The Iowa City MSA, or metropolitan statistical area, is the third strongest state economy and 38th nationally according to a report from POLICOM. Washington and Johnson counties make up the MSA. POLICOM Corporation is an independent economic research firm. In the 381 MSAs across the United States, the Iowa City MSA jumped 14 spots in the Economic Strength Rankings. This MSA follows only Des Moines and the Council Bluffs-Omaha area in the state.

The formulas used to measure economic strength using 24 sectors in size, quality of an economy, behavior of an economy and negative sectors within an economy. According to Ed Raber, Director of Washington Economic Development Group, the economic stability and consistency of growth attribute to this ranking.

Iowa metro rankings in the nation:
4 – Des Moines
5 – Omaha-Council Bluffs
38 – Iowa City
53 – Cedar Rapids
111 – Davenport-Moline-Rock Island
158 – Dubuque
177 – Ames
206 – Waterloo-Cedar Falls
214 – Sioux City 214