Ankeny, IA, United States

With a population of 76,727 as of 2024, Ankeny is Iowa's fifth-largest city and one of its fastest-growing - a double-edged sword. The rapid expansion has strained infrastructure, with over 80% of residents surveyed in 2018 feeling the growth was "too fast." The heavy bureaucracy required to manage this explosive development is a persistent headache. But for those who can navigate the red tape, Ankeny offers a relatively safe, well-educated community with a thriving economy anchored by major employers like Deere & Company.