Polk County Population Charts

According to the most recent Polk County Iowa demographics data available from the 2022 Census Bureau released in the American Community Survey in November of 2022, Figure 1 Polk County depicts it has a Population 2021 of 488,871 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Polk County region. Figure 3 uses the Polk County population data for a comparison of the population growth/population change estimates from the years 2010 to 2021 and Polk County Iowa depicts an increase of 58,231 (14%).

The total Polk County Iowa greater area population percent change for all areas for the years from 2010 to 2021 is shown in Figure 4 and for Polk County shows it has a Population Change of 13.5% which is the second most population percent change of all the counties in the greater Polk County region.

Looking at the Polk County population density (measured as people per square mile) and providing comparisons to both the national and state average population density in Figure 5, Polk County Iowa shows it has 852 people per square mile which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater region. The next lower population density is Story County approximately a fifth the size with population density of 171. Figure 6 provides Polk County demographics for the overall median age for all people in the region and Polk County indicates it has a Median Age of 35.9 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest overall median age of all people in the area is Boone County which shows an age of 42.2 (17.5% larger). The Polk County Iowa population data for median age broken out by gender for both men versus the median age of women is shown in Figure 7. Polk County Iowa depicts a median age of men only about 3.7% smaller as the median age of women.

The next demographic analysis (Figure 8) looks at large generational Polk County population groups (and can be useful internet research for employment related research or identifying areas with retirees). Key findings in this chart includes that Polk County Iowa has the percentage of people between 60 and 69 years old less than most other counties in the greater region at 8.5% of the total.

Figure 9 illustrates the overall diversity breakdown for Polk County population and ethnicity groups in the area. (note: Hispanic/Latino is broken out separately in the next diagram and also the group denoted as Native ethnicity includes Native American, and Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.) Polk County Iowa has the largest proportion of White population at 7.2% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of Black population at 4.9% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Story County with 7.6%. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of Native population at 6.2% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 6.7%. Figure 10 shows the Polk County Iowa Hispanic (including non Hispanic whites) population household ethnicity in the region and Polk County depicts it has a Hispanic or Latino of 8.7% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Polk County region. Figure 11 compares the ratio of the amount of men to the amount of women and shows total male population about the same size as the total female population.

Polk County Marital Status and Families Charts

Figure 12 shows the detailed marriage characteristics broken down by %residents who are married, never married, single, divorced, and widowed. Polk County has one of the largest proportions of never married percent at 12% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Jasper County (12%), and #1 Boone County (13%) are larger. Figure 14 compares the average household size using the average number of people in a family for Polk County households. Polk County shows it has a Family Size of 3.2 which is the second most average family size of all the counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest average family size in the area is Dallas County which indicates an average family size of 3.2 ( about the same size).

Figure 15 shows the overall ratio of Polk County households for families to the total number of Polk County households and that Polk County depicts it has a Families of 61% which is the second smallest as measured by percent of people who are in a family of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest percent of people who are in a family in the area is Madison County which depicts a families percent of 71% (16.2% larger).

Looking at Polk County households that are headed by a husband and wife as a percent of all families in Figure 16, Polk County shows it has a Married-couple family of 75% which is the smallest as measured by percent of people in a husband and wife family of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people in a husband and wife family in the area is Madison County which depicts a husband and wife family percent of 85% (13.7% larger). Figure 17 shows Polk County demographics for the head of household for each place using a breakdown of married-couple, male-headed alone, and female-headed alone. Polk County Iowa has the largest proportion of households at 18.2% of the total and is ranked #1.

Polk County Mothers and Children Charts

The next section of charts provide a detailed look at mothers and baby births that occurred over the past 12 months. Figure 18 shows the rate of women aged 15 to 50 years old who have given birth. Polk County depicts it has a Birth Rate of 5.0% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest percent of women who gave birth in the area is Boone County which depicts a birth rate of 6.4% (28.7% larger). Figure 19 shows the breakdown of the mother's age for all baby births that occurred in the last 12 months and has the percentage of percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 less than most other counties in the metro area at 12% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when ranked by percent of births to mothers aged 15 to 19 of all the other counties in the metropolitan area in terms of percent of births to mothers aged 20 to 24 at 26% of the total.

In Figure 20, the demographic data for Polk County Iowa teenager birth rate is shown (women between the ages of 15 and 19.) Polk County depicts it has a Teenager Birth Rate of 3% which is the second most percent of births to a teenager of all the counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest teenager birth rate in the area is Jasper County which depicts a births to a teenager of 11% (approximately 3.1 times bigger).

In Figure 21, the percentage of all births in the last 12 months to mothers that were unmarried is shown (unwed mothers.) Polk County depicts it has a Unwed Births of 26% which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth in the area is Madison County which depicts an unwed mother birth rate of 40% (54.7% larger).

The next chart, Figure 22, shows the percentage of unwed mothers who are also on public assistance. Polk County depicts it has a Unwed birth and on public assistance of 4.4% which is the third most of all other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest percent of unwed women who have given birth and are on public assistance in the area is Warren County which depicts a percent of unwed women who gave birth and are on public assistance of 35.1% ( considerably bigger).

Unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are also shown broken down by age group in Figure 24. Polk County Iowa has the percentage of unwed mothers aged 15 to 19 in the mid point range of other counties in the local area at 69.7% of the total. Figure 25 shows the comparative demographic rate of unwed mothers who have given birth in the last 12 months are broken down by racial group (including the Hispanic birth rate.) Polk County Iowa has the largest proportion of White unwed birth rate at 50.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of Black unwed birth rate at 51.4% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of Hispanic unwed birth rate at 1.1% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 20.0%. Also, it has the largest proportion of Asian unwed birth rate at 100.0% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 26 shows unwed mothers in poverty (based on median household income definition) who have given birth in the last 12 months. Polk County Iowa has one of the largest proportions of unwed births and living below poverty level at 31.4% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 36.0%.

For all births to unwed mothers, Figure 27 breaks down the education level of the mother by less than high school through college and post graduate attainment it has one of the largest proportions of percent of unwed mothers with less than high school education at 44% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Story County with 49%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of percent of unwed mothers who are a high school graduate or equivalent at 23% of the total.

Polk County Marital Status Charts

The next set of demographic data looks at the marital status for Polk County households which is useful for internet research. Figure 28 compares the total number of single people in each area. Polk County depicts it has a Total Single People of 50% which is the second most percent single people of all the counties in the greater Polk County region. The county with the highest percent of people who are single for any reason in the area is Story County which depicts a percent single of 60% (21.7% larger). Comparing percent of people who are single for any reason to the United States average of 50%, Polk County is about the same size. Also, versus the state of Iowa, percent of people who are single for any reason of 48%, Polk County is only about 4.4% larger.

Figure 30 compares the single people in each area broken down by never married, divorced, and widowed. Polk County Iowa has one of the largest proportions of percent never married at 12% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Jasper County (12%), and #1 Boone County (13%) are larger. Second, it has less than most other counties in the local area when ranked by percent divorced at 5% of the total. Figure 32 shows the number of single women adults in each area broken out by never married, divorced and widowed. Polk County Iowa has the largest proportion of women who have never been married at 13% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 33 shows the Polk County demographics for the ratio of the number of single men between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Polk County metro area. Polk County Iowa has one of the largest proportions of single men 18 to 24 at 19% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 19%. Second, it has the largest proportion of single men 25 to 29 at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has in the middle range of other counties in the surrounding region when sorted by single men 30 to 34 at 9% of the total.

Figure 34 shows the Polk County population data for the ratio of the number of single women between the age of 18 and 65, in each area, broken down by age group for the Polk County metro area. Polk County Iowa has one of the largest proportions of single women 18 to 24 at 16% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 19%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of single women 25 to 29 at 10% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 10%. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of single women 30 to 34 at 8% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Madison County with 11%.

Polk County Citizenship Demographics Charts

The next section of demographic information provides detailed data Polk County residents including: immigrants, citizenship, immigration, country of origin, non citizens and more. To start, Figure 35 shows a high level view of citizenship. Polk County Iowa has one of the largest proportions of citizens born In US at 4% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Dallas County with 5%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of citizens by naturalization at 5% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Story County with 6%.

In Figure 37, the demographic percentage of Polk County residents who were not born in the United States is shown (i.e. percent foreign born.) Polk County depicts it has a Percent Foreign Born of 9.4% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Polk County region. Comparing percent of population who was born in another country to the United States average of 13.6%, Polk County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, versus the state of Iowa, percent of population who was born in another country of 5.5%, Polk County is 72.5% larger.

Figure 39 provides a detailed analysis of non citizens by breaking them into two age groups: Under 18 and over the age of 18. Polk County Iowa shows a percent of non citizens under 18 years old approximately a sixth the size as the percent of non citizens over 18 years old. Figure 40 provides further information for non citizen age by showing a comparison of the median age for all non citizens immigrants. it has a Non Citizen Median Age of 35.4 which is the second smallest in terms of median age of non citizens of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest median age of non citizens in the area is Madison County which depicts a median age of 66.3 (about twice as large). The next diagram (Figure 41) shows the year of entry that non citizens entered the United States. The year of entry can show the rate of flow at various points of time in the past for when they entered the U.S. has the percentage of non citizens who entered the US before 1990 in the mid range of other counties in the area at 4% of the total.

For all foreign born people who have gone through naturalization (the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident citizen), Figure 42 shows the year when they became fully naturalized U.S. citizens. it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2010 to 2014 at 19% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Jasper County (28%), and #1 Warren County (32%) are larger. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of people naturalized 2005 to 2009 at 19% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Dallas County (24%), and #1 Story County (25%) are larger. Third, it has less than most other counties in the area when sorted by people naturalized 2000 to 2004 at 11% of the total. Also, it has less than most other counties in the local area in order of people naturalized before 1990 at 11% of the total.

Polk County Birthplace Demographic Charts

Figure 43 displays a map of the globe and shows Polk County demographic information for large regions of the world that people from this place originally came from. Polk County Iowa has the percentage of from Europe less than most other counties in the metropolitan area at 12% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of from Africa at 20% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Boone County (27%), and #1 Jasper County (43%) are larger.

Figure 45 is a table that breaks out all the people who were foreign born by which large geographic region where they were born. Polk County Iowa has the smallest proportion of people who were born in Western Europe at 0.8% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in South East Asia at 21.1% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in the Middle African Region at 2.7% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of people who were born in Western Africa at 5.6% of the total and is ranked #1.