Iowa has nation's second-highest share of 65+ workers

Iowa has the second-highest share of people 65 and older in the workforce, according to preliminary 2023 census data .

Why it matters: The composition of a workforce influences business decisions and impacts the state's economy, Peter Orazem, an economist at Iowa State University, tells Axios.

State of play: Nationally, 18.7% of adults 65 or over were still working last year. Iowa had 23.9%, while Vermont had the most with 25.6%.

Threat level: Businesses factor in their ability to attract and retain workers when locating or exciting locations, Orazem said.

• Workforce retention and attraction were the top concerns among Iowa executives in a recent Economic Outlook Survey from the Iowa Business Council, the DSM Register reports.

The big picture: It's not uncommon these days for older Americans to stay in the workforce, particularly in states with older populations.

• Today's older workers are better educated, work more hours and are more likely to receive employer benefits, compared to past decades, per a 2023 Pew Research Center report .

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