City · Iowa
Polk City, Iowa
Polk City, city, in Polk County, Iowa. Polk City had 6,630 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 19.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 5,543 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 6,037 (±18). GEOID 1964020.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,630
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,543 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,037 ±18
Median household income
$164,389
±$22,194 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$414,800
±$26,207 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$782
±$177 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
Where is Polk City and what county is it in?
Polk City is a city in Polk County, Iowa. It covers 5.6 square miles of land, 998 residents per square mile in 2020.
Polk City is in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Polk City, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 6,630 people lived in Polk City on July 1, 2025, up 19.4% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020 Census counted 5,543 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 6,037 (±18).
| Measure | Polk City | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,037 ±18 | 503,175 | +1,412 |
| Households | 2,184 ±120 | 205,358 | +720 |
| Average household size | 2.74 ±0.15 | 2.41 | −0.38 |
| Housing units | 2,231 ±127 | 218,486 | +704 |
Polk City's population since 2000
From 2,344 in 2000 to 6,630 in 2025: up 182.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Polk City as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Polk City?
The median resident of Polk City is 39.1 years old; 27.8% are under 18 and 14.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.5%.
| Measure | Polk City | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1 ±7.0 | 36.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.8% ±3.5 pts | 24.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.5% ±3.9 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Male | 51.2% ±3.7 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% ±3.1 pts | 10.4% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.2% ±3.3 pts | 73.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 4.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.2 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 14.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0% ±3.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 7.6% ±2.5 pts | 11.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3% ±2.6 pts | 5.3% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.4% ±2.2 pts | 92.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 44.2% ±8.4 pts | 40.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 18.1% ±5.4 pts | 13.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 94.2% ±3.0 pts | 85.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Polk City earn?
Half of Polk City's 2,184 households earn less than $164,389 a year (±$22,194), against $83,576 in Polk County and $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 the median was $128,915 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $35,474 after inflation.
| Measure | Polk City | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $164,389 ±$22,194 | $83,576 | +$35,474 |
| Mean household income | $152,452 ±$16,729 | $109,398 | – |
| Per capita income | $56,351 ±$6,053 | $45,622 | +$9,534 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.7% ±4.9 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 7.0% ±8.2 pts | 14.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.7% ±1.1 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Households with a computer | 100.0% ±1.1 pts | 96.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.0% ±4.8 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Polk City?
Owners occupy 89.1% of Polk City's occupied homes and renters 10.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $414,800 by its owner (±$26,207). The median renter pays $782 a month including utilities.
| Measure | Polk City | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $414,800 ±$26,207 | $262,100 | +$108,357 |
| Median gross rent | $782 ±$177 | $1,149 | −$636 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.3% ±38.1 pts | 35.5% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,569 ±$261 | $1,741 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 89.1% ±6.3 pts | 67.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 10.9% ±6.3 pts | 32.6% | – |
| Housing units | 2,231 ±127 | 218,486 | +704 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±10.0 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.4% ±6.4 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 10.2% ±5.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 26.9% ±6.9 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.9% ±3.4 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 3.9% ±5.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Polk City building?
Builders took permits for 52 new housing units in Polk City in 2025 (52 in single-family houses), 7.8 per 1,000 residents against 4.2 across Iowa.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Polk City work and get to work?
75.0% of Polk City's workers drive alone and 21.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.3 minutes.
| Measure | Polk City | Polk County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.9% ±6.6 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2% ±2.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0% ±7.0 pts | 72.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 2.6% ±2.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.4% ±0.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 21.9% ±6.7 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.3 min ±2.6 | 20.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Polk City?
No census tract lies mostly in Polk City; 3 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 115Polk County | 8,161 | $150,156 |
| Tract 102.15Polk County | 6,730 | $156,660 |
| Tract 101.01Polk County | 5,927 | $136,923 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Polk City) · Census block assignment files
How does Polk City compare with other places in Iowa?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Polk City is the 4,190th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 64th-most populous of 939 in Iowa.
Polk City ranks 1st of 279 places in Iowa with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 64th | 939 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 6th | 275 |
| Residents per square mile | 160th | 279 |
| Median household income | 1st | 279 |
| Per capita income | 11th | 279 |
| Median home value | 3rd | 279 |
| Median gross rent | 180th | 266 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th | 279 |
| Median age | 155th | 279 |
| Owner-occupied share | 18th | 279 |
| Work from home | 6th | 221 |
| Travel time to work | 57th | 279 |
Polk City's figures with every place in Iowa (CSV)
Every place in Iowa, sortable · Compare Polk City with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Polk City?
23 of the 57 figures for Polk City on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Polk City are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Polk City.