Editing Polk County, Iowa

{{short description|County in Iowa, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county             = Polk County
 | state              = Iowa
 | ex image           = Polk County Courthouse; Des Moines, Iowa; July 2, 2013.JPG
 | ex image size      = 300px
 | ex image cap       = Polk County Courthouse
 | type               = [[County (United States)|County]]
 | flag               = Flag of Polk County, Iowa.svg
 | seal               = Polk County IA logo.png
 | logo               = 
 | coordinates        = {{coord|41|41|5.338|N|93|34|8.295|W|region:US-IA_type:county|display=inline}}
 | founded year       = 1846
 | founded date       = January 13
 | named for          = [[James K. Polk]]
 | seat wl            = Des Moines
 | largest city wl    = Des Moines
 | area_total_sq_mi   = 591.888
 | area_land_sq_mi    = 572.720
 | area_water_sq_mi   = 019.168
 | area percentage    = 3.0%
 | population_total   = 492401
 | population_as_of   = 2020
 | population_est     = 505255 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_as_of      = 2023
 | density_sq_mi      = 882.927
 | time zone          = Central
 | district           = 3rd
 | website            = {{URL|https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/|polkcountyiowa.gov}}
}}

'''Polk County''' is located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Iowa]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 492,401.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Polk_County,_Iowa?g=050XX00US19153 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in Iowa|most populous county in Iowa]], and was estimated to be 505,255 in 2023.<ref name="QF"/> It is home to over 15% of the state's residents. The [[county seat]] is [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=June 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302041221/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]] |archive-date=March 2, 2011}}</ref> which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is included in the Des Moines–[[West Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines]], IA [[Des Moines metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf |publisher=[[Office of Management and Budget]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514003222/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf |pages=5, 36. |format=PDF |access-date=July 21, 2006 |archive-date=May 14, 2006}}</ref>

==History==
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of the [[Iowa Territory]] authorized the creation of twelve counties in the Territory,<ref>The counties were Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Warren, and Wayne.</ref> with general descriptions of their boundaries. On January 17 they further enacted a resolution setting the effective date of the county government for Jasper and Polk Counties as March 1, 1846.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The history of Polk County, Iowa: containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofpolkcou1880unio/page/n9/mode/2up |publisher=Union Historical Co. |year=1880 |access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofpolkcou1880unio/page/418/mode/2up |publisher=Union Historical Co. |year=1880 |pages=419, 425 |access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> Polk County's name referred to United States President [[James K. Polk]], who served from 1845 to 1849.

The first courthouse, a two-story structure, was built in Des Moines in 1846. Rapid settlement and commercial growth in the county soon rendered this building insufficient, so construction of a larger building was initiated in 1858. Due to construction delays and the onset of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the structure was not completed until 1866. The present [[Polk County Courthouse (Iowa)|courthouse]] was erected in 1906, and in 1962 it was extensively renovated and enlarged.<ref>[http://www.iowacounties.org/About%20Us/AboutCoGov/County%20Pages/Polk.htm Polk County]{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|591.888|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|572.720|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|19.168|sqmi}} (3.0%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 County Gazetteer Files – Iowa|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2024_Gazetteer/2024_gaz_counties_19.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> The county is bisected by the [[Des Moines River]].

===Major highways===
* [[File:I-35.svg|x20px]] [[Interstate 35 in Iowa|Interstate 35]]
* [[File:I-80.svg|x20px]] [[Interstate 80 in Iowa|Interstate 80]]
* [[File:I-235.svg|x20px]] [[Interstate 235 in Iowa|Interstate 235]]
* [[File:US 6.svg|x20px]] [[U.S. Route 6 in Iowa|U.S. Highway 6]]
* [[File:US 65.svg|x20px]] [[U.S. Route 65 in Iowa|U.S. Highway 65]]
* [[File:US 69.svg|x20px]] [[U.S. Route 69 in Iowa|U.S Route 69]]
* [[File:Circle sign 5.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 5]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 17.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 17]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 28.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 28]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 141.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 141]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 160.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 160]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 163.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 163]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 210.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 210]]
* [[File:Elongated circle 415.svg|x20px]] [[Iowa Highway 415]]

===Transit===
* [[Des Moines Area Regional Transit]]
* [[Burlington Trailways]]
* [[Jefferson Lines]]
* [[Des Moines Bus Station]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 4513
|1860= 11625
|1870= 27857
|1880= 42395
|1890= 65410
|1900= 82624
|1910= 110438
|1920= 154029
|1930= 172837
|1940= 195835
|1950= 226010
|1960= 266315
|1970= 286101
|1980= 303170
|1990= 327140
|2000= 374601
|2010= 430640
|2020= 492401
|estyear=2023
|estimate=505255
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br>1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |publisher=University of Virginia Library |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref><br>1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}
[[File:PolkCountyIA2022PopPyr.png|thumb|left|2022 US Census [[population pyramid]] for Polk County from [[American Community Survey|ACS]] 5-year estimates]]

As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home value in Polk County was $285,410.<ref>{{Cite web|title=County Median Home Price|url=https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/county-median-home-prices-and-monthly-mortgage-payment|publisher=[[National Association of Realtors]]|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref>

As of the 2023 [[American Community Survey]], there are 202,404 estimated households in Polk County with an average of 2.41 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $81,621. Approximately 11.5% of the county's population lives at or below the [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. Polk County has an estimated 71.0% employment rate, with 39.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 83.7% holding a high school diploma.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Polk County, Iowa|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/polkcountyiowa/PST045224|access-date=February 27, 2025|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>

The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (85.2%), Spanish (7.8%), Indo-European (1.5%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.2%), and Other (2.2%).

The median age in the county was 36.8 years.

'''Polk County, Iowa – racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 95%;"
|-
! Race / ethnicity <small>(''NH = non-Hispanic'')</small>
! Pop. 1980<ref name=1980CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Polk County, Iowa — Population by Race|url=https://censusscope.org/us/s19/c153/chart_race.html|publisher=CensusScope|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 1990<ref name=1990CensusScope>{{Cite web|title=Polk County, Iowa — Population by Race|url=https://censusscope.org/us/s19/c153/chart_race.html|publisher=CensusScope|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Polk County, Iowa|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=050XX00US19153|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> !! Pop. 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Iowa|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US19153&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> !! {{partial|Pop. 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Polk County, Iowa|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US19153&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref>
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
| 280,143<br>(92.40%) || 299,469<br>(91.54%) || 323,785<br>(86.43%) || 347,710<br>(80.74%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |362,260<br>(73.57%)
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
| 13,570<br>(4.48%) || 14,618<br>(4.47%) || 17,874<br>(4.77%) || 25,344<br>(5.89%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |34,990<br>(7.11%)
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
| 712<br>(0.23%) || 834<br>(0.25%) || 878<br>(0.23%) || 894<br>(0.21%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,081<br>(0.22%)
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
| 2,204<br>(0.73%) || 5,871<br>(1.79%) || 9,765<br>(2.61%) || 15,118<br>(3.51%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |24,313<br>(4.94%)
|-
| [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
| — || — || 178<br>(0.05%) || 228<br>(0.05%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |280<br>(0.06%)
|-
| [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
| 1,962<br>(0.65%) || 187<br>(0.06%) || 554<br>(0.15%) || 605<br>(0.14%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |1,713<br>(0.35%)
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
| — || — || 5,077<br>(1.36%) || 8,094<br>(1.88%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |19,709<br>(4.00%)
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
| 4,579<br>(1.51%) || 6,161<br>(1.88%) || 16,490<br>(4.40%) || 32,647<br>(7.58%) || style='background: #ffffe6; |48,055<br>(9.76%)
|-
| '''Total'''
| '''303,170<br>(100.00%)''' || '''327,140<br>(100.00%)''' || '''374,601<br>(100.00%)''' || '''430,640<br>(100.00%)''' || style='background: #ffffe6; |'''492,401<br>(100.00%)'''
|}

===2020 census===
[[File:PolkCountyIowaPop2020.png|thumb|right|Population of Polk County from US census data]]

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 492,401 people, 196,891 households, and 121,993 families residing in the county.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Polk%20County,%20Iowa%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=February 27, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|860.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 210,184 housing units at an average density of {{convert|367.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 75.93% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.23% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.46% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.98% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.88% from some other races and 7.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 9.76% of the population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Polk County, Iowa |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/polk-county-iowa/050-19153/ |access-date=February 27, 2025 |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 430,640 people, 170,197 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|750.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 182,262 housing units at an average density of {{convert|317.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 84.73% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 6.00% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.32% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.53% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.93% from some other races and 2.42% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 7.58% of the population.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 374,601 people, 149,112 households, and 96,624 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|658.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 156,447 housing units at an average density of {{convert|275.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the county was 88.34% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 4.84% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.27% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.63% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.22% from some other races and 1.66% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] people of any race were 4.40% of the population. 25.9% were of [[Germans|German]], 10.6% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.0% [[English people|English]] and 8.4% American ancestry.

Of the 149,112 households 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.20% were non-families. 28.10% of households were one person and 8.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.04.

Age spread: 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 32.20% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median household income was $46,116 and the median family income was $56,560. Males had a median income of $37,182 versus $28,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,654. About 5.30% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and infrastructure==
The [[Iowa Department of Corrections]] [[Iowa Correctional Institution for Women]] is in [[Mitchellville, Iowa|Mitchellville]] and in Polk County.<ref>[http://www.doc.state.ia.us/institutions_detail.asp?id=16 Iowa Correctional Institution for Women] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722110655/http://www.doc.state.ia.us/institutions_detail.asp?id=16 |date=July 22, 2011}}. [[Iowa Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved November 29, 2010.</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Polk County, Iowa|source=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=December 8, 2020 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|112,240|140,075|4,523|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|106,800|146,250|5,705|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|93,492|119,804|18,259|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|96,096|128,465|4,321|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|89,668|120,984|3,757|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|95,828|105,218|1,572|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|79,927|89,715|4,525|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|60,884|83,877|11,345|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|63,708|78,585|24,965|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|57,854|84,476|814|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|71,413|75,413|1,022|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|64,156|61,984|17,618|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|62,316|71,917|3,530|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|70,245|59,169|3,245|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|51,814|52,731|10,239|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|37,280|74,194|479|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|64,077|55,091|66|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|62,392|53,025|74|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|60,934|50,867|982|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|33,742|45,289|2,348|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|36,629|46,072|417|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|41,245|51,647|301|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|33,819|44,274|1,367|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|34,023|31,517|3,132|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|42,290|19,725|498|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|37,491|6,665|16,114|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|36,073|16,281|1,632|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|11,295|12,327|1,034|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|4,665|7,239|10,671|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|12,555|7,924|1,161|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|14,113|3,086|2,259|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|12,628|6,180|703|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|11,127|7,087|257|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|7,757|5,538|1,133|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|7,049|4,966|248|Iowa}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|6,122|4,768|30|Iowa}}
{{PresFoot|1880|Republican|4,781|2,161|1,230|Iowa}}

===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] of Polk County.

'''†''' ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Rank
! City/Town/etc.
! Municipal type
! Population (2020 Census)
! Population (2024 Estimate)
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 1
|'''''[[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]'' †''' (''partially in [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren County]]'')
| City
| 214,133
| 209,232
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 2
|'''[[Ankeny, Iowa|Ankeny]]''' 
| City
| 67,887
| 76,435
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 3
|'''[[West Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines]]''' (''partially in [[Dallas County, Iowa|Dallas]], [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren]] and [[Madison County, Iowa|Madison Counties]]'')
| City
| 68,723
| 73,300
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 4
|'''[[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]]''' (''partially in Dallas County'')
| City
| 45,580
| 47,112
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 5
|'''[[Johnston, Iowa|Johnston]]'''
| City
| 24,064
| 24,816
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 6
|'''[[Altoona, Iowa|Altoona]]''' 
| City
| 19,565
| 22,372
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 7
|'''[[Clive, Iowa|Clive]]''' (''partially in Dallas County'')
| City
| 18,601
| 19,122
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 8
|'''[[Grimes, Iowa|Grimes]]''' (''partially in Dallas County'')
| City
| 15,392
| 16,615
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 9
|'''[[Norwalk, Iowa|Norwalk]]''' (''mostly in Warren County'')
| City
| 12,799
| 15,524
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 10
|'''[[Pleasant Hill, Iowa|Pleasant Hill]]''' 
| City
| 10,147
| 12,092
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 11
|'''[[Bondurant, Iowa|Bondurant]]''' 
| City
| 7,365
| 9,465
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 12
|'''[[Polk City, Iowa|Polk City]]''' 
| City
| 5,543
| 6,537
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 13
|'''[[Windsor Heights, Iowa|Windsor Heights]]''' 
| City
| 5,252
| 5,009
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 14
|'''[[Carlisle, Iowa|Carlisle]]''' (''partially in Warren County'')
| City
| 4,160
| 4,379
|- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;"
| 15
|'''[[Saylorville, Iowa|Saylorville]]''' 
| CDP
| 3,584
| 2,760
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 16
|'''[[Mitchellville, Iowa|Mitchellville]]''' (''partially in [[Jasper County, Iowa|Jasper County]]'')
| City
| 2,485
| 2,661
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 17
|'''[[Granger, Iowa|Granger]]''' (''mostly in Dallas County'')
| City
| 1,654
| 2,142
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 18
|'''[[Elkhart, Iowa|Elkhart]]''' 
| City
| 882
| 1,090
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 19
|'''[[Runnells, Iowa|Runnells]]''' 
| City
| 457
| 449
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 20
|'''[[Alleman, Iowa|Alleman]]''' 
| City
| 423
| 434
|- style="background-color:#FFFACD;"
| 21
|'''[[Sheldahl, Iowa|Sheldahl]]''' (''partially in [[Boone County, Iowa|Boone]] and [[Story County, Iowa|Story Counties]]'')
| City
| 297
| 315
|}

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Polk County, IA |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st19_ia/schooldistrict_maps/c19153_polk/DC20SD_C19153.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720224656/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st19_ia/schooldistrict_maps/c19153_polk/DC20SD_C19153.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=July 20, 2022 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st19_ia/schooldistrict_maps/c19153_polk/DC20SD_C19153_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Ankeny Community School District]]
* [[Ballard Community School District]]
* [[Bondurant-Farrar Community School District]]
* [[Carlisle Community School District]]
* [[Collins-Maxwell Community School District]]
* [[Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District]]
* [[Des Moines Independent Community School District]]
* [[Johnston Community School District]]
* [[Madrid Community School District]]
* [[North Polk Community School District]]
* [[PCM Community School District]]
* [[Saydel Community School District]]
* [[Southeast Polk Community School District]]
* [[Urbandale Community School District]]
* [[West Des Moines Community School District]]
* [[Woodward-Granger Community School District]]

==Attractions==
*[[Adventureland (Iowa)|Adventureland Resort]]
*[[Blank Park Zoo]]
*[[Iowa State Capitol]]
*[[Iowa State Fair]]
*[[Living History Farms]]
*[[Science Center of Iowa]]
*[[Valley Junction, Iowa|Valley Junction]]
*[[Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines, Iowa)|Wells Fargo Arena]]

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Alleman, Iowa|Alleman]]
* [[Altoona, Iowa|Altoona]]
* [[Ankeny, Iowa|Ankeny]]
* [[Bondurant, Iowa|Bondurant]]
* [[Carlisle, Iowa|Carlisle]]
* [[Clive, Iowa|Clive]]
* [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]]
* [[Elkhart, Iowa|Elkhart]]
* [[Granger, Iowa|Granger]]
* [[Grimes, Iowa|Grimes]]
* [[Johnston, Iowa|Johnston]]
* [[Mitchellville, Iowa|Mitchellville]]
* [[Norwalk, Iowa|Norwalk]]
* [[Pleasant Hill, Iowa|Pleasant Hill]]
* [[Polk City, Iowa|Polk City]]
* [[Runnells, Iowa|Runnells]]
* [[Sheldahl, Iowa|Sheldahl]]
* [[Urbandale, Iowa|Urbandale]]
* [[West Des Moines, Iowa|West Des Moines]]
* [[Windsor Heights, Iowa|Windsor Heights]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Saylorville, Iowa|Saylorville]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Avon, Iowa|Avon]]
* [[Berwick, Iowa|Berwick]]
* [[Enterprise, Iowa|Enterprise]]
* [[Farrar, Iowa|Farrar]]
* [[Herrold, Iowa|Herrold]]
* [[Ivy, Iowa|Ivy]]{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Allen Township, Polk County, Iowa|Allen]]
* [[Beaver Township, Polk County, Iowa|Beaver]]
* [[Bloomfield Township, Polk County, Iowa|Bloomfield]]
* [[Camp Township, Polk County, Iowa|Camp]]
* [[Clay Township, Polk County, Iowa|Clay]]
* [[Crocker Township, Polk County, Iowa|Crocker]]
* [[Delaware Township, Polk County, Iowa|Delaware]]
* [[Des Moines Township, Polk County, Iowa|Des Moines]]
* [[Douglas Township, Polk County, Iowa|Douglas]]
* [[Elkhart Township, Polk County, Iowa|Elkhart]]
* [[Four Mile Township, Polk County, Iowa|Four Mile]]
* [[Franklin Township, Polk County, Iowa|Franklin]]
* [[Jefferson Township, Polk County, Iowa|Jefferson]]
* [[Lee Township, Polk County, Iowa|Lee]]
* [[Lincoln Township, Polk County, Iowa|Lincoln]]
* [[Madison Township, Polk County, Iowa|Madison]]
* [[Saylor Township, Polk County, Iowa|Saylor]]
* [[Union Township, Polk County, Iowa|Union]]
* [[Walnut Township, Polk County, Iowa|Walnut]]
* [[Washington Township, Polk County, Iowa|Washington]]
* [[Webster Township, Polk County, Iowa|Webster]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Iowa}}
* [[Polk County Courthouse (Iowa)|Polk County Courthouse]]
* [[Iowa State Capitol]]
* [[Terrace Hill]] also known as Hubbell Mansion, Benjamin F. Allen House, or the Iowa Governor's Mansion
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Polk County, Iowa]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}} <!-- for current and future use if material is uploaded -->
* [https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/ Polk County – official website]

{{Geographic Location
| Centre    = Polk County
| North     = [[Story County, Iowa|Story County]]
| East      = [[Jasper County, Iowa|Jasper County]]
| Southeast = [[Marion County, Iowa|Marion County]]
| South     = [[Warren County, Iowa|Warren County]]
| Southwest = [[Madison County, Iowa|Madison County]]
| West      = [[Dallas County, Iowa|Dallas County]]
| Northwest = [[Boone County, Iowa|Boone County]]
}}
{{Polk County, Iowa}}
{{Iowa}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|41|41|06|N|93|34|13|W|region:US-IA_type:adm2nd_source:dewiki|display=title}}

[[Category:Polk County, Iowa| ]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in Iowa Territory]]
[[Category:Des Moines metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1846]]