RANK #554 / 996 · POP 493,378 · IA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
Polk County, Iowa, stands out for its extensive park system, with Polk County Conservation managing over 15,000 acres of prairies, wetlands, woodlands, and trails. This central Iowa county is home to Des Moines, the state capital and its largest city. Commuting within the county is facilitated by the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) bus system, which serves Des Moines and surrounding communities like Ankeny and West Des Moines. The community offers a blend of urban amenities and natural landscapes, with diverse recreational opportunities at places like Jester Park, which features camping, golf, and an equestrian center.
Life in Polk County offers a mix of urban and suburban living, appealing to families and young professionals. The public schools in Polk County are highly rated, with districts like Ankeny and Johnston recognized for their quality. The economy is driven by sectors such as finance, healthcare, and agricultural products. Recent economic developments include significant investment in data centers and renewable energy projects, contributing to job growth and a broadening economic base. The county also focuses on initiatives to improve residents' health and overall quality of life.
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center Campus Expansion
Meta
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Microsoft Data Center Campus Expansion
Microsoft
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Greater Des Moines Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant)
MidAmerican Energy Co.
|
$540M | Under Construction |
|
Confidential Data Center Campus (Buildings 1 & 2 of 8)
Confidential Client (Telecommunications/Utility, Data Center)
|
$500M | Operating |
|
Tract Capital Data Center Development Land Acquisition
Tract Capital (IALCO Polk County LLC)
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Army Post 161kV Substation Battery Storage
Unknown
|
$170M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Polk County has a Boom Town Index score of 44/100, ranking #554 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.3% and a median household income of $78,827, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Polk County is $232,000 with median rent at $1,060/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3398, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.3%. Home values changed +1.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.99% of Polk County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.