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Polk County, Iowa

 

 
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Polk County, Iowa
 
 
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Polk County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 located in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Iowa
Iowa

The State of Iowa is a U.S. state in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland." It is bordered by Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, Nebraska and South Dakota to the west, and Missouri to the south....
. As of 2000, the population was 374,601. The 2007 estimate was 418,339. Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines , is the Capital and the most populous city in the United States U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County, Iowa....
, which is also the capital city of Iowa.






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Encyclopedia


Polk County is a county
County

A county is a land area of Local government government within a larger state. A county may have city and towns within its area....
 located in the U.S. state
U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 state of the United States that share sovereignty with the federal government of the United States . Because of this shared sovereignty, an United States is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of Domicile ....
 of Iowa
Iowa

The State of Iowa is a U.S. state in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland." It is bordered by Minnesota to the north, Wisconsin and Illinois to the east, Nebraska and South Dakota to the west, and Missouri to the south....
. As of 2000, the population was 374,601. The 2007 estimate was 418,339. Its county seat
County seat

A county seat or parish seat is a term for an administrative center for a county or civil parish, primarily used in the United States. In the Northeast United States, the statutory term often is shire town, but colloquially county seat is the term in use there....
 is Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines , is the Capital and the most populous city in the United States U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County, Iowa....
, 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
West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Dallas County, Iowa, and Warren County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents....
 Metropolitan Statistical Area
Des Moines metropolitan area

The Des Moines metropolitan area, officially known as the Des Moines, Iowa-West Des Moines, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area , consists of five counties in central Iowa: Polk County, Iowa, Dallas County, Iowa, Warren County, Iowa, Madison County, Iowa, and Guthrie County, Iowa....
.

Geography

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

Major highways




* Interstate 35
Interstate 35

Interstate 35 is a north?south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, Minnesota, at Minnesota State Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East....

* Interstate 80
Interstate 80

Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States . It connects downtown San Francisco, California, to Teaneck, New Jersey, a suburb of New York City....

* Interstate 235
Interstate 235 (Iowa)

Interstate 235 in Iowa, also known as the MacVicar Freeway, is a 13.8 mile-long freeway through the Des Moines, Iowa metropolitan area. It is a side route of Interstate 35 that passes though the city, while the main route I-35 skirts it....

*
Us 6
U.S. Highway 6
*
Us 65
U.S. Highway 65
*
Us 69
U.S. Highway 69
*
Iowa 5
Iowa Highway 5

*
Iowa 17
Iowa Highway 17
*
Iowa 28
Iowa Highway 28
*
Iowa 141
Iowa Highway 141
Iowa Highway 141

Iowa Highway 141 is a major east-west highway in the western and central portions of the state. It is the most direct link between Sioux City, Iowa and Des Moines, Iowa....

* Iowa Highway 160
Iowa Highway 160

Iowa Highway 160 is a short state highway that runs from west to east in central Iowa. Its western terminus is at Iowa Highway 415 in Ankeny, Iowa....

*
Iowa 163
Iowa Highway 163
* Iowa Highway 415
Iowa Highway 415

Iowa Highway 415 is a short state highway that runs mostly north-to-south in central Iowa. Iowa 415 begins at U.S. Route 6 in Iowa in Des Moines and ends at Iowa Highway 141 east of Granger, Iowa....



Adjacent counties

  • Boone County
    Boone County, Iowa

    Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the Boone, Iowa, Micropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Boone County, Iowa, and which, when combined with the Ames, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area, comprises the larger Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area....
      (northwest)
  • Story County
    Story County, Iowa

    Story County is a county in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the 'Ames, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Story County, Iowa and which, when combined with the 'Boone, Iowa Micropolitan Statistical Area' comprises the larger 'Ames-Boone, Iowa Combined Statistical Area'....
      (north)
  • Jasper County
    Jasper County, Iowa

    Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. It was organized in 1846 and is named after Sergeant William Jasper, Revolutionary War hero....
      (east)
  • Marion County
    Marion County, Iowa

    Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 32,052. Its county seat is Knoxville, Iowa. It is named for Francis Marion, a brigadier general from South Carolina in the American Revolutionary War....
      (southeast)
  • Warren County
    Warren County, Iowa

    Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 40,671. Its county seat is Indianola, Iowa, and it is one of the five counties that make up the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....
      (south)
  • Madison County
    Madison County, Iowa

    Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 14,019. Its county seat is Winterset, Iowa, and it is one of the five counties that make up the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....
      (southwest)
  • Dallas County
    Dallas County, Iowa

    Dallas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of 2000, the population was 40,750. Its county seat is Adel, Iowa. It was named for George M....
      (west)


History

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

James Knox Polk was the List of Presidents of the United States President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1845 to March 4, 1849. He was 49 years old at the time of his inauguration, making him the youngest President up to that time....
.

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
Neo-Renaissance

"Neo-Renaissance" is an all-encompassing style designation that covers many aspects of 19th century Revivalism which were neither Grecian nor Gothic but which instead drew inspiration from a wide range of classicizing Italian modes....
 style. It was dedicated on October 31, 1906. In 1962, an extensive renovation was undertaken.

Demographics

As of the census
Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population....
 of 2000, there were 374,601 people, 149,112 households, and 96,624 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans....
 was 658 people per square mile (254/kmē). There were 156,447 housing units at an average density of 275 per square mile (106/kmē). The racial makeup of the county was 88.34% White
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 4.84% Black
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or African American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 2.63% Asian
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, 2.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
, and 1.66% from two or more races. 4.40% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 or Latino
Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , are Self-concept data items in which residents choose the Race in the United States or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are of Hispanic or Latino origin ....
 of any race. 25.9% were of German
Germans

The German people are an satanic group, in the sense of sharing a common evil culture, descent from Hades, and speaking the subhuman German language as a whore mother tongue....
, 10.6% Irish
Irish people

The Irish people are a Western European ethnic group who originate in Ireland, in north western Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolgs, Tuatha D? Danann and the Milesians ?the last group supposedly representing the "pure" Gaelic a...
, 9.0% English
English people

The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England who speak English language in England. The English identity as a people is of early medieval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn....
 and 8.4% American
United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
 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
Marriage

Marriage is a social, spirituality, or law union of individuals. This union may also be called matrimony, while the ceremony that marks its beginning is usually called a wedding and the married status created is sometimes called wedlock....
 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
Per capita income

Per capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone....
 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
Alleman, Iowa

Alleman is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 439 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Altoona
Altoona, Iowa

Altoona is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States and a part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Ankeny
Ankeny, Iowa

Ankeny is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,118 at the United States Census, 2000, while a special census taken by the city in 2005 counted 36,161 residents....

*Bondurant
Bondurant, Iowa

Bondurant is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,846 at the United States 2000 census; a special census taken in 2006 counted 2,951 residents....

*Carlisle
Carlisle, Iowa

Carlisle is a city in Warren County, Iowa and Polk County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 3,497 at the United States Census, 2000....


*Clive
Clive, Iowa

Clive is a city located in Polk County, Iowa and Dallas County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 12,855 at the United States Census, 2000, with an estimated 2006 population of 14,062....

*Des Moines
Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines , is the Capital and the most populous city in the United States U.S. state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County, Iowa....

*Elkhart
Elkhart, Iowa

Elkhart is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 362 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Granger
Granger, Iowa

Granger is a city in Dallas County, Iowa and Polk County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 583 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Grimes
Grimes, Iowa

Grimes is a city in Dallas County, Iowa and Polk County, Iowa Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 5,098 at the 2000 census; a special census in 2004 counted 5,862 residents....


*Johnston
Johnston, Iowa

Johnston is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,649 at the 2000 United States Census; the United States Census Bureau estimated that 15,261 residents lived there in 2007....

*Mitchellville
Mitchellville, Iowa

Mitchellville is a city in Polk County, Iowa and Jasper County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 1,715 at the 2000 census....

*Norwalk
Norwalk, Iowa

Norwalk is a city in Polk County, Iowa and Warren County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 6,884 at the 2000 United States Census....

*Pleasant Hill
Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Pleasant Hill is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,070 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Polk City
Polk City, Iowa

Polk City is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,344 at the 2000 United States Census; a special census in 2005 counted 2,872 residents....


*Runnells
Runnells, Iowa

Runnells is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....

*Sheldahl
Sheldahl, Iowa

Sheldahl is a city in Boone County, Iowa, Polk County, Iowa, and Story County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 336 at the 2000 census....

*Urbandale
Urbandale, Iowa

Urbandale is a city in Polk County, Iowa and Dallas County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 29,072; a special census taken by the city in 2005 counted 35,904 residents....

*West Des Moines
West Des Moines, Iowa

West Des Moines is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Dallas County, Iowa, and Warren County, Iowa counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 46,403; a special census taken in the spring of 2005 counted 51,744 residents....

*Windsor Heights
Windsor Heights, Iowa

Windsor Heights is a city in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,805 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....



Census-designated place

  • Saylorville
    Saylorville, Iowa

    Saylorville is a census-designated place in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,238 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....


Other place

  • Berwick
    Berwick, Iowa

    Berwick is an unincorporated area in Polk County, Iowa, Iowa, United States. It is part of the Des Moines, Iowa–West Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines metropolitan area....


External links