa's rankings have steadily moved up over the past few years.  In 2007, Iowa was 6th, and in 2008, Iowa was 5th.

Iowa has ranked among the top ten most livable states for 18 straight years and has placed in the top five for 13 of those years.  The "most livable states" ranking issued by Congressional Quarterly Press is widely used by state economic development agencies, human resource recruiters, and tourism promotion groups across the nation.