County · Iowa
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County, Iowa. Polk County had 516,546 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). It holds 21 places (20 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 112 census tracts. GEOID 19153.
Polk County is one of the 6 counties of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
516,546
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 492,401 · ACS 2020-2024: 503,175
Median household income
$83,576
±$1,283 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$262,100
±$3,486 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$1,149
±$16 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Polk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 492,401 residents in Polk County. The Census Bureau estimates 516,546 for July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Iowa (+1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 503,175 over 573 square miles of land.
| Measure | Polk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 503,175 | 3,210,507 | +23,563 |
| Households | 205,358±1,156 | 1,315,707 | +17,560 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.01 | 2.36 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 218,486±136 | 1,437,699 | +17,893 |
Polk County's population since 2000
From 374,601 in 2000 to 516,546 in 2025: up 37.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Polk County?
Polk County holds 21 places: 20 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Des Moines with 212,086 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Des Moines | 214,133 | $65,932 |
|---|---|---|
| Ankeny | 67,887 | $108,198 |
| West Des Moines | 68,723 | $86,594 |
| Urbandale | 45,580 | $112,795 |
| Johnston | 24,064 | $106,551 |
| Altoona | 19,565 | $86,114 |
| Grimes | 15,392 | $120,037 |
| Clive | 18,601 | $132,121 |
| Pleasant Hill | 10,147 | $90,508 |
| Bondurant | 7,365 | $135,674 |
| Polk City | 5,543 | $164,389 |
| Windsor Heights | 5,252 | $91,707 |
| Saylorville | 3,584 | $117,821 |
| Mitchellville | 2,485 | $81,172 |
| Elkhart | 882 | $84,554 |
| Runnells | 457 | $101,500 |
| Granger | 1,654 | $112,404 |
| AllemanGEOID 1901180 | 423 | $121,875 |
| SheldahlGEOID 1972345 | 297 | $80,938 |
| Carlisle | 4,160 | $109,191 |
| Norwalk | 12,799 | $102,722 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Polk County?
The median resident of Polk County is 36.2 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 14.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 73.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.4%. 10.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Polk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.2±0.2 | 38.6 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.0%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.4% | 7.3% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 73.2%±0.2 pts | 82.3% | −4.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.3%±0.2 pts | 3.8% | +0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.1%±0.4 pts | 5.9% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.7%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6%±0.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 11.4%±0.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.3%±0.3 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.5%±0.4 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.3%±0.8 pts | 31.4% | +3.6 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.1%±0.6 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Polk County's 205,358 households earn less than $83,576 a year (±$1,283), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $83,240 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Polk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $83,576±$1,283 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $109,398±$1,753 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,622±$752 | $40,877 | +$2,015 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.3%±0.6 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±1.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±0.6 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.9%±0.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 67.4% of Polk County's occupied homes and renters 32.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $262,100 by its owner (±$3,486). The median renter pays $1,149 a month including utilities, and 35.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Polk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $262,100±$3,486 | $208,000 | +$40,698 |
| Median gross rent | $1,149±$16 | $972 | +$29 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.5%±1.9 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,741±$21 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.4%±0.8 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 218,486±136 | 1,437,699 | +17,893 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.5%±0.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.7%±0.7 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 2.0%±0.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.0%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.2%±0.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 4,730 new housing units across Polk County in 2025 (2,306 single-family), 9.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Polk County get to work?
72.4% of Polk County's workers drive alone and 15.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.4%.
| Measure | Polk County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 71.4%±0.5 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.4%±0.8 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±0.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.7%±0.6 pts | 11.3% | +11.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.0 min±0.3 | 19.8 min | +0.5 min |
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 are Polk County's census tracts?
Polk County is divided into 112 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,938 (Tract 1.01) to $198,056 (Tract 114.05).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Polk County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 3rd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 99 |
| Median household income | 9th of 99 |
| Median home value | 5th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 2nd of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 48th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 99 |
| Median age | 91st of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.