Polk
Iowa

What stands out

Three things set Polk County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the top 6% of American counties (1.81%), violent crime is in the bottom 6% of American counties (3.0 per 1,000), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 8% of American counties (92 of 100). Within Iowa it ranks 3rd of 99 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Polk County, Iowa. 493,378 people live here with you. The population grew 0.8% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +63).

Iowa cut its income tax to a flat 3.8% in 2025 and stopped taxing retirement income for residents 55 and over in 2023, including pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals. It still has an inheritance tax, but that is being phased out and ends for deaths after 2024. Winters are long and the state's economy still moves with corn, soybean and hog prices.

Money

The typical household here brings in $78,827 a year, higher than 86% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $72,557. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 76% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 17 minutes each way.

Iowa takes 3.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,995 a year.

Home

The median home costs $283K, pricier than 65% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,088 a month. Property tax is 1.81% of home value, roughly $4,208 a year on that median home, higher than 94% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.0 per 1,000 residents, lower than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.5 years, longer than 70% of American counties. There are 1,790 active physicians in the county, about 36.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.8 of 5 stars. 7.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.97 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 53% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 15 points. 75% of eligible voters turned out. Under Iowa law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 51°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 70% of American counties. About 38 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 92 out of 100, riskier than 92% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 272 Mbps down, faster than 84% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 16 breweries, 9 museums.