Iowa may not be the first state you think of for radio, but its stations reflect the heart of the Midwest: strong public broadcasting, loyal country listeners, and college sports coverage that goes far beyond Big Ten weekends. From Des Moines to the Quad Cities, Waterloo to Sioux City, Iowa's local radio scene deserves a closer look.
Des Moines Radio Stations
WHO 1040 AM — Iowa's Legendary News-Talk Station
WHO 1040 AM is one of the most powerful AM stations in the country, with a clear-channel signal that reaches listeners across the entire Midwest on clear nights. Home to decades of Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones coverage, WHO is the talk radio backbone of Des Moines and, really, all of Iowa. A true radio institution.
KIOA 93.3 FM — Des Moines Country
KIOA 93.3 FM is one of Des Moines' top country stations, delivering today's country hits to listeners across Polk County and surrounding areas. With Iowa's deeply rooted love of country music — from tractor pulls to county fairs — KIOA captures the authentic sound of the state. Stream it online any time.
Cedar Rapids Radio Stations
KCCK 88.3 FM — Jazz & NPR for the Iowa Corridor
KCCK 88.3 FM broadcasts from Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, offering one of the rare dedicated jazz stations in Iowa alongside NPR news programming. It serves the Cedar Rapids–Iowa City corridor — sometimes called the Iowa Technology Corridor — and is especially popular among University of Iowa faculty and students commuting between the two cities.
Davenport / Quad Cities Radio Stations
WLLR 101.3 FM — Country for the Quad Cities
WLLR 101.3 FM is the dominant country station in the Quad Cities market, spanning Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa plus Rock Island and Moline in Illinois. WLLR is consistently one of the highest-rated stations on both sides of the Mississippi, and it's an essential stream for country fans from this unique dual-state metro.
Waterloo / Cedar Falls Radio Stations
KXEL 1540 AM — Northeast Iowa's News & Talk Voice
KXEL 1540 AM has served the Waterloo–Cedar Falls metro since 1942, making it one of Iowa's oldest radio stations. A news-talk format covers local government, Iowa Hawkeyes sports, and regional business news. The station's farm programming is especially relevant to Black Hawk County's strong agricultural economy — a reminder that Iowa's heartland identity runs deep.
Sioux City Radio Stations
KSUX 105.7 FM — Country Radio for the Tri-State Area
KSUX 105.7 FM is the go-to country station for the Sioux City market, which straddles Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota — one of the few true tri-state radio markets in the Midwest. With a powerful signal covering the Missouri River Valley, KSUX brings contemporary country to listeners whether they're in town or out on the farm.
Stream Iowa Radio Stations Online
All the Iowa stations listed above are available to stream free at RadioStationsUSA.com. Whether you're an Iowa native living out of state or just want to explore Midwest radio, you can tune into Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Waterloo, and Sioux City from anywhere. Check out our Des Moines radio page or explore all Iowa radio stations in our full directory.
