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 |
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| State |  Iowa |
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| 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 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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505,255  |
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| • 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
On January 13, 1846, the legislative body of the Iowa Territory authorized the creation of twelve counties in the Territory, 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. 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 Civil War, the structure was not completed until 1866. The present courthouse was erected in 1906, and in 1962 it was extensively renovated and enlarged.
Geography
According to the United States 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- Interstate Multiplex with I-80 & I-35
U.S. Highway 6
U.S. Highway 65
U.S Route 69
Iowa Highway 5
Iowa Highway 17
Iowa Highway 28
Iowa Highway 141
Iowa Highway 160
Iowa Highway 163
Iowa Highway 415
Iowa Highway 210
Transit
- Des Moines Area Regional Transit
- Burlington Trailways
- Jefferson Lines
- Des Moines Bus Station
Adjacent counties
- Boone – northwest
- Dallas – west
- Jasper – east
- Madison - southwest (meeting in a 4-corners)
- Marion – southeast
- Story – north
- Warren – south
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
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% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 505,255 | 17.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
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2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 492,401 people and 207,290 households 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
As of the census of 2010, there were 430,640 people and 170,197 households 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.
Education
School districts include:
- 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 Resort
- Blank Park Zoo
- Iowa State Capitol
- Iowa State Fair
- Living History Farms
- Science Center of Iowa
- Valley Junction
- Wells Fargo Arena
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Polk (Iowa) para niños
