COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Polk County

Iowa · 327,140 residents · 572.381 sq mi

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The short version

Polk County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $31,221. Population has declined 13% since 2000. Median home value is $59,300.

At a glance

Average income

near the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 32.5

US median: 33.0

More educated

24% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 22%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

327,140

−13%vs 2000

vs 374,601 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

572 / sq mi

−13%vs 2000

vs 654 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

32.5

−6%vs 2000

vs 34.4 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024503K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$31,221

−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $46,116 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$15,365

−35%vs 2000

vs $23,654 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

9.2%

+1.3 ptsvs 2000

vs 7.9% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$59,300

−22%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $100,100 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$437

Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $574 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

65.2%

−3.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 68.8% in 2000

34.8% rent

Afford Score

1.9

−12%vs 2000

vs 2.2 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic86.4%(323,785)

Black4.8%(17,874)

Hispanic / Latino4.4%(16,490)

Asian2.6%(9,765)

Other0%

Diversity Score27.6%(103,215)

1990

White, non-Hispanic92.8%(303,450)

Black4.4%(14,510)

Hispanic / Latino2%(6,452)

Asian1.7%(5,709)

Other1.1%(3,471)

Diversity Score21.2%(69,468)

Diversity Score

−23%vs 2000

vs 28 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

23.9%

−5.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 29.7% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

85.4%

−2.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 88.3% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

7.3%

−1.4 ptsvs 2000

vs 8.7% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

16.9 min

+57%vs 2000

vs 10.7 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Polk County

Head to head

Compare Polk County to nearby counties

POLK COUNTY VS

Dallas County

Income$102,379+228%

Home value$355,600+500%

Population118,457−77%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Warren County

Income$94,588+203%

Home value$269,600+355%

Population57,331−89%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Story County

Income$69,685+123%

Home value$258,700+336%

Population101,291−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Jasper County

Income$71,311+128%

Home value$186,300+214%

Population38,153−93%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Iowa?

Polk County, Iowa has about 327,140 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Polk County, Iowa?

The typical household in Polk County, Iowa earns about $31,221 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Polk County, Iowa expensive?

In Polk County, Iowa, the median home is worth about $59,300, and the typical rent is about $437 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Iowa?

About 23.9% of adults age 25 and over in Polk County, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Polk County, Iowa?

About 9.2% of people in Polk County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →