Economic survey finds Iowa residents better off than US

Nearly a quarter of Iowa households have seen at least one member lose a job during the current recession, according to a survey by a regional non-profit.

The national survey by St. Paul-based Northwest Area Foundation found Iowans' experience during the economic downturn closely mirrors that of Americans across the country - if anything, state residents seem to be slightly better off.

But only slightly. While 61 percent of Americans say they've cut back their spending due to the recession, the figure for Iowa is 57 percent. And 56 percent of Americans and 55 percent of Iowans “feel optimistic about the national economy.”

The survey, released today, also found:

• Twenty-five percent of Iowans (27 percent nationally) have had problems paying for basic necessities like their mortgage, rent or heating.

• Fifty percent in Iowa (53 percent nationwide) say they've cut down on the amount they've spent on food.

• Twenty-one percent of Iowans and 24 percent of Americans have had a friend or family member stay with them because of money problems.

• Fifty-eight percent of Iowans, 68 percent nationwide, say a family of four would need at least $40,000 a year to make ends meet - nearly double the federal government's official poverty level of $22,050.

• Seventy-one percent of Iowans (72 percent nationwide) say affordable health care would make a big difference in their family's financial stability.

Lana Ross, executive director of the Iowa Community Action Association, said the poll confirms what her member agencies have been reporting.

“Last year, a record 90,000 families applied for energy assistance, many of whom were first-time applicants,” said Ross.

Full results of the survey of 4,004 people nationwide, followed by 800 telephone interviews, will be posted today on NWAF's Web site, www.nwaf.org.