Polk County, IA

County in Iowa, Midwest · ranked on 54 metrics

Rank among US counties

Polk County, IA is a county in Iowa with a population of 519,581 (145th of 3,094). It ranks best for Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (269th of 3,094), Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (451st of 3,094), Median Household Income (464th of 3,093). It ranks lowest for Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (2,266th of 3,092).

Population
519.6K
145th highest of 3,094
Density
908.4
175th highest of 3,094
Growth since 2020
5.39%
660th highest of 3,094
Area
572
1,726th highest of 3,094
Region
Midwest
Iowa

At a glance

Median household income
$83,576
464th highest of 3,093
Median home value
$262,100
827th highest of 3,092
Median rent
$1,149
623rd highest of 3,090
Unemployment
3.7%
1,846th highest of 3,094
Poverty rate
10.3%
2,245th highest of 3,094
College degree
40.3%
269th highest of 3,094
Adult obesity
36.9%
1,780th highest of 2,916
No health insurance
7.6%
2,562nd highest of 2,916
Average commute
20 minutes
2,427th highest of 3,094
Home broadband
91.9%
451st highest of 3,094
Climate
49.8°F average
21°F in January, 75°F in July
2024 presidential vote
Democratic +10.9
43.9% Republican, 54.8% Democratic

Strengths and weak spotsPercentileWhere a place sits among all places, from 0 to 100. 100 is the best, 50 is the middle, 0 is the worst.More in the glossary →

Percentile on 22 metrics that rank at least half of all US counties, given whether higher or lower is better.

Totals that track populationCounts like “number of burglaries” that mostly reflect how many people live somewhere, so big places rank high or low regardless.More in the glossary →

Best at

Highest percentiles, given whether higher or lower is better

  1. Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)40.3%
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    269th of 3,094
  2. Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)7.6%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 319th of 2,916
  3. Homes with Broadband Internet (%)91.9%
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    451st of 3,094
  4. Median Household Income$83,576
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    464th of 3,093
  5. Adults Who Smoke (%)13.3%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 512th of 2,916
  6. Average Commute (Minutes)20.0
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    668th of 3,094
  7. Median Income$83,576
    Poorest Counties
    464th of 2,000
  8. Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)17.0%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 677th of 2,916
  9. Adults with Depression (%)21.7%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 730th of 2,916
  10. Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)23.5%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 744th of 2,916

Worst at

Lowest percentiles, given whether higher or lower is better

  1. Adults Who Binge Drink (%)21.3%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 2,571st of 2,916
  2. Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)$1,149
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    tied 2,464th of 3,090
  3. Heating Degree Days per Year6,447
    Climate by County (1991–2020 Averages)
    tied 2,250th of 3,050
  4. Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)$262,100
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    2,266th of 3,092
  5. Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)74.8%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 1,669th of 2,916
  6. Cooling Degree Days per Year949
    Climate by County (1991–2020 Averages)
    tied 1,291st of 3,050
  7. Adults with Obesity (%)36.9%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2023
    tied 1,113th of 2,916
  8. Unemployment Rate (%)3.7%
    Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) · 2025
    tied 1,127th of 3,094
  9. Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)35.3%
    Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) · 2022
    tied 976th of 3,094
  10. Poverty Rate (%)10.3%
    Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) · 2024
    850th of 3,094

Profile by category

Average percentile per category, from the median line. Select a category to list its metrics.

Strongest category Economics (66), weakest Health (66). Select a category to list its metrics.

Notable facts

Where it ranks first or last among US counties

Never first or last on a widely ranked metric.

Where it is

Shaded by population; select a place to open it

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Similar places

Closest percentiles on 22 widely reported measures from 7 categories, leaving out size and totals

  1. Douglas County, NE90% similar
  2. Scott County, IA84% similar
  3. Salt Lake County, UT83% similar
    Compared on 20 of 22
  4. Knox County, TN82% similar
    Compared on 19 of 22
  5. New Castle County, DE82% similar
    Compared on 20 of 22

Quick answers

What is the population of Polk County, IA?
Polk County, IA has a population of 519,581, 145th among 3,094 US counties.
What does Polk County, IA rank best at?
Among US counties, Polk County, IA ranks best for Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+) (269th of 3,094); Homes with Broadband Internet (%) (451st of 3,094); Median Household Income (464th of 3,093).
Where does Polk County, IA rank worst?
Polk County, IA ranks lowest for Median Home Value (Capped at $2M) (2,266th of 3,092).
How many statistics does Rankodex have for Polk County, IA?
Rankodex ranks Polk County, IA on 54 statistics compared with other US counties, compiled from World Population Review and the sources it cites.

Every metric

54 metrics with a value for this place, in 16 topics