Race & Ethnicity
Age Breakdown
Key Indicators
| Median Age | 36.1 yrs |
|---|---|
| Avg HH Size | 2.45 |
| Below Poverty | 9.4% ≈ Avg |
| College Grads | 52.0% ▲ 34% above avg |
| Unemployment | 4.2% ▼ 14% below avg |
| No HS Diploma | 6,190 (1.8%) |
| HS Graduate | 74,917 (22.1%) |
| Some College | 36,298 (10.7%) |
| Associates | 43,315 (12.8%) |
| Bachelors | 35,210 (10.4%) |
| Graduate Degree | 142,649 (42.1%) |
Education
Housing Tenure
Home Value Distribution
Financials
| Median HH Income | $89,050 ▲ 17% above avg |
|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $264,847 ≈ Avg |
| Home/Income Ratio | 3.0x (nat avg ~3.5x) |
| Median Rent | $1,139/mo |
| Total Housing Units | 233,134 |
| Vacant Units | 13,406 |
Income Distribution
How People Get to Work
Commute Time
Year Built
Polk County is located in Iowa and encompasses 78 ZIP codes spanning 18 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 539,587 residents. With a median age of 36.12, it is a relatively young county.
Polk County has a middle-income economic profile. The median household income of $89,050 is above the national average. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, near the national average. The poverty rate of 9.4% is near the national average.
Housing in Polk County is a mid-range housing market, with a median home value of $264,847 — near the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $1,139. Homeownership rates are high at 68.2%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.
The residents of Polk County are primarily White (74.67%). Educational attainment is well-educated — 52.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, above the national average.
Polk County, IA is a middle-income area in Iowa. The 78 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.
| ZIP | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemp. | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50007 | Alleman | 490 | $130,000 | $294,300 | — | 1.8% | 69.0% |
| 50009 | Altoona | 21,992 | $90,393 | $261,800 | $1,201 | 6.3% | 44.7% |
| 50021 | Ankeny | 29,718 | $98,847 | $295,000 | $1,434 | 2.9% | 60.0% |
| 50023 | Ankeny | 45,286 | $113,914 | $327,200 | $1,191 | 1.9% | 66.2% |
| 50035 | Bondurant | 9,668 | $126,915 | $297,100 | $1,097 | 1.1% | 63.5% |
| 50325 | Clive | 18,776 | $131,082 | $379,000 | $1,099 | 3.2% | 66.7% |
| 50309 | Des Moines | 9,199 | $57,974 | $286,900 | $1,166 | 4.3% | 70.7% |
| 50310 | Des Moines | 31,283 | $74,473 | $213,800 | $1,043 | 5.4% | 48.8% |
| 50311 | Des Moines | 15,889 | $63,233 | $228,000 | $1,019 | 7.0% | 52.0% |
| 50312 | Des Moines | 15,492 | $82,720 | $274,400 | $1,057 | 2.9% | 68.0% |
| 50313 | Des Moines | 18,280 | $64,077 | $161,800 | $1,077 | 4.1% | 27.9% |
| 50314 | Des Moines | 10,203 | $38,511 | $146,700 | $977 | 8.1% | 27.2% |
| 50315 | Des Moines | 35,349 | $62,036 | $164,000 | $977 | 4.1% | 31.4% |
| 50316 | Des Moines | 16,188 | $53,090 | $137,300 | $963 | 6.7% | 23.9% |
| 50317 | Des Moines | 36,721 | $61,569 | $165,200 | $1,079 | 7.1% | 26.3% |
| 50320 | Des Moines | 23,903 | $83,710 | $207,700 | $1,110 | 7.0% | 41.4% |
| 50321 | Des Moines | 7,787 | $77,636 | $294,100 | $1,098 | 6.4% | 49.0% |
| 50073 | Elkhart | 1,018 | $94,712 | $275,700 | $678 | 0.3% | 52.6% |
| 50111 | Grimes | 16,254 | $108,352 | $285,700 | $1,156 | 6.1% | 55.3% |
| 50131 | Johnston | 24,388 | $103,316 | $347,100 | $1,284 | 1.7% | 65.8% |
| 50169 | Mitchellville | 3,532 | $81,625 | $211,100 | $789 | 2.2% | 29.9% |
| 50327 | Pleasant Hill | 12,875 | $90,759 | $303,000 | $1,219 | 8.4% | 44.4% |
| 50226 | Polk City | 7,290 | $161,627 | $390,600 | $746 | 2.6% | 63.4% |
| 50237 | Runnells | 3,275 | $92,667 | $326,300 | $765 | 3.3% | 37.0% |
| 50243 | Sheldahl | 348 | $67,500 | $175,000 | $1,200 | 14.0% | 45.3% |
| 50322 | Urbandale | 31,694 | $89,323 | $263,900 | $1,151 | 4.2% | 54.2% |
| 50323 | Urbandale | 17,065 | $173,659 | $456,600 | $1,479 | 0.7% | 76.8% |
| 50265 | West Des Moines | 33,061 | $84,588 | $267,600 | $1,065 | 2.2% | 60.0% |
| 50266 | West Des Moines | 36,770 | $85,282 | $325,100 | $1,285 | 2.6% | 69.8% |
| 50324 | Windsor Heights | 5,171 | $89,083 | $251,800 | $1,355 | 1.8% | 57.0% |