RANK #737 / 1001 NAT · #8 / 11 IA · POP 503,175
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
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.
Polk County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.1% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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 1001 counties.
At 26/100, Polk County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $83,576 combined with job growth of -0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Polk County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $262,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,149/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Polk County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +1.1% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.02% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Polk County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.