Politics of Iowa in 1982
Politics in Iowa in 1982 were characterized by a mixture of Democratic and Republican control. At the time, the state was led by Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican who had been in office since 1983. He was reelected to a third term in 1982 with 55 percent of the vote. In the Iowa Senate, Democrats had a majority with 26 seats while Republicans held 24 seats. In the House of Representatives, Democrats also had a majority with 54 seats while Republicans held 46 seats.
The major issue during this time period was economic development and job creation. Governor Branstad pushed for tax reforms and other measures to create jobs and attract businesses to the state. He also supported increased investment in public education and infrastructure projects such as highways and airports. Other important issues included agricultural reform, environmental protection, energy policy, healthcare reform, gun control, and abortion rights.
At this time there were also several prominent figures within Iowa politics including Senator Tom Harkin who served from 1985-2015; Representative Jim Leach who served from 1977-2007; former Governor Robert Ray who served from 1969-1983; former Senator Dick Clark who served from 1973-1979; and former Congressman Fred Grandy who served from 1987-1995.
In terms of foreign policy during this time period, Iowa generally supported Reagan’s policies including his stance on communism as well as his defense initiatives such as SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative). The state also supported his efforts to promote human rights around the world as well as his efforts to improve relations with other countries such as China.
According to Ehuacom, politics in Iowa during 1982 were largely dominated by issues related to economic development and job creation but there were also many other important matters that received attention including agriculture reform, environmental protection, energy policy, healthcare reform, gun control, abortion rights,and foreign policy initiatives like Reagan’s SDI program. This period saw many prominent figures within Iowa politics take office or continue their service including Senator Tom Harkin, Representative Jim Leach, former Governor Robert Ray, former Senator Dick Clark, and former Congressman Fred Grandy.
Population of Iowa in 1982
In 1982, the population of Iowa was estimated to be 2.9 million people. This represented a 6.4% increase in population since the previous census taken in 1980, making it one of the fastest growing states in the Midwest region. The majority of this population growth came from internal migration within the United States rather than international immigration.
The racial and ethnic makeup of Iowa in 1982 was predominantly white (94%), with small percentages of African American (3%), Asian (1%) and Native American (0.5%) populations. The white population was further broken down into European American or Caucasian (90%), German American (6%) and Irish American (2%).
In terms of religion, 76% of Iowans identified as Christian, with Protestant denominations making up the majority at 56%. Other religious affiliations included Roman Catholic (12%), Mormon/LDS (2%), Jewish (1%) and non-religious individuals accounting for 11%.
In terms of education, Iowans had a higher rate than the national average when it came to college completion with 33% having obtained a Bachelor’s Degree or higher compared to 28% nationally. The median household income in 1982 was $24,113 which was slightly lower than the national average but still well above poverty level wages for a family of four ($11,230).
The age demographics showed that Iowa had an older population than other states with 19% over 65 years old compared to 12% nationally and 13% under 18 compared to 20% nationally. The median age for Iowans in 1982 was 36 while the national median age was 32.
According to Liuxers, Iowa’s population in 1982 was largely rural with 35% living outside metropolitan statistical areas while 65% lived within them. Agriculture continued to be an important part of life for many Iowans as well with over 17 thousand farms spread across 75 thousand square miles of land contributing significantly to the state’s economy through animal products and crops such as corn, soybeans and oats.
Economy of Iowa in 1982
In 1982, Iowa’s economy was largely based on agriculture. The state’s agricultural sector employed over 350,000 people and accounted for about one-third of the total employment in the state. With over 17 thousand farms spread across 75 thousand square miles of land, Iowa was one of the leading producers of corn, oats, soybeans, and hogs in the United States. Other important agricultural commodities included dairy products, eggs, beef cattle, and poultry.
In addition to agriculture, manufacturing also played an important role in Iowa’s economy in 1982. Manufacturing accounted for 11% of the state’s total employment with major industries including food processing (meatpacking and grain milling), machinery production (agricultural and industrial equipment), chemical production (fertilizers and herbicides), transportation equipment (automobiles and trucks), and paper products (printers’ ink).
Iowa also had a growing service sector which accounted for 22% of employment in 1982. The service sector included retail trade (food stores, apparel stores, department stores), finance and insurance (banks, credit unions), healthcare services (hospitals and clinics) as well as hospitality services such as hotels and restaurants.
The state also had a thriving tourism industry which attracted millions of visitors each year to its many attractions such as historical sites like the Amana Colonies or modern wonders like Adventureland Park in Des Moines. In addition to tourism-related activities such as lodging or dining out, tourists also contributed to the local economy by shopping at local stores or purchasing tickets to shows or sporting events at venues like Wells Fargo Arena or Principal Park in Des Moines.
Overall, Iowa had a relatively stable economy in 1982 with an unemployment rate that was slightly below the national average at 6%. Despite this stability however, there were still some challenges facing the state’s economy such as a declining manufacturing base due to increasing competition from overseas companies, slow job growth due to an aging population, and a lack of diversification away from traditional sectors such as agriculture. Despite these challenges however, Iowa remained an attractive destination for businesses thanks to its low cost of living relative to other states, its strong transportation infrastructure, its educated workforce, and its overall quality of life.
Events held in Iowa in 1982
In 1982, Iowa hosted a variety of events that celebrated the state’s unique culture and heritage. The Iowa State Fair, held annually in Des Moines, was one of the largest and most popular events of the year. Thousands of visitors attended the fair to experience a variety of attractions including livestock shows, carnival rides, and live music performances. The fair also featured an impressive array of food vendors offering a vast selection of regional delicacies.
The first annual Iowa Arts Festival was held in June 1982 in downtown Des Moines. This event showcased the work of local artists from all over the state while providing an opportunity for visitors to explore new art forms and learn about Iowa’s vibrant art scene. Additionally, theater performances were held throughout the weekend to highlight some of Iowa’s talented actors and actresses.
The 1982 Iowa Games were held in Cedar Rapids in July. This event featured various sports competitions for athletes from all over the Midwest region. The games included track & field events, basketball tournaments, golf tournaments, tennis matches, swimming competitions, and more. Thousands of spectators gathered to watch these exciting events unfold as they cheered on their favorite teams and players.
Another important event held in 1982 was the Des Moines International Marathon which drew runners from around the world to compete for first place honors. The marathon course stretched along scenic trails through downtown Des Moines while thousands of spectators lined up along its route to cheer on their favorite runners as they crossed the finish line.