The 'AA-' rating on Sioux City, Iowa's GO refunding bonds and GO bonds reflects the city's: Regional economy with strong links to the agricultural sector, Moderate wealth levels, Sound financial position, and Moderate debt burden. Offsetting credit factors include the city's: High debt service carrying charges; and Reliance on sales tax revenues to pay debt service, which are subject to economic volatility. Sioux City is a regional trade, service, and health care center for west-central Iowa and portions of South Dakota and Nebraska. The city serves a population of 85,000, which has shown relatively slow growth during the 1990s, increasing 5.6%, following a period of decline. Manufacturing has a presence in the regional economy, and the city is host to
