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Polk County, Iowa (IA)



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County population in July 2011: 432,256 (94% urban, 6% rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 102,623
Renter-occupied apartments: 46,489
% of renters here:

31%
State:

29%

Land area: 569 sq. mi.
Water area: 22.6 sq. mi.
Population density: 759 people per square mile 
 
  (high).

Mar. 2012 cost of living index in Polk County: 83.4 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (18.4%), Finance,insurance,real estate,and rental and leasing (15.2%), Retail trade (12.2%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 82%
  • Government: 13%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 5%
  • Unpaid family work: 0%

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Data:
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Based on 2005-2010 data
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Polk County races chart

Races in Polk County, Iowa:

  • White Non-Hispanic Alone (83.6%)
  • Hispanic or Latino (6.4%)
  • Black Non-Hispanic Alone (5.0%)
  • Asian alone (3.0%)
  • Two or more races (1.7%)

Median resident age:  34.4 years
Iowa median age:  36.6 years

Males: 181,739  (48.5%)
Females: 192,862  (51.5%)

Polk County, IA forum
Recent posts about Polk County, Iowa on our local forum with over 1,500,000 registered users. Polk County is mentioned 37 times on our forum:
Des Moines Photo of the Day  (149 replies)
What food dish is Des Moines known for?  (36 replies)
Would you call Des Moines a 'vibrant' city?  (29 replies)
Race In Des Moines  (60 replies)
Blank Park Zoo and Jester Park add to Des Moines quality of life.  (1 reply)
Renting in the Des Moines area  (20 replies)

Polk County,IA real estate house value trend



Average household size:
Polk County:

2.5 people
Iowa:

2 people

Estimated median household income in 2009: $54,748 ($46,116 in 1999)
This county:

$54748
Iowa:

$48044

Median contract rent in 2009 for apartments: $630 (lower quartile is $528, upper quartile is $772)
This county:

$630
State:

$496


Estimated median house or condo value in 2009: $153,800 (it was $100,100 in 2000)
Polk County:

$153,800
Iowa:

$122,000
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $108,500 - $210,300

Mean price in 2009:

Detached houses: $179,170
Here:

$179,170
State:

$151,570

Townhouses or other attached units: $154,461
Here:

$154,461
State:

$156,028

In 2-unit structures: $124,582
Here:

$124,582
State:

$128,390

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $161,336
Here:

$161,336
State:

$135,565

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $119,327
Here:

$119,327
State:

$110,680

Mobile homes: $45,362
Here:

$45,362
State:

$29,315
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $1,329
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $440

Institutionalized population: 4,480

Crime in 2005 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 5
  • Robberies: 3
  • Assaults: 94
  • Burglaries: 258
  • Thefts: 754
  • Auto thefts: 137

Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 2
  • Rapes: 13
  • Robberies: 10
  • Assaults: 158
  • Burglaries: 258
  • Thefts: 770
  • Auto thefts: 105

Polk County, IA map from a distance

Health of residents in Polk County based on CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaires from 2003 to 2009:

General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) is 3.6. This is about average.
76.1% of residents exercised in the past month. This is about average.
47.0% of residents smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives. This is about average.
82.5% of adult residents drank alcohol in the past 30 days. This is more than average.
78.2% of residents visited a dentist within the past year. This is more than average.
Average weight of males is 199 pounds. This is more than average.
Average weight of females is 165 pounds. This is more than average.
31.8% of residents keep firearms around their homes. This is less than average.


Single-family new house construction building permits:

  • 2004: 3718 buildings, average cost: $161,000
  • 2005: 3943 buildings, average cost: $164,700
  • 2006: 2791 buildings, average cost: $168,400
  • 2007: 2380 buildings, average cost: $180,300
  • 2008: 1350 buildings, average cost: $184,400
  • 2009: 1415 buildings, average cost: $196,000

Number of permits per 10,000 residents

Average cost (in $1000s)




2004 Presidential Election results in Polk County Iowa:

Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 52.0%
Bush/Cheney (Republican): 47.3%


2008 Presidential Election results in Polk County Iowa:

Obama (Democratic): 56.7%
McCain (Republican): 42.1%
Detailed 2008 Election Results


Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2009: $2,474 (1.6%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2009: $2,340 (1.7%)


Polk County household income distribution in 2009 Polk County home values distribution


Polk County contract rent distribution in 2009

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 11.0%
(8.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 29.7% for Black residents, 25.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents)

Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2009: 11.0%
Polk County:

11.0%
Iowa:

11.8%
(8.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 29.7% for Black residents, 25.2% for Hispanic or Latino residents)

Median age of residents in 2009: 34 years old
(Males: 33 years old, Females: 35 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 36 years old, Black residents: 30 years old, Asian residents: 33 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 24 years old, Other race residents: 25 years old)

Area name: Des Moines, IA MSA
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Polk County is $549 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $669 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $857 a month.

Cities in this county include: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Clive, Altoona, Johnston, Grimes, Pleasant Hill, Windsor Heights.

Polk County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

2005 air pollution in Polk County:

Carbon Monoxide: 2 ppm (standard limit: 9 ppm). Near U.S. average.
Nitrogen Dioxide: 0.011 ppm (standard limit: 0.053 ppm). Near U.S. average.
Ozone (1-hour): 0.082 ppm (standard limit: 0.12 ppm). Near U.S. average.
Ozone (8-hour): 0.072 ppm (standard limit: 0.08 ppm). Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM10) Annual: 22 µg/m3. Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM10) 24-hour: 72 µg/m3(standard limit: 150 µg/m3). Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Annual: 11.3 µg/m3(standard limit: 15.0 µg/m3). Near U.S. average.
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) 24-hour: 34 µg/m3(standard limit: 35 µg/m3). Near U.S. average.


Local government website:www.co.polk.ia.us

Click to draw/clear Polk County borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Polk County: Toad Valley Public Golf Course (A), Beaver Creek Golf Course (B), Crocker (C), Terrace Hills Golf Course (D), Ankeny North Bound Rest Area (E), Mitchellville West Bound Rest Area (F), Mitchellville East Bound Rest Area (G), Jester Park Golf Course (H), Snyder Bridge (I), Enterprise (J), Hatton (K), Ulm (L), Palmer (M), Peoria City (N), Oldfield (O), Greenwood (P), Oakwood Station (Q), High Bridge (R), Saylor Township Fire Department (S), Fraser Medical Services (T). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Polk County include: Calvary Church (A), Camp Center Church (B), White Oak Church (C), Cory Grove Church (D), Holy Cross Church (E), Hopkins Grove Church (F), Santiago United Methodist Church (G), Woodland Hills Church of Christ (H), Grace Community Church (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Altoona Cemetery (1), Ankeny Memorial Gardens (2), Avon Cemetery (3), Berwick Cemetery (4), Pinehill Cemetery (5), Powers-Warren Cemetery (6), Byers Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map

Lakes, reservoirs, and swamps: Avon Lake (A), Randleman Lake (B), Howard Lake (C), Horseshoe Lake (D), Brenton Slough (E), Big Creek Pounding Area (F), Big Creek Lake (G), Saylorville Lake (H). Display/hide their locations on the map

Rivers and creeks: Beaver Creek (A), Big Creek (B), Calamus Creek (C), Camp Creek (D), Coon Creek (E), Deer Creek (F), Spring Creek (G), South River (H), Yeader Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Polk County include: Chichaqua Wildlife Habitat Park (1), Thomas Mitchell County Park (2), Walnut Woods State Park (3), Big Creek State Park (4), Jester Park (5), Mallys Weh-Weh Neh-Kee Park (6), Margo Frankel Woods State Park (7), Historic Des Moines State Historical Marker (8). Display/hide their locations on the map

 

Neighboring counties: Boone County , Dallas County , Jasper County , Madison County , Marion County , Story County , Warren County .

Unemployment in Apr. 2010:
Here:

5.5%
Iowa:

5.3%

Unemployment by year (%)

County total employment by year

County average yearly wages by year ($)


Current college students: 21,022
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 88.3%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29.7%

Number of foreign born residents: 22,162 (32% naturalized citizens)

Polk County:

5.9%
Whole state:

3.1%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population

  • 1995 to March 2000: 9,398
  • 1990 to 1994: 4,343
  • 1985 to 1989: 2,980
  • 1980 to 1984: 2,117
  • 1975 to 1979: 1,253
  • 1970 to 1974: 515
  • 1970 to 1974: 431
  • 1965 to 1969: 1,125

Mean travel time to work (commute): 18.2 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 94.1%

Polk County marital status for males
Polk County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 101,623
  • One, attached: 7,708
  • Two: 4,574
  • 3 or 4: 3,841
  • 5 to 9: 6,855
  • 10 to 19: 8,399
  • 20 or more: 18,477
  • Mobile homes: 4,934
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 36

Housing units in Polk County with a mortgage: 68,939 (7,519 second mortgage, 8,430 home equity loan, 366 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 22,568

Here:

75.3% with mortgage
State:

62.8% with mortgage



Religion statistics:

Percentage of population affiliated with a religious congregations: 48.19%
Here48.2%
USA50.2%
Total adherents: 180,521
Total congregations: 288

Adherents


Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregations

NameCatholic ChurchEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaUnited Methodist ChurchChristian Church (Disciples of Christ)Assemblies of God
Adherents58,127 (32.2%)23,622 (13.1%)19,931 (11.0%)10,011 (5.5%)9,975 (5.5%)
Congregations19 (6.6%)27 (9.4%)39 (13.5%)17 (5.9%)14 (4.9%)
NameLutheran ChurchPresbyterian Church (USA) Non-Charismatic Churches IndependentUnited Church of ChristOther
Adherents7,947 (4.4%)7,037 (3.9%)5,290 (2.9%)5,159 (2.9%)33,422 (18.5%)
Congregations11 (3.8%)17 (5.9%)4 (1.4%)5 (1.7%)135 (46.9%)
Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Religions in Polk County - Des Moines, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, Clive

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 63
This county:

1.51 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.

Number of supercenters and club stores: 7
Polk County:

0.17 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.23 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (no gas): 8
Polk County:

0.19 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

0.43 / 10,000 pop.

Number of convenience stores (with gas): 158
This county:

3.78 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.

Number of full-service restaurants: 316
Polk County:

7.57 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.

Adult diabetes rate:
Here:

7.3%
Iowa:

7.8%

Adult obesity rate:
Here:

25.8%
Iowa:

27.3%

Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Polk County:

13.5%
State:

14.5%


Agriculture in Polk County:

Average size of farms: 297 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $89,682
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $310.84
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 9.49%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 13.70%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $68,722
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 83.78%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $124,636
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 83.25%
Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 4.77
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 1.12%
Corn for grain: 92691 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 86310 harvested acres
Vegetables: 159 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 62 acres

Tornado activity:

Polk County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 5.5 times above overall U.S. average.
Tornadoes in this county have caused 2 fatalities and 151 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004.
On 6/29/1998, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 85 people and caused $11 million in damages.

Most recent natural disasters:

  • Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1930): July 29, 2010, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1930, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
  • Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 25, 2008 to August 13, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1763): May 27, 2008, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1763, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
  • Iowa Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: February 23, 2007 to March 2, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1688): March 14, 2007, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1688, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
  • Iowa Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 1, 2005, Emergency Declared (EM-3239): September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: FEMA-EM-3239, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
  • Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 19, 2004 to June 24, 2004, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1518): May 25, 2004, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1518, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
  • Iowa Severe Weather, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: June 13, 1998 to July 15, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1230): July 2, 1998, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1230, Natural disaster type: Tornado, Flood
  • Iowa Severe Snow Storms, Incident Period: October 26, 1997 to October 28, 1997, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-1191): November 20, 1997, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-1191, Natural disaster type: Storm, Snow
  • Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: April 13, 1993 to October 1, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-996): July 9, 1993, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-996, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: May 18, 1990 to July 6, 1990, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-868): May 26, 1990, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-868, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • Iowa SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, Incident Period: June 24, 1974, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared (DR-443): June 24, 1974, FEMA Id: FEMA-DR-443, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
  • 3 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.

The number of natural disasters in Polk County (13) is near the US average (12).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 12
Emergencies Declared: 1

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 7, Storms: 7, Tornadoes: 3, Floods: 3, Heavy Rain: 1, Snow: 1, Hurricane: 1, Tornado: 1, Winter Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).

Class of Workers


Most common industries in 2009 (%)
Males Females
  • Finance and insurance (14%)
  • Construction (10%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (6%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)
  • Public administration (5%)
  • Educational services (4%)
  • Health care (4%)
  • Finance and insurance (17%)
  • Health care (16%)
  • Educational services (9%)
  • Accommodation and food services (7%)
  • Social assistance (6%)
  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (6%)
  • Public administration (4%)
Most common occupations in 2009 (%)
Males Females
  • Computer specialists (7%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (5%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4%)
  • Sales representatives, services, wholesale and manufacturing (4%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (4%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (3%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (6%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (5%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Child care workers (4%)
  • Registered nurses (4%)
  • Other management occupations except farmers and farm managers (4%)
  • Customer service representatives (3%)

Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):



  • Mexico (23%)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina (14%)
  • Vietnam (11%)
  • Laos (6%)
  • India (4%)
  • El Salvador (3%)
  • Korea (3%)

Most common first ancestries reported in Polk County (%):



  • German (26%)
  • Irish (11%)
  • English (9%)
  • United States or American (8%)
  • Norwegian (5%)
  • Italian (4%)
  • Dutch (3%)


Polk County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work:

  • Drove a car alone: 162,539 (82%)
  • Carpooled: 20,613 (10%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 3,478 (2%)
  • Streetcar or trolley car: 46 (0%)
  • Subway or elevated: 29 (0%)
  • Taxi: 132 (0%)
  • Motorcycle: 130 (0%)
  • Bicycle: 323 (0%)
  • Walked: 3,997 (2%)
  • Other means: 731 (0%)
  • Worked at home: 6,165 (3%)

Owners and renters by unit type in %

Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders


People in group quarters in Polk County, Iowa:

  • 2,764 people in nursing homes
  • 2,687 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 809 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 486 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 375 people in state prisons
  • 328 people in other nonhousehold living situations
  • 238 people in wards in general hospitals for patients who have no usual home elsewhere
  • 236 people in halfway houses
  • 232 people in homes for the mentally retarded
  • 167 people in other group homes
  • 165 people in homes or halfway houses for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 107 people in unknown juvenile institutions
  • 100 people in orthopedic wards and institutions for the physically handicapped
  • 93 people in mental (psychiatric) hospitals or wards
  • 41 people in homes for the mentally ill
  • 28 people in hospitals or wards for drug/alcohol abuse
  • 21 people in religious group quarters
  • 19 people in hospitals/wards and hospices for chronically ill
  • 19 people in hospices or homes for chronically ill
  • 19 people in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children
  • 15 people in institutions for the blind

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $63,626.

6.65% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($41,746 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

6.65%
Iowa average:

6.30%


0.06% of residents moved from foreign countries ($372 average AGI)
Polk County:

0.06%
Iowa average:

0.10%

3.97% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($22,614 average AGI)
2.62% relocated from other states ($18,761 average AGI)
Polk County:

2.62%
Iowa average:

2.55%

Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Dallas County, IA  0.62% ($46,738 average AGI)
from Story County, IA  0.45% ($38,500)
from Warren County, IA  0.43% ($36,603)
from Jasper County, IA  0.19% ($37,709)
from Johnson County, IA  0.16% ($37,504)
from Black Hawk County, IA  0.14% ($31,587)
from Linn County, IA  0.14% ($40,374)


5.85% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($47,662 average adjusted gross income)

Here:

5.85%
Iowa average:

6.47%


0.04% of residents moved to foreign countries ($202 average AGI)
Polk County:

0.04%
Iowa average:

0.03%

3.09% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($24,524 average AGI)
2.72% relocated to other states ($22,935 average AGI)
Polk County:

2.72%
Iowa average:

2.80%

Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Dallas County, IA  1.04% ($61,981 average AGI)
to Warren County, IA  0.40% ($47,092)
to Story County, IA  0.25% ($32,827)
to Jasper County, IA  0.15% ($36,629)
to Johnson County, IA  0.13% ($30,598)
to Cook County, IL  0.12% ($35,916)
to Madison County, IA  0.10% ($56,968)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 16.0
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 16.3

Births per 1000 population in Polk County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 7.6
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 7.2

Deaths per 1000 population in Polk County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 8.7
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 6.1

Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Polk County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 48,540 (41,609 aged, 6,931 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 6%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 1.27
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 17415.26
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 420.920
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 42280.71

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1646.610
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 727.920
Dentists per 100,000 population in 1998: 2.99

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 56.97
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 102.990

Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 11.97

Homicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 31.1. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of homicide:

 

Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 15.0
  • Other - 16.1

Suicides per 1,000,000 population from 2000 to 2006: 111.1. This is more than state average.

Mechanisms of suicide:

 

Deaths per 1,000,000 population:
  • Firearm - 44.2
  • Suffocation - 30.0
  • Poisoning - 29.2
  • Other - 7.7

Household type by relationship:

Households: 365,671
  • In family households: 301,086 (74,237 male householders, 22,945 female householders)
    77,471 spouses, 107,667 children (99,493 natural, 2,957 adopted, 5,217 stepchildren), 4,106 grandchildren, 2,548 brothers or sisters, 1,748 parents, 3,729 other relatives, 6,635 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 64,585 (22,159 male householders (16,386 living alone)), 29,975 female householders (25,462 living alone)), 12,451 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 8,930 (4,366 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 41,573 2-persons, 22,048 3-persons, 20,774 4-persons, 8,675 5-persons, 2,777 6-persons, 1,335 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 41,848 1-person, 8,870 2-persons, 1,047 3-persons, 266 4-persons, 89 5-persons, 14 6-persons.

91.1% of residents of Polk County speak English at home.
3.9% of residents speak Spanish at home (49% speak English very well, 19% speak English well, 23% speak English not well, 9% don't speak English at all).
2.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (57% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 19% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
2.1% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (45% speak English very well, 29% speak English well, 22% speak English not well, 4% don't speak English at all).
0.4% of residents speak other language at home (43% speak English very well, 23% speak English well, 26% speak English not well, 8% don't speak English at all).

In fiscal year 2004:

Federal Government expenditure: $2,915,958,000 ($7416 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $217,971,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $837,724,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $387,216,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $15,358,000
Federal grants: $1,177,613,000
Federal procurement contracts: $131,572,000 ($42,557,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $366,476,000 ($92,720,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $35,369,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $210,548,000
Federal Government insurance: $194,124,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:

Births: 32,605
Here:

81 per 1000 residents
State:

66 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 14,637
Here:

37 per 1000 residents
State:

48 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +7,661
Here:

+19 per 1000 residents
State:

+10 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: +159
Here:  +0 per 1000 residents
State:  -14 per 1000 residents

Population growth in Polk County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 50.77 millions of gallons per day (46% from ground, 54% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:

6.2
State:

6.3

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:

3.8
State:

4.2

Year house built

  • 2005 or later: 7,229
  • 2000 to 2004: 17,367
  • 1990 to 1999: 26,044
  • 1980 to 1989: 19,640
  • 1970 to 1979: 27,854
  • 1960 to 1969: 18,883
  • 1950 to 1959: 22,185
  • 1940 to 1949: 11,202
  • 1939 or earlier: 31,718
Rooms in houses/apartments in Polk County, Iowa
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
  • 1 room: 86
  • 2 rooms: 821
  • 3 rooms: 2,328
  • 4 rooms: 10,685
  • 5 rooms: 22,811
  • 6 rooms: 20,989
  • 7 rooms: 17,012
  • 8 rooms: 13,633
  • 9+ rooms: 14,258
  • 1 room: 2,250
  • 2 rooms: 5,228
  • 3 rooms: 10,771
  • 4 rooms: 15,602
  • 5 rooms: 7,031
  • 6 rooms: 3,019
  • 7 rooms: 1,469
  • 8 rooms: 650
  • 9+ rooms: 469
Bedrooms in houses/apartments in Polk County, Iowa
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
  • no bedroom: 248
  • 1 bedroom: 3,043
  • 2 bedrooms: 26,632
  • 3 bedrooms: 49,180
  • 4 bedrooms: 20,343
  • 5+ bedrooms: 3,177
  • no bedroom: 3,124
  • 1 bedroom: 14,643
  • 2 bedrooms: 22,408
  • 3 bedrooms: 5,122
  • 4 bedrooms: 996
  • 5+ bedrooms: 196
Cars and other vehicles available in Polk County, Iowa in houses/condos/apartments
Owner-occupied Renter-occupied
  • no vehicle: 3,020
  • 1 vehicle: 26,383
  • 2 vehicles: 50,593
  • 3 vehicles: 16,368
  • 4 vehicles: 4,588
  • 5+ vehicles: 1,671
  • no vehicle: 7,138
  • 1 vehicle: 23,815
  • 2 vehicles: 12,368
  • 3 vehicles: 2,498
  • 4 vehicles: 450
  • 5+ vehicles: 220

51% of Polk County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 62% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 51% lived in Iowa.

Polk County:

51.1%
State average:

57.7%


Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 266730
  • Northeast: 6459
  • Midwest: 50200
  • South: 14152
  • West: 13118

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $86,100


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 0%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 1%

Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

Most commonly used house heating fuel in Polk County
Houses and condos Apartments
  • Utility gas (89.5%)
  • Electricity (7.3%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (2.7%)
  • Utility gas (56.9%)
  • Electricity (36.6%)
  • Other fuel (3.1%)
  • No fuel used (1.6%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (1.6%)



Private vs. public school enrollment:


Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 4,076
Here:

9.7%
Iowa:

10.8%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 1,649
Here:

8.1%
Iowa:

7.1%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 6,907
Here:

40.5%
Iowa:

25.4%

Educational Attainment (%)

School Enrollment by Level of School (%)


Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)

Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)


Polk County government finances in 2006:

    : $26,994,000
  • Bond Funds - Cash and Securities: $980,000
  • Charges - Hospital Public: $43,478,000
    Parks and Recreation: $10,390,000
    All Other: $7,747,000
    Sewerage: $708,000
    Regular Highways: $164,000
  • Construction - Parks and Recreation: $14,952,000
    Correctional Institutions: $5,999,000
    Regular Highways: $3,484,000
    General - Other: $2,236,000
    Sewerage: $1,292,000
  • Current Operations - Hospitals: $73,943,000
    Correctional Institutions: $26,347,000
    Health - Other: $25,746,000
    General - Other: $22,462,000
    Financial Administration: $17,365,000
    Public Welfare - Other: $14,973,000
    Parks and Recreation: $10,713,000
    Police Protection: $9,997,000
    Judicial and Legal Services: $9,717,000
    Regular Highways: $8,617,000
    Public Welfare, Vendor Payments for Other Purposes: $6,869,000
    Housing and Community Development: $4,581,000
    General Public Buildings: $4,483,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $4,183,000
    Central Staff Services: $3,662,000
    Sewerage: $788,000
    Solid Waste Management: $755,000
    Libraries: $748,000
    Local Fire Protection: $309,000
  • DISCONTINUED for 2005 (Formerly: Long Term Debt Outstanding Nonguaranteed - Industrial Revenue): $29,729,000
  • Federal Intergovernmental - All Other: $8,214,000
    Health and Hospitals: $1,748,000
  • General - Interest on Debt: $11,324,000
  • Local Intergovernmental - All Other: $6,200,000
    Health and Hospitals: $5,534,000
  • Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $44,283,000
  • Long Term Debt Retired Nonguaranteed - Public Debt for Private Purpose: $14,554,000
  • Long Term Debt Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $17,056,000
  • Miscellaneous - General Revenue, NEC: $29,639,000
    Special Assessments: $10,757,000
    Interest Earnings: $9,806,000
  • NEW for 2005 - Long Term Debt Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $176,130,000
    Long Term Debt Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $171,866,000
    Long Term Debt Issue, Unspecified Public Purpose: $21,320,000
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $4,822,000
    Natural Resources - Other: $1,088,000
    Parks and Recreation: $34,000
    Health - Other: $18,000
    General Public Building: $1,000
  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $95,117,000
  • Sinking Funds - Cash and Securities: $30,665,000
  • State Intergovernmental - Health and Hospitals: $24,466,000
    General Local Government Support: $6,200,000
    Highways: $4,795,000
    All Other: $4,588,000
  • Tax - Property: $122,563,000
    Motor Vehicle License: $4,377,000
    Other Selective Sales: $1,726,000
    Other License: $1,168,000
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $105,200,000

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in 2006:

  • Total number of recipients: 5,947
  • Number of aged recipients: 604
  • Number of blind and disabled recipients: 5,343
  • Number of recipients under 18: 1,072
  • Number of recipients between 18 and 64: 3,758
  • Number of recipients older than 64: 1,117
  • Number of recipients also receiving OASDI: 1,970
  • Amount of payments (thousands of dollars): 2,635


Polk County Fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 1991
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)

Polk County Fatal accident statistics for 1992 - 2009
Count Vehicles DUI Fatalities Persons Pedestrians

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)



Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 80 full tracts)
A) FHA, FSA/RHS & VA
Home Purchase Loans		B) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		C) Refinancings
D) Home Improvement Loans
E) Loans on Dwellings For 5+ Families
F) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A B C & D)		G) Loans On Manufactured
Home Dwelling (A B C & D)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED3,057$139,2103,090$148,98213,618$161,444935$45,57153$1,496,453863$111,56264$61,266
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED123$136,577164$159,0301,394$150,941103$43,5531$250,00038$110,07919$48,053
APPLICATIONS DENIED322$128,149359$121,0673,454$147,324568$27,88914$777,857166$77,50066$43,712
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN227$134,458254$147,8112,702$152,859161$55,0994$1,625,25091$99,18716$89,000
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS36$131,66725$224,280454$154,90537$53,0001$940,0008$145,2501$7,000
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Private Mortgage Insurance Companies Aggregated Statistics For Year 2009
(Based on 78 full tracts)
A) Conventional
Home Purchase Loans		B) Refinancings
C) Non-occupant Loans on
< 5 Family Dwellings (A & B)
NumberAverage ValueNumberAverage ValueNumberAverage Value
LOANS ORIGINATED657$174,896839$178,8755$152,000
APPLICATIONS APPROVED, NOT ACCEPTED124$174,960192$162,4746$92,500
APPLICATIONS DENIED80$176,313121$184,7443$136,667
APPLICATIONS WITHDRAWN29$171,17266$181,9550$0
FILES CLOSED FOR INCOMPLETENESS15$189,93318$182,6111$47,000
Choose year:  2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Conventional Home Purchase Loans

Conventional Home Purchase Loans - Value


Most common first names in Polk County, IA among deceased individuals
NameCountLived (average)
Mary2,15779.4 years
John2,01474.5 years
Robert1,66270.8 years
William1,63574.4 years
James1,40072.4 years
Charles1,15574.8 years
Helen1,12281.1 years
George97476.0 years
Margaret93980.5 years
Dorothy92778.7 years
Most common last names in Polk County, IA among deceased individuals
Last nameCountLived (average)
Smith90476.7 years
Johnson88076.7 years
Miller62376.6 years
Brown59374.9 years
Anderson55377.3 years
Davis47375.0 years
Jones46575.5 years
Wilson41177.3 years
Williams37873.6 years
Thompson35775.2 years
Businesses in Polk County, IA
NameCountNameCount
ALDO1Kroger1
AMF Bowling1La Quinta1
AT&T4La-Z-Boy5
Abercrombie & Fitch1Lane Bryant3
Abercrombie Kids1Lane Furniture3
Ace Hardware6LensCrafters3
Aeropostale3Little Caesars Pizza5
AmericInn3Long John Silver's6
American Eagle Outfitters3Lowe's3
Ann Taylor1Marriott11
Apple Store1Marshalls1
Applebee's6MasterBrand Cabinets27
Arby's11Maurices5
Ashley Furniture3McDonald's26
AutoZone6Men's Wearhouse2
BMW1Menards4
Bakers Square1Microtel1
Banana Republic2Motel 64
Baskin-Robbins2Motherhood Maternity5
Bath & Body Works4New Balance13
Baymont Inn2New York & Co1
Bed Bath & Beyond2Nike35
Best Western4Office Depot2
Big O Tires3OfficeMax4
Blockbuster7Old Country Buffet1
Brooks Brothers1Old Navy2
Brookstone1Olive Garden2
Budget Car Rental1On The Border1
Buffalo Wild Wings2Outback2
Burger King17Outback Steakhouse2
Cache1Pac Sun2
Caribou Coffee5Panda Express2
Carson Pirie Scott4Panera Bread7
Casual Male XL1Papa John's Pizza6
Catherines2Payless6
Charlotte Russe1Penske4
Chick-Fil-A2PetSmart3
Chico's1Pier 1 Imports2
Chipotle1Pizza Hut11
Chuck E. Cheese's1Popeyes2
Cinnabon 1Qdoba Mexican Grill1
Clarks1Quality3
Cold Stone Creamery2Quiznos13
Coldwater Creek1RadioShack9
Comfort Inn3Ramada1
Comfort Suites1Red Lobster1
Costco1Red Robin1
Cracker Barrel1Rodeway Inn1
Curves6Ruby Tuesday1
DHL5Rue211
Dairy Queen16Ryan's Grill1
Days Inn5Ryder Rental & Truck Leasing1
Deb1SAS Shoes1
Decora Cabinetry1SONIC Drive-In3
Dennys1Sam's Club1
Domino's Pizza7Sears9
DressBarn2Sephora2
Econo Lodge2Shoe Carnival2
Eddie Bauer1Sleep Inn2
Ethan Allen1Slumberland4
Express2Soma Intimates1
Extended Stay America1Spencer Gifts1
Famous Footwear5Sprint Nextel9
Fashion Bug2Staples3
FedEx89Starbucks21
Finish Line1Studio Plus Deluxe Studios1
Firestone Complete Auto Care5Subway35
Foot Locker3Super 84
Forever 212T-Mobile17
GNC6T.G.I. Driday's1
GameStop7T.J.Maxx3
Gap3Taco Bell7
Goodwill3Talbots2
Gymboree2Target7
H&R Block23The Cheesecake Factory1
Hardee's3The Limited1
Haworth2The Room Place1
Hobby Lobby2Torrid1
Holiday Inn9Toys"R"Us4
Hollister Co.1Trader Joe's1
Home Depot4Travelodge1
Hot Topic2True Value2
Hyatt1U-Haul10
IHOP3U.S. Cellular19
J. Jill1UPS139
J.Crew1Vans4
JCPenney3Verizon Wireless8
Jimmy John's4Victoria's Secret4
JoS. A. Bank1Village Inn6
Jones New York16Walgreens22
Journeys4Walmart6
KFC8Wendy's11
Kmart3YMCA7
Kohl's4
Browse common businesses in Polk County, IA


Polk County on our top lists:

  • #26 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest average weight of females"
  • #43 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that visited a dentist within the past year"
  • #58 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that had a sunburn in the past 12 months"
  • #61 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the best general health status score of residents (1-5), 3 years of data"
  • #63 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lives"
  • #70 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that keep firearms around their homes"
  • #70 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that exercised in the past month"
  • #84 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most dentists per 100,000 population in 1998 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #89 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the most Mainline Denominations adherents (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #90 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the smallest number of children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000 (pop. 50,000+)"
  • #94 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the highest percentage of residents that drank alcohol in the past 30 days"
  • #95 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the lowest percentage of residents that keep firearms around their homes"
  • #97 on the list of "Top 101 counties with the largest increase in the number of births per 1000 residents 1990-1999 to 2000-2003 (pop 50,000+)"

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