Polk County, Iowa
Polk County, Iowa | ||
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Polk County Court House | ||
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Location in the U.S. state of Iowa | ||
Iowa's location in the U.S. | ||
Founded | 13 January 1846 | |
Named for | James K. Polk | |
Seat | Des Moines | |
Largest city | Des Moines | |
Area | ||
• Total | 592 sq mi (1,533 km2) | |
• Land | 574 sq mi (1,487 km2) | |
• Water | 18 sq mi (47 km2), 3.0% | |
Population | ||
• (2010) | 430,640 | |
• Density | 751/sq mi (290/km2) | |
Congressional district | 3rd | |
Time zone | Central: UTC−6/−5 |
Polk County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2010 census, the population was 430,640,[1] making it Iowa's most populous county, hosting over 14% of the state's residents. 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
On 13 January 1846, the legislative body of the Indiana Territory authorized creation of twelve counties in the Iowa Territory,[4] with general descriptions of their boundaries. On 17 January they further enacted a resolution setting the effective date of the county government for Jasper and Polk Counties as 1 March 1846.[5] 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..[6]
Geography
According to the US 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.[7] The county is bisected by the Des Moines River.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Boone – northwest
- Dallas – west
- Jasper – east
- Madison - southwest
- Marion – southeast
- Story – north
- Warren – south
Communities
Cities
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Townships
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
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% | |
Est. 2016 | 474,045 | [8] | 10.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11] 1990–2000[12] 2010–2013[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.[13]
2000 census
As of the census[14] 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 in Mitchellville and in Polk County.[15]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | 40.4% 93,492 | 51.7% 119,804 | 7.9% 18,259 |
2012 | 42.0% 96,096 | 56.1% 128,465 | 1.9% 4,321 |
2008 | 41.8% 89,668 | 56.4% 120,984 | 1.8% 3,757 |
2004 | 47.3% 95,828 | 51.9% 105,218 | 0.8% 1,572 |
2000 | 45.9% 79,927 | 51.5% 89,715 | 2.6% 4,525 |
1996 | 39.0% 60,884 | 53.7% 83,877 | 7.3% 11,345 |
1992 | 38.1% 63,708 | 47.0% 78,585 | 14.9% 24,965 |
1988 | 40.4% 57,854 | 59.0% 84,476 | 0.6% 814 |
1984 | 48.3% 71,413 | 51.0% 75,413 | 0.7% 1,022 |
1980 | 44.6% 64,156 | 43.1% 61,984 | 12.3% 17,618 |
1976 | 45.2% 62,316 | 52.2% 71,917 | 2.6% 3,530 |
1972 | 53.0% 70,245 | 44.6% 59,169 | 2.5% 3,245 |
1968 | 45.1% 51,814 | 45.9% 52,731 | 8.9% 10,239 |
1964 | 33.3% 37,280 | 66.3% 74,194 | 0.4% 479 |
1960 | 53.7% 64,077 | 46.2% 55,091 | 0.1% 66 |
1956 | 54.0% 62,392 | 45.9% 53,025 | 0.1% 74 |
1952 | 54.0% 60,934 | 45.1% 50,867 | 0.9% 982 |
1948 | 41.5% 33,742 | 55.7% 45,289 | 2.9% 2,348 |
1944 | 44.1% 36,629 | 55.4% 46,072 | 0.5% 417 |
1940 | 44.3% 41,245 | 55.4% 51,647 | 0.3% 301 |
1936 | 42.6% 33,819 | 55.7% 44,274 | 1.7% 1,367 |
1932 | 49.5% 34,023 | 45.9% 31,517 | 4.6% 3,132 |
1928 | 67.7% 42,290 | 31.6% 19,725 | 0.8% 498 |
1924 | 62.2% 37,491 | 11.1% 6,665 | 26.7% 16,114 |
1920 | 66.8% 36,073 | 30.2% 16,281 | 3.0% 1,632 |
1916 | 45.8% 11,295 | 50.0% 12,327 | 4.2% 1,034 |
1912 | 20.7% 4,665 | 32.1% 7,239 | 47.3% 10,671 |
1908 | 58.0% 12,555 | 36.6% 7,924 | 5.4% 1,161 |
1904 | 72.5% 14,113 | 15.9% 3,086 | 11.6% 2,259 |
1900 | 64.7% 12,628 | 31.7% 6,180 | 3.6% 703 |
1896 | 60.2% 11,127 | 38.4% 7,087 | 1.4% 257 |
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Polk County.[17]
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census)
|
---|---|---|---|
1 | Des Moines | 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
- 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ↑ 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 (PDF) on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 21 July 2006.
- ↑ The counties were Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Warren, and Wayne.
- ↑ The History of Polk County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, &c. Union Historical Co. 1880. pp. 419, 425.
- ↑ Polk County
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". US Census Bureau. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
- ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ↑ "Population & Housing Occupancy Status 2010". US Census Bureau – American FactFinder. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
- ↑ Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Iowa Department of Corrections. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
- ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
- ↑ 2010 Census
External links
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Coordinates: 41°41′06″N 93°34′13″W / 41.68500°N 93.57028°W