Polk County, Iowa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Polk County
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Polk County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of Iowa
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Iowa's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States | ||
State | Iowa | ||
Founded | January 13, 1846 | ||
Named for | James K. Polk | ||
Seat | Des Moines | ||
Largest city | Des Moines | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 592 sq mi (1,530 km2) | ||
• Land | 574 sq mi (1,490 km2) | ||
• Water | 18 sq mi (50 km2) 3.0% | ||
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 492,401 | ||
• Density | 831.8/sq mi (321.14/km2) | ||
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | ||
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
Congressional district | 3rd |
Polk County is located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 492,401. It is Iowa's most populous county, and home to over 15% of the state's residents. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is included in the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Polk County was formed on January 13, 1846. It was named after President James K. Polk.
The first courthouse, a two-story structure, was built in 1846. Construction of a second courthouse was begun in 1858. Due to construction delays and the onset of the Civil War, the structure was not completed until 1866. The present courthouse was erected in 1906 in the Beaux Arts style. It was dedicated on October 31, 1906. In 1962, an extensive renovation was undertaken.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 574 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 18 square miles (47 km2) (3.0%) is water. The county is bisected by the Des Moines River.
Major highways
- Interstate 35
- Interstate 80
- Interstate 235
- U.S. Highway 6
- U.S. Highway 65
- U.S. Highway 69
- Iowa Highway 5
- Iowa Highway 17
- Iowa Highway 28
- Iowa Highway 141
- Iowa Highway 160
- Iowa Highway 163
- Iowa Highway 415
Adjacent counties
- Boone County (northwest)
- Story County (north)
- Jasper County (east)
- Marion County (southeast)
- Warren County (south)
- Madison County (southwest)
- Dallas County (west)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1850 | 4,513 | — | |
1860 | 11,625 | 157.6% | |
1870 | 27,857 | 139.6% | |
1880 | 42,395 | 52.2% | |
1890 | 65,410 | 54.3% | |
1900 | 82,624 | 26.3% | |
1910 | 110,438 | 33.7% | |
1920 | 154,029 | 39.5% | |
1930 | 172,837 | 12.2% | |
1940 | 195,835 | 13.3% | |
1950 | 226,010 | 15.4% | |
1960 | 266,315 | 17.8% | |
1970 | 286,101 | 7.4% | |
1980 | 303,170 | 6.0% | |
1990 | 327,140 | 7.9% | |
2000 | 374,601 | 14.5% | |
2010 | 430,640 | 15.0% | |
2020 | 492,401 | 14.3% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2019 |
2020 census
The 2020 census recorded a population of 492,401 in the county, with a population density of 833.5383/sq mi (321.8309/km2). 92.55% of the population reported being of one race. 66.18% were non-Hispanic White, 7.23% were Black, 9.76% were Hispanic, 0.46% were Native American, 4.98% were Asian, 0.06% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 11.33% were some other race or more than one race. There were 210,184 housing units, of which 196,891 were occupied.
2010 census
The 2010 census recorded a population of 430,640 in the county, with a population density of 756.371/sq mi (292.036/km2). There were 182,262 housing units, of which 170,197 were occupied.
Communities
Cities
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Townships
- Allen
- Beaver
- Bloomfield
- Camp
- Clay
- Crocker
- Delaware
- Des Moines
- Douglas
- Elkhart
- Four Mile
- Franklin
- Jefferson
- Lee
- Lincoln
- Madison
- Saylor
- Union
- Walnut
- Washington
- Webster
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Polk County.
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
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1 | Des Moines | City | 203,433 |
2 | West Des Moines (partially in Dallas County) | City | 56,609 |
3 | Ankeny | City | 45,582 |
4 | Urbandale (partially in Dallas County) | City | 39,463 |
5 | Johnston | City | 17,278 |
6 | Clive (partially in Dallas County) | City | 15,447 |
7 | Altoona | City | 14,541 |
8 | Norwalk (mostly in Warren County) | City | 8,945 |
9 | Pleasant Hill | City | 8,785 |
10 | Grimes (partially in Dallas County) | City | 8,246 |
11 | Windsor Heights | City | 4,860 |
12 | Carlisle (partially in Warren County) | City | 3,876 |
13 | Bondurant | City | 3,860 |
14 | Polk City | City | 3,418 |
15 | Saylorville | CDP | 3,301 |
16 | Mitchellville (partially in Jasper County) | City | 2,254 |
17 | Granger (partially in Dallas County) | City | 1,244 |
18 | Elkhart | City | 683 |
19 | Runnells | City | 507 |
20 | Alleman | City | 432 |
21 | Sheldahl (partially in Boone and Story Counties) | City | 319 |
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Polk (Iowa) para niños