Stats And The Facts Behind The Quad Cities

FY25 Impact Report

The Quad Cities is a dynamic family of communities on the Mississippi River where the river bends to run directly from east to west. This bi-state (IA/IL), multi-city region is the largest metropolitan area between St. Louis and Minneapolis on the upper Mississippi River.

The region lies within a 300-mile radius of 41 million people with close access to major markets like Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Des Moines, Omaha, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Indianapolis.

Did you know that the QC is home to the NFL's origin story? Or that President Ronald Reagan started his career in the QC? The first NFL football game was played at Douglas Park in Rock Island in 1920 between the Rock Island Independents and the St. Paul Ideals. The Independents won 48-0. (Go Independents!) Reagan's career began at the first radio station west of the Mississippi River, our local WOC. Learn more about the dozens of things that make the QC so unique!

Quad Cities Visitor Economy

$ 1.38 Billion+

Total Visitor Spending

6.1 Million+

Visits to the QC

9220 Jobs

Tourism Jobs

Illinois/Iowa Visitor Economy

$ 56 Billion

Total Economic Impact

354083

Tourism and Hospitality Jobs

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL

Population

Region population: 474,000

Major Industries/Companies

The Quad Cities is home to Fortune 500 company Deere & Company. There are 150 other companies on Fortune 500 and 1000 lists that have a presence in the region, as well as the Rock Island Arsenal, a major military installation. More information available through Bi-State Regional Commission and Quad Cities Chamber.

Major Employers

Deere & Company
Rock Island Arsenal
UnityPoint Health – Trinity
MercyOne Genesis Health System
Hy-Vee
Walmart
HNI Corp.
Tyson Fresh Meats
Arconic
Kraft Heinz

Airport

(nonstop destinations shown in graphic)

The Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) offers 11 nonstop service to major destinations and hubs, with hundreds of global connections available beyond. Travelers have easy access through 4 airlines – Allegiant, American, Delta and United. Cities served include: Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta, and Dallas. Allegiant offers 2x weekly nonstop service to Orlando-Sanford, Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa, Sarasota, St. Pete/Clearwater, and Ft. Myers via Punta Gorda. Some flights may be seasonal and subject to change.

Rankings/Awards

The Figge Art Museum houses Iowa's Largest Public Art Display
Davenport ranked among Livability.com's 2025 Top 100 Best Places To Live list
Modern Woodmen Ballpark ranked Best Minor League Ballpark, 2023, 2024, and 2025
Ranked #6 in total number of large-scale economic investment projects on the Mississippi River Corridor (Site Selection Magazine 2023)
Davenport Ranked Top 10 Prettiest River Towns in America (WorldAtlas.com 2023)
Ranked #1 as Best Cities for Millennials in the Midwest (The Ascent 2022)
Ranked #3 Best Affordable Places to Live (U.S. News & World Report 2021-22)
Ranked #3 most diversified metro economy in the U.S. (Livability.com 2020)
Ranked #3 out of 382 metro areas for industry diversity (EMSI)
Ranked Top 5 most affordable mid-size metros (Nerd Wallet)
Ranked #6 most affordable place to live (U.S. News & World Report 2020)
Ranked #8 of midsize cities with highest cost-of-living adjusted salaries (Smartest Dollar 2020)
Ranked Top 10 Places for Millennials to Live (RealtyHop)
Ranked #27 in the U.S. for the cost of doing business, #5 in the Midwest, and #2 in both Illinois and Iowa for the cost of doing business (Forbes 2020)
Ranked #29 America's Best Small Cities (populations between 100,000-500,000) (Resonance Consultancy 2020)
Ranked #79 best place to live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report 2020)
Ranked No. 1 state (Iowa) in the nation for high school graduation rates (U.S. Dept. of Education National Center for Education Statistics)
Cost of living is 16% below the national average (Forbes 2020)
Sports Business Journal ranked the Quad Cities as the highest among all teams in the SPHL and nationally as a premier minor league sports market.
SmartAsset voted us as the third-best Minor League Baseball Town in America
Named Technology Community of the Year by the Technology Association of Iowa (2025)
Davenport ranked #5 best city for first-time homebuyers (Neighbors Bank 2026)