Polk County, Iowa

Infobox U.S. County
county = Polk County
state = Iowa




map size = 250
founded = 1846
seat = Des Moines | area_total_sq_mi =592
area_land_sq_mi =569
area_water_sq_mi =23
area percentage = 3.81%
census estimate yr = 2007
pop = 418,339 [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/CountyAll/coestpop20002007.pdf]
density_km2 =273
web = http://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/
|

Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 374,601. The 2007 estimate is 418,339. [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US19&-_box_head_nbr=GCT-T1-R&-ds_name=PEP_2006_EST&-_lang=en&-format=ST-2S&-_sse=on] Its county seat is Des MoinesGR|6, which is also the capital city of Iowa. Polk County is one of the five counties that make up the Des Moines–West Des Moines Metropolitan Statistical Area. [cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2006/b06-01.pdf|title=Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses|accessdate=2006-07-21|author=United States Office of Management and Budget|pages=5, 36.|format=PDF]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 592 square miles (1,533 km²), of which, 569 square miles (1,475 km²) of it is land and 23 square miles (58 km²) of it (3.81%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

*Boone County (northwest)
*Story County (north)
*Jasper County (east)
*Marion County (southeast)
*Warren County (south)
*Madison County (southwest)
*Dallas County (west)

History

Polk County was formed on January 13, 1846. It was named after President James K. Polk.

The first courthouse, a two-story structure, was built in 1846. Construction of a second courthouse was begun 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 1900 in the Neo-Renaissance style. It was dedicated on October 31, 1906. In 1962, an extensive renovation was undertaken. [ [http://www.iowacounties.org/About%20Us/AboutCoGov/County%20Pages/Polk.htm Polk County ] ]

Demographics

USCensusPop
1900= 82624
1910= 110438
1920= 154029
1930= 172837
1940= 195835
1950= 226010
1960= 266315
1970= 286101
1980= 303170
1990= 327140
2000= 374601
estyear= 2007
estimate= 418339
footnote= [http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ia190090.txt IA Counties 1900-1990] , [http://data.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/CountyAll/coestpop20002007.pdf] As of the censusGR|2 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.

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.

In the county the population was spread out with 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.

Communities

Cities

*Alleman *Altoona *Ankeny *Bondurant *Carlisle

*Clive *Des Moines *Elkhart *Granger *Grimes

*Johnston *Mitchellville *Norwalk *Pleasant Hill *Polk City

*Runnells *Sheldahl *Urbandale *West Des Moines *Windsor Heights

Census-designated place

*Saylorville

Other place

*Berwick

References

External links

* [http://www.co.polk.ia.us/ Polk County government's website]