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| Polk County, Iowa | ||
 Polk County Court House
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 Location in the state of Iowa | ||
 Iowa's location in the U.S. | ||
| Founded | 1846 | |
|---|---|---|
| Named for | James K. Polk | |
| Seat | Des Moines | |
| Largest city | Des Moines | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
592 sq mi (1,533 km²) 574 sq mi (1,487 km²) 18 sq mi (47 km²), 3.0% | |
| Population - (2020) - Density |
492,401 751/sq mi (290/km²) | |
| Congressional district | 3rd | |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 | |
| Website | www.polkcountyiowa.gov | |
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 492,401,[1] making it the most populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Des Moines,[2] which is also the capital city of Iowa.
Polk County is included the Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5] 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 populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1] | |||
2010 census[]
The 2010 census recorded a population of 430,640 in the county, with a population density of 756.371/sq mi (292.037/km2). There were 182,262 housing units, of which 170,197 were occupied.[10]
2000 census[]
2000 Census Age Pyramid for Polk County
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 374,601 people, 149,112 households, and 96,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 658 people per square mile (254/km²). There were 156,447 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.34% White, 4.84% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.63% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. 4.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.9% were of German, 10.6% Irish, 9.0% English and 8.4% American ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 149,112 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the county was $46,116, and the median income for a family 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 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 located in Mitchellville and in Polk County.[12]
In the first third of the 20th century, Polk County was primarily Republican, backing its candidates in all presidential elections from 1880 to 1932 except for 1912 & 1916. From 1936 to 1980, the county was a swing county, only failing to back the national winner during that period in 1960 & 1968. Starting with the 1984 election, the county has become consistently Democratic like many midsize urban counties, backing the party's candidate in every presidential election from that point forward. Following national trends, suburbs of Des Moines such as Urbandale and Ankeny have changed from Republican strongholds into moderate or slightly progressive areas.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 106,800 | 41.27% | 146,250 | 56.52% | 5,705 | 2.20% |
| 2016 | 93,492 | 40.38% | 119,804 | 51.74% | 18,259 | 7.89% |
| 2012 | 96,096 | 41.98% | 128,465 | 56.13% | 4,321 | 1.89% |
| 2008 | 89,668 | 41.82% | 120,984 | 56.43% | 3,757 | 1.75% |
| 2004 | 95,828 | 47.29% | 105,218 | 51.93% | 1,572 | 0.78% |
| 2000 | 79,927 | 45.89% | 89,715 | 51.51% | 4,525 | 2.60% |
| 1996 | 60,884 | 39.00% | 83,877 | 53.73% | 11,345 | 7.27% |
| 1992 | 63,708 | 38.09% | 78,585 | 46.98% | 24,965 | 14.93% |
| 1988 | 57,854 | 40.42% | 84,476 | 59.01% | 814 | 0.57% |
| 1984 | 71,413 | 48.30% | 75,413 | 51.01% | 1,022 | 0.69% |
| 1980 | 64,156 | 44.63% | 61,984 | 43.12% | 17,618 | 12.26% |
| 1976 | 62,316 | 45.23% | 71,917 | 52.20% | 3,530 | 2.56% |
| 1972 | 70,245 | 52.95% | 59,169 | 44.60% | 3,245 | 2.45% |
| 1968 | 51,814 | 45.14% | 52,731 | 45.94% | 10,239 | 8.92% |
| 1964 | 37,280 | 33.30% | 74,194 | 66.27% | 479 | 0.43% |
| 1960 | 64,077 | 53.74% | 55,091 | 46.20% | 66 | 0.06% |
| 1956 | 62,392 | 54.02% | 53,025 | 45.91% | 74 | 0.06% |
| 1952 | 60,934 | 54.03% | 50,867 | 45.10% | 982 | 0.87% |
| 1948 | 33,742 | 41.46% | 45,289 | 55.65% | 2,348 | 2.89% |
| 1944 | 36,629 | 44.07% | 46,072 | 55.43% | 417 | 0.50% |
| 1940 | 41,245 | 44.26% | 51,647 | 55.42% | 301 | 0.32% |
| 1936 | 33,819 | 42.56% | 44,274 | 55.72% | 1,367 | 1.72% |
| 1932 | 34,023 | 49.54% | 31,517 | 45.89% | 3,132 | 4.56% |
| 1928 | 42,290 | 67.65% | 19,725 | 31.55% | 498 | 0.80% |
| 1924 | 37,491 | 62.21% | 6,665 | 11.06% | 16,114 | 26.74% |
| 1920 | 36,073 | 66.82% | 16,281 | 30.16% | 1,632 | 3.02% |
| 1916 | 11,295 | 45.81% | 12,327 | 50.00% | 1,034 | 4.19% |
| 1912 | 4,665 | 20.66% | 7,239 | 32.07% | 10,671 | 47.27% |
| 1908 | 12,555 | 58.02% | 7,924 | 36.62% | 1,161 | 5.37% |
| 1904 | 14,113 | 72.53% | 3,086 | 15.86% | 2,259 | 11.61% |
| 1900 | 12,628 | 64.72% | 6,180 | 31.67% | 703 | 3.60% |
| 1896 | 11,127 | 60.24% | 7,087 | 38.37% | 257 | 1.39% |
| 1892 | 7,757 | 53.76% | 5,538 | 38.38% | 1,133 | 7.85% |
| 1888 | 7,049 | 57.48% | 4,966 | 40.50% | 248 | 2.02% |
| 1884 | 6,122 | 56.06% | 4,768 | 43.66% | 30 | 0.27% |
| 1880 | 4,781 | 58.50% | 2,161 | 26.44% | 1,230 | 15.05% |
Communities[]
Cities[]
- Alleman
- Altoona
- Ankeny
- Bondurant
- Carlisle
- Clive
- Des Moines
- Elkhart
- Granger
- Grimes
- Johnston
- Mitchellville
- Norwalk
- Pleasant Hill
- Polk City
- Runnells
- Sheldahl
- Urbandale
- West Des Moines
- Windsor Heights
Census-designated place[]
- Saylorville
Unincorporated communities[]
- Avon
- Berwick
- Enterprise
- Farrar
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.[14]
† county seat
| Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census)
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | † Des Moines (State Capital) (partially in Warren County) | 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[]
- 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[]
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19153.html. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36.. Archived from the original on 2006-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20060514003222/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf. Retrieved 2006-07-21.
- ^ Polk County
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". United States Census Bureau American FactFinder. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_PL_GCTPL2.ST05&prodType=table. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Iowa Correctional Institution for Women." Iowa Department of Corrections. Retrieved on November 29, 2010.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS.
- ^ http://www.census.gov/2010census/
External links[]
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Boone County | Story County |
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| Dallas County | 
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Jasper County | ||
   Polk County | ||||
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| Madison County | Warren County | Marion County |
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| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Polk County, Iowa. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |