COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Polk County

Iowa · 374,601 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 $46,116. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $100,100.

At a glance

Wealthier

above the US median

US median: $42,589

Mid-age

median age 34.4

US median: 35.2

More educated

30% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 24%

Less affordable

home values up 28%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $120,530

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

374,601

+15%since 1990

from 327,140 in 1990

1990 – 2025

Population density

654 / sq mi

+15%since 1990

from 572 / sq mi in 1990

US average: 242

Median age

34.4

+6%since 1990

from 32.5 in 1990

US average: 35.2

Population, 1990 – 2024

2024503K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$46,116

+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $31,221 in 1990

US average: $42,589

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$23,654

+54%since 1990

from $15,365 in 1990

US average: $21,522

Poverty rate

7.9%

−1.3 ptssince 1990

from 9.2% in 1990

US average: 12.4%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$100,100

+28%inflation adjusted, since 1990

from $59,300 in 1990

US average: $120,530

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$574

Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 1990

from $437 in 1990

US average: $602

Owner-occupied

68.8%

+3.6 ptssince 1990

from 65.2% in 1990

31.2% rent

Afford Score

2.2

+14%since 1990

from 1.9 in 1990

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Polk County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990

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

Black4.4%(14,510)

Hispanic / Latino2%(6,452)

Asian1.7%(5,709)

Diversity Score21.2%(69,468)

2000

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

Black4.8%(17,874)

Hispanic / Latino4.4%(16,490)

Asian2.6%(9,765)

Diversity Score27.6%(103,215)

Diversity Score

+30%since 1990

from 21 in 1990

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

29.7%

+5.8 ptssince 1990

from 23.9% in 1990

US average: 24.4%

High school or higher

88.3%

+2.9 ptssince 1990

from 85.4% in 1990

US average: 80.3%

Graduate degree

8.7%

+1.4 ptssince 1990

from 7.3% in 1990

US average: 8.8%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

10.7 min

−36%since 1990

from 16.9 min in 1990

US average: 17.6

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+122%

Home value$355,600+255%

Population118,457−77%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Warren County

Income$94,588+105%

Home value$269,600+169%

Population57,331−89%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Story County

Income$69,685+51%

Home value$258,700+158%

Population101,291−80%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

POLK COUNTY VS

Jasper County

Income$71,311+55%

Home value$186,300+86%

Population38,153−93%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Polk County, Iowa?

Polk County, Iowa has about 374,601 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Polk County, Iowa earns about $46,116 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 $100,100, and the typical rent is about $574 a month.

How educated are people in Polk County, Iowa?

About 29.7% 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 7.9% of people in Polk County, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Polk County, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Polk County, Iowa has grown since 1990. The population has added about 47,461 residents, a change of about 15 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →