Living in Polk County, Iowa

Polk County is a county in Iowa with a population of around 467,711, part of the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA MSA metro area. The main communities are West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale.

Cost of Living

Median rent is $1,922/month, above the national average, with a median home price of around $263K. The county has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.6%.

Weather and Climate

The climate brings cold winters (highs around 34°F) and hot summers (highs around 83°F). The area has tornado risk worth factoring into home insurance decisions.

Demographics

Polk County has relatively young demographics, with a median age of 36 and a moderately educated workforce (37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher). The county votes lean Democratic.